Individualism and self-expression was important for people during the 1970s, no matter how much or how little money a person made. The largest difference between the types of individualism and self-expression in this era was most likely due to both class and taste.

[wpaudio url=”http://www.museumofuncutfunk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Flagg-Brothers-Commercial.mp3″]

flagbros11The year was 1976, and style was in full effect for the Black man, as it had been for quite some time. In California, Flagg Bros provided the footwear by which style was defined. There were others such as Jarman’s, Florsheim’s, and Hardys, but Flagg Bros was widely acknowledged amongst the local cool cats, pretty boys and wanna-be Players as thee spot for shoes. “Kicks,” as we called them in L.A., were a necessary statement to set off the look of new vines (stylish clothing) and old glad-rags.

Flagg Bros was located in Huntington Park, at the corner of Gage and Pacific Blvd. Flagg Bros was known for introducing the hippest styles, in the baddest colors at a price you could afford. The selection was second to none. They sold stylish contemporary leather shoes with standard heels, in  Green, Tan, Orange, Burnt Orange, Rust Orange, Burgundy, Beige, White, Blue, Sky Blue, Red, Maroon, Brown, Yellow, even Pink, and of course, classic Black. Flagg Bros had it all.

flagbros2sA funky psychedelic rainbow of selective variety was always at your disposal. But the baddest, boldest, cold-blooded look of the day were platform shoes, made with and without “bubble toes,” offered in a variety of heel and sole styles, ranging from solid bases to laminated wood layers (and later synthetic neoprene), in a variety of solid colors, two tone and multi-hue blends, stitched patterns, with or without stipples, the choice was yours and nobody sold badder “stacks” than Flagg Bros. From tasteful yet sensible 3/4″ platforms to 3″ monster plats (aka Gorgons) as we called them, Flagg Bros supplied the funk. Slip-ons, lace-ups, zipper clad, ankle high oxfords to bubble-toe boots, Flagg Bros fulfilled your wishes.

Flagg Bros was the home of style, footwear and hosiery.  A pair of Flagg Bros shoes allowed everyday cats to compete with, and possess the look of, a Ganza Boy. That was the name for the real Pimps, true Players and serious Hustlers who had the money to be suited and booted by Eleganza,” (Chicago, 60609), the undisputed mail-order King and Mack haberdashery Mecca.

flagbros3s

flagbros7s

By 1982, platform shoes were played out, and the look of Ray Parker Jr’s (“The Other Woman”) album cover cued a transition. The 6-6 Impala, funky Pimp styling of a 70s Player and my 8-track tape was old news.  Now, it was all about being “fresh,” that smooth and suave laid back thing, with Jheri curls in a “Nouveau” style for that Belizean look, and music played on cassette in Dolby sound.  Oh, one other thing… The drink of choice now was Cognac. — Remy, warmed politely, served in a snifter. So long Flagg Bros, Zodys and Ripple.

The Flagg Brothers Ads are part of The Museum Of UnCut Funk Collection.

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Source: Rick James Roberts

The Museum of UnCut Funk wants to give a special shout to Hanako Iwahashi for sharing her photographs of classic Flagg Bros signage live from Bergenfield, New Jersey. Hanako it’s because of fans like you that we do what we do. Thank you!

 

114 Comments

  • kevin camon
    June 20, 2010

    wow, i remember this like yesterday i was only 12/13 back then when i got my first pair of plat froms shoes. i looked like i steped right out of a flagg brothers, magazine going into high school then.

    • Horace M. Ragin
      December 15, 2013

      I was back there in those times………..I’ll be 55 my next birtday in 4 mos. I had a job making $100 a week and ordered all my clothes.shoes and hat’s fro Flagg Brothers.

      • Katfish
        July 28, 2023

        Is it anyone currently making platform shoes

        • Ike
          November 7, 2023

          Im not sure, if anyone is making platform shoes today but I did a 70s party not long ago and found a pair at a vintage clothing store.

