Hardy-ha-ha...not!

Whilst Americans are known to have a more laid-back style compared to Europe, this should not be automatically translated as boring.  In fact, we should interpret this as a taste for the simpler things, the pared-down and the comfortable.  I'm certainly reading it that way when I come across shops like Stand Up Comedy.  There's nothing particulary 'HA-HA' funny about this Portland-based store (another city in the States that I think would tickle my fancy me thinks....) but it does stock an eclectic mix of labels that all seem to say 'We make things people will wear over and over again but that those people buying us are few and far between...'.

They seem to have gathered a selection of labels that combine the niche and the established from both US and Europe and if you were to wear any of it, the effect would be seemingly basic but would reveal its quirks upon closer inspection.  So you have the essential denim from Acne and April 77 which would be augmented by the following things that Stand Up Comedy place great importance on...

A nomadic cape that will serve to protect...
Pelican Avenue digitally printed piumi cape that has a beautiful finish // Henrik Vibskov poncho/cape  // Staerk rain capelet

A casualfied variation on the tuxedo...
Slow and Steady Wins the Race (there's a substantial amount of this brand due to one of the owners being the ex-manager of SSWR's showroom in NYC) black satin tuxedo jacket with shawl collar // Patrik Rzepski oversized tuxedo trousers with paper bag waist // Slow and Steady Wins the Race tuxedo sweatpants.  The last two really adds an odd slouchiness to the traditional straight-laced tuxedo. 

A piece of bagginess that longs to be overworn and overused...
Patrik Rzepski slit t-shirt dress which has renewed my ex-love of lux t-shirts // Henrik Vibskov wing coat that has adjustable volume and hem length // Wood Wood blue shirtdress

With a name like Stand Up Comedy, the store doesn't do what it says on the tin but I think the smiles come a little later when you wear these pieces with minimum effort and maximum ease.   

Comments

[Fashionista]

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[Candid Cool]

thanks for the heads up about the blazer, if i'm not able to get my hands on an h&m cavalli one, my eyes are are the white version of that one.

[amanda]

its sort of rude to call americans boring. us americans read your blog. maybe we shouldnt??

[deexdeexdreamer]

eek, 'stand-up comedy' isnt a name that beckons the thoughts of rails of luxe one-offs! but the tuxedo jacket is cool/quirky...speaking of american fashion, i only just visited the abercrombie + fitch in mayfair, i love the easy preppy style but my wallet hates the prices :S

[Hi5 Codes]

I personally like dressing european or a little crazy... it spices things up. I think that, generally, American style is a bit boring :(.

[susie_bubble]

Eeek... please re-read the post - I said Americans are KNOWN (aka referring to a stereotype...) to have a more LAID-BACK style which I said SHOULD NOT be interpreted as boring...meaning I DON'T condone this interpretation as some others would say this is so....
Amanda, PLEASE RE-READ before making such accusations...

[Kagemand]

Ohh.. It's just so lovely to see so much danish design as Staerk, Henrik Vibskov and wood wood.. Yay go Denmark.. !!!

[RachelRaRa]

Love Rzepski and WoodWood... slow and steady has always been a bit too bland in my taste

[ambika]

I would love to see your take on Portland. If you think Miami was laid back...