The Poorer Gent’s Guide to Shopping in Portland, OR.

I know you’ve already read my life story, especially if you’ve read the Poor Gent’s and Rich Gent’s guides, so I won’t bother you with it anymore. Let’s get to the details. 

photo credit: Google Maps

Wow, you really hitchhiked all the way here from the ‘burbs? I gotta give you credit, that’s a trip. Well, you look like shit. You need some new rags, my brotha. Let’s head over to Burnside and hit up the Goodwill. This Goodwill is by far one of the best in town. I’ve found everything from Lacoste polos to Dunderdon jackets there. It’s not so great when it comes to shoes though, but I got that covered.

Wow, that Thomas Pink shirt fits great. Get it and let’s head over to William Temple and get you some shoes. You’re gonna really like this place. I’ve found the nicest shoes there—everything from Peal & Co. to Allen Edmonds. I feel like today’s you’re lucky day, you’re gonna be lookin’ like a milli before you know it. After you find some shoes we’ll head downtown and grab some grub.

photo credit: Alice Q

Those new Allen Edmonds monks are killah. You’re a lucky man, if I could fit into a 9 1/2, I would’ve fought you for those. Let’s hop on the MAX and go downtown to Give Pizza a Chance and get some pizza and a homemade root beer. 

photo credit: askmerchant

The pizza was delicious, right? It’s one of my favorites in town. There’s another cart on Hawthorne named Pyro Pizza that’s owned by the same people, but Pyro has a homemade brick oven inside. Now that you’re stuffed, let’s hop on the streetcar and ride over to Buffalo Exchange. Don’t worry, riding the streetcar is free downtown.

Buffalo Exchange isn’t as cheap as Goodwill, but you can find some good items for low prices. They often have a decent selection of pants and sneakers. And they’re always stocking Japanese denim and other respected denim brands. I’m certain you’re gonna find somethin’ to cover your drawers. 

photo credit: Barista

Those new jeans look sharp, but you’re lookin’ pretty tired. Too much shopping for you? Maybe you need a pick me up, like some coffee. We have quite a few great options. There’s a shop called Spella, a Stumptown in the Ace Hotel and Barista which is only a few blocks away.

Barista? Nice choice. You’re not going to be disappointed. Barista has by far the best selection of coffee in town. I’ve reviewed quite a few of the coffees they offer on the blog. While we’re walking over, let’s stop by Filson to see if they’re having a sale. It’s good to dream a little.

photo credit: Hawthorne open 

Barista’s coffee selection just keeps getting better and better. That was the perfect pick me up on this cold day. I bet you’re freezin’. You’re definitely going to need a jacket if you’re planning on staying out tonight. I have the perfect place. Let’s go rent some bikes and ride over to Hawthorne St. to check out Red Light. I know they’ll have at least one Schott pea coat in your size. I’ve seen ‘em with my own two eyes. 

photo credit: Orvis

Yep, I told you. You got that pea coat for a steal. Enough shopping, you need to go take a shower and get into those new duds. Afterwards, let’s head out and find you a sophisticated young lady so that I don’t have to go shopping with you anymore.

The Rich Gent’s Guide to Shopping in Portland, OR.

I moved to Portland a little over four years ago and I’ve loved every minute of it. I try to consume everything. Being from the South (Bama), it’s a lot different from what I’ve grown up with. I remember as a kid trying to find certain clothing items and they were no where to be found. But now, there’s endless shopping and so I’d like to give you a little taste of what Portland has to offer.

This shopping guide is like one of those pick your own adventure games. Seriously, because I know that some gents who read this blog could buy me another Lambo and not think twice, but some gents couldn’t buy the gas for it. Poor gents, consider this a free ride. Rich gents, consider this a free consultation. 

There are a few caveats to this guide. I’m focusing on smaller retailers because anyone can do a search for J.Crew 97210 with the Google. Am I right?

Rich gents, keep reading. Poor gents, your guide is here.

photo credit: Virtual Gourmet

First you need to get some grub before this big shopping trip. You’ve been working out, so you can handle a little fat. Since you’ve arrived on the weekend, let’s stop by 23 Hoyt and grab some brunch. The huevos rancheros are great. And you have to grab a cup of Stumptown coffee because it’s, well, one of the best. I just realized that I haven’t reviewed any Stumptown coffee on the blog—I need to get on that. If you didn’t already know, I stay up extremely late after work writing blog posts like these and I drink my fair share of coffee. You can read some of my reviews here. 

photo credit: ACL

Now that you’ve stained your brilliantly tailored kit from those huevos rancheros, you need some new clothes. Let me get the door for you. Beep Beep. One sec, the doors on my Benz SLS AMG are kinda slow. You got nothin’ but time, so just settle down. We’re going to Marios. It’s a place that packs all your favorites—they been had Polo. Now they’ve moved on to Dolce & Gabbana, Zegna, Kiton, Margiela, Paul Smith and many more lux brands. 

