As convenient as online shopping may be, you simply can’t beat the joy of browsing through shops in person.
Manchester is home to a colourful variety of adventurous clothing boutiques – many of which have reopened their doors again after yet another quarantine in November.
But with lockdown over and Christmas on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to discover some of the city’s hidden gems and hottest independent boutiques.
Shilpa and Julie, decided to abandon their 9-5 jobs in favour of promoting some fresh, underrated fashion brands – and the result is Kjole.
The owners have dedicated their lives to shopping so that their customers can have an effortless selection of iconic clothing – and their flagship store in Didsbury is home to a curated collection of unique, eclectic pieces you simply won’t find anywhere else.
ADVERTISEMENT
Where to find them: 6 Albert Hill Street, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 6RF kjole.co.uk
This retro boutique is an absolute must-visit for any lovers of 70s and 80s menswear.
Boasting a brilliant name, Bags of Flavor also has an incredible selection of hand-picked garments in-store – specialising particularly in old-school sportswear.
Whether you’re looking for vintage Berghaus jackets or upcycled Burberry bags, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.
This independent boutique is selling a variety of timeless pieces that you’ll love for years.
Unlike some other stores, Nood isn’t afraid to incorporate wild colours and bold patterns, whilst also sourcing from companies that uphold their eco values.
Owners are bringing something a little bit different to the sustainable fashion scene – with a loyal customer base since their opening in 2004.
ADVERTISEMENT
Where to find them: 36 Beech Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 9EL nood.co.uk
This vintage and fancy-dress shop is one of Affleck’s hidden gems.
American Graffiti has a quirky and colourful collection of garments available; offering a variety of options whether you’re after an everyday outfit or dressing for an event.
The staff are also incredibly knowledgeable about the fashion of different eras and can help you recreate these styles from their extensive range.
This hub of pre-loved fashion is a go-to for anyone looking to inject some fun into their wardrobe.
ADVERTISEMENT
From their crazy colours to retro designs, there is something for everyone amongst Lief’s selection of vintage pieces.
The store is also offering a swap shop every day during the build-up to Christmas, which is a great way to discover some new pieces whilst giving your old garments a second life.
This indie boutique was established by the eponymous Lucy in 2013 – who was eager to bring her fashion-forward visions to the people of Chorlton.
Today, the store now stocks a variety of stylish pieces that are different from what you’d usually see on the high street – from dresses and tops to loungewear and jumpsuits.
Where to find them: 109 Beech Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 9EQ lovelucyboutique.co.uk
Style
There’s a studio in Manchester with welded jewellery and a build-your-own-necklace charm bar
Daisy Jackson
An independent jewellery studio in Manchester is tapping into the welded jewellery craze, offering customisable permanent bracelets, necklaces and loads more.
Aureli is the brainchild of Georgina Dunn, and as well as these increasingly popular welded pieces, is offering a charm bar where Mancs can build their own charm jewellery.
The studio is tucked away on Chapel Street, a stone’s throw from Manchester city centre.
Inside the space, you’ll find shelves full of different chains, from dainty links to chunkier rope styles, all available in gold, silver, rose gold or even mixed metal – you choose your poison.
These can then be cut to measure and welded to your person, either as a bracelet, an anklet, a ring or a hand chain.
You can add in tiny charms, like letters, birth stones, and symbols, for a piece of jewellery that’s truly unique to you and that will stay with you.
Terrified of commitment and getting a piece of jewellery literally welded to your body? No stress – Georgina can also add on tiny clasps so that you can take your treasure off whenever you like.
And for fans of chunkier, more statement pieces, you can also book a workshop in the Aureli charm bar.
Georgina fitting a welded braceletGeorgina Dunn, owner of AureliYou can have welded anklets tooAureli offers welded jewellery in ManchesterYou can customise your welded jewellery at the studio in ManchesterSome of the chains on offer at AureliThe charm bar at AureliThe beautiful Aureli studio in Manchester
Here, there are hundreds of playful charms to pick from, like enamel-coated colourful fruit, metal cowboy boots, cherubs, hearts, pearls, and LOADS more.
Georgina can then talk you through the process of hand-fixing each charm to your chosen piece of jewellery, whether you’ve gone for a chunky necklace, a bracelet, or a phone charm.
Georgina has a fashion background and says: “I always knew I wanted my own brand, I just didn’t feel like clothing was the right choice.
“I’d always made my own jewellery as a hobby and had a friend who’d seen permanent jewellery in Australia – so decided to bring that concept to Manchester.”
Two years ago, she started trading at The Makers Market around Greater Manchester, while still working full-time as a teacher.
Aureli absolutely took off, and she’s now appeared in Vogue magazine as well as at events for brands like Sephora and BPerfect.
Aureli is located on Chapel Street in Salford and you can find out more HERE.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra announce Manchester gig among just a handful of UK dates on European tour
Danny Jones
One of our favourite live acts we’ve ever seen is coming back to Manchester as Unknown Mortal Orchestra are set for a stunning return to the city – and at one of our most beloved venues, no less.
The New Zealand psychedelia-infused rock and indie outfit may not be on everyone’s radar just yet, but the genre-bending outfit is comfortably up there with some of the best we’ve ever had the privilege of seeing in the flesh.
Currently based in Portland, Oregon, in the States, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) is fronted by multi-instrumentalist and visionary experimentalist producer, Ruban Nielson, who first began the project on his own over a decade and a half ago.
Closer to a three-piece these days, you won’t find many bands that boast a collection of such varied and talented musicians, and they’re heading to Albert Hall.
As detailed by Albert Hall themselves, this show is also just one among a very small handful of dates here in the UK as part of their run of shows across Europe.
Other shows include one on the night following their Manchester gig over in Yorkshire, which our friends at The Sheff will no doubt be buzzing about, as well as on opening night at Barrowland in Glasgow ahead of a four-show residency in London.
Dubbing their work as nothing short of “psychedelic mastery” (we couldn’t agree more), the iconic live music space will be welcoming them early next year after landing on the mainland continent.
Other stops on the 2026 Unknown Mortal Orchestra European tour include Lithuania, Latvia and Poland; Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Belgium and Paris.
Now consisting of Nielsen, bassist Jacob Portait, and often Ruban’s brother as well as fellow singer-songwriter, musician and engineer, Kody Neilson – also known for his work with The Mint Chicks, Opossom, Silicone and more – all of whom are as talented in the studio as they are on stage.
They also happen to have one of our favourite Tiny Desks of all time.
Sorry, but this HAS to be up in there in the top 10.
The London residency already looks to be in high demand, so you can bet their only date here in Manchester and at a venue like Albert Hall will sell out extremely fast.
As well as an entirely instrumental outing earlier this year, UMO also dropped their latest EP entitled CURSE back in June, and it’s fair to say it’s some of the most ‘out-there’ material to date.
If you haven’t listened to it yet and are just expecting more art-poppy indie bops like ‘Hunnybee’, you couldn’t be more wrong…
Unknown Mortal Orchestra play the Albert Hall in Manchester on Friday, 27 March, and you can get ready to grab your tickets right HERE.
Daisy Bradbury -
8th December 2020 
