Photo | gas2.org
by Anna Reed
Portland style is a unique blend of quirk and charm. Equal parts hippy and hipster, ladies in the Rose City have perfected the skill of crafting one-of-a-kind ensembles that mix and match vintage or thrift items with new, trendy pieces. The vibe here is easy and loose; parkas and rain boots far outnumber suits and heels, and no look is off-limits in a town with the unofficial slogan “Keep Portland Weird.”
What to Wear and Pack | Style Inspirations | Weather | Resources | Shopping
Breezing through any one of the city’s happening neighborhoods, you’re bound to find women dressed in styles that run the gamut from sporty to rock & roll and everything in between. The mom sitting next to you at a coffee shop has a sleeve of tattoos; your sales clerk has his nose pierced; the guy who just got on the train has purple hair- literally “anything goes” here, so embrace your personal style and let it shine. The only faux pas in a town full of artists, musicians, and baristas would be to look as if you stepped right out of a window display.
Photo | Anna Tran for WeareverTheWeather - Click here to see more Portland Travelistas!
Getting around the city is extremely accessible whether traveling by foot, bike &/or public transit, and maintaining a chic look while trying to avoid all the puddles can be difficult. It only takes one instance of getting caught in a downpour in your new suede flats to realize that sturdy, weather-resistant basics are essential here. Our reward for enduring months of gloom is a near-perfect summer (roughly June-September) with plenty of sunshine and blue skies. Plan on packing plenty of layers, stand-out accessories, and be prepared for frequent changes in weather. Follow those simple suggestions, and you’ll be mistaken for a local in no time.
- Practical items: rain coat/trench, structured tote or cross-body bag, flats, wellies, umbrella
- Fashion staples/basics: scarves, cardigans for layering, skinny jeans, bold accessories
- Current trends: straw hats for summer, bright nails, hair accessories (clips, scarves, feathers), cat-eye sunglasses, floral prints, belted dresses, plaid (always & forever)
Casual outfit for site-seeing – Fall/Winter
Click on an item above to shop it: Scarf, ModCloth; Anorak, Hessnatur; Jeans, Siwy; Boots, Hunter; Satchel, ModCloth
Casual Outfit for Site-Seeing – Spring / Summer
Click on an item above to shop it: Dress, ModCloth; Shoes, Toms; Backpack, Fossil; Hat, Village Hat Shop
Dressier Outfit – Summer
Click on an item above to shop it: Dress, ModCloth; Shoes, ModCloth; Bracelet, Banana Republic; Earrings, Arden B.; Clutch, Sedgwick
Click on an item above to shop it: Dress, Doo-Lally; Wedges, Dr. Scholl’s; Belt, Banana Republic
Photo | SunRainey
Michelle Williams & her adorable daughter Matilda prove that the weather does not have to put a damper on your style.
Photo | People
Emma Watson: Skinny jeans- check! Ballet flats- check! Layers- check! Emma and her hip British style is often emulated by Rose City ladies.
Photo | People
Drew Barrymore: Drew is sporting skinny jeans, fun accessories, and a unique jacket; a look that you are sure to see when taking in the nightlife.
Photo | People
Jessica Alba: Her tights with boots are spot-on, as is her sunny frock, which will add some color to those drab days.
Photo | jenniferstoddart.blogspot.com
Sienna Miller & her sister Savannah look like a pair that might be found during a girl’s night out at a new restaurant or grabbing a drink before going dancing. They use small details like red lips and an animal print scarf to make their otherwise basic and comfortable outfits stand out.
Average June – August High: 77 degrees F (25 degrees C)
Average June – August Low: 50 degrees F (10 degrees C)
May is the first month in Portland during which rain dramatically falls less to an average of about one inch the entire month versus five inches in April. The average high temperature starts to climb steadily from the mid-seventies to low eighties throughout the summer. The rest of the year sees average highs in the mid-fifties to average lows just above freezing. Fall and spring carry the most rainy days, with the holidays seeing the highest at an average monthly rainfall of 6 – 7 inches.
- Travel Portland: Information on what to do & where to stay
- Portland Picks: Life & Style, shopping, restaurants
- Neighborhood Notes: News & events according to neighborhood
- PDX Pipeline: Daily round-up of events around town
Portland is a progressive community of creative types, thus special emphasis is placed on supporting locally-owned and independent establishments. With so many unique shops and boutiques to peruse, you won’t need to set foot inside a mall!
About Anna
Anna Reed was born and raised in Indiana, but has found her dream town in Portland, OR. She loves to wander the city fueled by coffee and enthusiasm, and is never satisfied sitting still. In her free time, Anna likes to scour vintage stores for affordable treasures, write in cursive and doodle on notepads. Follow her musings from the Rose City on her blog www.posecity.wordpress.com and/or on Twitter @reedmylips7. Photo taken in Portland, Oregon.
[...] gained the confidence and momentum to pursue more public outlets: The Neat Sheet > GalTime > Wearever The Weather > Neighborhood Notes. It’s been a journey of self-discovery and anxiety-inducing [...]
Wow Anna – super writing and many helpful tips – if i want to come to po and look like a local better get going – big changes can sometimes take months – and with someone locked in the ‘vintage age’ a few extra months might be necessary – your picture is adorable -Yeah Anna go go go or write write write love mary rose