Trendy Tuesday: Local Designs & Unique Handmade Pieces at Frock

December 21, 2010

Mix some vintage styles with some Burning Man inspired fashion and you have Frock–a unique boutique that sells independent designs and small runs of rare, one-of-a-kind pieces, and handmade items. As local as it gets, Frock is committed to the local, living economy with a product mix consisting of 90% locally designed and produced items supplemented with 10% regional, independent, and other goods.

It doesn’t matter your age or sex because Frock has something cool for everyone. They have a plethora of items and it was really hard for me to choose my favorites, but here they are!  For women, I would recommend the Stumptown Tee, Peacock Tank Top, Red Floral Applique Tunic, a belt buckle by Namaste, the bike earrings by Handmade Julz, and the What’s Your Poison necklace.

For kids, I love the Octopus Onesie, the Hotdog Hi Five Tee, and the Cat Eye Sunglasses. How cute are these little models by the way!

For the men out there, check out the Cock Tee, Oregon Undies, Lucha Mask Socks and The Hole In One Sweater Cap.

Frock is located at 1439 NE Alberta St. in Portland, Oregon.  Enjoy your holiday shopping (hint, hint) !

Trendy Tuesday: Designer Lables at Here We Go Again

December 14, 2010

Many of my friends who dress in an eclectic “Portland” style shop at Red Light and Buffalo Exchange, resale shops where low prices and a hip selection allow for larger hauls than mall stores or even Forever 21. Here We Go Again is also a resale shop, but they do things a little differently, and they have their eye on a more high-end array of products.

Resale shopping is an art. You have to be patient and persistent to find just the right item, and you have to be willing to go with your gut and buy on impulse when you love something because it probably won’t be there next time you go in. Here We Go Again ensures that you will always have something to marvel at by focusing on designer labels and top-condition merchandise. I’ve often had my clothes turned away at Buffalo Exchange, and I think they’re probably even pickier at Here We Go Again. Check out the instructions for consignment and the list of “Labels We Love,” including Bebe, Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana… you get the idea.

Of course, the discriminating taste at Here We Go Again is what makes it a “deluxe resale boutique,” and they have some truly amazing clothes and shoes for prices way below retail. Take a look at these ankle boots they featured recently.

I’m crazy for ankle boots this winter. So many high heel styles are inappropriate for our rainy Portland winters, but ankle boots pair practical coverage with the irresistible cuteness of heels. Here We Go Again stays on top of fashion trends, and these boots from their John’s Landing store are the most recently featured items on their Web site and Facebook page. Keep in mind that these might already be gone, but if so, they’ve been replaced with something just a little different and just as cute. Oh, the excitement of resale shops.

As you may imagine, along with designer labels come handbags, wallets and pouches in high quality leather and other materials. Two recently posted items that caught my eye:

Here we have two purses with widely varying prices, which I think is great for a resale shop, especially one focusing on high-end labels like Here We Go Again. The purple cross-body purse is by Linea Pelle and costs $69; the big leather bag is by Gustto and selling for $255. That’s a lot of money, but the bag retails for $625, so it’s an amazing deal.

The four items pictured above are from the John’s Landing location, at 0511 SW Carolina St in Portland. Here We Go Again also has a location at 2438 NE Broadway. With the city-wide coverage provided by those two locations, you have got to swing by one (or both!) of their stores and see for yourself the amazing selection and prices offered by this deluxe resale boutique.

Trendy Tuesday: The Urban Cowgirl

December 7, 2010

Uma Thurman in “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” brought a home-on-the-prairie-meets-casual-New-York-chique style to her character.  The cowgirl hat mixed with her rawhide jacket and striped cotton shirt was the perfect combination of new and old style.  Based on the current collections available at Free People, many designers apparently agree.

Slip dresses, fur vests, long flowing skirts and denim jackets line the walls of  the clothing boutique Free People, located at 817 NW 23rd Ave.  It is a look they call “Easy Rider” and the clothing really embodies the freedom and edginess connected with that name.  Some of my favorite pieces available right now are The Easy Rider Dress, Levis Denim Vest, and the Chiffon & Lace Slip.

But it is Free People’s gorgeous western inspired jewelry and accessory collection appropriately titled “the Old West” that really turns any outfit into a cowgirl masterpiece.  The collection contains a lot of leather, fringe, jade, copper and feather pieces, like the ones shown below.

