City Guide Portland, OR

Grab an organic latte, hop a streetcar and shop this famously alternative—and beautiful—city's surprisingly worldly boutique scene. (Bonus: There's absolutely zero sales tax.)

Blake

When Blake Nieman-Davis moved his denim shop to a former Smith & Hawken, he kept the greenhouse and doubled his stock of Joe’s, RRL and Mother jeans. The shop is an enduring favorite, as is its owner, who’s now running for mayor.

26 NW 23rd Pl., 503-222-4848, loveblake.com

Animal Traffic

The best of the  West is packed into this Mississippi Avenue vintage spot,  a converted dance  hall featuring a blend of old (’60s Pendleton blankets, ’70s fringe vests) and new (chunky wool  socks, Minnetonka moccasins).

4000  N. Mississippi Ave.,  503-249-4000

Machus

Some thought  Justin Machus was crazy to close his popular men’s shop Local35, but his edgy, coed follow-up—with its androgynous-cool assortment of Black Crane tees and Nudie skinny jeans—is  fast becoming an  east side hot spot.  

542 E. Burnside St., 503-206-8626, machusonline.com

Magpie

Petticoats and top hats from the ’30s abound at this packed vintage destination. But amongst the costumey bits, we found well-priced treasures, like a ’70s buffalo plaid jacket ($36) and a ’50s tamale red slipdress ($26).

520 SW Ninth Ave., 503-220-0920

Tender Loving Empire

Portland’s blossoming DIY movement is  on full display at  this locavore shop featuring music  by Oregon bands Typhoon and Radiation City, Betsy & Iya chandelier earrings and  Livable Style mini moss terrariums.  

412 SW 10th Ave., 503-243-5859, tenderlovingempire.com

Solestruck

With its jet black walls and trippy light-table display shelves, this shoe shop could double as a disco. To Be Announced glitter booties and Jeffrey Campbell velvet platforms enhance the nightclubby tone.

417 SW 13th Ave., 503-224-3591, solestruck.com

Frances May

Named for the owners’ family matriarch, a former schoolteacher, this downtown indie-designer boutique offers uniform-hip wearables (Wood Wood smock dresses, A.P.C. slickers, Dieppa Restrepo oxfords) dangling price tags that look like grade-school flash cards.

1013 SW Washington St., 503-227-3402, francesmay.com