Love is in the air with Valentine's Day coming up this Tuesday, and I've been out spreading the love in Manchester city centre this week by dishing out compliments on people's outfits for the latest installment of Steal Their Style.
The weather has continued to be a little grey over the last couple of weeks, but city dwellers have been determined to bring a bit of sunshine to the streets in the form of fun and vibrant outfits. In fact, one person I stopped refuses to buy anything 'neutral' - so much so she wore a rainbow dress on her wedding day. Now that's dedication.
Many shoppers continue to thrift their looks as sustainabilty takes major focus in 2023, but we have seen some of our favourite high street brands too, including Urban Outfitters, Zara and Monki - all of which you can find at the Arndale Centre.
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So, if you're thinking of injexting a bit of colour into your wardrobe this February, but aren't entirely sure how, take a look at these six stylish shoppers and see how you can Steal Their Style.
Amy Roberts
Looking very punk-rock indeed was Amy, from Liverpool, who styled a selection of vintage finds with curated fashion inspired by manga and anime comics.
The 36-year-old purchased her cardigan from Levi’s in the sale for £30, while her vintage jacket cost just a fiver.
The dress is a collaboration between The Flintstones and Lazy Oaf, paired with H&M leggings, Steve Madden boots, a Hester Sunshine hat and sunglasses ‘from the goth shop in the Arndale’.
She added: “I’m really into punk and underground stuff so I'm inspired by a lot of scuzzy artists, what they wear and found items, so turning things into something new.”
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Emily Wolstenholme
Jet-setting Geography student Emily, 22, moved to Manchester from Sheffield for university, but it’s her worldly travels that inspire her personal style.
She said: “Me and my friend would travel to Paris quite frequently when I was a teenager. I moved to Australia for over a year straight after school and went to America a lot because my dad lived there for a bit, and last summer I went to New York, New Orleans and San Francisco.
“New York is one of the most adventurous places you can dress and be expressive whereas Sheffield was never really that place for me.”
Emily wore a pair of Levi jeans she’d picked up in San Francisco, alongside an Adidas zip up picked up at a kilo sale for £8.50. She added an Italian wool coat and leather shoes, finishing the look with a pair of £150 Gucci glasses.
Emily shared her top piece of advice for dressing in your 20s, commenting: “Don’t dress in the same way everyone else is just because it’s comfortable, push the boat out and try out new things.”
Esme Darke
Bristolian Esme, studying politics in Manchester, wore a vintage-inspired look wearing thrifted pieces and modern reproductions from high street retailers, though the 21-year-old said she does prefer to shop secondhand where possible.
She styled some fabulous patchwork leather boots from Urban Outfitters with a skirt, also from the fashion retailer. She’d raided her mum's wardrobe for the top, finishing the outfit with a trench coat she’d found on Vinted.
Esme said: “It was like £16 and is very Burberry inspired. I'd like to think I've got a vintage style. I prefer to shop secondhand if I can, but sometimes I just see something I need. Vinted is my go to for secondhand shopping.
“I get a lot of inspiration from TikTok, which is where I got the idea to do the socks just above the boots. Instagram is great too.”
Izzy Sykes
There was a strong strawberry theme in Izzy’s choice of outfit for this chilly February, bringing a spot of summer to streets of the Northern Quarter.
The 26-year-old, from Ashton, bought the strawberry hat from Monki, followed by the Zara bag last year.
She added: “My boots are from Pull and Bear, costing £60. The tights are Snag, shorts are Primark, the blazer from an Irish vintage shop, and jacket is Joanie - pinched out of my mum’s wardrobe.”
I can certainly vouch for how cosy these Joanie fleeces are, having recently got myself one of their shackets too.
Izzy loves to look to Instagram for inspiration, and particularly loves a 70s style. She cited fiance of Blossom’s drummer Joe Donovan, Sophie Rosemary, as one of her go-to influencers. She has more than 200,000 followers on Instagram.
Vanessa Bland
“I love anything colourful,” said 33-year-old Vanessa. It’s a lifestyle she takes incredibly seriously, having decorated her home and photography studio with vibrant shades. She even had a rainbow coloured wedding dress when she tied the knot to husband Simon in 2021.
From Manchester but now living in Hebden Bridge, the photographer refuses to buy anything neutral, opting instead for clashing patterns and bright shades.
Wearing an ASOS jacket, Monki trousers and Kurt Geiger shoes, she said: “I won't buy neutrals - the most neutral thing I wear is blue jeans. I love clashing patterns and colours, as well as colour blocking like head to toe yellow or purple.
“I don’t know why you would want to dress like everyone else. You can't lose me in a crowd, that’s for sure. Colour makes me happy and I always get compliments on my outfits, too.”
Tegan Dixon
“Nothing I wear ever matches,” Tegan Dixon said. “But that makes me feel like me.”
Aged 28, the former Isle of Man resident sported a pair of Adidas trainers with leg warmers, a 90s skirt from a car boot sale.
She added: “My layering top was from ASOS and the tshirt is from Black Sheep. The blazer I got from a charity shop for about £5 in Altrincham, and the Carhartt coat was £80 secondhand. The flatcap I bought from a farmers market, and my bag is from eBay.”
The designer loves Manchester, having moved her 10 years ago for university, and loves getting inspiration from the city streets.
She added: “I try not to buy into trends too much. I love a 90s vibe so I enjoy that as a resurging trend at the moment. I like the baggy and layering silhouettes, and they’re back in and easy to get hold of at the moment.”
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