    • KEN FOWLER
      February 5, 2017

      man i shopped all my shoes at the Flagg Brothers in Southern Park Mall in the early 1970’s !!! colors like rainbow shoes…platform shoes…and gues what folks….I was a young WHITE GUY !!!!……LOVED THAT PLACE…MISS THOSE TIMES !!!!

    • Rodney
      December 24, 2020

      I came out of high school in 1977 say no more.

      • Kip Washington
        July 21, 2021

        Came out of High School in 1976 and ordered all my stuff from Flagg Brothers- in Port Huron, Michigan

    • Leron
      August 8, 2021

      I remember when I was in the 8th grade I got my first pair of platforms, you couldn’t tell me nothing. The higher the platforms the better.

    • Nelson J. Whitsett
      October 27, 2023

      I remember my first order, black platform shoes and a mustered color 1 piece bell bottom jumpsuit. The pants had to cover the shoes. Everyone in the neighborhood treated me like a superstar because of my Flagg Brothers fashion.

    • Danny
      December 11, 2023

      I absolutely loved platform shoes. I was about 12/13 when I purchased my first pair from Flagg Bros. There was a store right downtown. We also got our inspiration from Soul Train

  • jerome
    October 29, 2010

    I remember looking @ this catalog when I was 10 yrs old. Now I am 48 yrs old.

  • October 29, 2010

    This catalog was awesome.

  • Norman
    December 22, 2010

    We had a Flagg Bros. store on Market St. in Harrisburg PA. FB was THE store to get really, really wild-styed shoes in the 50-s-70’s era. They were the best, and you knew you had made it as a (young) man when you had your first pair. LIve on, Flaggs!

  • Jennifer Wright
    March 17, 2011

    Do Flagg Bros have a catalog so that I can places orders now.

    • skip
      May 9, 2017

      i worked at that flag bros in harrisburg 1970

    • REBECCA CRAWLEY
      December 24, 2022

      Do Flagg Brothers still have order books that you can order clothes from.?

      • Rhoda Kershaw
        February 20, 2023

        I have a pair of flag brothers platform shoes. They are all black and leather pretty much mint condition. They are a size 8 1/2 men’s looking for a new home for them.

        • John Fore
          September 16, 2023

          Rhoda:
          I’d be happy to take these off your hands. Do you have a $ amount that you’d accept?

    • Kingsley (Mr. Love) Wright.
      August 17, 2023

      Hey Jennifer, seems they are not in business anymore. I tried many angles to get a catalog, no success. If you happened to be successful, kindly forward info to me !! Thanks.

  • Kim
    June 8, 2011

    I am looking for a kangol hat! can anyone help me?

  • walter harris
    July 9, 2011

    attending a 70’s event weekend of july 16 is there a telephone ordering line?

    • Henry Merritt
      November 4, 2022

      I like to reply I was 14 years old and younger living in palatka Florida flag Brothers was the only clothing outfit that I had ever seen and I wanted them I took her children in high school and I graduated in 76 and I wore and made a lot of the clothes that I sent thank you for your generosity and teaching us how to dress in his way that was useful stylist and fly

  • reginald mcrae
    August 10, 2011

    Good to reconnect with you guys.I need a catalog so I can order

    • Crystal corkern
      June 30, 2022

      I need a catalog too

  • Aaron Quinn Cole
    August 26, 2011

    WOW..I can remember getting Flagg Brothers magazines…along with GQ when I was like 12…I wanted it all……Thank you for assisting in making me the well dressed gentleman I am…..

