Style & Trends

My Millionaire Makeover

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:15:00 -0700

Sameera Sullivan is always looking. She looks at Zupan’s. At Whole Foods. At the bar at the Pearl District P. F. Chang’s. She is looking for love—but not for herself.

“Hi,” she tells the unsuspecting organic shopper or corporate cocktail consumer. “I run a matchmaking service for elite business professionals. Are you single?”

The former executive headhunter (defense and aerospace, in Texas) thinks Portland’s low-blood-sugar dating scene needs a boost. “Everyone is so passive,” she says, echoing many a girls’-night-out lament. Her two-year-old firm, Lasting Connections, aims to hook up the city’s untethered professional class and elites. Clients’ incomes, she says, run from $70,000 a year to “millions.”

Sullivan recruits wherever unattached high achievers can be found. She cold-calls people on LinkedIn and stations herself at Starbucks, Peet’s, and, yes, P. F. Chang’s. “It’s a good place,” she says. “Everyone there is gluten-free, single, and works a lot.”

To see what she offers lonelyhearts, Portland Monthly sent Sullivan a 26-year-old white male guinea pig: me. Being a writer, I fall outside of Sullivan’s economic catchment zone. But we agreed the experiment could be mutually beneficial.

Sullivan’s clients can avail themselves of three service packages, from “Basic Executive” to “Black Diamond Concierge.” (Sullivan won’t divulge the exact fee for the latter publicly, but rest assured it is substantial.) The services rendered can stretch on for an entire year. All the packages involve a Sullivan-directed total makeover of look, wardrobe, and even attitude. That’s what I got.

Improvement was not hard. I met her wearing my usual. She told me I needed immediate attention across the board. My dirty P. F. Flyers sneakers were “not working.” My hair looked like I’d “just rolled out of bed.” My pants were dirty. I was a disheveled mess. Undatable, by Sullivan’s standards.

A new upscale matchmaking service, Lasting Connections, promises over-scheduled, under-cuddled Portland professionals a new lease on dating life. We sent disheveled writer Sam Coggeshall to find out what that really means.

She took pity, and command, with the no-nonsense air of a person in the business of providing opinions. Sullivan ordained a new haircut (a Channing Tatum–esque ’do). We went to Avalon Antiques and Vintage Clothing and picked out a new look, composed of a blue ’60s blazer with gray stripes, a button-up shirt, dress pants, and shoes. A gold lapel pin and cotton handkerchief pulled it all together. Sullivan patrols salons and clothing shops with the sharp eyes of a huntress. She also advised me on how to compliment women without “crossing the line,” which I don’t think was a problem. But maybe this date whisperer sensed something about me of which I’m not aware.

So? No dates yet. Perhaps I need to step up for the Black Diamond treatment Sullivan lavished on one dude, described in a recent press release, for whom she collected online applications from interested women and organized a ladies’ night of 100 to narrow the selection.

But, hey, there’s nothing like a vintage blazer to give a guy more confidence. And for Sullivan? Business is good. She’s expanding to Seattle, San Jose, and Houston. “I feel like this is what I am meant to do,” she says.

Slide Show: Urban Weeds, Portland's Fashion Ambassador

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:39:00 -0800

Lisa Warninger's nationally acclaimed street-style photo blog Urban Weeds (urbanweedsblog.com) has been catching the eye of big fashion fish outside our little pond since its 2009 inception. The blog averages 100,000 visitors a month and has scored regular mentions in New York Magazine, inspired an online feature from CNN, and netted Warninger gigs shooting for Elle—which she credits largely to Portland’s unique, practical mix of high and low fashion. Here we present some of our favorite frames from the past few years.

Related Article:
Local photographer Lisa Warninger's street-style blog, Urban Weeds, gives Portland fashion national exposure.

