Having really enjoyed GQ’s recent ‘What’s So Great About Britain?' issue, I felt compelled to address the slight Southern bias that this optimistic outpouring showed. By shining a sartorial light on some inspirational figures situated a tad closer to British Attire’s home than our glorious capital. So listed below are the ten reasons that I think explain why Manchester is, without a shadow of doubt the, coolest city in the country.
This is British Attire, We Do Things Differently HereInventions That Changed the World
OK let’s start with the bedrock of Manchester’s credibility, all the impressive stuff that was invented here, some of which might surprise you. Whilst the Industrial Revolution was kick-started here, it might surprise you to know that this seismic sociological shift also led to the creation of both the weekend (chilling for two days at the end of the working week, not the band) as well as the first ever professional football league. Then we have the first mechanically powered submarine, Vimto, Rolls Royce and the contraceptive pill. Not forgetting where we discovered how to split the atom, made the first computer and the suffragette movement. When it comes to clothing Manchester was also the place where Mackintosh moved in order to invent the OG raincoat and where Foster & Sons made the first ever running shoes before later evolving into kings of classic trainers Reebok. Whereas more recently the revolutionary 2D material Graphene was first isolated at Manchester University before being used by some of the biggest and bougiest clothing brands on the planet.
Read articles on graphene research from Manchester University
CIRCA 1968: A stamp printed in Great Britain dedicated to Granting of votes to women shows Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst (statue), circa 1968.From The Smiths to the Stone Roses: Manchester’s Music & Fashion
Manchester is synonymous with music and not just for making iconic songs that have defined several different generations but also for the iconic style of its musicians too. Whether it was The Smiths turning us on to vintage denim and cardigans or the Roses and the Mondays bigging up bucket hats and loosening up our fits in the eighties or the Gallaghers love of a big jacket, Mancunian music comes with an instantly recognisable dress code. Whilst on a less-casual tip, you have people like Bugsy Malone and Blossoms being responsible for bringing back-high end suits to the popstars pantheon. Chances are, when you hear the word Manchester one of the first things you think of is a specific look. Now try that with any other city in the world and let me know if the same thing happens. Spoiler, it doesn’t.
Manchester Digital Music Archive
BARCELONA - FEB 9: Blossoms (pop rock band) perform in concert at Razzmatazz Club on February 9, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain.Manchester Shops and Northern Quarter Style
Mancs love shopping, so much so that the city centre wasn’t enough for them so they built a massive American style mall a few miles out of town called the Trafford Centre. Though catering to all high street tastes from Harvey Nichols and Selfridges through to Uniqlo, Lululemon and Nudie it’s the small independent stores where you’ll find the real spirit of Mancunian style. Most of which can be found nestling in the fabled Northern Quarter where old school institutions like Afflecks and legendary vintage stores such as Bionic Seven and Bags of Flavor now rub shoulders with newer spots such as Rivet and Hide, Suzie Loves Milo and Beaumont Organic. Watching Mancunians shopping for clothes is also an education in itself and Stephenson Square is the ideal spot to sit down with a drink and observe how these human worker bees put an outfit together. Maybe, here, you could have a scroll on your phone to buy some gear hassle free in the comfort of your seat from another Greater Manchester institution at british-attire.com, just a thought.
Nudie Jeans Norther Quarter - 24 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JNFootball, Fred Perry, and Fashion Icons
Given that sportswear is a key part of most people’s wardrobes these days, Manchester’s sporting heritage is perhaps worth a mention. Take Fred Perry for example, who made the pique polo shirt a timeless classic and just happened to have been born in Stockport, as well as being a world champion tennis player. A couple of decades later legendary footballer George Best made Manchester his home and blazed a trail of fashion trends via his city centre boutique there as well as making sporting history on the pitch. Speaking of the reds and style, whilst the class of 92 may well be responsible for some of the decade’s most heinous denim crimes it can’t be denied that both Eric Cantona and David Beckham found their fashion mojo whilst living and playing in Manchester. In more recent times we’ve got England legends Ella Toone, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden all getting more than their fair share of pages in the likes of Vogue et al.
