What to Wear in Portland City: Dress Code & What Not To Wear

Come to take a trip to the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon with great confidence. We’ve got some basic clothing tips to help you enjoy yourself to the fullest. But first of all, you need to find out the dress code of the Portlanders here. It differs a bit as it comes to clothing. How come? 

Once entering the city, the first thing that comes up to your mind “I’ve just come back to the 1990s for real.” In this article today, we shall reveal the common and practical outfit that every citizen loves to fit in. Do not forget to get ready with the changeable weather as well. On a casual day, men and women tend to choose their typical outfits as below:

What Are Essential Items for Portland Vacation?

• Rain shoes or hiking boots
• Light jacket 
• Sunscreen
• Cozy hat
• Triathlon Watches
• Stretchy pants or shorts 
• Long-sleeved tee
• Wool socks
• Fleece sweatshirt
• Backpack
• Deodorant wipes
• Raincoat
• Guidebook 

What Not to Wear in Portland City?

Don’t wear uncomfortable shoes

Since this is your chance to explore the city on foot, it’s not good to go round sightseeing in uncomfortable shoes. It doesn’t matter if you intend to spend most of your time in the city or the suburbs, taking shoes that are likely to leave you a painful swelling won’t be a smart option. Try to bring some waterproof flip-flops and comfy shoes. 

Don’t take suede or leather 

Due to the rainy season of Portland, it’s good to bring rain gears along. Never think of wearing any piece of clothing made of suede or leather in such weather conditions. It consists of footwear like the non slip shoes, purses, clothes, and more. Rain will inflict some serious damage to these items and destroy a costly piece of your own. 

Don’t pack formal outfits 

One of the most common reasons why you can’t pack formal attire is that Portland is a hipster place. In other words, putting formal clothes on your body only draws unexpected attention to yourself. So if you don’t have any intention of spending the entire time at galas, forget about tuxedos and dresses. 

What to Wear: Women’s Outfit in Portland

Jacket 

You can select the Nano Storm Jacket to handle colder weather conditions. It’s made of lightweight and stretchy material, so you’ll feel more comfortable putting it on in summer. That’s alright to wear a Slick Jacket since it looks classy, waterproof, and highly breathable. 

Apart from that, you need a jacket with the Insuloft wadding underneath. This feature can keep every part of your body as warm as possible. The coat surely works perfectly even when you get wet. Besides, it would be better to have a high collar to protect yourself from strong wind. 

Tops and layers 

Women love plain white or black tees here, especially the performance tops. They usually wear a stretch fleece hoodie after that. As you know, the climate here is unpredictable. In Portland, it rains a lot even in the summertime. Like any newcomer, you won’t get used to the Portland weather. Thus, we recommend you get well-prepared for anything that might come your way.

As mentioned above, try to take a rain jacket along with you and two layers during your visit to the coastal regions.

Pants 

Believe it or not, your casual look will be complete when you pop in a pair of quick-dry Skyler pants. It should be waterproof because it’s always wet outside. If you don’t like it, how about getting legging pants instead? A pair of denim leggings from Uniqlo sounds much better. If not, you can go for the Portland Bridges leggings. It’s not only cool-looking but also a great contribution to several gorgeous bridges of Portland.

Waterproof shoes

Prepare yourself with a pair of waterproof shoes like the Sorel Chelsea rainboots for example. These weather-friendly boots own the typical style of Sorel and enough protection for a casual design. They’re quite stylish and comfy boots that you’ll love. Another trendy pair you might love to invest in are Vasque Skywalk Backpacking boots. 

Those shoes get built to deliver high durability, comfort, and protection no matter how many trails and conditions you go through.

What To Wear: Men’s outfit in Portland

Jacket 

And do not miss getting a Duo Aspect Hoody as it acts as a light layer under your jacket on mild days ahead. Its Patagonia-exclusive Power Shield softshell on both back and shoulders can help prevent strong wind and harsh weather from annoying you. Better than that, we recommend you to opt for the one with a lower torso and side panels as well as sleeves to get the full warmth and breathability. 

Some hoodies feature a water repellent finish that keeps your body dry longer. All you need to do is hooding up or hooding down without velcro. This is an advantage over other jackets you might like, not to mention how it fits you well.

Tops and layers 

A performance tee is one of the best options for you, especially as it’s made of decent hemp fiber. The material is friendly to our environment without a doubt. According to experts, every one hectare of hemp absorbs more than 13,4 tons of carbon dioxide. Middle layers are the ideal choices to make if you want more layers. 

Those are the same as when you’re wearing a cardigan or a vest. After your top layer, go to pick up your outdoor coats and other accessories such as scarves or caps. The layers should own a bit of warmth and absorption. More importantly, you can slip over one or two shirts comfortably.

