Snapbacks Are Back!

Snapbacks are back- back from the days of Back to the Future, SEGA Mega drives and New Kids on the Block. Originally popular in the 1980’s, they fell out of favour but today they are back in style and sales of these caps are at an all-time high.

Snapbacks are the most popular sellers this summer at the world renowned Hatman store in Birmingham. There are rows and rows of them in every colour you can think of. Designs range from the trusty old American city range to Dennis’ own personal designs. For those who don’t know- Dennis is the owner, designer and local personality who owns the chain of Hatman stores.

Dennis first started Hatman in the 1970s. A tailor by trade, he started making hats in his dad’s back room, and then built his business up. He now proudly boasts two shops in Birmingham, including his flagship store in The Square. They also wholesale out to a lot of shops in Birmingham and have quite a few franchises around the West Midlands.

Manager Keshia Hamilton, Dennis’ daughter, tells us that ‘there are about 500 different designs of hats in this urban shop in Corporation Street. Dad and I work hard on sourcing, designing and selling the best products out there. We’ve had visitors travel from all over, from London, Manchester, even Scotland to come to the store! People just love wearing the logo.’ The store has everything from beanie hats to flatcaps and Trilbies.

Keshia also has a range of ladies hats too. ‘It’s not all about the lads you know’ she tells us in a very convincing tone. ‘There’s a range of hats for women too to make sure they get ahead of the crowd, we’ve got brims and feather s for all occasions.’

And it doesn’t stop at hats. Under Keshia’s careful guidance Hatman has gone on to stock a large selection of ladies leggings and also legging suits, in brightly coloured designs and patterns. ‘They’re great to go clubbing in or to wear out every day,’ Keshia tells us. ‘You will also find everything from dresses to jumpsuits and exotic swimming costumes in the store this summer, come in and say hi.’ 

Hatman is a shop like no other. Dennis, Keshia and the team are warm, welcoming and passionate about their business. Their world revolves around offering affordable fashion and great customer service.

This family business adds some fun, vibrancy and passion to our city. This store isn’t another clone shop, is a real and much loved retailer with a personality and a belief in the people of Birmingham.

One last thing… if you don’t know what a snapback is, then you shouldn’t be wearing one! :)

Are You Street?

East or West Coast? NYC or LAX? Do you get it? Any self-respecting street wear follower does. With its roots in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s street wear is a phenomenon born out of the urban massive in the concrete jungles of the USA.

It’s all about the brands you wear, the music you hear, and the ‘sneakers’ you sport.

Back in the day street wear was underground. Street was cutting edge, cool, different and more than a little intimidating. It was a statement about who you were, what you liked and your attitude to life. In the late ‘80s street wear went main stream and became a global phenomenon. Rappers, DJs and groups assumed the look.

Fast forward 20 years, jump the pond and you are in the UK’s fashion capitol. Birmingham is ethnically diverse; it is gritty, urban and real. It’s no great surprise that it has unofficially become the home of street wear in the UK.

Dotted around the city are some of the UK’s most iconic street wear retailers. And Osi in The Square is the perfect example. Street wear is his life and his livelihood. He has been in the business about 25 years.

His store is home to a fusion of American and British street bands. ‘It’s a way of life,’ Osi tells us. ‘The guys and I love pulling together new collections. This season it’s snapback caps and cuffed jeans.’

Osi has been at the centre of style for decades. He has seen so many fashions come and go and reports that the craze now is dad’s kitting their kids out in mini versions of their own street gear. “Some of kids are looking more dapper than their dads, bling sees no age!”. 

Osi’s loyal fan base has been growing over the years and so has the appetite for all things street. Along with the clothing Osi now offers accessories that out bling the best of anything our cousins in the USA have. The most popular selling item (after his denim) is belt buckles that would outside any royal crown. ‘They’re the perfect gift’ Osi tells us with a wry smile!

In our office we’ve formed our own view on anything street. Birmingham has the heritage; it is the world’s original urban jungle. Without cities there would be no street wear, without Birmingham there would be no cities!

Whilst NYC and LAX are famed and much loved, we really think BHX is where it’s at.

The Square is proud to be home to this one of a kind retailer. We’ll be featuring more of our independent stores in forthcoming blogs, so stay tuned and feel free to chip in with your thoughts.