For these and other great styles head on down to Free People’s shop in Portland, or find them online here.

Trendy Tuesday: Fall Fashion at Shop Adorn

November 2, 2010

I go to school at Portland State, where I like to spend time between classes sitting in the park blocks and watching people as they go by. It’s not unlike window shopping; every day I spot a style I’d love to emulate. Shop Adorn, a NE Portland boutique with a website that ships all over the US, offers designer styles at non-designer prices, and they’re carrying some of the fall fashions seen around Portland.

First, the all-important fall jacket.

Portland in the fall is all about layers. While heavy coats will emerge later in the season, for now Portland is rockin’ the hoodie-under-a-jacket look. Hoodies are pretty indispensable considering our wet climate (and our reluctance to use umbrellas), and a jacket that fits comfortably over your favorite sweatshirt will keep you warm and dry all autumn long. Above on the left is a men’s bomber jacket by Obey for $108; on the right, a women’s Kut from the Kloth jacket in Olive for $60.

The cool weather calls for some warm staples, like this heavy cotton button-down and this gray sweater dress. (That cowl neck keeps you warm the same way a scarf does, and the silk blend fabric is insulating — stay cozy all day in this dress!) Lanzo shirt by WeSC, $68; L.A.M.B. dress, $195.

And the finishing touches on this fall wardrobe are accessories you can throw in your backpack and pull out when it gets a little nippy or the rain starts coming down. Fingerless gloves are essential for those of us with touchscreen smartphones; these Coal gloves are only $15 and they’ll be handy all winter long. The $25 acrylic hat, also by Coal, will keep you dry and warm.

Visit Shop Adorn at 4759 NE Fremont to stock up on your fall staples, and use Forkfly to get 20% off your entire Shop Adorn purchase!

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor Brown

Trendy Tuesday: The New Girdle for the 20th Century

September 21, 2010

The days of uncomfortable and often unsafe girdles may have passed, but society’s desire to tuck, hide, and smooth out our imperfections are still just as strong as they have been for centuries.  The modern girdle comes in many different styles, shapes and is designed to combat several different problem areas.  Ardyss International specializes in body contouring.  They carry what they call body shapers for your abdomen, bust, posterior, hips, and thighs.  Ardyss claims that their product will give you the look of having just had liposuction done.  They also say that instead of crushing your innards and giving you a lack of breath, the body shapers actually support your upper and lower back and wearing the garment will help burn fat.

They also have garments for men, which I would be curious to find out if a man would really wear one of these products, or if they would be too embarrassed.

Not sure if the products work the way they say they do, but they definitely have peeked my interest and are more than worth a try.  You can get some great deals on these products and more on Forkfly!

Trendy Tuesday: Little Urbanites

September 14, 2010

Portland has a unique, hip sense of fashion that extends to the kids. Parents here like to let creativity run free, both in their selections for their children and by letting kids dress themselves. Little Urbanites, a children’s store with a wide variety of clothing, furniture and accessories for kids, has its finger on the pulse of kid’s fashion. Little Urbanites has embraced the proper-looking British-inspired trend seen around Portland in their clothing selection, offering styles like double-breasted pea coats and Peter Pan collars in organic fabric.

This Kate Quinn Organics top has been paired with a jumper, tights and a big bow, creating a really cute, put-together look.

Here the model rocks another monochromatic outfit with matching orange hat and shirt. The clean-cut and aesthetically conscious trend reflected in these photos leads to some good looking Portland children. Little Urbanites also peddles kid-sized versions of Portland fashion staples, like this organic cotton bomber jacket.

Little Urbanites offers more than clothes for kids. They have apparel for babies, and furniture and art to make your child’s room as colorful and pretty as her wardrobe. Toys, books, strollers and other gear round out Little Urbanites’ selection.

Check out their blog here for posts about kid’s activities, community news, product info and more. Check out the store at 916 NW 10th Avenue, shop at their website, and look out for deals on Forkfly for Little Urbanites merchandise!