Pants 

For those who are searching for something comfortable and straight fit in street style, then don’t look away from Patagonia Performance jeans. This pair stands for something city-worthy design and outdoor performance that you might not find from other denim pants. More than expected, its fabric is a beautiful mixture of breathable cotton.

What we love the most about it would be the moisture-wicking Coolmax feature. It allows you to become more active even on the mountain. Apart from that, the pants’ slim fit looks as good as you expected. Also, select the pants with essential features for active outdoor activities, including waterproof and windproof characteristics.

Waterproof boots

It’s perfect to own a pair of Kodiak Magog boots that feel extremely cozy inside since it features 200 grams of Thinsulate insulation. Besides, its waterproof membrane is one of the best features you would love because it makes the shoes warmer inside. It also acts as a good waterproof boot for men. 

According to others, what they love the most about these boots is the leather or the way the material gets placed in the tongue. The waterproof leather upper is another bonus of these shoes since it contributes more to the boot’s entire comfort. If Magog is not your favorite, let’s consider Danner Mountain 600 Hiking boots instead. It mixes the classic style with a lightweight design.

What to Dress for Dinner/Nightlife in Portland

As the night comes, visitors will get to hit the dance clubs, bars, karaoke, comedy, restaurants, and other unwanted delights. The whole of Portland seems to stay alive once more with many live shows held through the city. At that moment, you will need some essential pieces of clothing to go for a vivid nightlife. Layering is always the key here, and a pair of light-washed denim pants won’t ever be a boring thing to look at.

If you want to look more active, let’s pick out the shorts and mix them with a pair of white leather sneakers or foldable flats. As it comes to tops or layers, you might love to wear a graphic-printed tee or a silk cami if you love to dress up more beautifully. It’s still up to you to select a T-shirt and pants, or a dress. For those who want to dip in pretty colors, then go for some Asian-influenced outfits.

Or it’s alright to hit the clubs or bar with a pleated skirt, or a colored summer dress. If not, you can try going for a sporty look by combining a basic matching bottom with a top. Like we said above, a silky cami dress covered by a long and delicate coat will be excellent choice. Well, Portlanders would love to enjoy a comfortable journey with sneakers, heels, or sandals.

Portland Packing List in Spring

We’re sure that a gorgeous scene from ferns to waterfalls will make you fall in love at first sight. All of these fantastic things make Portland a worth-to-visit destination for all visitors. There’s a packing list in Spring that you might like to take a sneak peek at. They’re all necessary items offering you a chance to transit from the big city to the forest. 

Hooded rain jackets 

We bet that your first impression of Portland is all about its overcast sky and rain. However, there aren’t many times you see people bringing umbrellas along with them on the streets. Instead, Portlanders tend to prevent showers by wearing hooded raincoats, like the snap-button jacket of Herschel Supply Company. 

In case you’ve got a water-resistant coat without a hood, it’s fine to add it to your attire with a portable hood. Simply save your umbrella for another occasion.\

Sweatshirts

Once stepping outdoors, layering is one of the smartest solutions everyone would love to apply to reality. This strategy allows you to become more stylish yet still comfortable during any activity level or weather change. Also, layering with a fleece sweatshirt is a popular way for all Portlanders to stay cozy in and outdoors. 

As you know, each of these fleece sweatshirts gets made from recycled plastic bottles. Thanks to that, you will get a softer feeling when wearing it as compared to others made of other materials. With such layering, you can stay comfortable and warm at the same time while being active in any condition. Well, it’s also a good way to feel like being a real Portlander.

Lightweight stretchy pants 

It’s time to combine sportswear with more formal accessories on-trend in this City. Don’t ignore some leggings made of breathable fabrics! They’re just perfect for you to go trekking on the Wildwood Trail in Oregon, Portland. If not, come to take a walk to dinner after that at a hot spot in your trendy leggings. Get Lululemon leggings that feature a built-in pocket to help you take your keys or smartphone with ease. 

This high-quality pair of leggings allow you to feel comfy throughout any dynamic activities. Besides, these are super relaxing while still keeping a strong aesthetic. Not only you but also many Oregonians choose these fresh summer pants for their casual days. It would be ideal to pair it with a blazer because you’ll be more fashionable than usual. Try them at once no matter the occasion. 

Modern rain boots 

Portland City is a perfect site for us to slip into funky footwear. Give it a shot with the waterproof boots of Jeffery Campbell if you like to show up in a sleek appearance. These modern boots come with chunky heels and a great abundance of colors for you to choose from. In such weather conditions, it’s better to keep both feet as dry as possible. 

The boots from Jeffrey Campbell are the best icons of Western-style. Thus, you want to follow this trend, invest in a pair now. These walking shoes get made modernly, particularly with Cuban heels and a padded upper for extra comfort. Feel free to put it on over a pair of yoga pants on the day of your walking. Choose those with stylish printed boots that will add flair to the whole outfit.