Fred Perry's Childhood Home in StockportPolitics in Parkas: Manchester’s Leaders of Style
Though political matters are usually associated with a pretty poor sense of dress, Manchester manages to break the mould with its Mayor Andy Burnham. A man determined to get rid of homelessness and make living in Britain better at least on a local level for now we’ve also noticed that he has adopted elements of Mancunian style during his tenure. Which is why you’ll often see him wearing the classic Manc combo of a Gore-Tex jacket with Clarks Wallabees when he’s showing world leaders around town or letting off some steam at one of the city's many music venues.
Shop Gore-Tex Range Footwear by Merrell
Andy Burnham Behind the Decks at Romona, ManchesterFrom Hacienda to Warehouse Project: Manchester Nightlife
Speaking of partying a la Andy Burnham, Manchester has quite the history when it comes to nightclubs. From the Twisted Wheel to the Warehouse Project, it's perhaps no surprise that the same city that invented the weekend has also created some of the best places to dance all night in. It could be argued that when New Order built a nightclub that they and their mates could go to without having to dress like they were going to a wedding, that they paved the way for sportswear becoming fashionable. Imagine having to go to an all-nighter wearing a suit or a dress? You have Bernard, Peter, Gillian and Stephen to thank that you don’t.
Legendary Nightclub, The Twisted WheelFood and Global Influence
Scran, as cuisine is better known around these parts, tends to reflect the vibrancy of an area which when it comes to Manchester couldn’t be more accurate. A dizzying amount of new restaurants, takeaways and pop ups have made the city’s food scene one of the most exciting on the planet. There’s everything you could ever ask for here when it comes to food from Michelin stars to cheap and cheerful chip barms. Creating the latest food trends as well as catering to the classics, from the Curry Mile to China Town you can’t move in Manchester at the moment without discovering a new food spot has popped up.
Manchester's Curry Mile, RusholmeWriters, Actors and Comedians: Manchester’s Creative Exports
In the Fast show star Simon Day’s autobiography he compares the level of creativity he encountered in Manchester akin to that of ancient Greece, such was the influence of working with people such as Steve Coogan and Caroline Aherne. Helped by having the country’s first purpose-built TV studio as well as the world’s longest running soap opera here it is fair to say that when it comes to producing writers, actors and comedians then Manchester is punching way above its weight. So take your pick from a distinguished list that includes everyone from Anthony Burgess and Aimee Lou Wood to Benedict Wong, Maxine Peake, John Bradley, Danny Boyle and Jeanette Winterson, not to mention Gandalf and Gandhi.
The Fast Show - Suits You!Brands Born in Manchester
Chosen by Chanel to present a big catwalk collection recently, when it comes to cutting edge clothing brands Manchester proves quite the pull. Playing host to various high profile labels from fast fashion fat cats to eco-conscious outdoor brands, the city is where the biggest deals are done and multi-million pound marketing campaigns are launched. This versatile vibe can also be seen in the new generation of brands that call Manchester home too. Particularly well represented in the British streetwear category, check out success stories from brands like Wawwa, Represent, Clints and Donkwear.
The Best BTS From Chanel's Métiers D’Art 2024 Show In Manchester
The 23/24 Annual Metiers D'Art Show by ChanelDiversity: The True Heart of Manchester
Whilst the stereotypical Manc conjures up a figure not a million miles away from the male lead singer of an indie band, the reason that Manchester has such a rich history is all down to its patchwork population. Formed by Roman invaders, you can pretty much attribute every cultural leap forward in Manchester to the arrival of a new set of people. Eastern Europeans showed us how to run the mills whilst the Irish, Polish and Italians all came over to put a serious shift in. Followed by an influx of grafters from Asia and the Caribbean who joined in the party and added some literal spice to our lives. Add to that the city’s thriving LGBTQ+ community and a huge student population and you have the recipe for an incredibly industrious city full of game changing inventions, musical geniuses and timeless style icons.