I and friends of mine have been using Ted Williams for decades. I'm a reluctant shoppers (aren't…read moreall blokes?) but here it's a pleasure to spend time thanks to the excellent customer service. The range of mens clothing offer an extensive choice from tailor made one-offs to the latest in designer label. The exert staff are on hand to advise and it's definitely worth listening to them as they really know their stuff. The attention to detail is what impressed me most and I'd like to congratulate them on their excellent customer service. It makes a huge difference and welcome change from the large department stores. Any alterations are carried out swiftly and professionally by two talented seamtresses. The shop proudly boasts it's a supplier of designer menswear to the stars of music, sport and entertainment, you may spot one when you pay a visit.

Brummie bohemians rejoice! Xanadu is a great little fair trade clothes shop located in Selly Oak,…read morethat's a much needed establishment to the area. Students at University of Birmingham can finally become hippies again (which is exactly what the student life should be like!). Stocking men's and women's clothes, each item is handmade to perfection and imported from the likes of India and Nepal. There's a brilliant selection of garments that rival the Hippy Buddy shop in the Oasis Market perfectly. In fact, I find this shop a lot more convincingly authentic when compared to most other stores in the same league. As well as fresh, uniquely, natural-made clothes, Xanadu also sells didgeridoos, candles, incense, singing bowls and many other spiritually inspiring products. There's a great selection of religious symbolisms and buddha statues sold in store too; I'd love this place to be my house, I'd feel so cultured and relaxed! Especially when you realise that Xanadu are massage therapist as well! When can I move in? This is a brilliant shop that basks in everything bohemian, and even the store front has been hand designed too. I wish more shops were as beautifully creative as this!

I really like this shop, I think that it is different and alternative, especially in comparison to…read morethe other stores in Selly Oak. It has a variety of clothing for both men and women and is what some may call a 'hippy shop'. I have never bought any clothes from here, but they have more to offer as well as clothes. They also sell candles, crystals, pretty ornaments for home, incense and lots of other healing and holistic-style materials. They also offer various treatments too such as reflexology and massage. You would have to enquire about these though as I have not booked any myself. I like coming in here as it is peaceful and I like the candles and incense. The staff are friendly and are willing to chat about the things they offer here including spiritual advice. Overall, it is a good shop if you are into this kind of thing!

It's nice to know that you can still go to a few remaining independent clothes shops; especially…read moresomewhere where you can always pick up unique t-shirts that nobody else will have. I personally hate seeing everybody wearing the very same garment that you bought a month ago from the very same chain store! Little Italy is full of one off men's clothing (or batches made specifically for the shop), so you never have to worry about blending in with everybody else. Although, I have to say, other than a few unusual patterned t-shirts, the type of fashion is not really to my taste. The shop would be perfect for the trendier men out there though! Prices are average, and most t-shirts cost around £10, which is general to most chain retailers; So you're getting something unique for the same price. It's a shame that shops such as this are hidden away in shopping centres outside of the city centre. I can see this store being very popular if it were located in central Brum.

wow!! this shop will make a man feel in heaven and will make him want to shop til he drops my…read morefriends if you want to get your man shopping this is the place to come

I'm a regular visitor to the Newcastle store. The staff are excellent and I cannot recommend them…read morehighly enough. I'm very lucky to live only twenty minutes walk from this store and pop in regularly at the weekends. I'm loving my wardrobe now stocked with Canali, Valstar, Polo Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith, Crocket & Jones and Tod's.

Although Pockets boasts many locations, the Shrewsbury shop I found to be a gem in a town inundated…read morewith what seems to sell the same - the same of everything. Their label list can be considered equal to that of the most excellent pieces you'd expect to find in London, New York or Paris. The shop itself is an interesting walk-through. Each room as a set staged with it's own personality (era specific) all highlighting a new season, usage, label and/or aesthetic. What's on this glamorous menu? Acqua di Parma Armani Belstaff Burberry (excellent selection) Canali C.P. Company Citizens of Humanity Eton (No, not that Eton) Holland Esq. Hugo Boss Oliver Sweeney Montcler Mulberry (a wonderful, traditional and established label not yet well known in the States). Perry (not just the Mod polo shirts) Paul Smith Tod's etc. The staff are hip and upscale. As an American I won't deny getting the feeling the gentlemen working here had been butlers in a past life - much more than simple salesmen. Well done, Sirs. Very well done.

Ede and Ravenscroft is one of those shops that really belongs in Oxford. It's a little glimpse into…read morethe past and into the world of esteemed traditional businessmen. I reckon most people who go in are just curious at the idea of a traditional tailors, and it's a refreshingly quiet change to similar shops in London. It specialises in menswear, but I've had a browse around for cufflinks and ties as presents for male friends and family members. Unfortunately for me, the price is high for such quality products, so I remain an admiring window shopper. There is a 10% discount for students, so it's a good place for interview or internship clothes, or even for sub-fusc, if you want quality clothes that will last. It also caters for academics, legal professions and even clerical outfits. You can treat it as a normal shop or get professionally measured and have clothes tailor-made. Great fun to browse around, but definitely not an everyday shop.

The Ede & Ravenscroft branch on High Street is most likely the best choice for suit, shirts and…read moreformal wear in Oxford. As part of the Ede & Ravenscroft tailoring house in London's Old Burlington Street, not only does the Oxford shop offer ready-made suits, sweaters, ties, shirts and accessories, they are also able to deliver custom-made shirts and suits and to my knowledge -at least until recently- had a tailor coming in for bespoke clothes. The choice of clothes and formal wear is quite remarkable for a small city like Oxford, and with quite a few well-off kids joining the local university each year, there definitely is demand for a shop like E & R. They do provide a great variety of dinner suits, and since every student at Oxford University at some point during his university life requires a dinner suit, this would be my recommended place to get it from. And students even get a 10 percent discount (at least they got it during my student time).

