Pike Place

Having gone through a bit of a drought in regards to blog posts, I strayed from my usual form to acquire the photo for this one. I didn't get a chance to ask her permission; I just snapped the picture. I think it goes without saying that it was a picture worth taking.

This gentleman was found relaxing at Pike Place Market on a Saturday afternoon. I think that the nonchalance with which he carries himself really helps to pull off this outfit. If his vest and shorts were more pristine, the t-shirt would have seemed an odd choice, but they seem to work with the level of wear that they've acquired. Not visible in the picture are an equally distressed pair of chocolate-colored boat shoes.

Two For One!

This afternoon at the Seattle Cheese Festival, which was absolutely fabulous, I had the pleasure of encountering numerous well-dressed individuals. Even better, I got to photograph a few of those shining examples of how one ought to dress. These two girls have both got very different things going on, but they're both executing them terrifically.

Our friend on the left, with a knowing smirk, has a look that hearkens back to childhood. Her floral dress and brown oxfords are reminiscent of a young girl whose mother has dressed her for church on Sunday morning. With unruly hair, a cardigan that is just snug enough, and a small leather bag, she has brought a sense of maturity to her youthful attire.

Meanwhile, in bronze flats and a striped cardigan, her companion has a look that is a bit more mature. She also seems to be a bit more flattered by having her picture taken, as evidenced by her telling grin. Her look is more subtle, and her accessories more ordinary, but that doesn't make her any less stylish. The wash of her denim is dark, with whiskered fading at the thighs. The fit is flattering and stylish. Her bag is a cream color, but it works well with her sweater and undershirt. Overall, her look is more simplistic.

Anyone can dress well, and there are an infinite number of ways to do it. Here's hoping that you can find your look.

Trend Spotlight: Hipsteria

Here at the Dean's List we don't really believe in the word, "hipster." We think it's a dead and wholly non-descript word to describe the collective fashion cognizance of the Pacific Northwest. Hipsterism is obviously a vital, moving force in the PNW -- such to the point that we might call this movement "Hipsteria."

But to use this word so liberally to describe PNW fashion -- well, it's like saying that the sun is sunny, that Darth Vader is dark -- these things aren't contestable.

So when it comes to the newest profile to grace the Dean's List, rather than employ the operative description he most often hears, we'll instead say what we appreciate happening here: a skinny-legged pant in light denim -- a crisp, retro-throwback, especially paired here with a clean, most unpretentious, subtly-striped sneaker. The true-Americana look achieved by the tennis shoes-tight denim combo paints a nice contrast with the double-breasted, Euro-inspired jacket. The juxtaposition here is quiet, but acknowledged and fully endorsed by the Dean's List.

Natural Style

For some, dressing well is a conscious decision followed by a series of smaller, but equally important decisions regarding what constitutes being well-dressed and how to go about being well-dressed. For others, fashion and style come together naturally. These people dress well not as a result of conscious decisions, but as a matter of instinct. For this young man, the ability to pair bright colors with understated denim and cowboy boots is as obvious as breathing. As his picture was being taken, he asked with sincerity and surprise, "I look good?"

Red Square Debonair

William Nichols is notorious on WWU's campus for his dapper sense of dressing that typically features straight-legged khakis or denim, a conservative sweater or cardigan paired with an oxford, with his impressive cognac leather messenger slung across. Will's style is in fact so popular that he recently found himself the subject of a Craigslist personal missed connections ad reading:

You were in my discussion group on friday. You have reddish hair and were wearing a grey tshirt and navy blue cardigan. I have dark hair and was wearing my work shirt. You are cute beyond words. I doubt you'll see this, but I just wanted to put it out there. Maybe next class period you could sit next to me.

Alex is a student at Edmonds Community College who really seems to know what he's doing, or at least he does when he gets dressed in the morning. Everything about him suggest that he does as he pleases, from the weathered condition of his suede kicks to the disheveled manner in which he wears his shirts and cut-offs. Speaking of cut-offs, I appreciate his decision to pair cut-offs with a sweater; it's a look that's almost essentially Washingtonian, more fashionable than socks and sandals, but equally as effective for handling the fickle weather patterns of the Pacific Northwest.