Teen alternative clothes shopping towns/villages?

[jeansgenie]

I hope some people on here can help as I am drawing a blank - dd is into some more alternative styles and also has sensory issues, so we have a bit of a struggle with clothes in general. I struggle to describe exactly what she likes but, in my 90's phraseology I would describe it as a mix of grunge, academia, 2000's goth, victoriana and 80's punk.

She is happy doing charity shopping but is not a fan of busy environments and trying things on - after trying to get things on line I have convinced her to have one shopping day for summer clothes as everything we get either doesn't fit or looks nothing like it did in the photos.

Can anyone recommend somewhere we can go for a night to do some shopping where she won't "look basic" as she says, or be overwhelmed by busy changing rooms? She liked Camden for a few hours and Brighton but they are obviously quite busy and I suspect we won't get further than one shop. Or any online alternative shops that actually have good quality items with decent sizing?

Afflecks Palace in Manchester.

Thanks for that quick response! We have been meaning to visit Manchester but maybe for longer than 1 night (we are at the opposite end of the country!). I have just looked up the traders there and it certainly seems to fit the bill. Would you recommend staying nearby?

Go to whichever nearby cities/types of shops you're looking for, but go at quiet times, eg the first hour at the weekend is usually bearable or if you're able to go in the week - if she's at school and you go afterwards, many places are open until 7/8 which can be enough time. Totally different experience to city centres on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Or if you're staying over, take things to try on in the hotel room and you can always return them before you go home again.

Oxford.

I suspect at least half of the at least 40,000 students (between 16 and 25, say) get through their entire course of study entirely dressed from the innumerable vintage and charity shops the city contains.

Do some googling then book a couple of nights’ stay.

Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester. Though if she finds Brighton and Camden too busy she’ll have the same issues.

Online: EMP, Disturbia, Darkside, RockinRedFox

EMP sizing and guides are excellent as you would expect for a German manufacturer.

Another place we have been meaning to visit - thanks.

Also liking the reminder from @Bjorkdidit that taking things back to the hotel room to try on and returning next day is an option, which makes me feel a lot calmer! I have a lot of clothes I never got around to returning and feel I have been somewhat mentally scarred by online shopping as a result.

Glastonbury

Killstar, Disturbia, Blue Banana, Kates Clothing, Grindstore

Online EMP and Disturbia EMP are a great company. Bristol used to have loads of such shops as did Nottingham- not sure anymore.

How old is she?

Yes definitely. I don't think that Manchester is that overwhelming as a city. Market street is the main shopping strip and can be very bustling, but is easily avoided and nowhere near London levels. Plenty of affordable chain hotels in the centre.

Afflecks Palace 100000%

I stumbled across a great charity shop in Hammersmith that had lots of alternative type clothing recently. I know it’s a charity shop so it won’t sell the same stuff today as it did last week, but it did seem to have a lot of alternative stuff.

someone mentioned Glastonbury and I wouldn’t agree, lots of shops selling very similar hippy type clothing. Not much in the way of what your daughter is after.

Afflecks Palace in Manchester!

Camden?

For online, try Disturbia.

The suggestion to buy then try on in the hotel and return the following day isn't great sorry.
The traders in places such as Afflecks may not allow a refund just because it doesn't fit or is not to her taste once on.
Try not to mess them about.

As others have said, going early is the best way to ensure a calm and quiet environment.

The suggestion to buy then try on in the hotel and return the following day isn't great sorry.
The traders in places such as Afflecks may not allow a refund just because it doesn't fit or is not to her taste once on.
Try not to mess them about

Good point - shops have no obligation to refund non faulty goods bought in person. I'd be surprised if independent shops offered anything other than exchange or possibly a credit note.

Probably too expensive for a teenager but she might like Queens of Archive