GUIDE TO BIRMINGHAM #2

It's Wednesday, so that means I am here once again to talk to you about everyone's favourite but still slightly shitty city. This week I bring to you; THE FASHION EDITION. 

Somehow, Birmingham has gotten itself a good reputation for fashion. Of course we have the big fancy stores like Giorgio Armani, but you never actually see anyone go into these places. So where is it that we Brummies shop that's getting fashion magazines so excited?

http://www.wearecow.com/

For most people, the first port of call for clothing is Cow Vintage. Located in hispter (albeit slightly dodgy) hangout Digbeth, Cow is the place to get.... well- pretty much anything. From the standard high waisted denim shorts to one off sequined dresses and enough checked shirts to last a lifetime, it is probably no exaggeration to say this vintage store is clothing the vast student population of Birmingham.

Prices have soared recently and there's probably a lot of reasons for this. Although it's probably largely down to boring things like the credit crunch or the fact you are always guaranteed extremely high quality products when shopping here, I like to think it's because I've never been in this store without seeing a band member of some sort. Whether it's Birmingham superstars Peace or occasional visitors Spector, you're always pretty likely to spot a guy in skinny jeans who plays guitar browsing the skinny jeans whilst talking about their guitar.

So, if you like places that chose to hang their clothes from the ceiling and the colour yellow Cow Vintage is the place for you. I think it's definitely worth a visit, even if you don't like those things.

ALL PHOTOS PROPERTY OF WWW.SHERIFFLUCY.BLOGSPOT.COM

http://www.urban-village.co.uk/

Next stop is Urban Village. And it literally is the next stop: situated just down the road from Cow, you can find Urban Village in the Custard Factory (a small collection of offices, small businesses and various bodies of water).

This store is easily recognisable due to the collection of scooters parked outside and boasts two floors of records and psychedelic clothing from the sixties. A distinctive feature of the store is the newspaper wall; a lifetimes worth of clippings and articles highlighting mod culture. Though perhaps even more distinctive are the staff themselves. The staff at Urban Village are friendly, attentive and you never leave without hearing an interesting story. After speaking to one velvet-trousered member of staff for just five minutes I learnt that he was good friends with Rhys Webb (bass player from The Horrors) and that Graham Coxon had once stroked that very pair of velvet trousers.

No matter what your budget or your own personal sense of style, you're guaranteed to find something you love in Urban Village.

ALL PHOTOS PROPERTY OF URBAN VILLAGE

http://www.theoasisfashionstore.co.uk/

This isn't a phrase I like using often, but in this case it rings true: the Oasis has something for everyone. The Oasis has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. From the emo stage to the goth stage to the awkward scene stage (that we're not really allowed to talk about) to whatever this is now, the Oasis market have always been there for me to help make what ever fashion "statement" I want and that is something I love this store for.

Built up of three floors packed full of stalls and shops, you can literally find everything here. EVERYTHING. If you want records, clothes, a piercing, a tattoo or even I don't know, some glow in the dark skeleton hand gloves (in the style of Barry from Storage Wars) I guarantee that you will find it here. There's even one shop where you can get those really cool hippie rainbow hoodies we all secretly want but are too scared to purchase.

                                     

Of all the many stores in the Oasis, my favourites have got to be Revive, a vintage clothing store, and Beadesaurus, an adorable shop where you buy all the Hello Kitty items you could ever possibly want. So whether you've moved on or are still full on emo central- The Oasis is the place to shop.

SOURCE OF PHOTOS UNKNOWN

It wouldn't be Wednesday without a new musical suggestion from Birmingham. This week we have:

Loud, sexy and heavily guitar driven- Bad Moon are a far cry from the beach inspired tracks presented to you by Birmingham's usual suspects. However, something different is exactly what Birmingham needs. We are drowning in songs about surfing and sunshine and it is about time someone released some songs that you listen to with both your ears and your hips.

Bad Moon are back with new haircuts and a new song that you won't be able to stop singing for weeks. Regulars on nights out frequented by the gig goers of town, this band have cemented themselves in the hearts of many; both on and off stage.
You can take a look at their Soundcloud below, or catch them support Loom on the 11th December at the Hare and Hounds Birmingham.

I SEE COLOUR WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES

love,