Back and Forth

Finally, a Boutique for Men

By Kim Rodriguez

March 2020

Next to that institution of health, the Gables Juice Bar on Almeria Avenue, is a small space occupied by a contemporary men’s store called Back and Forth. This one-of-a-kind retail post has been here since August 2018, and is the brainchild of a young man born and bred in Coral Gables, a Columbus High School grad and now entrepreneur, Brian Seage.

Seage has lived in Coral Gables all his life (except for when he left for college) and knew from a young age that he wanted to open a men’s store. He had an appreciation for fashion and trends, but a hard time finding pieces that coupled modern style with his leniency toward timeless classics.

“Growing up we didn’t have any stores that catered to the young men’s market for cool casual clothes,” says Seage. “We had the malls, and some cool sneaker boutiques on Miami Beach and Downtown, but when I first started driving it wasn’t the easiest to get over there and shop for the brands I was searching for.”

Fast forward. After four years at college and a background working retail in both sales and visual merchandising, he chose Coral Gables to plant his flagship store. “I wanted to be a pioneer for a store that catered to the guy who lives here and wants to look good, while wearing brands that you don’t find in every store,” he says.

Back and Forth is original. It is really the only men’s boutique that caters to a younger demographic. One might expect to see a store like this in Wynwood or the Design District; the curated brands are from all over the globe, very well edited, but with a similar point of view. “I like to say we are on trend without being trendy. I enjoy it when a customer comes in and discovers and purchases a new brand that we stock, and then comes back to purchase more from that brand,” Seage says. “Those interactions are what build trust between me and my customer.”

Although his clients and offerings skew a bit younger, the fashionable guy above 40 will also appreciate his sneaker lines and the incredibly sourced knitwear brand Proper Apparel.

The spring assortment is classified into sophisticated streetwear and classic workwear. “Sophisticated streetwear is just our take on traditional streetwear garments, but dress them up so they can be worn anywhere you might be going. Our workwear pieces offer the customer a sense of utility and heritage; think lightweight jackets and pocket t-shirts,” Seage says. “We also have some new designs from our own line, and new items from our local brands that we stock.”

Fashion seems to run in the Seage family. Brian’s younger brother Kevin sells his locally sourced tees and hats in the store under the label Spilled Milk, along with other local brands VGA Studios and Proper Apparel. His client base can also find brands like Herschel Supply Co., I Love Ugly (from New Zealand), Publish Brand, and Barney Cools.

Seage is a huge believer in building community through his shop, especially since his entire family and so many childhood friends still live here. They host events almost every month, sometimes just casual get togethers and other times to release a new collection or a local artist’s new canvases. “Hanging out is encouraged. I want people to stop in, browse the shelves, ask questions, and have conversation,” he says. “To me this is the best way to service everyone who walks in and provide an experience unique to the Gables.”

Make sure to shop on Back and Forth’s website or Instagram if you can’t make it in, and say hello to Seage on the street if you see him skateboarding to work.