Fashion

BLACK FRIDAY

Lines. Traffic. Morons. What better way to top off your holiday shopping than with that magic word—DECLINED. If your black turns to red, stay cool under the collar with these priceless styles. They'll be lining up to steal your identity, if not your credit rating.

Shop Till You Drop

This pinstriped cadet cap ($33, Urban Outfitters, 2320 NW Westover Road, 248-0020) covers gnarly bedhead when all you wanna do is get out of the house and into the after-Christmas sales. Don't fret over that frizz, let this classic Goorin Brothers design take care of the mess. With cotton lace appliqué held together by antique brass studs, this girly chapeau will have you out the door and swiping that lovely piece of plastic in no time.

Très Chic

So you like the look of leggings, but not the '80s stigma? Augustine does this trend better in its leg-slimming look-turned-stylish ruched bottoms ($160, Seaplane, 827 NW 23rd Ave., 234-2409) with romantic wood-buttoned detailing. Paired with a 100 percent wool, black mesh Augustine turtleneck ($110) and topped with a steel gray, wide-banded petal tunic ($160), it's an updated winter look perfect for lounging.

Deer John

Off-center illustrations and out-of-whack, magical subjects make I'm Smitten designs sweetly odd. Supersoft, silkscreened Antler Girl T-shirts ($25, imsmitten.com) make great conversation starters. And for those who love quirky, abstract images of, say, a giraffe boy with a kite or a horse playing hostess, I'm Smitten's distinct notecards are just thoughtful enough for that almost-friend or co-worker.

40Put the Pedal to the (14-Karat Gold) Metal

Sometimes simple, delicate jewelry pieces are all you need to add the "finishing touches"—Minc does it best with lucid designs and elegant metal work. The Malin earrings ($22, minc.etsy.com) are a modern mix of 14-karat gold-filled metal with fragments of coral-shaped wood.

Luxurious Skin

Don't apologize for a leather bag. Put a Taser in it and wear it with boots. The Tanner Portrait Bag ($140, Local 35, 3556 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 963-8200) is svelte, stealthy and the size of an LP.

Great Scot!

Inspired by ancient designs and traditions, iconic local wool-weaver Pendleton makes an astute Black Watch Weekender Bag ($198, Pendleton Shop, 900 SW 5th Ave., 242-0037) for all of your mini-travel needs. A handsome full-grain leather top and trim give way to a distinguished Black Watch tartan fabric. It's the epitome of signature style and chichi preppiness.

Sophistafunk, Aristocats NARS combines all the erotic funk of MAC, but still keeps it sophisticated. With this holiday/winter line of sultry hues, even less illustrious makeup misfits can get a hold on creating a singular look. The Belly Dance Duo Eyeshadow ($31, BLUSH Beauty Bar, 513 NW 23rd Ave., 227-3390) adds a sheer, dramatic effect, and the Albatross Highlighting Blush Powder ($25) is a radiant complement to a kisser smoothed with Moon Fleet Lip Gloss ($23). For a classic sheen, go for an all-over Body Glow ($59) and dare to bare those shoulders come New Year's Eve.

CRAPPY NEW YEAR

Overrated, overwhelming and just plain over. Finding the right place, the people and the frickin' parking is enough to make you run for your "happy place." No matter where the night takes you, be down for whatever with these timely looks.

He Sure Cleans Up Nice

Sameunderneath's latest venture features 100 percent silk, limited-edition ties ($52, Sameunderneath, 915 N Shaver St., 223-3592) hand-screenprinted with drawings of silhouetted branches by Meagan Geer. Sticking to a solid-color palette of black ties with silkscreened chrome ink and white ties with pearl ink, these rare prints add a singular touch to any collar.

Timing Is Everything

Women aren't the only ones who get to dress up and have way too much fun accessorizing, except men wouldn't call it that. It would be "wearing a watch." But no, no—not when the watches have this much stylish soul. Wrap a Nixon around that wrist of yours and get this party started. It's a nail-biting choice between the sleek Rotolog ($200, pictured on page 11, Exit Real World, 206 NW 23rd Ave., 226-3948), a custom timepiece with a bamboo-inlaid band, and the Capital ($150, pictured, right), featuring a stainless-steel band with two-tone finish accented by a domed, chocolate face and complementary blue lining. Or just splurge on both—you're worth it.

Je Ne Sais Quoi

Like a little girl all dolled up, this girlish number, Marie ($210, Seaplane, 827 NW 23rd Ave., 234-2409), created and designed by Holly Stalder, simply demands a night out on the town. A royal-blue shimmer of satin accented by antique French trim and a blue velvet tie fastened by an antique Victorian pin all add sweet touches to a teasingly short cut.

