Who needs NYC? There's plenty of shopping to be had in the Rose City

R: This weekend,  I was in Portland visiting two dear friends who have been necessary fashion partners in crime since the inception of freshman year. Our most successful trips generally happen in the Rose City where vintage stores and independent boutiques abound.  While there are numerous neighborhoods to gallivant about in—Hawthorne, Burnside, the Pearl District, 23^rd, Mississippi—I want to steer your attention to a few notable shops to visit next time you find yourself with a couple hours to kill in Portland. 

The first resides on Burnside and is nestled among a number of great independent boutiques and vintage costume shops.  By far, this area is my favorite stretch of shops to visit when I’m in Portland.  The place I’m referring to is called Redux, and it is honestly the best jewelry store you will ever find.  I own 3 necklaces, 3 rings, and 2 bracelets—my way of telling you that jewelry is something I am infinitely picky about.  But just about every item in the store makes me coo with wonder and pick it up to try on.  I’ve talked to the owner a couple of times and in addition to being a very friendly lady, our conversations have revealed her extensive knowledge about and investment in the people who make the jewelry she sells.  Her eye for aesthetic is impeccable, but her interest in the designers she sells definitely puts Redux in a category all its own.  The prices of her products range, but most of the store is college student friendly.  My favorite piece of jewelry to date—a eagle-snake ring—came from Redux. 

Still on the east side, sits a boutique I’d never seen before Saturday, Chapter Four.  Owned by a charming woman with a hard-to-place accent (German?), Chapter Four offers a tightly edited selection of clothing.  Don’t let the relatively small amount of product fool you; the boutique on Albina had item after item that I wanted to try on and love for years to come.  Much of the store was on sale and featured familiar labels as well as lesser known ones like Ark and Co..  I settled on a silk open-backed dress for a very reasonable price and saw a number of other things I would have liked to buy had my wallet been a little more padded.  A bit off the beaten path, but definitely a boutique worth stopping in next time you’re visiting Portland.

Lastly, the iconic House of Vintage.  I was wary to head into this monstrous store for fear my allergies would flare up and I’d be overwhelmed.  With a bit of coaxing, we entered and began traversing the cluttered maze that both adds and takes away from this thrift store’s charm.  Unlike many of the other thrift stores in Portland, it has remained relatively cheap, and I snagged a pair of leather, perfectly worn cowboy boots for twenty bucks before making it out of the labyrinth.  You have to look hard to find things, but if you have the time and energy, House of Vintage is definitely worth the trip. 

Despite the incessant rain, my spirits never get down when I’m in Portland.  There’s too much shopping to be done.

(Flipping you the bird:  The snake-eagle ring brought to you by Redux)

 

Putting Rubber and Cow Hide to Good Use

R: Having been at Whitman for three falls, I’ve come to understand the seasonal weather patterns that affect the Valley.  I realized this a few weeks ago when the October rains began shifting our sunny warm days into the sort that make you want to curl up in bed and watch Gossip Girl all day.  While part of me loathes the Seattle-ish weather that befalls Walla Walla this time of year, I delight in the fact that I’ve developed a deeper understanding of the way this side of the world works.  But this blog isn’t about philosophical musings or shitty weather.  Rather, I want to note the foot fashion that accompanies rain and gray skies.  Rain boots or when the rain isn’t too persistent, leather boots, have been steadily on the rise in the past weeks.  A certain Kappa junior has impeccable red galoshes that she aptly sports with black leggings.  Others chose a more subdued route and bust out the black or navy rain boots, but I prefer patterned or colored ones.  Tights and a skirt paired with galoshes add an impish twist to an otherwise drab day.  However, too much pattern can be a bad thing.  A colorful umbrella, dress, and rain boots all at once is overkill.  Pick one focal point, and I’ll be less inclined to ridicule you. 

Leather boots, while great for any and all cold weather, merge utilitarianism with fabulousness.  The trend has been slowly on the increase the past year and a half, peaking, this fall.  Hopefully the trend will hang around for a while since boots are not only expensive but also endlessly chic.  The sound of boots on a wooden floor is the sound of a confident woman on a mission.  It’s music to my ears.  The boots I sport most often and the ones that align most closely with the equestrian influence of this and past seasons are actual riding boots.  I rode horses for eight years before coming to Whitman.  Alas, riding was not an activity I pursued at college, but I did bring my tall black field boots with me as a nod to my past and as a cheap and more authentic alternative to the equestrian-inspired boots inundating department stores.

On cold rainy days, any form of motivation helps.  For me, the excitement of wearing galoshes or leather boots gets me out from under the covers and ready for the day at hand—with style, of course.

(Photo: Me rockin’ the aforementioned black riding boots back in 2003.  Now, you are far more likely to see me wearing them with tights and a dress than with a horse in hand.)   

mind the GAP

E: No, I’m not referring to the gap between the train door and the station platform in London. I’m referring to good ol’ Gap Inc. Gap Jeans. The Gap. If you know me even moderately well, you know that most of my clothes I have either purchased at Goodwill (see article in recent Secession) or at the Gap. This is for several reasons. For starters, my godfather is the owner. My dad and Bob have been friends since high school. I’ve also worked there for years and made the best friends of my life. But the main reason why I love the Gap so much is the clothes! No shit! Although many readers may think that the Gap exclusively targets young mothers in upper middle class neighborhoods, it is also a great place for us college students to purchase reasonably priced well-made clothing. And what’s my favorite item of clothing from said store, you may ask? The jeans, of course! Gap has been selling jeans since 1969 and they just keep getting better and better especially with their recently released line of premium denim to celebrate the company’s 40^th anniversary. The entire fit of the jean has been re-sculpted and remodeled with different styles to fit every single body type. Thank you, Patrick Robinson. You are so brilliant. Here are just a few of my favorites.

1. The Always Skinny in the saturated dark wash is my all time favorite. It has a low rise and is slim throughout the entire leg. It’s easily dressed up but because of its light stretch, it’s comfortable enough to wear lounging around at home.

2. My second favorite is the Always Skinny Destructed in the medium wash. It fits the same, but it has fun distressing details.

3. I also love the Destructed Boyfriend Jeans. They’re unbelievable comfortable and especially cute when cuffed with flats or ankle boots.

4. Finally, the Real Straights. They’re also low rise and slim through the hip and thigh, but they have a straight opening at the ankle. The silhouette is a little more casual and often times more flattering. Mine are in the faded medium wash.

There are also many other styles that the Gap has to offer from our seasonal cords that come in a plethora of colors, to nice black or khaki slacks for work. And if you’re not willing to spend $120 a pop, the Gap is the right place for you. The jeans range from $59.50-$69.50 with occasional outliers. So next time you go back home or take a weekend in Seattle, you should make sure to stop buy and try on a couple pairs. I doubt you’ll leave empty handed.

(This article is dedicated to Don Fisher (1928-2009) who recently passed away. You started one heck of a store and you will be dearly missed. No one will forget the passion you had towards your company and your powerful words ‘do what you love’. You were truly an amazing man.)

1a and 1b. 2. and 3a. 3b.4.