A family run business which opened in 2007, this is a posh hat shop based on Islington Row…read more I used to live in the flats above this shop and was always a bit curious about it but never dared to go in - some people can wear hats and sadly I'm not one of them. However I was recently invited to a wedding and now that fascinators are 'de rigour' thought this was perhaps my chance to have a mooch. The fact they had a 20% off sign in the window was all the extra encouragement I needed. I have to say they have some really lovely stuff - I was particularly taken with a black and white polka dot number but sadly - even with the discount this was way out of my price range. Staff seemed nice and the stock seemed well made. Intrigued I also had a quick look on their website when I got home - more lovely things awaited including some rather fab gents hats (trilby's mostly) and a 'made to order' range.

If you're looking for hair pieces, these guys have the largest range of colours I have come across…read moreso you're likely to find a match to your shade. It's virtually impossible to buy hair removal wax tubs from the High Street stores but I found it here for just £5! And they have a choice between lavender, aloe vera and pink wax. I also found that St Ives face scrub (which is the guru of my skincare regime!) is a lot cheaper here than elsewhere. They have a random selection of cheap cosmetics that tend to be in retro shades - Pat Butcher from Eastenders comes to mind! Although some of their eye-shadows and nail varnishes are interesting because bright colours are trending. Oddly enough, towards the back of the shop there is a post office so you can get your postal needs as well as grooming products under one roof!

Used to wear caps a lot in past. I still do ocassionally but not as much. New Era is the perfect…read moreand only store you need if you want caps. They have everything and every design/style. I want buy everything when I go in I get caps with simple design or logo. I hate the ones with so much designs and writing all over the cap. For me simple is good and I love muted colours. I wear to match what I wear not to draw attention to my head. :) Not cheap but quality is the best

New Era is a really attractive store. It kinda looks like a really posh trainer shop but without…read morethe trainers! The staff look super cool but without being intimidating or pushy and the hats are high quality and well displayed with great colour ways and designs. I haven't purchased a cap here yet but I definitely would. My boyfriend wears them and this would probably be my first port of call if he wanted a new one as there is so much choice and the quality is clearly second to none. Prices are around the £30 mark, about the same as a decent t-shirt but you'll get more wear out of it and they come in different sizes too.

I really like this store and have popped in a few times. It is the perfect places to pick up…read moreaccessories for fancy dress costumes, or merely for accessories alone. I have purchased a few scarves and bags for various fancy dress outfits that I have worn to parties. The staff are quite friendly inside and have been helpful when I have been looking for something in particular. The store is in a bit of a jumble and I have found it hard to locate items on some occasions, however I always eventually find what I need. They also keep quite a lot of stock in boxes outside the front of the store, so I have often spent time rooting around trying to find stuff. I do not like this aspect of the store; I would prefer it all to be easy to find and well organised. It is a great store, but it is a bit disorganised.

Shops like this make your local high street the place to check out on a saturday morning. The floor…read moreto ceiling jam packed-ness of fun always amazes me. If you are in need of some cheap tat as a present, for a project or require something for a fancy dress outfit then you will no doubt find it here. Who needs expensive fancy dress shops or paying for shipping off a website when you can buy inflatable props from here? Love it, a great little shop full of things to mooch in and to spend money on stuff you either didn't know you needed or had forgotten you needed as you never spot it in the supermarket.

Beadesaurus has two sites in Brum with this one being the original. It definitely has more of the…read morebeads going on here, although this has shrunk over time to make way for the masses and range of lounge fly wallets and bags. If you are a bit younger, more goth and teenage then this is the shop you are most likely to be spotted in. I am however a little sad that they don't have the range and diversity of jewellery making wares like they used to, i completely understand how bags and purses have a higher price point for making money and staying around for as long as they have. If you get passed some of the more teenage, rock wares and don't get intimidated by it's youthfulness then you will undoubtedly find a bit of treasure here.

To be honest, I have no idea about how to start reviewing this shop because there are so many good…read morethings to highlight on it. Beadesaurus is unique because they have a range of t-shirts, bags and accessories that are not found easily in other shops in Birmingham. They certainly attract a diverse kind of public. While their collection of Hello Kitty bags and accessories seems to be made for teens, their bandannas, gloves and some dresses can be the option to rockabilly fans. Beadesaurus is the kind of shop for people who look for the different without shocking. I like their baby accessories and some of their tote bags are really stylish. There are two options of Beadesaurus to visit. This one at Oasis Store has some options of bags on sales that are impossible to miss. I particularly prefer the other shop at Piccadilly Arcade because the decor is more attractive and their variety of jewellery is something to highlight as well.

