As an avid fan of street style blogs, I was simultaneously excited and a little terrified to learn that part 2 of our group induction week project was to scour the streets of Manchester for inspiration and ‘build a cultural measure’ of an area of our choosing.
Excited; because I’ve often been caught out admiring an extraordinary pair of skyscraper heels or the cut of a blazer from afar and here was a chance to do so openly and unashamedly for the sake of my degree.
Anxious however, because admiring from afar is about as close as I have ever gotten to documenting street style. So now, the prospect of having to approach complete strangers only to compliment them on their outfit choices was going to be an altogether different and unnerving experience indeed!
The objective of this task was to take a set of street style photographs and categorise them into various style ‘Tribes’. The backdrop to this exercise, Oxford Road, is at the very heart of the bustling Manchester student scene. The dynamic setting provided a striking visual contrast between the old and the new such as the looming gothic architecture that stands in opposition to the many examples of contemporary street art tucked away in quiet defiance.
As a group, we chose to stick to the length of Oxford Road where we were in close proximity to both Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Manchester, giving us a chance to focus solely on the various aspects of student style.
After collation and thorough inspection of street style pictures taken by my group throughout the day, here is what I believe to be the three main ‘Student Tribes’ in the area.
Grunge Revival
This style tribe is instantly recognisable for its slouchy knitwear, check shirts and distressed denim. A revival of the grunge movement of the 90s, this tribe embraces comfort without compromise for style and exudes a carefree and rebellious attitude towards fashion.
Modern Classics
Perhaps my favourite style tribe, this group can be characterised by their polished ensembles of timeless classics such as blazers and button up shirts.
Eclectic High Street
Finally, this group of fashion conscious students can be characterised by their ability to cherry-pick from the major trends of the high street and concoct an overall look that makes the individual pieces the wearer’s own.
I must admit, I was very impressed with how the students that we saw were able to process major trends and tailor the pieces to suit their own aesthetic sensibilities. Many of the participants asked claimed that the outfit they wore has simply been ‘thrown on’, which in my opinion just goes to show how conscious we all are of fashion whether or not we realise it. Regardless, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from this exercise is that I definitely need to up my game when it comes to getting dressed in the morning!
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