Revival is a great little vintage stall in Birmingham's alternative fashion store, The Oasis. They…read morehave a wide range of clothing for men and women spanning 50s - 80s eras with the odd exception. They stock Modj favourites such as Harringtons, button down shirts and desert boots but also have a great range of women's dresses for very reasonable prices; I picked up a lovely 50s print shift dress for a mere £10 the other day, which would have cost me double that anywhere else in Birmingham. I also found a Burberry trench for just £25 which might still be there if you're interested. There is a small changing area which is handy and the owner was pretty helpful when I enquired about a style of dress that I was after. I've visited the stall a few times now and he always tells me when his next delivery of dresses is due. All in all a great little stall where you might find a real gem if you look hard enough. If you have any enquiries you can contact Revival via wintcane@aol.com

I was quite surprised to see items that are familiar to me, a great place to dig for treasures…read more Burmi has a lot of selections when it comes to thrift shops and that's appreciate. Looking forward to visiting again someday.

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.

I have seen this store 100s of times in Birmingham city centre, never been inside until today. I am…read morelooking for some clothing for a wedding and thought I'd give them a go. I was looking at men's suits in the size 34 which is what I usually wear. I did not approach or ask for help from anyone. A sales assistant advised me that "you're not a 34, you should try a 36". Fine. You're entitled to an opinion. I told him I am a 34, and that is what I usually wear and so proceeded to try some of the suit jackets on. They have a decent selection. Same sales associate seemed to be lurking around and came up to me to tell me 34 is too tight and will not fit and I should try the next size up. I did not ask for anybody's opinion. 34 is just the right size on me, a little snug, but that does not matter to me. I know what my own size is. It was not too tight, and if he thought it was, fine, but I did not ask for his advice. Either way, the customer is always right. Even if you think it looks ridiculous, you keep it to yourself and sell it to the customer because let's face it: they have the cash to spend. I went upstairs to see their single jackets on sale. The colleague upstairs was great - really helpful, explained everything about alterations and sizing and hiring, and totally understood that if I want to try a 34 and it fits better, that is what I should go for. The first guy wasn't totally rude, but it was uncalled for and I doubt I will go back in a hurry. Clothing selection was vast, but they don't mix and match sizes which is annoying if your legs are one size and your chest is another. All staff are sharply dressed and the store is nice and clean. Apart from the one sales associate, it was alright.

My go-to place for formal wear. Friendly staff who are not there to pump you for money for a suit,…read moreshirt or shoes. They are there to give you a great service and get you to go back next time for more items. They give the feeling of being an independent but there are branches in most big UK cities. While this is actually hidden above Urban Outfitters on the Corner of New Street and Corporation Street the entrance is actually round the next corner up Cannon Street. Great for suits and shirts!

Fallout has been around a long time. I'm dismayed to say that it was nearly 15 years ago as a 16/17…read moreyear old baggy jean wearing skater girl that I first shopped here buying oversized Airwalk tees. What I am pleased to say is that Fallout hasn't really changed much in all that time. Yes it's diversified from purely skate type brands but you can still expect to find a DC hoodie or two alongside a fun reindeer knitted jumper. Where as Ideal tends to stock the more premium end of the skate wear spectrum you can find some great bargains here at Fallout that are a bit easier on the wallet. The fact that they are also rather handily located opposite Ignite Records means you can quickly and easily visit both at the same time.

Fallout is one of the places I think I'd still shop at in Oasis. Now I've outgrown my days of…read morewearing long floaty hippy skirts made of cheese cloth, and I've outgrown wearing studded collars and anything made of velvet, I'm left looking at skater clothes and the odd rockabilly/retro outlets in Oasis. Fallout has a fair amount of stock that interests me - some label brands, but also some cheaper fun tees which match the aesthetic of the accessories you can buy around the corner in Beadesaurus. The range is mainly mens, but this means the tees will accomodate my lady parts much better than scrawny womens sizes which are rarely cut big enough to cope with actual breasts. Handily, whilst I'm pawing through racks of clothes, my other half can ogle the records opposite.

What a cornucopia of wonderful jewellery! I could have spent ages just pouring over all the glass…read morecabinets filled with beautiful second hand jewellery. They have an impressive collection of clocks on the wall, but more impressive are the second hand watches in the window outside. The Casio watches caught my eye; they all look in great condition and are not as pricey as I had imagined. As for the jewellery, well there is all sorts really. I spotted a lot of cameo brooches, earrings and pendants which are quite fashionable these days across all generations. The rings and earrings generally were very beautiful. They also have wedding rings, charms, christening spoons and cheap costume jewellery. This place really reminds me of one of the copious amounts of second hand jewellery shops you find down the Lanes in Brighton.

Long established jewellery shop and watch repairers in Harborne - Gwinnett and Burkill can be found…read moreat the top end of the High Street by Waitrose. As well as stocking an impressive selection of watches from the Swatch, Timex and Seconda ranges they also stock watch straps and batteries and will fit both for you free of charge. More expensive items - including wedding and engagement rings can be found in the shop window but they also specialise in second hand gold and silver jewellery and have bought gold long before Cash Converters and the like got in on the act and these tend to be held in a variety of tantalising display cabinets inside the store. This is a great place to pick up an unusual present - money clips, charms and charm bracelets, pill boxes and christening spoons can be found here. Staff are more than happy to help - I tend to go in with a sum in mind and they will recommend pieces to match (my often ahem meagre) budget.