Clothing Styles in Portland

Pretty much what everyone else wears. There are certainly more artsy types (like me, I make some of my own clothes), and recycled clothes... But mostly your typical jeans, shirts, khakis, any old thing.

Now, we have plenty of homeless, and they do tend to be scruffier, lots of goth types, rebellious younger ones.

Just remember one thing: rain coats. Seriously. the sun doesn't come out THAT much here... I mean, it does, but not like, ohhhh.... Southern CA. Rain coats, maybe an umbrella or two (I loathe umbrellas, but that's me), rain boots... that sort of thing.

Many here are REALLY into organic stuff, including clothes. So organic cottons, bamboo fibers (I work in a fabric store here). But again, they run the gamut here....

Hope that helps.

Amanda

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Hipster Hippy, Bohemian Chic, big glasses, bright tights, headbands, skinny jeans, ankle boots, white belts, vintage/thrift- 20's to 80's anything

More businessy people might wear patagonia, REI, nau, Columbia Sportswear--outdoorsy lookin

(I already posted in the other forum with this same topic, but wanted to add something to what someone else said)

In Portland, we can always tell who's from out of town if they're carrying an umbrella and it's, oh, just sprinkling. Most Portlanders just go out, then notice the weather later. "Oh, I didn't notice it was raining until you said something." has come out of my mouth more times than you can imagine. =)

Also, like someone else said, recycled clothing is a big thing. We're very eco-conscious. We also love our jewelry and scarves.

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Hoodies!!! I came from out of state, and that was the first thing I noticed. It could be pouring rain, and all a person wears for protection is a hoodie. I finally had to go out and buy a couple, one lightweight for summer sprinkles, one thicker for chilly weather.

Never underestimate the power of sandals, except in snow. Well, even then, if it's a short trip. I swear, the only time I wear "regular" shoes now is hiking. Feet dry better when you don't have to worry about socks.

And the comment about umbrellas is totally true. I've heard the phrase many, many times, even on TV: "In Oregon, it's not raining until it's coming down sideways." And yes, I've seen true Oregonian rain. Then, and only then, will carrying an umbrella not cause sneers from the locals.

When my in-laws came for a visit last year, we were perplexed why they had umbrellas. I got the typical motherly warning: "Whaaaat? You're walking around in the rain with just a hooded sweater. And look! Sandals! Oy ve, girl! Your feet will get wet. You'll catch pneumonia and die!" (Imagine all this in a stereotypical, irate, nagging Jewish mother tone, and you'll understand what I have to put up with with my dear, sweet mother-in-law.) So I looked up at the clouds, held my hand out as if to check if there really was dangerous and deadly water falling from the sky, shrugged nonchalantly, and said, "It's not really raining yet." She insisted on her umbrella for three days until she realized how much of a hassle it was and how people stared at her for using one in a drizzle. On her next visit, she bought a hoodie.

If you want the more flavorful atmosphere of Portland, take a trip to the Saturday Market. It is the quintessence of Portland's unique and "weird" fashion. Keep an eye out for Elvis and the guy with the three-foot mohawk.

2006 - Ghost Coast
2007 - Children of Trinhodg
2008 - The Lastisto Ambassador
2009 - Daughters of Ashby - In Progress

Haha, I love the Elvis guy! Sometimes he hangs out by the whisk across from Powells too.

But yes, hoodies are a major trend here. I think I own more hoodies than actual shirts. Haha.

i am a writer
writer of fictions
i am the heart that you call home
and i've written pages upon pages
trying to rid you from my bones...

Follow me on Twitter!: bombsfadeaway

The most important thing to know about Portland fashion, is that anything goes so long as it doesn't look like you are trying very hard. Which is not to say that the young and old hipsters are not trying very hard to look just so. Here the key is casual individuality or rugged practicality. Maintenance of this appearance probably takes a fair amount of work.
It is the sort of town where there is no such thing as a restaurant you have to dress up for, and wearing a tie or jacket to a wedding is certainly optional.

