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Contents
Gift
Guide 2
clothing
guide
Scene
Stealers
It
Girls
4th-Grade
Somethings
Little
Women
Action
Jacksons
Shredding
Bettys
Boys
to Men
Edge
of 17
Dads
Who Dig
Hip
Mamas
Gift
Guide 1
$35 and
up
Fun
and Games
Literary License
Windows Shopping
Kitchen Aid
Get Out
Gremlin-Free Gizmos
Discmen
Skintillating
Eat, Drink and
Be Merry
Gifts That Keep On Giving
Child's Play
Well-Furnished
Gimcracks and Geegaws
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Scene
Stealers
BY LIZ
BROWN
As a kid, he probably circled a Big Wheel, a Lego set and
a drum kit in the Sears catalog at this time of year. With
the exception of Underoos ("Underwear that's fun to wear!"),
clothing was probably not high on his wish list. Although
the cool guy in your life might occasionally act like a child
and fawn over old vinyl now, his style sense has probably
grown up a bit. He might be an artist, a musician, a graphic
designer or a bartender. Whatever the case, he's not an "Everyone
In Vests" zombie.
Sure, there are more than a few Elliott Smith lookalikes
moping around town, but there are plenty of young men out
there forging their own quirky style. Thrift and vintage-store
garb ranks high with them; the clothes there are usually
less expensive, better-made and more unique than current,
mass-produced trappings. Kevin Friedman, a film buff and
guitarist for local band Imogene, seeks out well-tailored,
refined pieces: mod-inspired tapered pants and black zip
boots, Connery-era Bond suits and noirish nods like a classy
fedora. Painter and photographer Luke Dolkas, conversely,
tends toward utilitarian, casual garb in a range of textures
and muted colors--matched with the occasional bright T-shirt
or wild socks--that can endure a few paint splotches and
keep him warm in a basement studio.
Shopping for these boys isn't as easy as ordering a sweater
from J. Crew Online, but it's a hell of a lot more interesting
if you've got the time to invest. Besides, if your search
for the perfect old-man sweater, OP windbreaker or striped
knit cap proves futile, chances are you'll find something
for yourself along the way. Or, as Kevin suggests, buy him
a gift certificate to a good tailor.
NOTE: Many of the items listed here are one-of-a-kind
vintage and may no longer be available, but each is representative
of a given shop's stock.
the
goods:
refined rakishness
A vintage Bogart hat is a fitting accompaniment to
a fab suit, but most are somewhat high-maintenance for guys
on the go. A new, black, center dent fedora
solves that problem (though the brim may strike some cats
as a bit too wide). The 100-percent wool felt hat is stain-
and water-resistant, as well as crushable. He can toss it
in a glove box and wear it in a downpour with no consequences.
$34 at the Hat Box, 1033 SW Morrison St., 227-1311, currently
located in the Galleria (921 SW Morrison) during renovations.
wool,
not flannel
Give the hip guy a dorky, department store denim shirt and
he's likely to leave your name off the credits on his next
7-inch. This light blue Pendleton wool button-down
is infinitely more appropriate. He can get away with it
at the necessary office temp job or family get-together,
then head straight to the Tonic Lounge or Beulahland without
looking like a dweeb. Guys like it for what it's got (timeless
style), moms like it for what it's not (a ratty concert
tee). $30 at Retread Threads, 931 SW Oak St., 916-0000.
smokin'
He
probably hasn't owned a robe since that red-and-blue velour
rag he wore over Speed Racer pajamas on Christmas mornings.
