Fresh faced and braving the cold, spotted on Middle Street.
If there’s one thing that always gets my attention on the streets, it’s a strong brow. (Thanks Brooke Shields). Bryan and I spotted this Siempre Mas shopkeeper hanging bags in front of the store. This former model was sporting three essential wardrobe pieces: black jeans, a plain white tee and a leather jacket. The pop of color around her neck (from Siempre Mas of course) was the plaid icing on the cake. Plus, she was my first flip-flop spotting of the season. Maybe Spring isn’t so far away after all.
Photos: Bryan Bruchman / Hillytown
What is it about the icon of our great state that looks so good? The rocky coastline? The unique shape? Either way, it looks even better in plaid. Bethany Hayes-Chute, the artist behind By Bethany, has been screen printing her own designs for two years. Her Maine tee’s have a rustic, sketched out feel and her New England tees are the newest hybrid (not on her site yet - but they’ll be at The Big Thaw!) All her shirt designs are hand-printed on apparel made in the U.S. So is her plaid state of Maine trying to get at something? “I wasn’t trying to say that everyone in Maine wears plaid - but I guess it is kinda true!” she says.
This art school aficionado (she’s gone to MECA, Pratt and Mass Art) doesn’t just stick to Maine garb. There’s also her creature shirts, jewelry, floral designs and New England tote bags (just $12) that round out her array of goods. You can buy her goods online or visit her table at The Big Thaw. You can bet her table of t’s will be perfectly folded thanks to Nate - he taught her to fold them the “Martha Stewart” way during our visit.
I’ve spotted Betsy everywhere around Portland - from ordering bagels at One Fifty Ate to riding her bike across the Casco Bay Bridge. She’s one of those girls that knows how to straddle the line between cozy and stylish perfectly. Her swingy striped tunic was the perfect foreshadow for spring. A layer of tights, knee socks and short vintage boots kept the rest of her snug because let’s be honest, there’s still a nip in the air.
(Big congrats to Betsy who got engaged the day after we took this photo!)
Ashley Jordan of the blog Sweet William is one of the best dressed gals we’ve seen on the streets of Portland. And we’ve seen lots of ‘em. We first spotted her back when this blog was just a baby and were thrilled to find such a superb personal style blog based in our beloved city. It’s hard not to be inspired by her Goodwill finds, versatile combinations, bargain shopping savvy and cute hairstyles. Her closet doesn’t disappoint. While she lets her boyfriend Terry store his wardrobe in their bedroom closet, her clothes are artfully organized among garment racks, storage bins and a steamer trunk. You’ll die a little at the 1:18 mark when you see how she organizes her outfits during the week. Genius.
A huge thanks to Ash and Terry for letting us swing by their closets - and stay tuned for an added SNEAK PEEK today!
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!
Headed to a Bard Coffee holiday party (recognize your barista?) on coordinating bikes, this duo didn’t let the cold keep them from a mid-afternoon cruise. She was sensibly dressed in a black parka and a knee-length skirt. (Take note, ladies: Miniskirts are never appropriate cycling attire.) We loved his camel toggle coat and bright red pop-top mittens. His dapper newsboy cap was a stylish alternative to the blaze orange knit we often spot on the streets.