Daypacks 

Invest in a light and packable daypack for your downtown travel or Oregon’s exploration. Bring them along during your short-day hikes in the wilderness. Like other locals, let’s carry a bottle of water and food as well as some other items like a headlamp for instance. A light daypack ensures you stay comfy on the trail no matter how long it takes. It depends on you to grasp from basic to expensive models for hikes. 

More importantly, we suggest you purchase a functional pack with a pretty nice stretchiness. It also needs to own enough capacity for any longer adventure. The pack must be light and comfortable with a full load for your overnight trips.

Portland Packing List in Summer

Amongst seasons, Summer is probably the best time for Portland since it views most of the visitors. At this time, you only see little rain and longer days filled up with beautiful sunshine. Therefore, things make your packing easier than ever. Here, you still need to get along with a tee, some dresses, a pair of shorts, and summer sandals. Obviously, don’t miss taking your sunscreen cream and sunglasses along.

Apart from these, below are some essential items you can’t forget to carry during summertime:

Lifestraw bottle of water 

As you know, Oregon is an ideal state for everyone to explore nature. But while doing so, it’s hard for us to have clean and fresh water to drink. Thus, always carry a life straw bottle of water if possible. How come? It’s because these bottles are BPA-free and feature one filter that can filtrate every parasite and harmful bacteria effectively.

On every occasion, having a water bottle on travel is a nice option for everyone. It guarantees you have tight control over your drinking habit all day long.

Water shoes 

Except for sandals, owning a pair of water shoes is always a smart thing to do. Due to the rainy climate even in summer, things can be slightly muddy. If you choose hiking on terrain that isn’t too rocky, then we suggest you wear these pairs for smoother hikes. They will guard your feet against unwanted slips thanks to the outstanding traction.

Also, the shoes are fast to put on and facile to clean. It’s a sort of footwear that is exclusively designed for activities causing your feet to be wet. Kayaking is one of those activities. For those who don’t know, water footwear is made of mesh material and features one hard sole. This tends to dodge painful cuts and abrasions in rocky surroundings. Based on your activity, choose the right footwear fitting right for you!

Casual dress

You don’t have to find a suitable pair of weather-resistant pants at this time, but a comfy dress instead. Portland isn’t a famous place for the high-end and luxurious restaurants. But that doesn’t mean you can forget about packing a dress for a nightlife downtown. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a date out or you’re only seeking to grab a drink with the locals, give a dress a shot. 

Getting yourself a black and white striped dress is a nice thing to look trendy and active in front of others. We guess you might love it to come up with a dark rope tie to wrap around your waist. A long-sleeved dress is also a wonderful choice to make in summer. Stripes or off-the-shoulder types surely make you look classy all the time.

Deodorant wipes 

Throughout the summer months, Portland doesn’t become too hot, so don’t worry much about it. However, you should prepare a pack of deodorant wipes in case you sweat a bit when being here. By walking on the streets or sightseeing waterfalls, sweating is something you can’t avoid. Nothing is worse than smelling bad while hanging out with your friends and family.

There’s a time you get stressed about sweating. When it happens, throw some deodorant wipes into the pack and use it anytime you start feeling irritated. It’s wise to get the plant-based types. 

Portland Packing List in Fall and Winter 

In Portland, fall begins in October with colder nights and temperature changes. It’s also a relaxing month with mild weather and sunny days. In contrast, the winter comes in the city in Mid November and lasts till Mid March. The climate turns freezing many times for one or two days. It also rains a lot in these months, so prepare some rain gear beforehand.

Light and compact jacket 

Go for some puffy jackets when you have a chance to enter bars in the city. Pack the light, compact, and waterproof one to prevent cold weather. Or when setting off on the hikes, you must place it in the pack in case the temperature suddenly changes or the rain begins.

Water-resistant leggings

It’s always alluring to choose some pairs of fleece leggings. However, make sure that they’re water-resistant as well when you plan to head to the Columbia River Gorge. As you want to relax in bars in Portland, choose something casual to pair with your rain boots and a light jacket. 

Flannel shirt 

Go to style a flannel for a fall in Portland! Let’s buy one that makes you excited when approaching both fall and winter. It’s always best to wear a poetic flannel shirt during these times. By wearing it, you’ve got a chance to pair it with your favorite casual jeans for a better look. 

Once moving into fall with the temperature dropping, you can find yourself relying on a flannel tee as the first layer. In this case, you probably like to search for a cozier second layer. Well, a casual fleece-lined jacket is a common piece of clothing you can think of. Feel free to choose a full-zip or a quarter-zip one. This second layer naturally contributes a pretty color to your boldly patterned flannel shirt.

Hoverboard 

There’s something you don’t know about Portland is that its most popular transportation is bicycles. Locals love to ride bikes rather than drive through seasons. No matter if it rains or shines, bikes are what they use a lot in the city. But these bicycles are something hard to pack, so invest in a hoverboard instead! 

