“If you want to handcraft shoes in America, you do it in Maine.” - Oak Street Bootmakers via Selectism
For me, these guys really live up the stereotype of the Maine man. Exhibit a: Buffalo plaid, whether it’s on a Maine Guide Shirt or used as a jacket lining. Exhibit b: Roughed up looking boots including the perennial Maine Hunting Shoe. Exhibit c: Interesting facial hair. I’m a fan of the ‘stache. Well done boys! Just look at the woman in the background - clutching her chest to be in the presence of such manly men!
Lucky for me, Portland has no shortage of talented photogs willing to spare an hour of their day in the quest for style spotting. I met up with Bryan Bruchman, the guy behind HillyTown. You probably know him, since most people we photographed did. Apparently, he’s pretty popular in these parts.
We found Timmy, who works at Rogues Gallery, in front of Longfellow Books. I loved his Buddy Holly-esque specs - very retro, very geek chic. Sporting a pair of new leather Signature boots and an L.L.Bean hunting jacket, the canteen around his neck was decidedly not new. He bragged that he’s had it for over seven years and later that day, oh the irony, he lost it. But not to worry, sources tell us his beloved canteen was found again. We’ll dedicate this post in memoriam…just in case.
Photos: Bryan Bruchman
And we’re back on the streets! Did you miss us? Let’s get to it!
We met the lovely Jenny, a hairstylist at Akari, on Free Street. Though she doesn’t wear her Storm Chaser Boots at work, she does rely on them as soon as she’s out the door. They look even cuter with her replacement red laces.
There’s nothing sleeker than a fitted white t-shirt tucked into a high-waisted skirt. She found this lacy, black Ann Taylor skirt at Find. Her military green jacket will definitely get her through Spring and I sense we’ll be seeing lots of these on the street.
Joy Engel, a native Cape Elizabethean, recently returned to her Maine roots after living in Brooklyn and San Francisco. She graciously welcomed us into her apartment, offered up a glass of wine and lead us into her closet, which she describes as “about the size of my San Fran apartment”. It boasts everything from sequin dresses, a bevy of scarves, an ice skater skirt and her beloved LoveME tshirt. This public affairs guru has a tumblr that you probably read and a twitter account that you probably follow. She’s also totally onto the “dead birds mystery in Arkansas.”
Thanks so much to Joy for letting us snoop around!
While Nate and I were perched in one of our usual spots, we happened to notice an impromptu fashion shoot going on behind us. These close friends and students were trying out an early Christmas gift - a fancy new SLR - and were using the Old Port as their backdrop.
We interrupted their photo session and took note of their cozy chic knee-high boots and colorful cold weather accessories. Hot pink gloves, plaid earmuffs, a teal scarf and a pretty plum coat were the highlights of this moddish quartet.
Here’s a photo we barely got (I think Nate took it without looking through the lens) of a group of friends strolling down Congress Street. It’s hard to tell what the weather was like, based on this snap: fringed Minnetonka boots, red peep toe flats, purple high top converse sneakers and cowboy boots.
It’s nice to see a group of young gal pals with different personalities and styles hanging around the arts district.
We bumped into this cute pair on the corner of Exchange and Commercial. He looked the part of a Mid-Coast Maine boy, hoodie across plaid clad shoulders, with worn in hiking boots. She looked classically layered in leggings topped with knee-high socks and purple boots. A scarf and a Van-Gogh styled umbrella lent a hint of practicality for the spring months, must be a Maine girl.
How long have you lived in Portland?
Two weeks!
So you’re a newbie?
Yes. But I’m from Maine originally. I had been traveling for awhile and decided to come back.
What brought you back?
Nowhere else is as cool. Plus, I was always coming back for vacations so I figured I might as well live here.