  • Dennis
    September 11, 2011

    I used to work at Flagg and managed the store on main street in Rochester ny

    • Ray B.
      March 6, 2016

      Hi Dennis, I too managed Flagg stores from 1967 to 1990. I worked at F-249 on Market St. San Francisco 1970. Flagg on Broadway in Oakland and Flagg on Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley 1972. Too many Viet Nam protest there.Transfered down to San Diego for two years. Last stops until 1981 was Pasadena and finally Riverside until 1993 which was now changed to Jarman. To my knowledge,
      the last Flagg Bros. closed in 2001. The Turk and Market St. store in San Francisco. I had some real fun times worki
      ng in those stores. The Berkeley store was a real riot. Really off the hook!
      Later Days former Flagg Bro.
      Ray B.

      • elton Thomas
        July 9, 2018

        I shopped at the Oakland store for several years. I was a car salesman and shoes were a big expense as working on concrete for 8 to ten hours per day are tough on the shoes and the feet. You had to look good at the same time….even as a retired salesman I still have a collection of over 50 pairs of dress shoes…..none of them are from that time period though.

      • Kelly Dung
        June 2, 2020

        Hi
        Not sure if I remember u I work at F 249 manage 3 stores in SF 1 in LA I manager Mission store P7 at the time was called Prices before took over by Flagg Brothers n a new store on Market st at the time there were 3 Flagg stores on Market st this was the most fun job right out os High School work thrrr for about 5 years made a decent living at the time still remember doing the books n payroll every Friday at the time was $65.00 per week plus 2% commission 1% of store if u were manager

      • Kelly Dung
        June 2, 2020

        if you work at Flagg Bros F249 i may remember you, what year did yo work there, was the manager Ed Farris

      • Paul schlafer
        September 16, 2023

        Hey Ray. Ran across this old post from you. Hope you get this and hope you’re doing well.

      • June 6, 2016

        I managed F-231, and F-387 in St Louis and worked at all locations at one time or another in St Louis. Downtown store was a street front location and had a heartbeat all its own. Started in 1975 and moved on in 83, came back from 88 til 92. Have a lot of great memories. And if you wanted to be out front on style Flagg was the place you came. And most of what was sold at that time was still american made. As Genesco morhped it into Journeys I can only reflect what would have happened if they placed the same effort behind Flagg Bros.

        • Steve Searles
          September 17, 2023

          I ran the 7th and Olive downtown store 1973-1974. I was in St Louis in 2021 and visited the sight for old times sake.

      • BRG
        April 6, 2020

        1974 COOLEY HS…PROM NITE N THOSE FLAG BROTHER PLATFORMS,WIT THE FINEST 11TH GRADER OF 1975…WOW DEM WERE THE DAYS!

  • Lenroe
    October 17, 2011

    I grew up in a small town in Oregon with my 5 btothers. We ordered a lot of our clothes from Flagg Brothers, Eleganza, or Bill the Hatter, but Flagg was the funkiest. Boy do I remember those days. Id love to get some of the old catalogs.

  • JJ
    February 29, 2012

    I had the one with the little aquarium in the heels. As a short but stocky young man, the shoes bistold me the power finally be able to get on the dance floor with the ladies! Unfortunately, I killed many of bait fish doing it. Stop laughin, I was cool (lol). What a way to end Black History month. Thanks for the site.

    Cinderella Man

  • Joe Gray
    August 25, 2012

    Seeing a Flagg Brothers catalog after so many years brings back so many memories. I’m 51 and I remember buying my first pair of “heels” from this iconic store.

    A young brother was not properly dressed when hitting the town on a Saturday night in Longview, Texas back in the day unless you had some Flagg Brothers gear to rock.

    Reminesing is fun and when you can remember some of the clothing you wore. Flagg Brothers shoes, clothing, and accessories were so stylish it was makes reminiscing so much better.

    I wish I had some catelogs to look through.

