Drag queens, fashion designers and law students were among the best-dressed people spotted in Manchester this week - not to mention a 69-year-old trend-setter out celebrating in the city centre.
That's right, I've been back out on the streets speaking to shoppers about their outfits, getting all the goss on where they're from, and how their style is influenced.
There was a fabulous range of looks this week, with some opting for neutral, warm Autunmal colour palettes, and others going bold and bright with clashing shades. I just love how individuality oozes out of outfits, and how what we wear can impact how we feel, too.
READ MORE: The best autumn looks we spotted in the city centre from Afflecks, Asos and Zara
And it just goes to show that you don't have to spend a fortune to look good, either. While one shopper wore a £300 coat, another wore a £10 dress - and everyone still looked fantastic.
So, if you've been looking in your wardrobe and feeling like you've got nothing to wear now that the seasons are changing, this weeks edition of Steal Their Style might just be the inspiration you needed. Here are the six best dressed shoppers I spotted this week, and how you can Steal Their Style.
William Howard
Manchester student William had just finished his final day of university, completing a law conversion course, when I spotted him in the Northern Quarter. The 28-year-old was dressed extremely dapper, but says he prefers a more casual look for everyday.
Much of his outfit was from French brand APC, with his jacket costing around £300. However, his Dr Martens were a total bargain at £20. He explained: “My girlfriend used to work at Dr Martens and got me employee discount on top of a sale price, so it was a really good deal.”
He styled the look with some French tailored trousers, Versace sunglasses and a woollen hat. William added: “Sometimes I dress more casual than this. At home I’m usually in tracksuit, if I’m working I dress up more though. I have a lot of stuff from various music labels and merch - it’s like wearing a footy shirt to show what you're into. I like wearing artists that are a bit more unknown so it stands apart from what other people are wearing.”
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Megan Bowden
In town for a tattoo sitting, Megan Bowden, from Wolverhampton, was a seventies dream in a beret hat and dramatic sleeves.
The 20-year-old styled a Bershka jacket (£40) with a dress bought on holiday in Barcelona, Dr Martens, complete with the beret which was from a vintage store in Nottingham.
Megan said: “I love a bit of vintage and I like a lot of people from the 60s and 70s like The Beatles and Stevie Nicks - she has a flowy style and big sleeves which are so cool. I like charity shops because they’re cheap, but I also like The Hippy Shake online - I get a lot of stuff online from them and it’s all sustainable instead of fast fashion, too.”
Penelope Hampson
Celebrating her husband’s birthday in the city centre in St Ann’s Square, Penelope paired a Monki oversized dress with a quarter zip with some stylish Italian trainers in a similar colourway.
The 69-year-old said she’d have loved the dress, but probably wouldn’t have bought it for herself - however is ‘so glad’ her daughter gifted it to her.
Penelope, who lives in Hebden Bridge, said: “She’s very stylish, my daughter. People tell me they like this dress often. If I’d seen it on the hanger I would have definitely liked it but I may not have bought it for myself, but I’m really glad my daughter got it for me.”
Penelope said you can’t go wrong with a fun print, like the abstract design on this dress. She also likes to look to some of the older actresses like Helen Mirren for inspiration, adding: “She always looks pretty cool.”
Joseph Chubb
Makeup student and drag queen Joseph Chubb says he brings a little slice of his drag alter-ego ‘Glitter Muff’ out with every outfit he wears. The 21-year-old was spotted on Market Street wearing an outfit almost entirely from TK Maxx - including some fab leopard print shoes. And out of shot was a huge red shopping bag filled with bargains having headed there for another haul.
He said: “Everything pretty much is from TK Maxx, this outfit was totally thrown on. I love clashing patterns, but I wear whatever I feel right in and what looks good. Sometimes I do pre-plan a look but sometimes it’s whatever I pull out of the wardrobe in the morning.
“Glitter Muff has her own wardrobe - she wears a lot of pink and is very Barbie-esque. There’s a LOT of glitter, too. There’s always something glittery on my person. There’s a bit of her with me today with my glasses.” Not to mention the pink hair, of course!
Rebekka Anston
Rebekka, who is originally from Norway but now lives in Levenshulme, loves secondhand clothes, adding: “Half of my wardrobe is my mum or grandmas that they’ve passed down to me! My shirt today is my grandma’s.”
On top of her Granny’s blouse, Rebekka layered over a knitted vest that she made herself after taking up knitting during the pandemic. She said: “I enjoy knitting in autumn and winter and hope to start a new project soon too. I’d really like to make another vest or two. They’re super cosy and snug!”
She completed the look with some Ace and Tate specs, secondhand COS trousers and shoes from Office. The 26-year-old said: “I mostly look at people on the street for inspiration, but I think Autumn and Winter are so much better - I know how to dress better in the cooler months.”
Adele Atherton
It’s no wonder that Adele Atherton looked so utterly fantastic when she’s literally a fashion designer with her own vintage brand. The 48-year-old from Wigan even has some celebrity customers, having had her own stall at Glastonbury Festival.
She was sporting a 1970s Indian cotton dress with a vintage bed jacket that she bought from Cow in the Northern Quarter. She added: “My bag is actually made from a 70s couch! While I didn’t make this myself, I do make my own clothes under the brand Tallula Vintage.”
Adele says Scottish author Dawn O’Porter is among her clientele, after she bought five dresses from her over the summer, citing her as one of her style inspirations. She added: “I also really like Kate Bush and Stevie Nicks, too. The 70s is a big inspiration for me, but you have to be careful as you can look like you’re in fancy dress if you stick to one era.”
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