VINTAGE used to be Portland’s great strength when it came to shopping for fashion. And while we’re still holding it down on the new-to-you front, the city has exploded with sophisticated shops selling merchandise gathered from around the globe.
The past year in particular has produced a bumper crop of new and/or expanded ventures, filling out the central retail core and rubbing elbows with the constant churn of new eateries on SE Division and N Mississippi. As much as the city is changing, one thing remains the same: Portland still prefers to shop with little guys who are doing their own thing, rather than buying into the packaged personalities of big-box retailers.
On the next few pages we’ll celebrate some of the new additions to the fold, from the comparably large ski/snow/skate superstore Evo to tiny gems like House of Commons and Seven Sisters. Each of these new additions were asked to select some of their favorite pieces, with color at top of mind, in hopes of inspiring your spring/summer style—even if your shopping strategy is more Bins than boutiques.
- Nicolle Clemetson
HOUSE OF COMMONS
3370 SE Division, houseofcommonspdx.com
SE Division isn’t just for foodies anymore. Nestled next to the new retail locations of Nationale and Adorn, House of Commons is a lovely jewel of discovery that features understated and little-known labels that are all about ease and cool.
OM top and Claire Green jewelry courtesy of House of Commons.
- Nicolle Clemetson
THE ANNEX
4018 N Mississippi, animaltrafficpdx.com
First, N Mississippi vintage shop Animal Traffic started getting into brand-new threads and opened a second shop downtown. This year they followed it up with the opening of a shoe store, the Annex, a prime destination for boot lovers and beyond.
Knickerbocker shirt, Freenote pants, Red Clouds Collective vest, and Yellow 108 hat courtesy of
Animal Traffic.
- Nicolle Clemetson
NORTH OF WEST
203 SW 9th, shopnorthofwest.com
This welcome addition to the West End comes from the minds behind Portland brands Pigeon Toe and Make It Good. More design store than dedicated clothing store, it’s the kind of shop to stop and make you think.
Make It Good dress, Ali Golden jacket, History + Industry earrings, courtesy of North of West.
FORTRESS OF INCA
729 E Burnside, #105, fortressofinca.com
If there’s one thing Portland can never get enough of, it’s more good options for shoes. The recently opened Fortress of Inca carries its own line of Peruvian-made leather goodness.
All women’s shoes unless otherwise noted courtesy of Fortress of Inca
- Nicolle Clemetson
SIX/SEVEN
811 E Burnside, #111, shopsixseven.com
Six/Seven is one of those “two great things that go great together” situations. One of the city’s renowned apparel designers, Liza Rietz, teamed up with one of its most interesting jewelry designers—though “jewelry” is too reductive a term to describe the wonderful crochet creations from Emily Bixler of BOET. Not only did the two go in on a shop, they even launched a collaborative line of apparel, 6/7.
6/7 dress and BOET necklace courtesy of Six/Seven.
- Nicolle Clemetson
SEVEN SISTERS
811 E Burnside, #112, www.sevensisterspdx.com
One of the shops keeping E Burnside fresh, Seven Sisters is a well-curated mix heavy on natural materials, with well-priced goods that will become staples of your wardrobe and accents to your home.
Shaina Mote dress and Beach Bones rings courtesy of Seven Sisters.
- Nicolle Clemetson
EVO
200 SE MLK, evo.com
This newly arrived superstore’s original location is in Seattle, and caters mainly to skaters, snowboarders, and the like, but they also have a healthy selection of streetwear brands for men and women.
RVCA pants and hat, ourCaste T-shirt, Altamont button-up, Volcom jacket, Ellington shoes, Patagonia backpack, Oakley sunglasses, Stance socks, all courtesy of Evo.
- Nicolle Clemetson
WEST END SELECT SHOP
927 SW Oak, westendselectshop.com
The worldly new popular girl in town, West End Select Shop specializes in plucking brands from around the globe that may not otherwise be available in the city.
Nanushka dress, Katrine Kristensen earring, Catbird ear cuff, FAUX/real bracelet, all courtesy of West End Select Shop. Rachel Comey shoes courtesy of Frances May (1003 SW Washington, francesmay.com).
Makeup and hair
Patty Harding of Survival of the Prettiest
Models
Favour Kibali and Julian Bryant
Photography
Nicolle Clemetson
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