Boutique of the week: Blue Rinse, Tib Street, M4 1LX

Named after the ubiqtous candyfloss shades of old-lady hair this little gem at the top end of Tibb Street (just past Afflecks, opposite Oi Polloi) is a must stop destination for any visit to the Northern Quarter. Originating in Leeds ten years ago as a small one-off clothes shop, Blue Rinse now has various branches and concessions across the North and Midlands. Recent collaborations of shop-in-shops with Topshop and Urban Outfitters, Miss Selfridge and Ebay offer vintage stock alongside re-made and re-worked items.

 Hosting a plethora of goodies for granny and grandpa chic and beyond, its main strengths lie in menswear with a good range of retro sportswear originals. Stirrup leg Adidas pants from £10 alongside new stock of traditional windbreakers; staples such as plimsolls and vests, bobble hats and statement jumpers are given a fresh lease of life and await new owners.

The ever-helpful staff lean behind the flyer strewn counter reading magazines, occasionally eyeing the wall of iconic newly-printed T-shirts and sweatshirts. Priced from £8 and adorned with anchors, pussy cats, Sonic Youth comic book strips and tigers, they offer tongue-in-cheek instant wardrobe updates.

For the ladies: a jewellery section with reasonably priced gilted numbers, a wall dedicated to shoes, a good range of lace and patterned leggings and re-worked vintage skirts starting from £7 complete the offer. Also stocking a good range of dandyish coats, leather man-bags, old Levis, hats and silk scarves, Blue Rinse is definitely worth a look-in for a one-stop-shop of all things retro-quirky.

Grace Cowlard