  • Brother E
    September 6, 2012

    I worked at Flagg Bros. in Boston @ the 495 and 596 Washington St locations from 75′ to 78. Had some great times selling plat to flat. Yo Brother Dave. Yo Brother Tony

  • Stephanie
    September 12, 2012

    I grew up in the suburbs of Philly. When my brother’s magazine came in, we used to go through it page by page. The women’s stuff was in the back and was mainly jump suits and drsses. But the SHOES! sigh… The shoes and the high waisted slacks were SHARP! What? You weren’t dressed if were weren’t all flyed out by Flagg Bros. And you saw a lot of that stuff on the original Soul Train… as Edith and Archie said…Those were the daaaays!

    • Charles Scriven
      April 7, 2021

      I was the flyest kid in school in 1971 Thru 1975. Due to I ordered from all three companies. Flag bros, eleganza and bill the hatter. I framed a page of each article for my grand kids.To show them why my ankles are ruined.

  • Rob
    December 19, 2012

    It’s true. I recall in the mid-to-late 60’s when the style was a “James Brown” suit in all kinds of pastel colors and ONLY Flagg Bros had the shoes to match. They were cheap (inexpensive?) and really, you didn’t want to get caught in a rain storm with them on or else the dye might come off or worse, the sole would become detached. When I tell kids nowadays about how high the heels were, they can’t believe it and to tell you the truth, in about ’73 or ’74 they had a wedgie sandle with straps that for all intents and purposes was a girl’s shoe but it sold like hotcakes to guys.

  • reggie
    December 21, 2012

    only thing flagg brothers didn’t have in their catalog was me posing.

  • NEWTON FORREST
    January 5, 2013

    i remember my flagg booties and my banlon shirt,that was the match in those times,

    • NEWTON FORREST JAMAICA
      July 23, 2016

      LA PARISEN ON KING STREET JAMAICA WAS THE PLACE TO BUY YOUR FLAGG BROTHERS BOOTIE

      • Kingsley Wright
        February 16, 2020

        Yea Mon !! You are so right .I was working a the General (GPO)Post Office in the sixties ,so I know all about that.I even bought a Tom (TJ) Jones style shirt in that store . Would love to get one of their Catalog if they are still in Business.

  • harriett hood
    January 11, 2013

    i would love to get a fashion magazine for my brothers, where can i find one, they would love to place an order now.

  • Robert F. Meredith
    January 11, 2013

    i remember the days of flagg brothers, we were the shi* . if you wanted to be in the know all you needed to do was to wear fashions from the one and only flagg brothers, is this company still around.

  • curtis virgil
    August 14, 2013

    I have an old magazine magazine of the Flag Bro magazine was going to put it on ebay for sale…What is the market for this mag….

    • Kingsley Wright
      February 16, 2020

      Hello and Hi ,Flagg Brothers was one of my store of choice,Is there a Phone Number in that Magazine? if so ,could you be kind enough and email same tome !! Thanks in advance !!

  • Joe Sherrick
    January 18, 2014

    Flagg Bros. shoe was THE place to buy cool shoes for guys in the 60’s and 70’s in Downtown Kansas City Mo. I remember they had cool shirts too, I’d love top see a picture of the loafers they sold with the white lighting strip on the side .

    • Patrick
      May 20, 2016

      I would like to purchase the Flagg Bros magazine. My sister is in fashion school and I would like to show her styles of different eea and the mag would be great. Actually, even a colored photo copy of their clothing and shoes would be great. But will buy the magazine, if necessary.

  • Odis Hamilton
    February 8, 2014

    can you still order items from the catalog?

  • G G EDMUNDS
    March 28, 2014

    SHOWS US POINTS SHOES AND THE MOUSE TRAP SHOES LATE 50S AND INTO THE 60S

  • May 18, 2014

    my experience with flagg bros. was this: they had 3 or 4 styles of ‘beatle boots’!! as soon as a young ‘hep cat’ could scrape up the money from mowing lawns, paper routes, or ‘hustling the parents’, a beeline was made to flagg bros. this obviously was well before the ‘pimp shoe’ period!
    NO 14 year old ‘hipster’ wanted to be caught dead wearing “queer shoes” (actually stated by my friend while arguing with his mom against “sensible shoes”) this was in silver spring, md! at takoma park junior high (before it became ‘middle’ school!) the administration actually tried to ban “beatle boots and italian shoes” not very successfully, i might add!! FLAGG BROS. WAS THE PLACE FOR ‘COOL’ SHOES! -pretty much the only place, really!!

