The World's Worst Dressed Cities: Manchester, UK

Why Manchester is the Worst Dressed City in the World

The city of Manchester (a borough of Greater Manchester, England) has a long and storied history. Birthplace to the computer, Manchester played a key role in the industrial revolution, and is well-known for being not only a hotbed of culture (music and art), but also for being one of the poorest cities in England. Depending upon how you look at it, however, it can be argued that Manchester also happens to be home to some of the worst-dressed men in the U.K. There are a variety of factors that contribute to the way men dress in Manchester, and while the city is certainly home to plenty of fashion-forward individuals, others simply aren’t getting the point. Consider the following elements of Manchester fashion, all of which make a case for the city’s poor approach to fashion. We at Bows-n-Ties place Manchester on #6 of the World's Worst Dressed City list.

Poverty and Working-Class Clothing
While Manchester isn’t nearly as poor at the moment as it was when industrialization and factory work was at its peak, poverty and working-class clothing have remained huge parts of the culture throughout the years for many of the city’s residents. Drab, lifeless uniformity was omnipresent in Manchester, and can still be found in the city today. Dark blue jumpsuits and similar attire were commonly worn by factory workers, and were seen as being functional more than anything else. Factory work is still a big part of the economy in Manchester, so it should come as no surprise that this hasn’t disappeared entirely.

Neo-Mod Fashion
The “Mod” look that was popularized in London in the 1960s has had a great deal of influence on how young adults in Manchester dress today, and can be found just about everywhere in the city. Black lace-up boots, skinny grey jeans and black leather vests, for example, are extremely common and are often accessories with chains and other attention-grabbing pieces. This look has been coined “neo-mod” fashion, and while those who embrace it often feel as if they are fashion-forward, they’re usually not doing themselves any favors by the way they dress. Nevertheless, this look is quite analogous to the “hipster” fashion that has invaded America and other countries in recent years, and its popularity should not come as a surprise to anyone.

Eccentric Hair
To put it simply, Manchester hairstyles tend to be rather eccentric. Among “neo-mods,” hair is often dyed, spiked and cut asymmetrically. First popularized in the mid-1970s by punk bands such as The Sex Pistols, radical hairstyles have dissipated a bit since, but haven’t truly gone anywhere. Most of these hairstyles are embraced to add to the overall look of this style, but they usually just make people appear as if they’re trying too hard. It’s interesting to note that hats are rarely seen in Manchester, with most “neo-mods” choosing to style their hair in ways that make them stand out from the crowd. That said, it’s tough to look unique when everyone around you is doing the same thing to try to stand out; a big characteristic of Manchester fashion.

Other Poorly Dressed Cities:
Beijing: The World's Worst Dressed City
Bucharest The World's 2nd Most Poorly Dressed City
Top5 Worst Dressed Cities in the US

Your Bows-n-Ties.com Team