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Finding your geek look depends on what your passions are. Whether you are a pop culture geek, a vintage diva or in love with geek-chic fashion, there are some basic guidelines to follow that’ll help you pick out the perfect outfit.
Many fashion-focused geeks tend to stand out when they pair professional, classy and beautiful items with a flair of eccentricity. Add a bow tie and suspenders to a boring dress shirt; combine a graphic T-shirt emblazoned with Spock’s likeness and an embroidered cardigan; or throw a Goomba pin on a blazer, put some black-framed glasses on your gorgeous face and carry a Doctor Who messenger bag.
The key to flaunting your fashion sense is expressing your obsessions no matter how obscure they are. In fact, the more obscure the better. Express your love of old video games, anime, campy movies and misunderstood TV shows with the help of some of the below Portland stores.
Hollywood Vintage
No traditional geek outfit is complete without a pair of old-school thick-rimmed eyewear. Hollywood Vintage stocks an inventory of new and vintage frames. In just about three days, HV’s onsite optician can help get you fitted and fabulous in styles from as far back as the 1920s.
2757 NE Pacific St.
503-233-1890
Things From Another World
If you prefer the comfier side of geek fashion, TFAW offers a variety of tops bearing nerdy images from Godzilla to Darth Vader. TFAW even offers a variety of accessories; check out their Game of Thrones Littlefinger Mockingbird pin. Plus, you get to look through comic books, games and a bunch of other products that’ll make you feel right at home.
2916 NE Broadway St.
503-284-4693
Red Light Clothing Exchange
Red Light Clothing Exchange is a visual wonderland. Bold vintage and new brand-name garments will please those looking for geek-meets-Portland-hipster fashion. Old prints, graphic T-shirts and a unique collection of vintage couture make Red Light a great stop for anyone looking for an interesting wardrobe, men’s or women’s, and all at affordable prices.
3590 SE Hawthorne St.
503-963-8888
Buffalo Exchange
Buffalo Exchange is another affordably stylish clothing store. Buffalo trades and buys local clothing and then resells it at prices trendy college students can afford.
1420 SE 37th Ave.
503-234-1302
1036 W Burnside St.
503-222-3418
Anthropologie
For the ladies and others interested in feminine-focused clothing, staple items for any chic closet can be delightfully discovered at Anthropologie. The soft colors and sophisticated designs of Anthropologie’s blouses are both sweet and modern. Splurge on a gorgeous cardigan to add class to an outfit or dress up a graphic tee.
1115 NW Couch St.
503-274-0293
Upper Playground
For casual and artsy folks, Upper Playground offers a variety of shirts with beautifully bizarre prints. If you’re looking for two copulating balloon dogs, a Ghostbusters-inspired “Bunny Busters” shirt, or a Strange Brew tee with Rick Moranis’ face and the word “Hosers” written across it, you need to head to Upper Playground.
23 NW Fifth Ave.
503-548-4835