  • Oscar Shaw
    May 21, 2014

    Great look back! Thanks for providing the commercial link as well! You were not considered cool, back in the mid-seventies, unless you rocked the Flagg Brothers shoes or clothes! I could order on Monday and have them at the house in SC by the following Monday.

  • kelvinbonds
    August 24, 2014

    can i still buy fiag brothers clothes

  • NEWTON FORREST JAMAICA
    September 16, 2014

    LA PARICEN WAS THE SUPPLIER FOR FLAGG BROTHERS BOOTIES IN JAMAICA IN THE SIXTIES

    • Curtis Virgil
      September 17, 2014

      I am still asking if anyone has an interest in an authentic Flag Bro magazine with a complete order form still intact? virgilcurtis@aol.com

      • Kingsley Wright
        February 16, 2020

        I am,How much is the asking price ?

      • Edward Frazier
        June 13, 2021

        I think flagg bros was top of the line. Who else thinks so. I would love to get an old flagg bro catalog. How do i get it ?

    • Kingsley Wright
      February 16, 2020

      Not only Booties Newton ,what about those semi high heels Prestige men shoe with the stitching around the front sides?

      • NEWTON FORREST
        January 31, 2021

        HI,YES SIR I REMEMBER IT WELL,ALONG WITH A BANLON SHIRT IN THOSE DAYS,TIMELESS KINGSLEY,GREAT MEMORIES SIR.

        • Kingsley (Mr. Love) Wright.
          August 17, 2023

          Nice, nice Newton, that style was call Jaguar. there was the Dapper, V8 and, the Strap Jaguar.

  • connell allen
    December 21, 2014

    Flagg Bros. Were “DYNAMITE” back in the 7o’s

    • Errol Ricketts
      July 5, 2019

      I wish I could see a catalog with late seventies shoes like the “GATOR” and stuff like that

  • January 11, 2015

    I am looking for the eleganza hat the black one and/or the burgundy one.

  • Jeff Krane
    February 5, 2015

    Being a white kid of 12 or 13 in the 1966 to 1967 era , the coolest footwear was the Flagg Bros. boots. Generally called Beatle boots, many pop/rock groups of the time wore similar styles.They were readily affordable but cheaply made but then, style was everything. Had pretty pointy front, stitched down the middle. Rose above the ankle with black elastic sides. There was a zipper up the back side. Had about a 2 inch hollow plastic heel that gave a great sound when you walked. The heel would wear out fast, along with the stitched on soul. I had a pair in a grainy black leather. One friend had a pair in brown suede, while another had a pair in a grainy bronze brown color. Another must was a “Garrison” belt, a 1 3/4 brown leather belt with a big square hollow brass buckle. I’ve always loved 70’s Funk. Enjoy playing such rhythms on my guitars.

  • Richard A. Silva
    May 18, 2015

    Who is considered the Flagg Bros of 2015?

  • Jessie
    May 20, 2015

    I remember those shoes. Without, I was 5’9″…with, I was 6’1″.

  • Anthony
    January 28, 2016

    I received the magazine, but could not afford the clothing, but man! I was waiting for the day I would be able to.

    • January 28, 2016

      Greeting Anthony,
      I was able to purchase a few things back then and since this was was my era (born in 1953) I enjoyed the attire. I have even now a magazine still with an order form in tact that I was selling on ebay. If anyone is interested please let me know.

      • April 12, 2016

        Anthony – hello and good to read your FLAGG BROTHERS memories – I wore their shoes – there was a FLAGG BROTHERS Shoe Store on Main Street in Flushing , New York – that was in the early and mid 60s right into the 1970s – – Joe Nania a.k.a. Hollywood Joe

    • skip
      May 9, 2017

      yea when i was a kid we use to call it a J.O.B.!