Slide Show: Fall Fashion 2011

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:52:00 -0700

Sock It To Me's New Socks

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 14:40:00 -0700

Who doesn't love a cute pair of socks? Even when they’re not showing, a sassy pair puts a pep in the step. If you do want to be a foot exhibitionist then look no further than Sock It To Me’s fall collection. The local Portland company eschewed traditional models to showcase their new line and instead opted for a mix of cute Portlanders that include both fashion designers and indie rockers.

September is a double busy month for the SITM crew. Not only will they be fulfilling orders rolling in for the new line, they also added a guest designer - Project Runway’s Mondo Guerra who used his signature houndstooth to create a black and white knee high. If you’re also interested in guest designing a sock ala Mondo, now is the time. Sock It To Me have opened up the chance to design a sock to any potential party by simply submitting your original designs before September 21. The winner gets a cool $1000 prize and gloating rights when your sock goes into production for all the world to see.

For information on how to apply, visit the Design a Sock details page.

Image: Courtesy Sock It To Me, Courtesy Sock It To Me

Mondo's design for Sock It To Me.

Slide Show: The Spell of Spring

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 14:14:00 -0700

Slide Show: Personal Best

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:27:00 -0700

Him, Dandy

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 05:18:00 -0700

DROP THE T-SHIRTS, gentlemen. The “dandy” trend calls for leaving the old band shirt on the shelf in favor of fineries like pocket squares and sport coats. The stately look first emerged in the early 19th century among a new middle-class of British and French men aspiring to appear more aristocratic. Writers like Charles Baudelaire turned dandyism into a philosophy of life and, later, Oscar Wilde made it a brand. Today, the look has been re-embraced by the likes of Kanye West, Tom Ford, and—in Portland—designers like Brent Collier, Duchess, and Pino, who specialize in sharp-looking suits and accessories as an alternative to Portland’s overly casual style. If you haven’t yet taken notice of Portland’s growing flock of well-dressed dandies, here are six tips for tailoring your own version.

1. Every gentleman owns a sport coat. Or six. Err on the side of fun (bold colors or plaid) rather than frumpy (black and boxy). Collier plaid jacket, $850 (sold as suit) at Collier

2. When picking dress shirts, fit takes the stage. Make sure the shoulder seam hits right at the tip of your shoulder and the sleeve falls just past your wrist. Mauro Tozzi for Collier dress shirt, $215 at Collier

3. Opt for a flat-front twill chino in beige or gray, and let your accessories do the talking. Xagon Man casual pants, $165 at Collier

4 The ultimate dandy touch hangs around your neck. Acceptable options include a cravat, necktie, or bow tie. Under no circumstances are you to wear anything resembling a bolo. Even if you’re from Texas. Especially if you’re from Texas. Pino evergreen raw silk bow tie, $65 at pinoportland.com

5. The true mark of a gentleman: the pocket square. Show some diversity by varying your folding styles (see “Hankie Doodle”). Pino Aqua Silk Dupioni pocket square, $30 at pinoportland.com

6 Finally, slide on a sockless loafer if the dress code—and the weather—permits. Moods of Norway Chukka boots, $185 at Collier

Hankie doodle | Pocket Square Styles

The PUFF	The TWO-POINT	The Winged Puff
Pinch the square in the middle, then fold in half horizontally and stuff it in the pocket, pinch side up.	Fold the square in half, slightly askew,to create two points; then fold the sides to fit within the width of your pocket.	Fold the square like an envelope and tuck it in with the top flap sticking out.
Image: Kate Madden	Image: Kate Madden	Image: Kate Madden

This Month in Fashion

Fourth Annual Fashion’s Night Out // Gold // Layering // Bold Brows // Corselette Bras // Pendleton’s New “Portland Collection” Arrives // AGAVE DENIM 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

On the Water

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Image: Nicolle Clemetson, Nicolle Clemetson

THE TEMPERATURE is climbing. The Prius is packed with a picnic spread and cold drinks. The iPod blasts the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ Safari.” The river beckons. Your only “deadline” is sunset. This is summer. Finding the right swimming hole is one thing. But taking your day on the water from so-so summer excursion to the highlight of the season requires a little planning and the right packing. Burnish the memory with these seven local good-time boosters.

