Planning my trip out to Portland, months in advance, I definitely had surveying vintage shops on the itinerary. Portland has a great variety of shops to hit up and thank goodness, I stopped in the ones that I did. I had so much fun and even brought back a few things for Rare Bird:
Vintage drink stirrers from Portland’s Flamingo Hotel
Some of the shops I visited were appetite shop+studio, SMUT, Pop-up Shoppe, and one of my faves, Lulu’s Vintage:
1. Appetite had a lot of lovely handprinted fabric accessories like pillows, towels, bags, etc., but also vintage industrial/office pieces, home decor and more. I fell in love with the retro clocks, office supplies, desk lamps… I stayed so long just trying to figure out what to buy! Feeling overwhelmed by the awesome choices (and that I was a creepy lingering shopper), I just left empty handed.
Image from appetitesite.com
2. SMUT was also a great store, just around the block or so (Burnside Street area). It had so many vintage items to sort through, that I like to call them “smalls”: matchbooks, drink stirrers, pennants (all of these aforementioned, I bought and brought back). They also had lots of 60s/70s/80s kitschy items like board games, Playboy magazines, records and more. One guy found a metal “wood grain” printed picnic basket for his girlfriend’s birthday. The sweet gal behind the counter took it the next level and suggested he put lunch in it. He was super excited about this idea.
Image from mycityantiquing.org
3. Pop-up Shoppe was in the Nob Hill neighborhood/Alphabet District where we were staying. I loved that area. The outside of the store certainly grabbed my attention and the inside was a long corridor of vintage stacked wall to wall, floor to ceiling. It was very bohemian with vintage clothing, accessories, collectibles, and more, from all eras.
Image from Pop-Up Shoppe FB page
4. And lastly, was Lulu’s Vintage in downtown Portland, near the famous Powell’s bookstore. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner Anne and having a quick chat. Her shop is definitely “a clean & colorful boutique with an artful array of Vintage for Men & Women” … also carrying “locally created cards and gift items, Pre de Provence soaps, and Illume candles.” I bought a gorgeous vintage black necklace, some pressed/printed Portland bridges postcards, and an assorted paper ephemera fun pack.
Image from lulusvintage.com
Anne also has another great and informative website called Shop Vintage Portland, a “map & guide to vintage, retro & antique businesses and events in Portland, Oregon”. This is a great resource, so be sure to use it in your next vintage PAC NW excursion.
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Hope y’all enjoyed my vintage tour in Portland! Shop these stores online or visit in person.
It’s been a real treat,
Hand on Hip 