What?
Elite Dress Agency
Where?
35 King Street West, Manchester. Tel: 0161 832 3670
Why go?
Every so often Store Detective stumbles upon a hidden gem so precious that, really, we would love to keep it all to ourselves. But that would be mean - not to mention the fact we would have nothing to write about...
The Elite Dress Agency is one such buried treasure, tucked away at the bottom of King Street. Where, behind an unimposing façade hides a real pot of fashion gold.
Already a style secret among Manchester's fashionistas, it's a seconds shop with a difference, carrying only designer labels, or key pieces from the upper end of the high street.
Corrie stars, footballers' wives, the rich and famous - all come here to sell their second-hand clothes, or buy some gorgeous new ones. Which means there's a constantly revolving stock, as new arrivals fill the store five days a week.
A real stalwart of the style scene, Elite has been a fashion-lover's Mecca for 40 years now.
Originally selling all kinds of seconds, it now focuses on ladieswear, with menswear on offer in their Altrincham branch.
The secret of their success - quality. As only really well-looked after garments are put on sale. Plus, they try to stay within a few seasons of current trends.
No two days throw up the same treasures - but any given trip could unearth anything from Gucci to Vivienne Westwood. Bags are a big seller, as the cash-conscious ladies of Manchester look for arm candy from Mulberry, Chloe and the like at cut prices. The Jimmy Choo number we saw when we popped in had only been used once and was on sale at £599.90, as opposed to £1,200 new.
However, the real draw of this second-hand boutique has to be the fabulous frocks, as you could pick up a Matthew Williamson or Stella McCartney number for a fraction of the real price for that special bash. But shhh, don't tell too many people...
We loved
1
Vivienne Westwood shoes, £64.90
2 Green Gucci dress, £155
3
Giles for Mulberry red bag, £255
4 Blue David Szeto dress, £299.90
Best for
Savvy style lovers
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Showing comments 1 to 2 and replies | View All
goga bond (17/09/2009 at 21:03)
if you pay something over £100 you expect to find your size much easier! the management have to change, somebody with more merchandising experience and passion have to be employed!
Carole Burrows (18/11/2009 at 17:43)