Shopping in Portland

Portland is my home away from home. I had wanted to travel there for years but it never worked out for various and sundry reasons. I promised myself I would visit this year, and I just arrived home from a six-day adventure around the city. I met a variety of new friends, sipped cocktails with locals and other travelers, bought books from Powell's on the daily and dined like a king.

Moreover, Portland has its own style. Most guys don the unofficial uniform of the PNW - chunky sweaters, waxed coats, chinos and boots. However, the general tendency of stylish folk in Portland is to mix vintage finds with designer wear, resulting in an impeccable portmanteau that the next person can't copy. These four shops are the best places to cop the gear that makes the Portland look.

Tanner Goods: Located on Portland's burgeoning Northside, Tanner Goods stocks a definitive selection of heritage and workwear labels. Come for the Engineered Garments shirts, stay for their impeccable line of leather goods, including belts built in-house - they'll do it right in front of your eyes. The cost isn't cheap, but the quality of the leather and the unique experience is worth every penny.

Beacon Sound: While Beacon sound is primarily a record store, they have a small yet formidable selection of vintage clothing. Their selection is eclectic and favors both military and preppy attire - I spied classic Ralph Lauren shirts sitting next to M43 jackets. I picked up a vintage red bandana and a military-issue chambray shirt here, two items I've sought out for a while. My finds at Beacon were in perfect condition and not musty -rare for vintage shops - and are a great way to keep a piece of Portland with me wherever I go.

Imogene + Willie: Make no mistake, Imogene + Willie is a Nashville brand through and through. Portland has a strong Southern sensibility in their food scene and shopping, however, and both homesick expats and raw denim fanatics can pick up a couple pairs at the shop's Pearl District outpost. The proprietors have a friendly black pug and the pint-sized shop is impeccably curated with vintage curious and beautiful jeans and t-shirts hanging on hooks from the walls.

Frances May: Despite Portland's woodsy aesthetic, there's a hint of minimalism going on for the city's best-dressed man. These guys hit up Frances May for their sleek, rugged pieces, featuring strongholds like Patrik Ervell and A.P.C. next to emerging designers like melindagloss. I almost picked up an A.P.C. sailor sweater, though it wouldn't have fit in my suitcase because my frequent trips to Powell's Books yielded fruitful bounties.

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