With the cost of living crisis in full swing, students studying in Manchester will be pleased to know the city has lots of vintage and second-hand shops, where you can find clothing, books, vinyl records, and more. The Manchester vintage clothing scene is strong, and there are lots of retro and vintage stores.

Thrift second hand vintage fashion / clothes in Manchester

The Thrift Shop on Parker Street is a popular Manchester vintage clothing shop in the city centre. Items are organised by coloured hangers according to price, which makes it easier if you are shopping on a budget.

Follow the Thrift Shop, Manchester on Instagram here (Pictured below)

Bare necessities

Bare Necessities Thrift on Oxford Road offers pre-loved clothing. The store saves over 6,000 items of clothing from landfill each week, so it won’t be hard to find something to fit your aesthetic. If you prefer to order online, sign up for the newsletter and get 10% off your first order. You can even shop by brand!

Follow Bare Necessities Thrift on Instagram here (Pictured left)

Pop Boutique on Oldham Street has been open since 1994. It’s the place to go for retro fashion from the 1960s to 1980s, although it also sells kitsch homeware and furniture if you feel like giving your student flat a smart makeover. You could even upcycle some of the treasures you find and resell them for a bit of extra cash! Check out the basement for a huge selection of vintage clothing, and when you’re done, take a coffee break in the on-site café and admire all your purchases.

The Blue Rinse vintage store in Oldham Street has grown from a market stall on Leeds Market into two shops and a website. The Manchester store is bursting at the seams with handpicked clothing, and the creatives that work there are always happy to help shoppers find special items.

Beg, Steal & Borrow can be found on the second floor of Afflecks Palace on Church Street. Thrifty students come here in search of cool pieces at bargain prices. Shop for glamorous lightly-worn pieces for your next big night out.

Be warned, Afflecks is a treasure trove of vintage shops, tattoo parlours, and piercing shops, so a quick trip there might easily turn into a full-day event.

Follow Beg, Steal & Borrow on Instgaram here (Pictured right)

Thrift Vintage Music

The Empire Exchange Emporium has a very unique vibe – fans of the store describe it as a time bubble, firmly locked in the 1980/90s. It’s a cave of treasures, with CDs and vinyl records to other collectibles such as comics and even BBC props. You can find the Empire Exchange in Picadilly Gardens in the heart of the city.

Thrift second hand Books

For books, look no further than the super quirky Paramount Books, which has a great and well-organised selection of used books and comics. It’s only open on Saturdays and Sundays, however.

Anywhere Out Of The World on Tib Street sells second-hand classics as well as new books. It’s well worth checking out!

The best Charity Shops for second hand vintage clothing, books and music

Oxfam Originals in Smithfield Buildings is a charity shop, but unlike other high street names such as British Heart Foundation Harpurhey, it only sells hand-picked pieces from the 50s through to the 80s, including amazing designer clothing picks. Fans describe it as one of the best charity shops in Manchester city centre.

Other charity shops worth checking out in the city centre include Barnardo’s in Gateway House, the British Heart Foundation shop on Piccadilly, the Mustard Tree on Oldham Road, and the RSPCA charity shop on Oak Street.

Benefits of Shopping Second-Hand

Shopping second-hand as a student offers many benefits for the environment, your wallet, and access to one-of-a-kind finds. Buying used reduces waste by giving clothes and items a second life. This promotes sustainability as fewer new resources are used to create products. Thrifting is very budget friendly with great deals on quality items. You can find unique vintage and retro pieces not available in regular stores. With lower prices, reusing quality goods, and rare treasures to uncover, the benefits of shopping pre-owned are plentiful.

The more money you save thrifting, the more cash you have leftover for other things, like beer!