Plus size shopping in Manchester is genuinely better than most UK cities outside London, partly because Boohoo Group’s plus-size lines are headquartered locally, partly because the indie boutique scene has caught up faster than national chains have. Here’s where to actually shop, ranked by what they do well.
Designer and Premium
Selfridges Plus Size Department – Exchange Square and Trafford
The most extensive plus-size designer offering in the city. Marina Rinaldi (the Max Mara plus line, sizes 14-32, properly cut), Eloquii, Universal Standard, plus designer pieces from the main floor that come up to size 18-22. Personal shopping is free and the consultants are genuinely trained on plus-size fit. Trafford has the larger floor.
Marina Rinaldi (concession at Selfridges)
The Italian plus-size luxury house. Sizes 14-32 across the entire range, made in Italy, properly tailored. Prices from £200-1,200. The tailoring department is exceptional.
Harvey Nichols womenswear
Less plus-size focused than Selfridges but the contemporary brands (Toteme, Aspesi, Joseph) cut up to size 18-20 cleanly. The Brunello Cucinelli range goes to size 22.
Mid-Market and High Street
Hush UK (online, stocked at Hidden Boutique Didsbury)
Sizes 6-22 across every piece. Smart casual, weekend, occasion. Hidden Boutique on Wilmslow Road carries a curated selection in the larger sizes.
Whistles – Selfridges concession and Trafford
Sizes 6-22. Premium high street, considered cuts.
Phase Eight – Trafford and House of Fraser Deansgate
Sizes 6-22. Strong on occasion wear and dresses.
John Lewis – Trafford
The plus-size department covers Studio 8 (the John Lewis own-brand plus line) plus designer concessions including Coast, Phase Eight and Karen Millen.
Marks and Spencer – Manchester Trafford and city centre
Solid plus-size spread up to size 24. Strong on basics, knitwear, occasion.
Next – multiple Manchester locations
Sizes 6-22 across the entire range. The reliable mainstream option.
Online with Manchester HQ
PrettyLittleThing Curve (online, Manchester HQ)
Sizes 18-26. Manchester-headquartered fast fashion. Trend-driven, fast turnover, fast-fashion sustainability profile.
Boohoo Plus (online, Manchester HQ)
Sizes 16-26. Same Manchester company, plus-specific line.
Nasty Gal Curve (online, Manchester HQ via Boohoo Group)
Sizes 16-22. Edgier, younger lean.
Yours Clothing (online, Sheffield-based but stocked widely)
Sizes 14-32. Plus-size only, not Manchester but worth knowing.
Indie Boutiques with Plus-Size Range
Hidden Boutique – Wilmslow Road, Didsbury
Carries a curated selection of plus-size pieces from Hush, Mint Velvet and indie British and French brands. Owner-run, friendly, willing to order specific pieces in larger sizes.
Form Studio Store – Cutting Room Square, Ancoats
Some of the brands carried (Toogood, Eskandar) cut generously and work for plus-size customers. Worth a visit if you want considered designer.
The Old Bank Boutique – Altrincham
Premium contemporary brands cutting up to size 18-20. Iro, Jasper Conran, occasional Anine Bing pieces.
Bridal Plus Size
Curvy Bridal Couture – Stockport
Plus-size only bridal boutique. Samples in size 18-32. Maggie Sottero Curve, Justin Alexander Signature, plus their own line. The most important fact: not the largest sample in the room, which transforms the appointment experience.
The Bridal Emporium – Cheadle
Inclusive sizing across the entire range, samples in 16-26 as standard. Strong on Pronovias and Eisen Stein.
Maggie Sottero Curve (stocked at multiple Manchester boutiques)
The major plus-size bridal designer. The Mews Bridal in Salford Quays carries the line.
Full coverage on the Manchester Bridal Shops guide.
Vintage Plus Size
Cow Vintage – Church Street, NQ
Vintage sizing runs all over the place but Cow’s stock includes oversized 90s pieces (band tees, shirts, jackets) that work as plus-size today regardless of original sizing. Worth a dig.
Affleck’s traders
Various traders deal in oversized 80s and 90s clothing. Hit and miss.
Charity Shop Super Mkt (pop-up at Selfridges Trafford)
The pop-up charity shop format. Sizes vary but the curation includes plus-size pieces specifically.
Activewear Plus Size
Sweaty Betty – Trafford and Selfridges
Sizes 4-20. The best mainstream plus-size activewear in Manchester.
Adidas – Trafford and Market Street
Plus-size range across the Originals and Performance lines, sizes up to 4XL on most pieces.
Lululemon – Trafford
Sizes 4-20. Limited plus-size but the cuts that exist are well-made.
Lingerie Plus Size
Bravissimo – 79 King Street
The DD-K cup specialist. Manchester store has the full bra fitting service, swimwear, sleepwear, all in larger cup sizes.
Selfridges Lingerie Hall
Multiple plus-size brands across the lingerie hall. Personal fitting service is excellent.
Curvy Kate (stocked at Bravissimo)
The plus-size lingerie default for fashion-led pieces.
Shoes (Wide Fit)
Selfridges Shoe Galleries
Most major brands cut wide-fit options. Selfridges carries the broadest selection.
Clarks – multiple Manchester locations
The reliable wide-fit specialist for everyday shoes.
Hotter Shoes – Bury (15 mins from Manchester)
Comfort and wide-fit specialist, the brand’s flagship outlet is in Bury.
Personal Stylists Specialising in Plus Size
Several Manchester-based personal stylists specifically work with plus-size clients. The full list is on the Personal Stylists guide.
What Manchester Plus-Size Shopping Still Lacks
Honest assessment. The city is short on:
- Standalone plus-size designer boutiques (London has a few, Manchester has none yet)
- Plus-size streetwear specifically (the streetwear scene generally cuts to size XL or 18 max)
- Plus-size casuals brands (Stone Island, CP Company cut to size XXL on most pieces, but plus-size specific options are limited)
- Plus-size occasion wear in the £200-500 range (jumps from high street to designer with limited mid-tier)
The gaps create opportunities for indie shops and Manchester-based brands. Watch this space.
How to Shop Plus Size in Manchester
Start at Selfridges
For a first proper plus-size shop, the Selfridges plus department gives you the broadest brand range under one roof, free personal shopping, and consultants who actually know fit. Trafford store has the larger floor.
Build a relationship with one indie
Hidden Boutique in Didsbury is the standout for ordering specific pieces in larger sizes. Once you’re known to the owner, they’ll flag pieces coming in.
Online HQ advantage
The Manchester-headquartered Boohoo, PLT and Nasty Gal plus-size lines have warehousing locally. Returns are fast, exchanges easy, sales aggressive.
Bridal: book Curvy Bridal first
If you’re plus-size and bridal, start at Curvy Bridal Couture in Stockport before any other appointment. The contrast with non-specialist boutiques makes the difference.