1. PENDLETON ROLL-UP BLANKET

The beginning of any good day at the water’s edge begins with marking your territory (and then parking your tush). Pendleton’s easy-to-carry roll-up blanket features sand-repelling nylon on one side and snuggle-ready wool on the other, opening the door to even more fun once the sun goes down. $118 at pendleton-usa.com

2. WILL LEATHER GOODS CARRYALL

You could carry a small child (or perhaps just extra water bottles) in this Eugene-made canvas tote, which comes with rip-proof leather handles reinforced with brass rivets. It’s also a great conversation starter: founder Bill Adler built the company after a successful 1970s television career acting in hits like Welcome Back, Kotter and Wonder Woman. $95 at Isaac Hers

3. JOHN CALLANAN LOUISVILLE HAT

SPF 5,000 can’t protect delicate skin the same way a good ol’ hat will. Keep the UV rays (and wrinkles) at bay with this stylish, wide-brim faux straw hat from Pearl shop Bonnet. $52 at Bonnet Boutique

4. HOUSELINE/YO VINTAGE TUNIC

Your search for the perfect cover-up ends here, with the new collaboration between Yo Vintage and Portland Garment Factory’s HouseLine. The two Portland companies teamed up to create a hand-cut tunic dress with leather patch pockets that folds up small enough to slip into your bag and is cute enough to throw on before you pop into a café for lunch. $118 at Yo Vintage

5. NATURE’S MIST FACE OF THE WATER

Keep your face from feeling—and looking—like roadside beef jerky with this travel-size water-based facial mist. The Oregon company bottles its “tissue-culture grade” water (a fancy term for lab-tested aqua that’s free of chemicals, additives, allergens, and preservatives) right where it bubbles from the ground in a top-secret spot outside Grants Pass. $15 at naturesmist.com

6. SIDLAB MAGIC DRY SHAMPOO

Sexy beach hair is one thing. Greasy beach hair is quite another. Fortunately, the translucent clay in Portland-based Sidlab’s “Magic” shampoo naturally absorbs unwanted oil and sunscreen, returning your ’do to public viewing status. $22 at Blush Beauty Bar

7. SHWOOD NESKOWIN SUNGLASSES

Stylish and sustainable, Shwood handcrafts its stylish Neskowin frames from cherry or zebrawood sourced from authorized and supervised plantations in Africa. Plus, the polarized lenses protect your delicate Oregon eyes from that unfamiliar bright light. $135 at shwoodshop.com

This Month in Fashion

THE PORTLAND FLEA
MADONNA’S 54TH BIRTHDAY
MEN WITH HANDKERCHIEFS
HI-LO SKIRTS
COLORBLOCKING

Trend Watch: Retro Sunglasses

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:00:00 -0700

Not so fun fact: In the US, every 14 minutes someone loses, breaks, or sits on a pair of sunglasses. With that kind of clumsy behavior, it’s no wonder we cycle through sunglasses (and sunglass trends) every 5 minutes. This heartbeat the gotta-have-it look of the moment is all about retro glasses. Think rainbow hues with a gradient lens or throwback to the first sunglasses of the 30’s with round lenses and simple frame (made popular by the old Hollyw...

Trend Watch: Swimwear

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 12:00:00 -0700

Ready or not, here comes summer (and that means swimsuits)! Whether you’re off to a fabulous beach vacay, getting rugged and hiking up to hot springs, or just soaking in your hot tub, we want you to look good doing it. Some key swimwear trends this season are high waisted briefs, bandeau bikini tops, playful vintage silhouettes, bustier crop tops, and strapless one pieces. Labels such as Eres, VPL, Pret a Surf, Dolce & Gabbana...