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Our alternative shopping guide to Manchester.

A haven for alternative style, Manchester is a city that has long been associated with indie cool, and is a must visit city for independent culture. If it's alternative fashion that you're after, you'll be able to find it here, as we take a look at where to shop for alternative clothing in Manchester – whatever your style.

Manchester mozaic outside Afflecks

We love Manchester, as it's so easy to get around. With numerous train stations, and tram stops you're never far away from the heart of the city. However you get here, you'll want to head towards the Northern Quarter – home to a variety of alternative and independent shops.

Where to shop in Manchester

Of course, no visit would be complete without starting off at Manchester's infamous Afflecks on Church Street. This marketplace of alternative and independent shops has been one of the cities longest standing alternative fashion outlets.

Always the first port of call for alternative shopping, and home to an abundance of retailers and traders, offering everything from gothic fashion, to vintage home décor, and alternative accessories – whatever your looking for, chances are you'll find it here.

Best shopped starting from the ground floor and working your way upwards around the winding aisles, where you'll find plenty of shops to visit.

Afflecks, Manchester

From a world of alternative style at Grin, to gothic clothing at Elysia on the first floor, vintage fashion at American Graffiti on the second floor, and so much more in-between. There's even plenty of pit stops along the way, did you know that they even have an ice cream parlour?!

There's so much more to Manchester than Afflecks of course, with lots of alternative clothing shops around the city. Situated a short distance from Afflecks, you'll find Cow on Church Street, home to a wide selection of vintage clothing, and it doesn't stop there. Round the corner on Oldham Street you'll also find Blue Rinse and Pop Boutique, with more vintage fashion to shop from.

Pop Boutique : Manchester

If it's something with more of an alternative flair that you fancy, then you'll want to visit Thunder Egg. With a vast selection of alternative and independent fashion in store, alongside kitsch home décor and accessories.

Venture further into the Northern Quarter to find a world of alternative style, carrying on up Oldham Street to find Rockers England, an emporium of rock 'n' roll delight, with plenty of rockabilly clothing in store. Step just next door, for Retro Rehab, offering vintage clothing, with some pre-loved finds that have been re-worked – perfect for the eco-conscious shopper! - Note October 2020: Retro Rehab has now unfortunately closed.

A quick shimmy around the corner onto Tib Street reveals one of Manchester's finest corsetiere's, Kiku Boutique. If it's a beautifully bespoke corset, or some lingerie that takes your fancy, you'll find it here.

If you're in the city later in the month you may also want to visit LAMchester, the city's alternative community-supporting market, where you can shop from a selection of traders. Find out more about forthcoming events at www.lamchester.com - for younger visitors, please note that this event is 18+.

There's certainly plenty to visit in the city, with an abundance of alternative shops throughout the Northern Quarter. Whatever your looking for, you'll be bound to find it from one of the alternative clothing shops here in the city.

Need help finding these alternative shops in Manchester? Visit our handy directory site to find our helpful map, pin-pointing each shop around the Northern Quarter.

Image credits (in order shown): Paul Stafford for TravelMag.com | Chris Skolyes via Flickr | Jackson Lee's