Where is it?
63 Thomas Street
Manchester
M21 9LQ
History:
Oi Polloi started life on Manchester’s menswear scene in the summer of 2002. Their mission, they said, was ‘to provide the antidote for stale and uninspired menswear, the holy grail of form and function over fast-fashion and fad.’
That sounds great, and the attention to quality clothing that stays relevant for longer than a month is something that should appeal to all male fashionista’s.
However, at these prices you’d bloody well expect so, because unless your pockets are overflowing with cash, you won’t be buying a new outfit from here every week.
This then, is a place for that splashy purchase, that new coat you’ve been saving for or that shirt that’s going to be seeing many a Saturday night before it’s retired to the work pile.
What do they sell?
Imagine Urban Outfitters but without all the print low-neck tees and shawl cardigans and you’re pretty much there. The store even looks like UO, with exposed brickwork and bare, sanded wooden floorboards.
Shoes, jackets and coats are what they do best. The range of Clarks Originals is particularly impressive and there’s plenty of Barbour outwear beyond the standard wax jacket. If you can’t find a parka that’s to your taste in here, you’re never going to find one.
A good selection of jeans and trousers is dominated by Levi’s, Edwin and Nudie Jeans Co– which is certainly not a bad thing – and there’s a fair amount of cord and chino action for those who require it.
They also sell socks… that cost £25 a pair.
Who shops there?
It would be easy to say that this is a boutique for trendy Northern Quarter creative types, popping in to spend a buck on a new vintage jumper before getting back to hand painting teapots or trading Russian films with each other.
But Oi Polloi isn’t really like that. You’re going to have to be selling a lot of cupcakes to be able to afford £89 for a plain bobble hat.
This place then, is for the Urban Outfitter with a bit of birthday money to spend. He knows it’s extravagant, but hey, everybody deserves to splash out every once in a while.
Why go there?
If you’ve got the cash, the range of coats and jackets is superb, and the quality of all the clothing here is extremely high. Not all items are going to break the bank, either. I found some rather nice Barbour Tartan scarves for £20 a piece, which isn’t bad at all.
There’s also a very handy touch-screen stock finder in the store so you can browse the online items and order them should you find something online that’s not in the store. A nice touch and very easy to use.
Future:
After almost a decade of trading, Oi Polloi isn’t about to go making drastic changes to its philosophy anytime soon. Don’t be surprised if this place is exactly the same in another ten years, supplying quality contemporary classics at the top end of the market.
Verdict:
For a durable jacket that will be loyal all year round, or some quality knitwear you’ll be wearing for years, Oi Polloi is the place to invest your hard-earned cash, but maybe buy your socks from somewhere a little bit cheaper if your pockets aren’t permanently lined with gold.
Follow David on Twitter @DavidPMcCourt