**Blog written by Forkfly intern Eleanor Brown

Trendy Tuesday: New Shop “Rebel Row” Brings a Rock ‘N’ Roll Pin-up Style to Vancouver

September 7, 2010

Rebel Row owners Brian and Brittny Houghton are not new to the retail scene; in fact, the couple have been toting their unique wares to conventions, car shows, and festivals all around Portland and Vancouver for quite a long time.  I just discovered them about six months ago while attending a classic car show.  I loved absolutely everything they had on display: coffin belt buckles, metal and rock t-shirts, pin-up style dresses, and classic horror stickers and patches.  It is not every day I am able to find a boutique that satisfies my love of pin-up, rock ‘n’ roll, and classic horror, so of course my first question was where is your shop and how have I never heard of you guys before?

It takes a lot of time and money to open up your own retail clothing store, but the huge reactions from customers like myself, demanding more from Rebel Row, convinced the Houghtons that they just couldn’t put off opening up a store any longer.  Brittny was born and raised in Vancouver, WA and always had a dream of opening up her own shop that focuses on the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle that she loves so much, and Brian, being in the rock ‘n’ roll music scene, felt the same way.  They both were unsatisfied with Portland’s retail scene, and were frustrated with the high prices and limited choices, and quickly found that they weren’t the only ones that felt that way.  After a long period of selling their stuff out of booths, Rebel Row opened up their official shop a couple weeks to rave reviews.

Located at 1901 Main St. in Vancouver, Rebel Row has made it self right at home amongst other thriving businesses that line Vancouver’s Main strip.  They carry over 20 different clothing/accessory lines, and are always hunting for more.  They love to support the local music and art scene, and not only play music by local rock musicians in their shop, but encourage local designers to show them their stuff, as long as it has a rock ‘n’ roll or pin-up theme of course.  Check out Rebel Row’s website here, and follow them on Facebook.

Trendy Tuesday: Soft Knit Nightie

August 17, 2010

With the weather being in the 90′s in Portland, finding something to wear at night that is light weight, comfortable and won’t leave you all sweaty is a necessity.  The days haven’t been that bad for me, but at night my house is stuffy, hot and even having two fans on doesn’t fully alleviate my uncomfortableness.  It is very important to have something comfy and yet still cute to sleep in during this hot weather, and the perfect remedy at a reasonable price is the Soft Knit Nightie from Lucia Apparel.

This sleepwear is a great mix of sexy and sensible, and it is exactly what I am looking for to have a comfortable night sleep.  I love the neon green striped piece in particular!  If you are worried about having something for the cold too, check out these Lounge Pants Pajamas also from Lucia!

Lucia has some adorable dresses that are also worth checking out here.  Lucia Apparel is located at 424 NW 11th St in Portland.

Local Fashion Trend of the Week: Vintage Watches

August 10, 2010

I really believe that accessories make a look.  I love to put on a plain black dress and then accessorize it with neon green heels, maybe some purple earrings and a bracelet.  The one accessory I haven’t ever worn though is a watch.  Even during the early ’90s when bright colored Swatches were all the rage, I just felt weird having something attached tightly to my wrist all day and was one of only a handful of girls in my class not rocking a Swatch watch.  But more and more I am thinking I might have to try this whole watch thing again when I come across some really cool vintage style watches like this one available at Shop Adorn.

The EOS Mixtape watch is like a blast from my past.  I love this 80′s inspired style that is silly but still looks classy.  The two discs on the watch even mimic the look of a real cassette tape.  Like totally awesome!  Another thing that is pretty awesome is that you can get 20% off your entire purchase at Shop Adorn now through September 1 on Forkfly.

Fashion Trend of the Week: Over-the-Knee Socks

August 3, 2010

Yes, summer is officially here in Portland, but that doesn’t mean the mornings and evenings aren’t still incredibly cold, and so this week’s local fashion trend focuses on an item that keeps ladies warm and still lets us wear our shorts skirts and shorts.  Over-the-Knee socks are perfect for those cold Oregon days, and what I love is if you get too hot you can just take them off with out any hassle.  Unlike stockings, which have a limited amount of styles, there are lots of cute styles and designs to choose from with socks.  Saysay boutique, located at 1010 SW Morrison St., has some adorable knee-high and over-the-knee socks, like the ones pictured here with ice cream cones or bikes on them.  I especially like their variety of striped over-the-knee socks that come in many colors and are very reasonably priced.

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