  • Go Bell beat HP
    March 27, 2016

    Flagg Brothers were not just pimp and style shoes from the early and mid 70s which I wore-but in the 60s and later they also carried basic everyday shoes-in grade school in LA it was very popular in the late 60s at least at my school to wear sort of tan or whiteish hard soled suede shoes kind of like golf shoes without the spikes-

    • April 12, 2016

      YES – – FLAGG BROTHERS was a great company – I wore their shoes….Flushing , New York – 1960s- Joe Nania a.k.a Hollywood Joe

  • Ray
    April 2, 2016

    Does anyone remember the Flagg Flyer shoes from the late 50’s early 60’s. The closer was a flip-up tongue?

    • April 12, 2016

      Ray, I remember those shoes- there was a Flagg Brothers Shoe Store on Main Street in Flushing , New York that had all the shoes – Joe Nania a.k.a. Hollywood Joe

    • donald veith
      December 30, 2019

      Sure do I managed when the Flagg Flyer was a 2057 was the best selling shoe in the 50″s then it was made so you just flipped the tongue area and then you put the shoe on snd flipped it like laces so the shoe stayed on your feet. I left Flagg in 1984 I could see the handwriting on the wall . The casual shoe was taking over the shoe business and good sneakers were the item to have and the higher ups wanted no part of what us real shoe people knew and a couple of years later they went under.
      Any body out there from the 50’s thru the 70’s in the Philadelphia would remember me I think. ( Donald Veith from Philadelphia.)

  • Mike Redfern
    June 6, 2016

    I worked in a Flagg Bros Shoe Store in Kansas City in 1966-1967. We had what were called “Beatle Boots” They looked like the boots the Beatles wore and all the bands came in and bought them. We had all the latest fashions in men’s shoes and it was really cool.

    • William L. Elkins
      December 26, 2016

      I bought a lot of shoes from the store on Main St. and loved the 3d soles. And am sure you waited on me more than once.

  • Byron
    November 20, 2016

    I’am looking to buy some Flagg brothers catalogs from years 1974-1979, if anyone still have the catalogs. Also I would love to buy from anyone who has Stuart Mcguire catalogs from 1974-1979. My email is byvess1966@yahoo.com.

  • Perrymckinney
    December 20, 2016

    Can I get a free flag brothers book

    • curtis virgil
      December 20, 2016

      I do have an original book also including an original order form in tact. However now i have to locate it lol……

  • Winston Powell
    January 18, 2017

    Hi Nostalgic Flagg Bros Buddies of a distinct era. My name is Winston Powell. I reside in New York City (Manhattan), after leaving the San Francisco Bay Area 42 years ago, my place of birth. I too growing up wore Flagg Bros shoes. I don’t recall buying the clothes but the shoes were a definite item in my young wardrobe. I was raised in a single parent (Mom) household. I cut lawns, raked leaves, worked at J.C. Penney’s and whatever else legitimately I could do to get the money to go either to San Francisco or San Jose to a Flagg Bros shoe store to buy my….bad ass you can’t touch me shoes. My Flagg Bros shoes always always once worn got positive attention everywhere I went (school, church, house parties, etc), I was cool.

    I arrived in New York City on May 1, 1974. All of this introduction to say: I am (was) one of the chosen model’s (Renny White, George Patterson, Eddie Hatch and others), who wore the clothes (polyester jump suits, high waist bell bottoms), belts, shoes, gold chains, hats & sun glasses on the pages of Flagg Bros catalog. I worked (modeled) for Flagg Bros for approximately 4 years traveling twice a year to Nashville, TN to be styled, pinned, poked, tucked and to hold the pose that later would grace the pages of Flagg Bros catalog. I as the others, we were all familiar with each other. The clothes were wild and Funky! I recall lot’s of laughter. It was fun. The models as you can see are all black (Negro, African American) and the client, staff and photographer are White. I and the others were professionals. And with lots of hidden laughter we did our job. We got first class treatment. Working at Flagg Bros is one of the highlights of my career. To this day, as clockwork, I still annually receive a Holiday card from the top honcho – Jack Galligher. In the December 2016 holiday card to me, at the top hand written is my name and at the bottom hand written he writes “hope you’re well. I’m 92 years old.”