photo credit: Jen McCabe

After you run up that black Visa a couple clicks, we’ll walk over to John Helmer so you can order a pair of Aldens and maybe a hat. I’m not really a hat guy, but I’m almost certain that the mental asylum has come lookin’ for John because his hat game is so crazy. Is that a Panerai that you’re wearing? Oh, a watch guy, eh. Let’s walk down to Watchworks, you’re gonna love their selection. Actually, let’s hop on the streetcar and ride there.

photo credit: trustella

Yeah, that new Rolex is slick. Your wife will understand. Just tell her it’s an investment. Like that money you sunk in the noodles last week at the trade desk. Ding ding. It’s lunch time, we’re going over to Everett St. Bistro and we’re gonna eat some cheese and drink a cocktail or two. I’m also getting a cod sandwich on your tab. You didn’t think this tour was free, did yah? 

photo credit: Portland Neighborhood

Since we’re close, let’s stop into Finn. Alright, now we’re getting out of the Pearl district and we’re going up Glisan to Estes. I just got word that they’re packin’ Holland & Sherry fabrics. That’ll be perfect for a new Fall sport coat. You can also get a haircut and a shot of bourbon there. That third cocktail left me a bit tipsy, so I’ll pass. 

photo credit: Local 35

Let me call Jeeves real quick and get him to come down here and pick up the Benz. He’ll be happy to drive us over to the east side to visit Winn Perry. You have to check out the Quoddy, Olch ties and cufflink selection at Winn Perry. Afterwards we’ll head over to Hawthorne St. to check out the A.P.C jean selection at Local35.

photo credit: Seuber stock

I know you’re tired of shopping so let’s go take a load off and get some dinner. I know you get GQ and since you didn’t get any cod at lunch time, you have to try the cod at Bamboo Sushi. Alan Richman loved it. I’ve had it, it’s really good. After dinner we’re going to get some drinks at Departures and then I forget the rest.

Poor Gent’s Guide to Shopping in Portland, OR.

I moved to Portland a little over four years ago and I’ve loved every minute of it. I try to consume everything. Being from the South (Bama), it’s a lot different from what I’ve grown up with. I remember as a kid trying to find certain clothing items and they were no where to be found. But now, there’s endless shopping and so I’d like to give you a little taste of what Portland has to offer.

This shopping guide is like one of those pick your own adventure games. Seriously, because I know that some gents who read this blog could buy me another Lambo and not think twice, but some gents couldn’t buy the gas for it. Poor gents, consider this a free ride. Rich gents, consider this a free consultation. 

There are a few caveats to this guide. I’m focusing on smaller retailers because anyone can do a search for J.Crew 97210 with the Google. Am I right?

Rich gents, your guide is here. Poor gents, keep reading.

Let’s get some food. Do you like biscuits? Great, let’s go get a delicious biscuit at Pine State Biscuits. You’ve read about it on my blog, right? They serve Stumptown coffee, too. If you’re not familiar, it’s one of the finer brands of coffee that Portland offers. If you’re always drinking the Stump like I am, check out my reviews of other coffees. 

photo credit: Archival

Wow, you really made a mess with that gravy. We better get you some new rags. Since we’re on the east side, let’s head over to Local 35. You mentioned that you’ve been saving up for a pair of A.P.C jeans, well, they have ‘em. They also stock a selection of Band of Outsiders, Dunderdon and Billy Kirk garb. After you get your fix there, we’re going to head down to Winn Perry. You may have read about it on the blog. WP carries some pricey goods, but hey, a poor gent can dream, right? And you have to see the selection of Aldens and Quoddy’s. I’m drooling as we speak.

photo credit: Winn Perry

I told you not to buy those Aldens, you’re gonna blow through your cash and your credit before we’re even half way into this trip. Oh well, let’s hop in the Jeep and head over to the Woodlands. I know you’re still looking for some jeans. I hate that they didn’t have your size in the A.P.C New Standards at Local 35. You should really check out the Tellason jeans from Woodlands, though. There’s been a lot of talk about them on the interwebs: take a look. You can also grab a Tanner Goods belt while we’re there.

photo credit: K.I.D. Collective

Those new Tellas look good, my friend. You’re on a straight spending spree now. We might as well head over to Blake and get you fixed up with a few new shirts. Have you tried on any of the Gitman Vintage OCBDs? You should also try on some of the Engineered Garments shirts. Blake carries a nice selection of both of those brands. Escape from New York Pizza is just around the corner, let’s go grab a slice before we get back into the spending. We can just walk over to Blake after you get messy.

That new Gitman shirt looks nice, but I’m cutting you off. I can’t watch you rack up anymore on that MasterCard. Maybe next time you come down we can hit up Frances May and Upper Playground. 

photo credit: The Green Preservationist

Let’s go catch a movie at Cinema 21. Afterwards, we’ll head over the Willamette to Rontoms and grab a few drinks and maybe a grilled cheese and tomato soup. There are also a bunch of great shows tonight. Maybe we’ll end up at Holocene or Crystal Ballroom. And for our fourth meal, we’ll skip Taco Bell and go straight for the carts on Hawthorne. If you want donuts, there’s always the famous Voodoo for a late night fix. I’m warning you though, there’s usually a line that’s four miles long outside. After that, you’re gonna wish you never met me. Cheers.