The best vintage shops in Manchester

Afflecks, previously known as Afflecks Palace, is a hip indoor market spread over four floors. Established in 1982, it’s a Manchester institution.

Head to Port Street on the edge of the NQ to find Bionic Seven, a vintage clothing shop where every item is sourced and handpicked by owners Imran and Nick. (You’ll find no by-the-crate bulk deliveries from the vintage wholesalers here).

Manchester isn’t just home to two of the best-known football teams in the world – it’s also home to one of the best known football shirt shops. The Classic Football Shirt Shop was born here in 2006, when two Manchester University students Matt Dale and Doug Bierton hit upon the idea of selling secondhand footy shirts after they graduated. They now sell millions of shirts all across the globe online – and a smaller but still substantial number from their trio of shops in London, New York and – where it all started – Manchester.

With its extensive collection of Stone Island and CP Company, Gone Fishing Vintage on Oldham Street is a must-visit for seekers of classic Italian menswear. It’ll also appeal to those who feel much more at home browsing in a well-curated, organised boutique than rummaging through an over-stocked thrift store. With items selected for being high quality and in good condition, it feels like you’re buying new.

The beauty of this place is that you never quite know what you’ll find, from ancient artefacts to military uniforms to Victorian photography. 

This part of town isn’t known for clothes shopping but the existence of Permanent Orbit and its neighbour Clints, make it a detour worth taking.

Family-run independent Pop Boutique was the first vintage store to open on retro clothing hotspot Oldham Street. It’s been in this building since 1995, and over at Afflecks since the late 1980s, so it’s fair to say they know their stuff.

Remarket, a Manchester-grown multi-vendor vintage store, opened up on the thoroughfare between Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly Station in autumn 2024.

Fans of Japanese fashion and popular culture flock to Suzy Loves Milo, a tucked-away vintage clothing and lifestyle store just off Stevenson Square. Formerly in Hatch, it’s been on Spear Street since 2023, selling a curated collection of streetwear and designer labels handpicked in Japan. 

Thrift Shop Manchester is an off-shoot of the nationwide Cow vintage brand, aimed at stylish folk who want cheaper togs than they might find in a more curated collection.

White Rose doesn’t describe itself as a vintage store but it certainly feels like one. It’s a charity shop that sells secondhand clothes but the range is a lot more selective and on-trend than you’d find in your average high street chazza.