    Lastly, I will share with you one of my favorite Flagg Bros stories. Apparently, after shooting several catalogs, I was told that many of the outfits I wore had a tremendous increase in sales. So, I was requested back the next year. Obviously, that meant my image was making them lots of money. Also, that meant my face was becoming popular with their customers. I presume geographically that meant with Black folks. Unbeknownst, to me Flagg Bros catalog distribution had made me a Flagg Bros celebrity as it had done to many of the other models. I believe, I was of the last generation of Flagg Bros model’s. Anyways, I was in Harlem, sitting at a bar having a casual, laid back, comfortable, relaxing drink and minding my own business. Out of no where this guy comes over and introduced himself. I said “Hi, I’m Winston.” He said he recognized me from the Flagg Bros catalog. I was stunned and almost speechless. I was surprisingly shocked that I was recognized. I said “yes, I am one of the models in the catalog.” Naive, maybe but I had never thought of Flagg Bros catalog exposure as such like a magazine’s editorial pages. Wow!

    • Kingsley Wright
      February 16, 2020

      Ride on Bro !!You did it .Those were the days.

  • Bruce V.
    November 28, 2017

    I remember there being a Flagg Bros. store on Schaefer rd. in Dearborn, Mich….Back in the 60’s the Greasers used to buy their PR fence climbers there..Great store..

    • ken fowler
      February 1, 2018

      fence climbers???….lol…what was that????

  • Randall Kies
    February 1, 2018

    I love Flagg Bros boots and still have a couple of pair that are now falling apart. If anyone has a pair of Flagg boots they’re willing to part with I’d love to hear from you.

    • ken fowler
      February 1, 2018

      i had a pair of tan boots, high lift front and back….and my favorite shoes were RAINBOW showes…..differant layers of color…..i WISH i still had them !!!!

    • ken fowler
      February 1, 2018

      born and raised in Youngstown Ohio, graduated HS in 1972…..my gal and I wore out the Southern Park Mall back then with CHESS KING and FLAGG BROTHERS. I was in fact one of a handful of WHITE BOYZZ who shopped there…….GREAT GREAT stuff I wish I had kept !!!

  • William Moore
    March 22, 2018

    This is a great thread!

    • ken fowler
      March 22, 2018

      so right……I spent whatever I had on clothes and shoes…..and until about 5 years ago I NEVER knew that Flagg Brothers was basically a Afro American style store…..I had clothes NOBODY in my neighborhood had !!! GREAT TIME to be a teen 20 year old

  • William Moore
    March 22, 2018

    I remember getting those catalogs in the mail back in the 70s. Man, they were fun to look through. Wish now I had kept them. Flagg Brothers……Classic-Vintage Americana!

    • ken fowler
      March 23, 2018

      it’s FUNNY you bring up the catalog William ! I roam around flea markets and saw one on a table years ago, picked it up and leafed thru it….and I said WOW !!! the clothing and foot wear were like watching a Don Cornelius Soul Train !!

  • William Moore
    March 23, 2018

    I’m pretty sure some of those Soul Train dancers were wearing Flagg Brothers clothes and shoes. Nothing like the good old 70s!

    • Kenneth Fowler
      March 24, 2018

      I totally agree !!! I’m 63 so late 60’s thru 70’s I saw a lot of change, starting with Dr King’s death, which we honor in the 50th anniversary in a couple weeks……50 years !!! and Bobby Kennedy in June.

