Can a picture tell a story? YES. #KeepPortlandPretty
I was just as shocked as you when I googled Portland Fashion and Portland Fashion Week popped up. Let's just sit on that for awhile.....
(Maybe Crocs sponsors the week?)
Among the many things I miss about NYC....the fashion is what I seem to be craving lately. Now don't get me wrong, I love a plaid and sport moment....but at times you want to wear a heel, a red lip and a fresh blowout. It's like you have landed from Mars.... I long for those days/nights of people watching to be inspired for my next outfit. GOD the style in New York is so good. Girls just get it and so do Men. I will admit...I'm drawn to the men's fashion here more so then the women. I can count on one hand the amount of women I have seen that have good style and the majority of those women are at work.
For those of you that haven't made the trip out to Portland, let me walk you through the fashion here (or lack there of). Let's break this down:
Function vs Fashion:
Portlanders have the function part figured out. I have seen more Birkenstocks with socks, Crocs and Clogs then one can see in a lifetime. It hurts my eyes. Their staple coat always has a hood. Again....let's think about that. Everyone has choices and they choose to go for the coat with a hood because functionally it makes sense. It always rains here. BUT there are things like umbrellas....one could choose to be fashionable AND bring an umbrella. Who would have thought?
Exhibit A
New Yorkers are all about the fashion. OV. I've seen woman walking up and down the subway stairs in Louboutins like they are slippers. Whether it's raining or -10 degrees, you will always find fashionably dressed people killing it. Fashion week in the middle of winter is exceptional. No one complains or shows weakness from the weather. Now granted...multiple people have drivers....but these are all details.
Weird vs Eclectic:
I believe that Portlanders may think they are being stylish, but its just plain weird. Put a bird on it. I find myself constantly saying "Huh...didn't realize that worked together" OR "Really?".
There were numerous times I would walk down the streets of New York and wish I could pull off what some women can. I'm just not that cool. Some were friends of mine. The confidence that these women have to put outfits together is admirable.
Frumpy vs Chic:
Now there may be some Portlanders that believe that frumpy is stylish because that seems to be the overall style of choice. I just have to question their thoughts as they are looking in the mirror in the AM... "I could be frumpier, lets put on another layer". One could also ask...Is it even considered "style"?
Portland Librarian?
Being a New Yorker you walk A LOT, so you have to take that into consideration as you plan out your outfits. I was constantly struggling with comfort and fashion. The ladies of Manhattan have this mastered.
With all of the above said; Style is determined by the individual. I just so happen to believe that there is no style here, but you may talk to someone else that believes there is. You can imagine who wins here from my perspective between Portlanders and New Yorkers...
Point for New York.