There is always a diamond in the rough! From closet must haves and fashion staples,charity stores are taking the fashion world by storm.

With clothing for any and everybody, you can find a statement outfit in the place you never thought you would not find out anything. And Goodstock, is one of the stores in Manchester that stood victoriously over the misconceptions made about charity stores.

What is Goodstock?

The Goodstock started 5 years ago , in the very heart of Manchester ran by the

organisation Vinspired. Vinspired through the Goodstock store, gave job opportunities to the youth,students,people with learn difficulties and many other people who come from different walks of life.

The store provides them with ability to get involved in volunteer and get hired to work at the store. Goodstock teach their volunteers key retail skills used in the world of fast fashion and retail stores in our shopping malls like the Arndale shopping centre.

 Goodstock’s good deeds

Goodstock aimed to bring a fresh new conception to charity stores and bring sustainable fashion high street through charity stores.

The store also allows their volunteers, to be able express their individuality by bringing forth their artistic ideas and host events on the third floor of the store. Creating opportunities for them that they would not be able to financially afford in the city centre.

Getting involved in the store is very simple- as the store allows for everybody to come in and hand in their CV.

Did you know the store had  a third floor? The store has a big space on third floor suitable for different sociable events.

The Fashion

Walking past the shop window, you will sure able to see something that attracts your eye. Their mannequin displays styled and put up by their volunteers are dressed up to highest fashion degree making the items of clothing they receive look amazing.

Goodstock has a wide range of people from different  cultures and ethnic backgrounds  that come into their store, to buy different clothing items for their closet at an affordable price.

The beauty of Goodstock, is that you have the ability to find any item of clothing for any season;body shape and gender.

Cosy knits for the cold November and December months;  the perfect maxi dresses for those warm spring and summer days- you have the ability to walk in and find the complete outfit you need from head to toe.

Goodstock’s fall

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. In late November of 2018, the store permanently  closed down.The charity  Vinspired went into liquidation and for that reason the charity was unable to fund cuts and other thing came into play. Therefore, causing the store to unfortunately shut down.

To keep up with Goodtsock make sure to check them out on their Twitter and Instagram.

Manchester, is a major city in the northwest.And it is the home of many highly renowned fashion brands known around the world like Missguided and Pretty Little Thing.  In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the city-  thrift and vintage stores have taken over the fashion scene.

Looking for somewhere to shop? Try these checking these stores out!

1.Headlock Vintage

Headlock Vintage, was founded in the year  2009 and began by selling sportswear on Ebay and trading at vintage fairs. Their first trade was in 2011 at a music festival and now they have progressed onto trading at well-known festivals like Parklife and Glastonbury.

Listen up students! Headlock vintage visit different student unions around the UK.

Selling affordable clothing from  different brands such as Adidas and Levi’s  for both men and women. So be on the lookout they could be at a university near you.

2.Blue Rinse

Blue Rinse, is right in the heart of hustle and bustle of the city of Manchester.  The store opened up 8 months ago but they have been in Manchester for 9-10 years.The store itself  use as much recycled items from the paint in the wall to the construction of the changing rooms and the rework items of clothing.

Blue Rinse, has a beautiful blend of  thrift and vintage pieces.They know their audience very well and know what they like to buy as they sell their items at an affordable price point. Thrifty and stylish all in one.

Blue Rinse, have concessions in leading high street stores such as  Urban Outfitters and around 40 Topshop stores across the UK.  Including their own Kilo sale where you can buy your vintage and thrift clothing.

Looking for an outfit check out Blue Rinse!

3. Thrift Shop

The store runs by the thrift shop ordering the stock and the garment overseas, internationally via the USA.  Then it once it arrives, it is imported and sorted out in a warehouse based in Leeds, then distributed out.

Price structure ranges from 3 for £10, 2 for £10 and £10 each. The stores  idea of thrifting  is to drive down the amount of clothing polluting the system.

Did you know clothing is the second biggest source of pollution in the world? The stores client base is for any and everybody. Opened for 7 days a week.

4. Afflecks

Afflecks is known for their alternative and independent handmade clothing and jewellery. The store is the middle of the Northern Quarter, where there is a big vintage scenery as it is amongst other very well-known thrift and vintage stores.

5.COW

This store has blossomed into the COW it is now- from being a small store in Piccadilly Gardens.

The stores has been opened up across the UK.All their stock varies from different places such as the USA alongside countries such as Italy.

The store also do a lot of rework.They do this by recycling and recreating  items of clothing by making them into new stylish designs. The reason for this, is to help get rid of fast fashion and stop clothing being one of the many components that is polluting the earth. Making a  more sustainable way of shopping.

The beauty about fashion in Manchester is the versatility and originality.

Pop Boutique, is based in the heart of the Northern Quarter. Retailing  a wide variety of vintage clothing  in Manchester and other cities in the UK. The store is one of the stores that bring not just originality but versatility in to the city.

I went into the Manchester store, and met with the stores manager Donna to get more insight about the store. And also the influence Pop Boutique and vintage fashion have had in the city. Here is what I found out.

Q) In comparison,to high street stores and online stores what makes vintage stores so different?

A) For most people, it’s the individuality. You’re going to get something that you are not particular going to see anywhere else. You might see something similar in the high-street but you wont get a garment that is  exactly the same!

Q: Looking at the quality of clothing being sold today, what do vintage stores do differently?

A) A lot of people now are thinking about the ethical side of things. Its better to buy something that has been made and giving it new life rather than continually  buying something from a non good quality fast throw away  fashion.

With vintage there is more quality! You can put your own thing on it making you stand out.

Q) Looking back over the years how has vintage changed?

A) Ugh! Vintage has come so far. When I first started working here people used to be like ugh dirty clothes and people did not want to wear other people’s clothes. But now people see it as a heritage thing. We’re using it as a valuable resource. Yes! it’s definitely become more mainstream.

Q) What makes POP Boutique pop?

A)We have been here for a long time now, so I think being in this area and neighbourhood has helped. We’ve been here for nearly 30 years. We do quite a lot of advertising online and on Instagram.

Q) How has social media brought more attention POP Boutique?

A) I think putting things up onto their social media has helped a lot. Social media has made vintage fashion more mainstream and much more acceptable for younger people.

But also for us as well. We quite often putting up outfit pictures and new things we have in.  and people contact us wanting to know the price and what store they can buy the item from.

Have you seen an impact in vintage fashion because of social media?

A)Yes, it really has. vintage has become more mainstream and shared more because of hash-tagging  and re-posting . It’s bringing  a positive light to what vintage stores can offer.

Q) Describe vintage fashion in 3 words?

A) Vintage fashion… Individual, quality and fun!