      • William Moore
        March 25, 2018

        How ironic…..I am 63 also and remember what you mentioned…..and then some.

  • Steve Leal
    September 23, 2019

    I worked at the Flagg Brothers store in Oakland California in. 1964. Al was the manager. It was a trip. They could have made a movie about the place, like Car Wash.

  • Nathan
    December 9, 2019

    I remember FB I was about 9 or 10 years old. All the older guys ordering hats platform shoes and clothes. Man I wanted to be cool like those guys. A look back in time, when blacks as whole were really proud. Say it Loud!!

  • Judith Rosales
    December 28, 2019

    As I was strolling it came to my attention how the rain cleaned the facade flooring. Discovered your article. Flabbergasted. I’m a Historical Preservation Commissioner, Philanthropist and extremely involved with the arts. I will expose your article. Thank you so much. Fellow minority

  • Paul D Hicks
    January 17, 2020

    I was extremely surprised when I saw this article about Flagg Bros. I was 14 saved my money and bought my first pair of platforms, still remember them, gray leather and a good looking shoe, walked into high school ( as we used to say) PIMPIN…..thanks to Flagg Brothers…..

  • Kingsley Wright
    February 16, 2020

    Ride on Bro !!You did it .Those were the days.

  • JOSEPH A ZISA
    February 28, 2020

    I worked for Flagg and then Jarman from 1972 thru March 1985. Managed F294,Wayne,Nj, F336 LIvingston, F315 Woodbridge, F316 East Brunswick, F147 Paramus, F164 Bergenfield and F452 Rockaway, all in New Jersey. Never made much money, so I finally got smart and left in 1985 for the postal service. But, I sure had a lot of fun and worked with some great people, at Flagg Bros.

  • George
    January 14, 2021

    I worked at flag brother on Market st. In the City. In 1969 and. I was there for 2 years it was one of the best and funest jobs i ever had I was the top salesmen Dennis Clark was the manager have fun cool shoes

  • Paul
    February 5, 2021

    I have an old movie (8mm) of a parade in front of a Flagg store and right next to it a movie house showing Bert Lancaster and ‘The Unforgiven’. Does anyone know where that was taken?? Since a B-58 bomber was on one float and The Unforgiven was made in 1960 it has to be after 1960!! If know about this, please email me or post it here! Thanks!!

  • Crystal corkern
    June 30, 2022

    I need a catalog too

  • Donald V.
    February 19, 2023

    Flagg became Jarmon in the late 70’s i worked for Flagg Bros. started 1957 left in 1984 saw the shoe business was going down. I would like to hear from and body that worked in the Phila area.

  • Bill Neylon
    September 3, 2023

    I was 16 in 1965 and my buddies and I bought our shoes at Flagg Brothers or Hardy’s, our Pendleton shirts at Mervyns and our records at Discorama in San Jose, CA. I also car hopped at VIPS Lounge.

  • John Fore
    September 16, 2023

    I started at Flagg #366 in Duluth, MN in 1973. Moved on to #376 in Fargo, ND before being transferred again to #291 in Detroit. From there, got transferred again to #195 in Chula Vista, CA. in January of 1981. Finally got promoted to DM in 1984 and supervised various districts until 1993. It was the best job & I loved every single minute of it along with all of the great people that worked there. Some I’m still in touch with even today.

  • livro antiotário rafael aires
    December 17, 2023

    Excellent site. Plenty of useful information here. 38283840

  • antiotário livro
    December 18, 2023

    Thanks for another wonderful article. 307941084

  • Mr Bostick
    February 22, 2024

    I should say that I still had a pair of Flagg Brothers burnt orange platforms when I meet my now wife in 1991. Needless to say. She made me donate them to Goodwill. I loved my platforms. 😊

  • Sanifu
    March 11, 2024

    This is fantastic! I rocked some of their stuff back in the day, and was fly too!

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