You don’t have to choose between being stylish or sustainable anymore. These Manchester-based clothing brands are both saving the planet and your wardrobe.
In recent years, being sustainable and eco-friendly has become more of a necessity than a choice for many fashion brands – with industry revealed as the second largest source of pollution worldwide.
Yet, in a climate still dominated by fast fashion and constantly changing trends, it can be a lot harder than it seems to support this movement and find ways to shop sustainably without the excessive price tag.
If you don’t know where to begin, we have curated this list of our favourite Manchester independent brands and stores that are prioritising sustainability alongside style.
This Bury-based sassy clothing brand aims to empower women and promote individuality through slogan t-shirts – with ROR garments sported by style icons such as Louisa Johnson and Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall.
ADVERTISEMENT
The brand made the switch to fairwear clothing in 2016, so you can guarantee their range is ethically-made.
Rock On Ruby also holds a weekly sample sale on their Instagram every Wednesday with any products that may have minor faults or misprints; eliminating waste and giving customers the perfect chance to get their hands on some pieces.
This contemporary unisex clothing brand is on a mission to prove that sustainable clothing doesn’t have to be plain or boring.
Based in the heart of Manchester, Native Youth is creating collections of modern, trend-led clothing that also have minimal impact on the earth.
ADVERTISEMENT
The brand is continuing to develop products from sustainable sources and have vowed that all future collections will be made using 100% organic cotton.
Private White V.C. commemorates Manchester’s roots as ‘Cottonopolis’ during the Industrial Revolution; handcrafting all garments in the original Manchester cotton mill that has been the brand’s home since 1932.
Private White is committed to locally sourced manufacturing and handcrafting garments to result in less waste and a smaller carbon footprint, whilst still creating some stylish, staple men’s pieces.
After establishing two shops in South Manchester in 1994, McQueen Independent has been on the hunt for independent labels that share their love of vibrant colours and patterns.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sustainability is crucial when curating these eclectic and quirky looks, and McQueen constantly strive to work with independents who are ethical and support Fairtrade.
Jeneral Store is an emerging Manchester-based fashion brand focused on creating trendy and affordable vintage collections.
Although scrunchies are the speciality, Jeneral sell a variety of reimagined items in signature girly style and pastel colour palette.
All products are either vintage or from an ethical supplier, with every single element down to the swing tags and packaging sustainably sourced and biodegradable.
Manchester Storm announce partnership with USAsports including NHL pop-ups and more
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have announced a landmark new deal with USAsports, a dedicated home for British fans of North American sporting disciplines and global merchandising suppliers, which will see various exciting events this upcoming season.
Confirming the collaboration ahead of the pending 2026/27 campaign, this crossover will involve everything from special pop-up events to player sponsorships and much more.
USAsports specialise in officially licensed NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB clothing, and while you may have seen the odd jersey here and there at various Greater Manchester locations, they are now gearing up to work with Manchester Storm to deliver better exposure.
Whether you’re just a die-hard member of the Storm Shelter or an ex-pat who still follows an NHL franchise overseas, kit collecting and the fascination surrounding limited edition team jumpers is a big part of ice hockey fandom and culture not just here in the UK but around the world.
Sharing their own announcement, they wrote: “Manchester Storm are thrilled to announce a new partnership with USAsports for the 2026/27 Motorpoint Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season as the club embarks on an exciting new chapter at the AO Arena.
“As part of the partnership, USAsports will sponsor a Manchester Storm player throughout the season and deliver multiple NHL Pop-Up Shop events at Storm home games during the forthcoming campaign.”
On the subject of sponsorship, commercial entities are the only people who will be given the opportunity to back big players this term, as Storm are once again bringing back their ‘own-and-loan’ scheme.
Speaking on working closely with their new partners, the club’s General Manager, Ryan Finnerty, added: “We’re delighted to have USAsports on board for the 2026/27 season.
“Their passion for the fan experience really stood out to us, and their NHL Pop-Up Shops throughout the season will be a fantastic addition to game days at the AO Arena.
“We’re looking forward to working together throughout what promises to be a very exciting season.”
As casual fans here at The Manc, we’ll admit that watching the growing buzz around the resurgent ice hockey team, especially ahead of their Manchester city centre ‘homecoming’, has got us amped to dive deeper into the sport when it gets back underway next month. We’re not the only ones, either…
Drama Call opening first-ever flagship shop in Manchester
Danny Jones
Streetwear superstars Drama Call are opening their new flagship store and first-ever permanent site in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Expect massive queues and lots turning up wearing the increasingly recognisable starry logo.
Already a much-loved brand not just here in 0161 but across the nation at large, the native independent business turned street-style favourites and UK fashion phenomenon are no strangers to HUGE pop-ups in their hometown.
However, they’ve never had a mainstay location anywhere in the country, let alone Greater Manchester – well, until now, that is…
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Debuting in the Northern Quarter this Sunday, the venue located on Tib Street will effectively serve as Drama Call‘s new HQ.
The local label has done everything from popping up vans with Manc rapper Aitch to collaborating with Man United for multiple limited edition collections, so it only felt like a matter of time before they’d make a big brick-and-mortar splash in our fair city.
Most notably, they’re also taking over the same unit as the Sheep Shop, a former skate shop and legendary urban clothing tastemaker of the 90s; they were one of the first places in Britain to stock famous names like Stüssy, Supreme, Carhartt, The North Face and many more.
With that in mind, it feels only fitting that they carry on the trendsetting tradition from the same premises, and just spitting distance from the likes of Note, as well.
And that’s not all, either: before the full launch, they’ll also be holding an exclusive cash-only shirt swap event, where a limited number of certain collector’s items will be sold for as little as £10.
Other things to note are the additions of signed vinyls by homegrown artists such as the aforementioned Aitch and even The Smiths.
In fact, the store will also feature strictly Mancunian exclusives, too.
Everything from polo shirts and tees to branded mugs, matchboxes and other accessories will be available in-store only.
NQ is bound to be buzzing across launch weekend, with doors officially opening to the public on Sunday, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see people camping outside the front well ahead of time.
What a moment the Manc shopping scene is having right now.
Daisy Bradbury -
10th September 2020 
