‘Savvy and urban – with a Birmingham twist’- this is what I thought when I saw Phillip walking towards me past Birmingham Museum at Chamberlain Square.
Just several days before this I read an article about the cinematic Peaky Blinders look in men’s fashion in the Guardian and a feature in Menswear Style blog. Set in Birmingham, the post WW1 gangster drama featured a brutal, but elegantly dressed gang who would stitch razor blades into the peaks of their flat caps to be used as a blinding surprise weapon. Since the show, this look was spotted on the street.
Phillip’s cap, with its roomy 8-piece crown, button top and deep peak, reminded me the newsboy/bakerboy cap that Thomas Shelby wore in the series. Minus razor blades, of course, but alluding to Birmingham’s rich history. It’s a statement piece. It’s cool. David Beckham often wears it as his signature style cap rather than a traditional flat one.
I liked Phillip’s very on-trend beard and the way he paired a classic city life slim grey cashmere coat with this bakerboy cap. It adds a sophisticated twist to a warm and practical winter outfit.