Located on New Street, just outside Specsavers and BHS, this is a great unique little store selling…read morelocal essentials. Whether your after scarves, gloves, hats, wedding hats, funky caps, shawls, an accessory for your fancy dress costume, this place has it all! You can always find that quirky fun product on this market stall, and usually you'll find it's swamped with activity on the weekends. Popular with tourists and locals, you'll be glad you paid a visit. The items are not that expensive. It's not Gucci, but just great and convenient. Just a point to remember, it's located next to and quite near the hot-dog stand, and sometimes your goods have a smell of barbecue and smoke. (can be an acquired 'flavour' for your summer wardrobe). Great that it's so near to the transport, all the cash machines and Birmingham's New st and Moor st train stations.

I walk past this store everyday and wonder ho much stock gets robbed from the side of the stall…read more Probably not alot as it is all made up of cheap accessories. If you come into the city from the train and it starts to rain you'll buy an umbrella or a scarf, but other than that i cant see how this place sticks around. Shop keeper don't give a damn unless your handing him money, and even then hes laughing because even he knows what your buying is abit rubbish. i brought a bag from this place once because i was carrying a light head and wanted to put it on my back, thought i got a good price until later when i really looked at the bag to find it had already started ripping!? Insane, no receipts just because your on wheels? i don't buy that.

Raymondo Jewellery, run by Raymond and Wendy are part of the monthly crafts fair in the Great…read moreWestern arcade. They have a gorgeous array of handmade jewellery to entice you part with your money but with prices from just £3, it's hard to resist. Every colour is represented so you are sure to find something to go with every outfit. If you're into something more practical, they also offer stunning beaded square faced watches and new designs are coming along all the time. For a more classic look there are pearl bracelets and chokers and all manner of bracelets and ear-rings. Fantastic for a little cheer- up present for you or others and it won't break the bank.

I adore Second to None - it has to be one of the best vintage clothing shops for miles around! It…read morealmost has a cult following and is well worth a visit. A treasure trove of all things vintage - a fantastic collection of clothes, handbags, shoes, scarves and jewellery.

Iv been a customer here for 30 years. Love this shop. I could spend hours rummaging. Reasonable…read moreprices. Great vintage stock.

Reasonably priced mens & women's quality vintage clothing…read more Top Banana and many of the shops on York Road share the ethos of the old-fashioned shop keeper. The staff like to have a natter with the customers, offer them a hot drink if they're having a good mooch and often give discounts if you buy more than one item. There aren't many places to buy quality vintage clothing for men so Top Banana has an edge over most other shops. The focus is mainly American vintage from the 60s-70s and the majority of the stock reflects this, but they have everything from 40s to 90s - you just need to have a good rummage! Fans of converse and vans if you haven't heard of Top Banana where have you been?! They have LOADS and prices range from £15-£25. Prices are very reasonable but don't expect bargain basement prices like £1 etc.. this is quality merchandise which would set you back a pretty penny down south! Grab it while you can before someone else does! While you're here pop next door to Cherry Reds for some yummy food or two doors down to Polar Bear Records,

Vintage gold converse, weathered denim shirts and an abundance of classic pieces from yesteryear -…read moreTop Banana offers something that few clothing stores do these days - and that's authenticity. They have some really nice stuff, some of it I imagine would make you look like Tony Soprano, a 70s mobster or Dirk Diggler. Their range is enormous for a small shop - from vintage varsity, leather and demin jackets to knitwear, polos and an array of slick shirts. All of the items I have bought from Top Banana have a timeless quality about them that only get better with age. With Top Banana you're guaranteed to get some fine clothing for a fair price that even a young Jean-Paul Belmondo would give a nod of approval to.You will leave a (fashion) law unto yourself, swaggering like a don, whistling 'ain't no stopping us now' and ready to share your new-found slickness with the world. At least I did.

Thomas Pink is truly a fashion leader, and one of the best places to shop within the Mailbox…read more The store is split between Men's attire on the left and Women's on the right. They offer tailor made shirts, formal and casual shirts, ties, cuff links and wedding services. Speaking to the assistant he also told me about a great unique service that they offer at Thomas Pink; if you spend a certain amount in the store in one day, you get a VIP pickup in a Morgan Car, which is a handmade car, ideally great for a wedding! They also offer gift wrapping, gift cards, hotel and office deliveries, ironing, personal shopping and alterations. A visit to Birmingham's Mailbox wouldn't be complete without visiting Thomas Pink. The store offers a great selection of shirts and accessories, and worth buying for that special occasion. You can also keep up to date with them on both Facebook and Twitter.

Shopping at the Mailbox offers a few of unique and independently owned stores one of which is…read morecalled Thomas Pink. Although it's only a small boutique, what they lack for in size they make up with quality designer clothes. The owners always ensure there is a good varied collection of designer items on offer from shirts to accessories. It's prodominantly a menswear shop but they do stock a number of womens items too meaning they now sell everything from dresses for girls and smart shirts for boys. They also have a few belts and bags for sale although personally I've never bought one of these. They get a lot of VIPs shopping in here so if you're lucky enough to be able to go and splash the cash, this should be on your hit list.