Alex P. Keaton with Wolves

Monsieur-T prints a T-shirt with a wolf, some stars and a moon on the front ($30, Local 35, 3556 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 963-8200). It's like Teen Wolf before he stumped for stem cells.

Stuck on a Desert Island, Again

Glow-in-the-dark bat T-shirts are kinda cool. Ones drawn by Edward Gorey kinda rule ($21, Friends of the Library Store, 801 SW 10th Ave., 988-6762). Even the marooned mariners like them: "Well, I'll be blowed! Fourteen days and the bat still glows."

Birds of a Feather

Give your vagabond brother the ultimate hippie cleanup with Aveda's Holiday 2006 "Wrapped in Indulgence" Gift Set ($146, Aveda, 340 SW Morrison St., 224-9339, and other locations). He'll dig the whopping mix of potions from the Earth, including a Euphoric Plant Pure-Fume Aroma Candle, Calming Body Cleanser made from aloe, avocado, chamomile, coconut and wheat germ, and a kimono-style bath robe made with 100 percent certified organic Indian cotton. It'll show some selfless brotherly love, and get the dirty bird squeaky-clean (for a couple days at least).

Whiskers Are The Pits

Enough of that rubble stubble. Get your man smooth as the plum peach that he is with Baxter's California Super Close Shave Formula and Badger Brush ($40, BLUSH Beauty Bar, 513 NW 23rd Ave., 227-3390). These babies are signature weapons necessary to every modern man. Baxter's Formula nixes razor burn with soothing

THE MORNING AFTER

"Dear John, it's not you, it's me...and by me I mean you...." Get New Year's Day off on the right foot...in the right shoes no less! Hangover, regret and his "borrowed" shirt are esssential accessories to a great getaway. Oh, and don't look back. You can never look back.

Check Baby, Check Baby, One...Two

A deviant take on the classic men's dress shirt, 191 Unlimited ($62, Lit, 214 SW 8th Ave., 827-3300) adds subtle yet distinct touches of modernity to a checkered graph-paper print with swatches of color to the underlining cuffs and abstract, reversible silkscreened graphics of perched birds.

Come Hither

Who knew plastic wedges could pack such a provocative punch? In the same realm as jellies, except loads sexier, Melissa Shoes, made from malleable, recyclable plastic, give new meaning to eco-fashion—and it's never looked this good. The Melissa Scarfun (pictured, right) ($60, Seaplane, 827 NW 23rd Ave., 234-2409) is a flattering solid wedge with an ankle strap enclosure, and it comes in wild colors like minty green and fuzzy peach. Rockin' these babies'll make you a force to be reckoned with. If you can't handle the heat, try the Ultra Girl ($48) peep-toe flats, which are as easy on your tootsies as they are on the eyes.

Ho Ho Hobo

There is no need to explain the importance of a Hobo International clutch to a lady (and girl, if that name doesn't ring a bell, get your booty to the nearest Nordstrom). This aforementioned rectangular slice of fine leather can be compared to coming home to a quiet house (onyx Loretta double coin purse, $80, Nordstrom, 701 SW Broadway, 224-6666), a nice cold one (ruched Ruby clutch, $85) and a TV blaring the NCAA Championship (smoke Giselle wallet, $105). And it ain't called "Giselle" for nothing.

Putting the Elle in Ellington

Sometimes a girl just needs pockets. Ellington Leathers gets that. Their new Carryall Tote ($76, Ellington Leathers, 1533 NW 24th Ave., 1-800-736-1222) has room for anything and everything. Boasting clean lines, magnetic strap closures and 12 full-width pockets, plus a sprightly color combo of complementary chocolate and lime, this tote is one-style-fits-all.

Safe for Japan

Adidas used to make safetywear in Japan. Replicas of the originals include a military-style jacket with swappable patches ($110-$200, Adidas Originals, 1039 NW Couch St., 223-3109). Great for nuclear cleanups or coffee spills.

What a Catch!

Add some spunk to that little black dress with Beth Orduna's Cotton Cord and White Topaz Earrings ($308, Twist, 30 NW 23rd Place, 224-0334 and other locations). Large loops of black cord interweave dangling 14K and sterling chains. A mix of knots and ties makes these earrings a smashing combination with an updo for rockin' out on New Year's Eve.

Double Whammy

Treat your high-strung sis to a massage or facial at Portland Spa and Boutique during the holiday season ($50-$120, Portland Spa and Boutique, 0315 SW Montgomery St., Suite 390, 222-0105) and—get this—YOU score your choice of a free Blackberry 8700, Blackberry Pearl or Sidekick 3. That's a $400 value (not to mention your sister's undying gratitude) all in one.

FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORED

Even if your child is wailing about that coal in his stocking, he can still look the part of an angel. Deck your child the nice way with holiday knits for him and a set of earplugs for you. He'll thank you later as he dresses his way to success.

Smitten Mittens

If only these came in adult sizes (sigh). Alas, NYC-based Oeuf creates picture-perfect design solely for the little ones. But that means dressing 'em up all cute. Who could resist the Hug-Me Sweater ($88, oeufnyc.com)? Even if you have to wrestle this onto your persnickety pumpkin, it's worth it. These knitted alpaca pullovers give emphasis to sewn-in, mitten-shaped pockets in front, proposing to save the future lost mittens of the world. Loop on a striped Oeuf Neckie, ($33), a Euro-inspired, gently fastening baby scarf, and your tot just might look more chic than you.

Conphorm

Created with supernatural design in mind, the Um Tote ($90, Lucid, 1720 NW Lovejoy St., 241-0539) is a functional free-for-all, two-step piece of fashionable machinery. Unzipped, it lies flat (lending the utmost of space for travel in your already overwhelmed suitcase). Once zipped, it forms a fully efficient design piece. The Um collection is available in three unique shapes and sizes; economically friendly gray, pressed felt made from 85 percent wool and 15 percent mixed fibers; and posh-colored zippers—all of which help sustain the ever-evolving fashion universe.

Dream a Little Dream for Me

Local online purveyor Sock Dreams, that trove of all things tootsie-warmth-related, is also a savior of feet. Slide on these bad boys when you get home from work and your puppies will soon forget what you put them through all day. The New Zealand Bed Socks ($12, sock-dreams.com) are like a toasty fireplace burning solely for yours truly. The O Chevrons ($10, pictured, above), knee-highs with old-school chevron detailing, bring back the good old days when Britney Spears was merely a pigtailed, uniformed chick dancing in the halls of a private school.

We Be Jammin'

These organic Under the Nile red-and-white-striped jammies ($22, Babyworks, 2537 NW Upshur St., 224-4696) are ideal for everyday rumbling and tumbling, but even more apropos for tearing through wrapping paper on Christmas morning. With environmentally friendly fibers grown and dyed with natural colors in Egypt, these babies will keep your wee one in a bundle of comfort. While you're at it, snuggle 'em into a pair of Robeez cush winter slip-on booties ($34). They're basically baby Uggs on the cheap (but just as cute).

Green Eggs and Ham

If you're lucky enough to get your finicky wee ones dressed up and ready for the holidays without a super-duper tantrum, take full advantage of it and suit 'em up in the unbelievably adorable wears of Egg & Avocado (Black Wagon, 3964 N Mississippi Ave., 916-0000). For the little man: the Steve khaki blazer ($50) and matching Pat slacks with pumpkin-colored, complementary screen-printed pockets and stitching ($46). For the sweet little miss: the Chloe plum babydoll tunic with neon-pink screenprinted frills ($45) and matching Audrey capelet ($48). They'll look so cutesy, you just might risk the gravy stains.

WEB-ONLY FASHION:

Arch Support

Winter months make feet smell, crack and wrinkle. Give them a brief reprieve with 30 minutes of hot-stone massage ($45, The Foot Bar and Body Bar, 909 NW 13th Ave., 224-0292). Click your heels and go.

Ready...Set...Pamper

If you don't have the moolah to dish out for a full-fledged spa experience but would love a mini pick-me-up at a mini price, Pharmaca (13 NW 23rd Place, 226-6213) offers five specialized a la carte treatments all under $35 bucks. Choose from a 30-minute European facial ($35), a 20-minute Healing Scalp and Neck Treatment ($20), a 20-minute Toning and Firming Eye Treatment ($20), a complimentary 10-minute skin analysis (read: free) or a 15-minute make-up application ($15). So quick you can give it a whirl on your lunch break, yet so cheap it makes for guiltless pampering.

100-Percent Human Tested

With serene packaging and pure, effective products, local woman-owned and -operated beauty line Emerita lends an artsy, poetic aesthetic to skin care. Try the Skin Brightener ($29.99, Pharmaca, 13 NW 23rd Place, 226-6213), an organic silky, hydrating gel that smoothes and evens skin tone with vitamin C, sesame-seed oil and aloe vera. Or lather on the Embody Skin Conditioning Massage Oil ($11.99), a paraben-free, all-natural, antioxidant-infused liquid armor that helps damaged skin increase its resistance to future dryness.

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WWeek 2015