What to Wear in Portland in December?

From what you’ve heard about Portland, the weather is unpredictable. Thus, it’s hard to say whether it snows or rains even in December. The month of December gets recognized by its falling temperature. We recommend you pack more layered outfits, or carry some sweaters and coats on hand. 

You’re able to enjoy your journey with whatever you have, but never miss your warm jacket. Choose the North Face or the Under Armour coat. Along with these, bring a pair of wool socks, gloves, and muffs to get ready for any unexpected thing that the weather throws at you. Besides, remember to prepare a lightweight backpack for storing your stuff when you have to be out for long hours. 

Do not wear skinny jeans if you hate getting wet. Layers would be the key to saving you from all unwanted situations. Store your tank top, tee, sweater shirt, and more in your daypack. Also, get a pair of leggings if you start getting fed up with jeans. For shoes, do not try to be too fashionable. Use casual footwear only since it’s the most practical stuff.

What to Wear in Portland in January?

As it comes to choosing what to wear in January when visiting Portland, you should concentrate on relaxing patterns. Layering style is always the first choice. Since the city is a chill site with several lovely scenes, packing a spotty waterproof coat and a hat is a necessity. Keep your body warm on adventures with cropped jeans to fit the vivid vibe of Portland.

Next, a pair of comfortable sneakers would make things smoother than ever. This pair comes in handy whenever you reach outdoor regions around Portland. Apart from that, since this is the time when the grey weather sets off, select outfits with bright colors. Believe it or not, the color-schemed items make a difference. 

Shoes to Wear in Portland City

It’s alright to buy a pair of shoes with lining, but no special footwear is needed here. Like everyone else, you want to get well-prepared and would love to find some special shoes for comfort. What we suggest is to only bring some hiking shoes if you worry too much about the weather. Pick up your favorite one among reliable brands, such as North Face, Nike, Columbia, and so on. These work fine.

In case it rains hard, aims for casual footwear, or low-hiking shoes. As you want to be more stylish, consider putting on some leather shoes with low heels. These tend to last longer. If not, go for the water-repellant footwear.

Portland Outfits for Girls

A casual dress is a common option, but wearing vests is one of the common options for you, girls. In colder months, you need a cozy outerwear piece with sleeves. With such temperate conditions, vests are the ideal outfit to bring along. When the weather changes from rain to sunshine, layers are also another nice choice to make. 

For layering, cardigans are the perfect piece of clothing for you. As outerwear, you can store it in your bag as it becomes warmer. Besides that, sneakers will make a difference for you in Portland. Pick Nike as your streetwear like other people of the city.

Portland Outfits for Boys

Boys in the city now aim for natural beauty by choosing versatile designs. They must include practical and useful details. Most clothes should prioritize function and style, not to mention fabrics that should last long. Males nowadays get excited about premium basics, or a standard-fit button-up tee with one single chest pocket. 

The whole outfit needs to own a touch of stretch for extended movement. They go crazy about the classic shirt that is made of silky material. A modern and slim streetwear allures most of the young boys in Portland.  

FAQs

What do Portlanders usually wear every day?

They become more comfortable with casual streetwear, such as Mom jeans, a basic tee, a pair of sneakers, etc. For girls, they go for informal dresses like a t-shirt dress and a cami midi dress for example. You will see them wearing these on some special occasions. However, girls still love to put on tees, pants, sweatshirts, and sneakers.

What is Portland famous for?

A lot! Portland is famous for unique food trucks and carts that deliver high-end meals from different countries in the world. It’s also one of the few cities having several scenic bike trails. So you can have a great time going around the city behind handlebars. Also, it’s best known for local breweries in which each one is different to please your taste buds.

Is there a dress code in Portland? 

No, there isn’t. But everyone seems to dress nicely, which makes the whole ambiance more luxurious. That doesn’t mean you have to select formal attire. You still can wear jeans and follow street-style outfits. Make sure all of them look neat and clean. 

What is the best month for heading to Portland? 

It’s recommended to travel to beautiful Portland in September. This month offers you nice weather and allows you to explore more of the city. If not, you can come here from June to August since this is the ideal time for visitors to learn about its culture. 

What is a “Portland style”? 

Portland style is all about keeping dry feet and one-of-a-kind outfits. There are many amazing designers here throughout the boutiques in the east. Therefore, Portland is the best place where you can wear a classic skirt, Converse sneakers, or sporty flats. It’s also a great combination of old and new, practical and eccentric stuff.

In conclusion 

We bet that you’ve known what to wear in Portland City after reading this article. So carry your Mom’s jeans and comfy oversized tops along during your visit. Last but not least, check the weather before starting your trip. Doing so gives you some great ideas about what to wear appropriately.