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.
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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.
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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.
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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 United home kit for 2026/27 ‘leaked’ online in unboxing video
Danny Jones
Manchester United’s new home kit for the 2026/27 campaign has reportedly been leaked online in a YouTuber’s unboxing video ahead of next season.
We know fake shirts and dupes can be pretty accurate these days, but it looks very much like this could be the real deal.
Shared by dedicated football kit reviewer, ‘Retro Man‘, who has seemingly revealed the latest Man United jersey, this unveiling lines up with the previously rumoured designs circulated on social media.
A Red Devil himself, the creator has teased previous releases that turned out to be true in the past, so we’ll leave it up to all of you to decide how bona fide you think this supposed home strip is. Ever-reliable footy fashion peers, Footy Headlines, have also shared these images:
Uploaded to the channel on 25 April, Retro Man did a full overview of the United 26/27 home shirt, highlighting key features such as a red-forward collar with black and white accents.
That same trim is repeated on the ends of the sleeves – reminiscent of the 2011/12 iteration, only differing in the more crew neck style – and the back of the neck now simply reads “UNITED”.
It is worth noting that this is specifically the replica shirt that most fans will purchase.
Should it prove to be the genuine article, this will be the 11th Manchester United kit by adidas since they returned as manufacturers over a decade ago, a.k.a. the start of the Louis van Gaal era.
Retro Man has since posted another video showing off what he claims to be the ‘authentic’ version, too; you can check it out in more detail down below.
Looks pretty legit…
As you can see, the official player edition that will be worn on the pitch by actual United squad members (though they are still available to purchase by the public) appears to hold some key distinctions.
Besides some differences around the panelling and stitching, there is also a noticeable textured section along large sections of the interwoven fabric as part of the brand’s breathable and trademark ‘Climacool’ technology.
Elsewhere, the badge itself also looks to have a more embossed/raised finish. If this is the real deal, what do you make of it?
This isn’t the only United kit that’s caught some attention of late, either:
Featured Images — Retro Man (screenshots via YouTube)
Style
Claire’s is closing down stores in the UK and Ireland with more than 1,300 jobs set to be lost
Danny Jones
In another hit to domestic shoppers, Claire’s Accessories is closing down en masse across the UK and Ireland after entering into administration once again.
Falling into an unfortunate financial status for the second time in less than a year, Claire’s will be shutting down all of their standalone stores across Britain, along with their IE branches.
A total of 154 stores will soon disappear, with more than a thousand people set to be put out of work.
Once a mainstay of British high streets up and down the country, the accessory shop known for all things jewellery, piercings and more has ceased trading effective immediately.
Announced at the start of the week and the end of the first full month of Q2, it was confirmed that Claire’s closed their final locations on Monday, 27 April.
With administrators, Kroll, appointed to wrap up business proceedings, an estimated 1,300 English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh workers have now lost their jobs.
Founded way back in 1961 over in the United States, Claire’s has operated across the Atlantic for more than three decades.
However, with various other contemporaries and cheaper online options having appeared over the years, they’ve struggled not just to remain profitable but to compete full stop.
They most recently filed for bankruptcy in the US this past August (2025), with their Belgian, Spanish, and Dutch divisions having already called it quits.
Manchester location(s) have changed a lot over time, but now they’re on the way out (Credit: Arndale)
For many, the outcome isn’t all that surprising, but it will nevertheless be a sad loss for many who have seen multiple generations visit these venues over the years.
Daisy Bradbury -
10th September 2020 
