Occupy Portland: What They’re Wearing

There has been a lot of information floating around the web advising occupying protesters on how to deal with cops, what to say to reporters, and what to wear. The idea is that if you want to take down Wall Street, you’re not going to get anywhere by looking like a wack-a-doodle-doo, but if you look like them—business attire, clean cut, etc.—they might consider sitting down at a table with you to discuss your concerns. Might.

Here in Portland, though, the dress code on any given day on the Waterfront or in Pioneer Square is markedly more casual than on Wall Street, to make a grave understatement, so I don’t think we can really be held to quite the same standards. While some of the wacky outfits I saw on the streets are just business as usual, Portland protesters will not be separated from their dear love of costumes anytime soon. And these aren’t just kids. There are a lot of people down there who have probably seen their share of fruitful peaceful protest, and I’m not gonna step to their tie-dye with camo choices. On the other hand there are the ones who come ready for things to get dirty, with kerchiefs over their faces and studded Crass patches across their backs (yes, still).

Some have taken the advice and turned up in suits, often with ironic touches like fake hundred dollar bills or a sign reading “love” poking from their jacket pockets. But the ones that make the most impact, to me, are the ones who just look like the everyday people that they are.