My friend Lisa grew up in Portland. She swam for the MAC team
and graduated from Lincoln High. My friend Chris grew up here,
too. She rode her bike through the tree-lined streets of Eastmoreland
and attended Cleveland High. Both are now thirtysomething
women who have entirely different perceptions of the city
in which they came of age.
Blame it on the river. The Willamette bisects Portland
like a watery knife, creating two distinct regions, each
shaping and reflecting the people within. And like it or
not, at the end of the day the side of the river you end
up on speaks volumes about you. It's all about where you
go, how you get there and what you wear while you do it.
It's east side vs. west side. Let's see how this split-screen
drama plays out on both ends of the Burnside Bridge.
FASHION MUST-HAVE ITEM
EAST: Blissfully broken-in 501s from Jeans Dean
Exchange
WEST: Super-sexy Daryl K pants from Odessa
STATUS SWEAT
EAST: "Power yoga" combines strength and heavy
breathing in an ages-old workout.
WEST: A Pilates session stretches your limbs and
your budget.
MOOD ENHANCER
EAST: Saint Johnswort is the herbal answer to
ennui.
WEST: Paxil gets straight to the depressing point.
DESIGNATED DINER
EAST: Relish the deliciously cheap eats at Yen
Ha on Northeast Sandy Boulevard.
WEST: Small plates
and small talk are on the menu in the vineria at Serratto.
INTERIOR INSTINCTS
EAST: Affordable finds from Target and Stars
antique mall supplement goods from Doma.
WEST: Engage
in one-stop decorating on Northwest 23rd Avenue; Restoration
Hardware is conveniently located across the street from
Pottery Barn.
PATRON SAINT OF STYLE
EAST: Cate Blanchett reigns.
WEST: That
Gwyneth girl's classic cool is worth duplicating.
GREAT MOMENTS IN SPORTS
EAST: You've got an Adidas hook-up.
WEST:
Your friend's brother-in-law got you a Nike employee store
pass.
FOOTWEAR FETISH
EAST: Spring for a luscious pair of Sigerson
Morrison sandals from Halo.
WEST: Invest in Prada
at Mario's or stock up on Kenneth Cole at Moda.
CHANCE MEETING
EAST: Empire Room. You: beautiful blonde in a
black dress. Me: petite brunette in red.
WEST: 24-Hour
Fitness. You: handsome blonde in black tank. Me: muscular
fellow with crew cut.
Self-Service
Says:
Lose the overalls, unless you plan on reprising
Tatum O'Neal's role in Paper Moon...become a pod
person--a vase of pods is the modern minimalist's substitute
for the common flower...make waves by replacing your just-so
swimsuit with boy's Speedo trunks topped off with a sexy
string-bikini top...
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Willamette Week | originally
published June 16, 1999
|