He won't buy it for himself, but he'll cherish a silk-lined,
rayon robe from you. Maroon lapels, lining and tasseled
belt accent a distinguished '40s print, and a rayon crepe
ascot transforms your guy into The Man. Pure Hef, this
one's for lounging in the home recording studio, parading
around with a tumbler of Scotch or nursing a hangover the
next day. Hell, he'll even feel regal slumped on the sofa
watching Jeopardy! with bed head and a bag of Doritos
in this luxurious loungewear. Playboy jet and naked models
not included. Robe: $85, with several less expensive styles
also available at Ray's Ragtime, 1021 SW Morrison St., 226-2616;
ascot: $20 at Avalon Antiques, 203 SW 9th Ave., 224-7156.
time
travel
Save the Swatch for yourself. These guys want the old, old-school--a
'20s vintage wristwatch. Pocket watches are cool,
but you can't beat a good wristwatch for practicality. This
hand-enameled, 17-jewel Elgin timepiece with black leather
strap is one of many dating from 1905 to 1950, available
at the well-stocked vintage shop (most range from $100 to
$500, and all come with a six-month guarantee). $595 at
Avalon Antiques.
booty
call
Black boots or shoes are practically mandatory
for this guy, and a pair of dress shoes as sturdy as work
boots fits the bill. The British-made Tredair monk strap
booty with silver buckle looks great at the base of
a pair of fine trousers, and the foam-injected and Goodyear-welted
soles ensure they'll last longer than that major record
label deal, yet won't end up collecting dust in the back
of the closet. They also have that new-shoe smell instead
of the sour odor inherent in used shoes--you don't need
to buy everything secondhand. $143 at Imelda's Designer
Shoes, 1431 SE 37th Ave., 233-7476.
well
wrapped
What better way to say "fuck you" to Old Man
Winter than with an old-man coat for your old man? This
Zero King wool coat is olive- and pea green-flecked,
with faux fur collar and lining. Unlike shorter cool-guy
coats, this style's long enough to cover untucked uniform
shirts and vulnerable nether regions. $24 at Buffalo Exchange,
1420 SE 37th Ave., 234-1302.
the
original
Until more designers get a clue and realize that most people
no longer wear gigantic, '80s-style T-shirts, thrift stores
will long reign as the best places to find the cheap, silkscreened
ones left over from the '70s. This light blue tee
emblazoned with a hokey scene is one of a plentiful selection
at this new vintage upstart. They cost a few bucks more
than those at Goodwill, but you won't have to dig through
racks of stupid Nike and Sammy Hagar tees. $8 at Red Light
Clothing Exchange, 3590 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 963-8888.
jewels
for jack
Manly jewelry that doesn't conjure up images of Mr.
T, porn stars or Phish fans? Yes, friends, it does exist.
A sturdy, hand-crafted sterling silver bracelet is the perfect
basic piece for the guy whose wardrobe is heavy on dark
solids. Thanks to a clever safety-lock clasp, it won't fall
off during guitar solos or wild brush strokes. Loop "T"
Designs bracelets and other silver and copper body jewelry
by local designer Tad Chi can be found at several local
shops. $35-$125 at Portland Saturday Market; Dish 'n' Dat,
510 NW 11th Ave., 279-8946; Pokerface, 128 SW 3rd Ave.,
294-0445; Powell's Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651.
eco-chic
It's a timeless conundrum: Guys have stuff to carry around--but
purses are for girls and bulky backpacks are for students.
The disposable, factory-produced canvas jobs at Eddie Bauer
lack the craftsmanship and style found in Think Again
bags. Founder John Slate uses recycled industrial inner
tube rubber, a synthetic textile made of recycled soda bottles
and durable hemp for his wares. Sans leather, each is vegan-approved
and unique, with gear loops, inner pockets and authentic
detail (i.e., "do not overinflate" warnings). The waterproof,
treated rubber and hemp mini-messenger bag shown here is
ideal for stashing his latest DAT or sketch book and pens.
$52 at Mirador, 1123 SE Market St., 231-5175; also at Saturday
Market.
also consider:
antique
levi's
A cheap pair of Levi's from Goodwill suffices for most guys,
but any mod worth his copy of Quadrophenia demands
the genuine article. Enter the Levi's vintage collection.
Offered at only 16 stores throughout the world, the limited-edition
collection features detailed, raw denim replicas of
various designs from 1873 onward, each with a fascinating
history that Pokerface owner Jason Brown is happy to relate.
$165-$209 at Pokerface.
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