Go figure.
People must think so little of this State if they don't have any personal experience with it. Not that Logging is bad by any means (we should definitely be proud of our Commerce here!) but, it just perpetuates the stereotype that Oregon is a bunch of Hippie, Outdoorsy, Tye-Dye wearing freaks who drink Coffee and discuss environmental causes.
{I secretly wish I could wear this for Outdoor ventures via Jason Christopher Photography}
"You're from Oregon, what do you do out there? Eat Granola?!?"
Grrr... nothing bothers me more. Of course we have our odd sections of town- and YES, there is a Hippie population here but also a Fashionista culture as well if you want to find it. Most of the people in my life love Couture, Fine Dining, Cocktail Dresses and Fashion Shows as much as they love to go for Runs on our coastline or Ski our Mountains. It's NOT all Granola here.
However, I will concede...of course, that the rumors are true about Fleece/Outerwear. Pacific Northwesterners LOVE their fleece to sad degree... there is no exaggeration on that part. I too even have my own section of closet devoted solely to North Face.
{Miranda and Me: Sporting the North Face as I walk the Coastline at night in Seaside, OR}
However, it's like the metaphor Cher on Clueless uses about drugs:
"It is one thing to spark up a doobie and get laced at parties, but it is quite another to be fried all day.
Same can be said about fleece, there's a FINE LINE between those who wear fleece during proper Northwest outdoor events: Camping, the Coast, Skiing, Hiking, Cabin weekends.
... and those who wear fleece at downtown dinner events or to work at their office-a line I would sooner die than cross. I don't believe most North Face or Columbia Sportswear pieces belong in the office (if you're reading this and star in that Logging show I watched last night, these rules need not apply to you).
{Palin doing the Fleece right, she's in a Cabin. Not in the middle of Downtown. What a good Pacific Northwesterner (This is not a political post: I'm talking Fashion reasons ONLY people!)}
And here's where my pet peeve comes into play: those who wear Utilitarian, outdoor coats over their otherwise cute office outfits. Nothing makes the hair on my arm raise more than an outfit like this:
{Ann Taylor sure can style a gal, can't she?}
Topped off with this because it's cold:
{Cute? Yes, very much so. Just wear them offroading and not at the workplace}
How about INSTEAD of wearing wildly inappropriate outerwear into the office, you consider some semblance of this approach:
{Uber chic, uber haut- fashion coats that keep you warm and add that va-va-voom to your outfit}
{Images above via Forever 21- here and here}
{3 images above- Upper left: Puffer Coat, Juicy Couture-utilitarian AND adorable, Upper Right: Max Mara- great outfit - would be ruined with Fleece. Bottom: of course the girls know how to rock the fashionable winter coats.}
So that's enough disgruntlement for the day.
Just remember that a chic, long work coat with an umbrella is wonderful for the office (and easily found everywhere in every price range)... a jacket you would wear skiing or hiking- IS NOT!
Time to make some Granola and drink some Coffee...
Have a great day everyone! :)
37 comments:
Love Carrie's fur bolero thing. I am a firm believer in good and many many coats! :)
OMG! you are too funny!!
yes its true that we live in a city that its acceptable {not that its ok..} to wear JEANS to the symphony.... Errrrr..
this buggs...
I wear NF to the mtn and a black trench to OBA!
proper attire POEOPL!!
living in cali never requires massive outerwear, which is a bummer since i can never really get enough wear out of my coats.
Love Max Mara and your Clueless analogy!
Fab post, darling!
xoxox,
CC
You have such a great way of writing. What is it you are actually doing?
Liked the post a lot. You are so right: Fleece is good- but you need to draw a line where it is inappropriate
*Nathalie
you would HATE my daily outfits to work. Track Jackets, Fleeces, Hoodies and sneakers. Uber chic. If I'm dressed otherwise my co-workers say "let me guess, book club? happy hour? hot date?" hahahaha. but i work in the couv, what chu expect?
I so agree with you. : )
those coats!!! ahh I'm in love...sadly ( goodly) I live in good old AZ where everyone walks around in a light sweater, or long sleeved shirt, jeans and flip flops on Christmas!
Caitlin, I definitely agree with you. Those jackets meant for skiing and hiking should be used as such. But I love North Face. My pink backpack is North Face. That red coat from Forever 21 is so pretty, I tried it on a couple of days ago and I really looked fabulous in it. Too bad, it's the last on stock and there was some minor damage in the cloth so I didn't buy it.