Standard attire for me is usually a short sleeved tee in the summer. Probably with a cartoon character or saying on it along with my hoodie. Winter I generally switch to sweatshirts and sweaters with winter or kind of alpine themes on them. For pants starting in June to mid-October its shorts, usually cargo style. After October its jeans (black or blue). As for the feet. . .its okay to wear Birks with rag wool socks, hiking boots, or tennis shoes. A good pair of boots in a riding style or muckluks are a welcome addition.

Of course I prefer to wander around my house in slipper socks or even just my bare feet. Allows my short flat duck feet to have some wiggle room. :)

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I work in a call center, so I get to wear whatever I want to work (within reason.) The last three days (and most days) have been a variation on: jeans, gray chuck taylors, t-shirt (usually from threadless or various webcomics), large wristwatch (it's a men's watch, and the band is about an inch and a half wide), plastic frame glasses (I'm kind of a hipster, I confess) and hoodie. Oh, and I've been wearing a light scarf or cowl the last couple of days in concession to the approaching winter.

Sleeve tattoos and gauged earlobes are everywhere, usually seen in the company of tight black jeans and fixed-gear bicycles. No, I don't get it, either.

Lots of brand-name outdoorsy stuff (Columbia Sportswear is the hometown favorite, but Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, Eddie Bauer, North Face, REI, and the like are popular, too). I've noticed a certain level of brand snobbery about outdoor stuff, even if unconscious; discount and knockoff brands tend to be looked down upon a bit.

Even business professionals are usually seen in shirtsleeves, at least indoors.

Red-and-black plaid wool jackets, scarves, and accessories (a la Northern Exposure) seem really popular this year, despite the fact that they aren't particularly attractive. Often seen paired with Ugg boots (warm but not the least bit waterproof) and, occasionally, short shorts (without apparent irony). There are people who will wear shorts even when it's below freezing in this city (which, admittedly, isn't often).

And, yes, I have seen the occasional Utili-kilt:
http://seattle-daily-photo.blogspot.com/2007/09/utilikilt-redux.html

I saw a neighbor walking her dog wearing ugg boots, something like a parka, a shirt that looked like she dug it out of the bin marked "1985," and ripped mini shorts. Then again, her sense of fashion is bizarre.

And if you're not used to Portland, here's another hint: dogs! Everyone has one, they are allowed into many businesses, there are parades especially for your poochie. I feel like the only person in my apartment without a dog. Allergies are my official reason for not getting one, and yes, I've heard the list of hypoallergenic dogs from every one of my neighbors who think it's such a tragedy that I only have my cats. Dogs can almost be a fashion statement, too, so if your character lives in Portland, chances are they have a dog.

2006 - Ghost Coast
2007 - Children of Trinhodg
2008 - The Lastisto Ambassador
2009 - Daughters of Ashby - In Progress

Here in Portland I can tell you what most of us nerdy Young Adults wear. I know this off of personal experience :)

Jeans, converse, various witty t-shirts and jackets designed to show one's personality. Much plaid, embroidered belts, and other odds and ends found at various shops in downtown Portland. Thrift stores are a biggy. We also tend to carry large over the shoulder canvas bags filled with overdue library books, ipods, sketch pencils, etc. No one ever wears raincoats or rainboots, despite the constant downpour. No umbrellas, either. Mainly just lots of sweatshirts, and every once in a while someone might throw on a pair of gloves or a scarf, very occasional. We're all so oblivious to the weather no one's surprised when someone walks in with a pencil skirt on - its very common. Most of us are very, very pale. Did I cover everything?

There's a decent amount of the hipster uniform, too: tight-fitting ironic tee-shirt, skinny jeans, converse, black, plastic horn-rimmed or square glasses (not huge Miles Davis glasses, but those "hey look, I'm a nerd" glasses). Lots of full beards and slick unwashed hair. Not many pashminas like in New York, though.

And most of them are too chubby to get away with it. That's one thing my buddy from LA noticed, that "everyone looks like a chubby hipster." It's the restuarant culture. We're well-fed, apparently.

Trail Blazers caps are making a comeback (thank God - I was out of fashion for about 8 years), and everything everyone else said is totally true.

I have Larry Niven ambitions on a Terrance Dicks budget.