How to Dress Like a Portland Mom

practical, chic basics, a few preppy pieces, neutral colors, comfortable, relaxed denim, and thrift finds

I’ve been observing, studying, and walking the streets of Portland with my son in his stroller to report on How to Dress Like a Portland Mom. Portland Oregon to be exact, the PNW (Pacific North West). If you are familiar with this city then you know it’s weird, eclectic, and always interesting—but that’s for an entirely different post.

This post is a spin-off from my time in Spain, where I reported on: How to Dress Like a Spanish Mom. Now, let’s be clear about one thing, the Portland mom is completely opposite in style. Think of her as the yin to the Spanish mom’s yang.

The Portland Mom

There are various sub groups of parents in the city. You have your outdoor enthusiasts, granola hippies, and the urban parents. For this post I’m focusing on the urban city dwellers. The ones you’ll spot at the neighborhood coffee shop with a matcha in hand, booking dinner reservations, browsing the aisles at New Seasons, and hosting casually chic dinner parties for all her friends. They are the more the merrier vibe.

Meet Daniella, the mother of all mothers. She’s a twin mom, working full time as a physical therapist in the ICU, my bestie, and originally from the East Coast (walking the streets of Brooklyn during her college days). She’s now a Portland city mom through and through.

How to Dress

Let’s take Daniella’s look and break it down into a formula you can follow—if you want to dress like a Portland mom.

• practical - comfortable outfits that work both for the park and a lunch date

• relaxed - she is not over the top and her look is easy and attainable to achieve

• chic basics - cotton tee, cami tank, cashmere sweater, blue jeans

• accessories - thin gold or silver necklaces, bangles, or beads, and a belt

• statement pieces - just a few pieces - a fun pair of pants or a cool shoe

• preppy staples - layer with polos, sweater vests, or a button down

• pops of color - subtle and sticking more to the colors of nature (blues, greens, yellows)

• pants - slightly oversized and baggy - cargo pants, boyfriend style, and barrel jeans

• shoes - Nike or New Balance sneakers, loafers, flip flops, clogs and a mule

• thrifted & vintage - she will always be wearing at least one piece that is second hand

• black and fitted tops - subtly nodding to'90s Kate Moss

• she immediately brings to mind peak Friends-era, Monica & Rachel

• are you more of a Monica or a Rachel? any Phoebes currently reading this piece?

Outfit Formula: cotton tee + sweater vest + cargo pants + belt + fisherman sandal = Portland Mom

Outfit Formula: black tank + gold thin necklaces + fun pant + leather flip flops = Portland Mom

Outfit Formula: black strapless dress + jelly flat + bangles = Portland Mom

A Day in the Life

The Portland mom is laid back. She comes across as your type B go with the flow persona, but behind the effortless cool is a type A brain that runs like clockwork. Plants are over flowing their home and the fridge is filled with organic food and pasteurized (ok!) whole milk. The children get outside everyday, toes in the dirt and grass.

A typical Saturday for the urban Portland parents looks something like this. A specialty drink plus breakfast burritos from the coffee shop that’s right around the corner from their house. Then a quick friend and kid meet up at the neighborhood park. Head home for afternoon naps. Dinner by 5pm with a glass of skin contact orange wine. Early bedtime because Portland is a sleepier city.

Tell me in the comments!

• Are you more of a Portland mom or Spanish mom?

• If you could be one Friends character who would it be?

• What’s a staple in your wardrobe?

Spilling the Tea is a free blog that brings me so much joy to share with you all. If you feel so inclined there’s a link below to treat me to a coffee. I’m a tired AF mother. Thank you! Coffee

Besos,

Kate