PS... let me know if you got my mail. I sent it last Friday. xoxo
Ha ha, couldn't agree more! I love your Cher quote - very appropriate and I love the cute winter coats that they make available for us office girls. Forever21 is wonderful if you want to save some $$ an still look great!
You crack me up! I make a lot of judgements but notsomuch oregon, though i did once consider a school there and wondered if i could live there. It is west coast after all so i already got mad love for you :)
Love the SATC image. That is one of my favorite carrie ensembles.
I'm with you on the fleece tip!
Too funny...
I have a different opinion of Oregon than you mention because I have some chic friends up there. Also because I live in a land of polar fleece and granola! And no there is style lurking out there somewhere.
Holly
I'll admit it...I would rather freeze than wear an ugly coat. Hence the reason why I'm always sick. But...at least I look cute!! :)
granola sounds good
and i love that plaid f21 jacket, really chic, love the sheen on the fabric
thanks for sharing as always
and thanks for the lovely comments, i really appreciate it
-cma
COSMICaroline.blogspot.com
totally agree on this one. oh noes to northface fleeces over cute worky outfits.
lol... well said... I agree with you. I love it when someone somtimes take the words right out of my mouth, then I do not have to rant and rave so much... :-)
Thanks for leaving a thought on my last post, appreciate your input.
Colin.
oh my word, did you just use a cher reference in regard to FLEECE?! BWAHAHAA! i love you already! and you're absolutely right! but i have to admit... i don't own one piece of fleece!!
hahah im with ya on the jackets ! i dont know what it is about forever 21, but they make the prettiest red jackets. i saw this one red jacket that i HAD to have, but they never had it in my size. boo :(
xx lue
Hmmm. I don't own anything fleece as i live in very hot Manila but you guys get the chance to wear those fab coats everyday which we can't!
I sooooo wish there was a Forever 21 store in Manila. I'm doing my Dear Santa early this year then!
Great, great post!
I hate stereotipes. Being from Russia, I can really understand your frustration about the topic (I still get ridiculous questions about weather, vodka and mafia, even from closer friends). Love the first picture, btw!
Darling, I love your blog! I lived in Washington state for a while so I know exactly where you are coming from....
Baci xoxo
Rachel
haha my cousin used to live in oregon before & she didn't fall into the stereotype either. great post! <3
Oh I couldn't agree more, why would anyone want to cover up their cute innerwear with an outerwear that looks like that!! LOL!
OH-EM-GEE! I couldnt agree with you more about the whole, wearing a super cute outfit topped off with a freakin northface! Nothing looks worse! But I do love me some northface. Wish I could afford one for myself!
funny
fab post.
i totally agree!! there are so many coats out there to choose from why that fleece?! i would wear that to the gym over my workout clothes and that's about it! ;)
have a great day lovely!!
lol, I agree with you 100% it really bothers me. It is like high water pants I fringe when I see it.
Never been to Oregon, but 'logger' isn't the first thing I think of when I think of Oregon. But, I must confess, 'microbrews' might be. But that's not a bad thing, right?
hahaha!! you crack me up! to be honnest, what have heard from Oregon is that people are really cool and everybody got tattoos, which is fine by me! don't worry about what people assume...being french, i get tagged with so many cliches...!
i wear a cute fleece under my coat when it gets cold...is that ok?? and ok..i'll be honnest, at the weekend i love my uggs and my fleece...
muah!
You're speaking my language! One thing I used to see all the time when I commuted to the city was people wearing 'commuting shoes' with fab office outfits. Full on gym trainers, Crocs, Ugg boots and wellies, paired with seamed stockings, form fitting pencil skirts and pussybow blouses! Argh!
Oregon is pretty fabulous...as are you!!!;)
I hate when people have prejudices against my home. I'm from Czech Republic and a lot of non-european people don't even know where it is!
I'd really like to visit Oregon, I love everything where hippies are mentioned :)
haha! love this post:) i haven't had a chance to really explore oregon, but i heard it's gorgeous out there!! i love north face, too, but i agree, fleece shouldn't be worn over an office attire if u have other appropriate jackets hehe i have no doubt that oregon has fabulous and chic people:) i mean, come on...they have fab bloggers like u around!:D
TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com
i was just in portland in november and i can honestly say it is a fun and stylish town. i loved it and had a blast! you're lucky to live there!
megan
asuitcaseandstilettos.blogspot.com
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