Category: Fashion

10 Favorite Indie Shops in Seattle

Seattle skyline at dusk with the Space Needle at the center.

It’s that time of year again! I always get a special feeling when I pass by glowing storefront windows of my favorite indie shops, while sipping on cinnamon-spiced coffee from my favorite roaster. I mosey through these stores in Seattle, wondering what on earth a certain someone would like. This time of year usually buzzes with the excitement of giving, except things are different right now.

I think we can all agree that 2020 deserves a big chunk of coal for everything. The global pandemic has slowed the world (and the economy) to a screeching halt, forcing some local businesses to shut their doors for good. Many others have to find creative ways to stay afloat, and it’s been a feat.

Vote with your dollar. Show your support.

For the holidays, instead of buying from big businesses like Amazon, consider supporting these beloved local shops–especially since so many are struggling to keep their doors open during the pandemic. Most of these places are women-owned, and some are Black-owned. Here are 10 independent businesses that keep the illustrative spark of Seattle alive. The store websites are linked in the names below, so you can visit them at your leisure.

Ada’s Technical Books and Cafe

An airy technical bookstore with LED lights.

For the geeks in your life, you’ll find a treasure trove of technical books, puzzles, and science kits at Ada’s Technical Books and Cafe on Capitol Hill. You’ll find subjects ranging from computer science to vegan cookbooks. If you’re wondering what would make your geek happy, consider getting them a gift card. This airy bookshop has a vegetarian cafe for takeaway orders, in case you need to replenish from all that holiday shopping.

BLMF Literary Saloon

Rows of second-hand books line the shelves at a shop.

This Black-owned second-hand book shop can be found in the underground of Pike Place Market. You’ll find thousands of books filling the windows, and stacked in piles on the floor. There’s everything you can think of: from reference, to fiction, to pop culture. The owner is super helpful with finding you an affordable book. You’ll never run out of books to read here.

Drizzle & Shine

A table of lotions and face masks, and rows of clothes in a well-lit store.

Drizzle & Shine is a woman-owned, vegan, fair-trade boutique on Capitol Hill. There are ethically made clothes, shoes, and accessories for all genders. While the prices are slightly higher than what you’d find in a big-box store, you can buy in better conscience for higher quality clothing. All items are made by people who are treated and paid fairly. Plus, Drizzle & Shine donates a portion of all sales to nonprofits. Doing good has never been more fashionable!

Gradient Art Gallery

Colorful art stickers and magnets are displayed on shelves.
Fantasy-themed paintings of animals are displayed on a wall.
Art by Mena Aklilu

Artists Mena Aklilu, Mallory Milke and Robert Bellm run Gradient Art Gallery in the underground of Pike Place Market. This gallery features whimsical, fantasy-themed original art, prints, stickers, and apparel. Each artist has their own vision on what inspires them to translate their imagination onto canvas. Together, they form a cohesive and welcoming gallery of surreal and magical artwork. You can order items online for in-store pickup or have them shipped to you.

Gargoyles Statuary

A storefront window featuring Jack Skellington of Nightmare Before Christmas, surrounded by red and black gift boxes and holiday ornaments.
The storefront window of Gargoyles

For the mysterious loved ones in your life, Gargoyles Statuary in the University District has mystical Gothic goods and art. This dark, cozy shop sells scented candles, books on the occult, ritual wares, and cryptic home decor. You can browse around gargoyle statues and babbling fountains in a gently scented environment. You can buy online, or stop by and take it all in.

Ghost Gallery and Nomadia Creatives

Ghost Gallery has midnight blue walls, plus art and oddities appearing in every corner.
Ghost Gallery
Nomadia Creatives displays art and jewelry on midnight blue and white walls.
Nomadia Creatives

Tucked behind the pastel Cupcake Royale bakery are two galleries in one: Ghost Gallery and Nomadia Creatives.

Ghost Gallery is a witchy art exhibition space and boutique hybrid that sells a curated selection of jewelry, bottled wine, and home goods. The midnight blue walls and warm electric fireplace entices visitors to stay for a little bit, while the vintage furniture displays art prints and oddities. The 14th Annual Holiday Mini Art Exhibit opens on December 3, 2020, featuring hundreds of small affordable artworks from artists around the world. This show will be fully online, and you can purchase what you love on the website.

Nomadia Creatives once had a camper in the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall, and they now share space with Ghost Gallery. The artfully arranged enamel pins, patches, and tarot cards on the shelves make great stocking stuffers. You can help someone decorate their home with occult-themed banners or framed paper sculptures of moths. Upcycled, one-of-a-kind jewelry also makes a great gift.

Hands of the World

A glowing storefront window featuring hanging star lamps and Turkish glass lamps.

For the travelers, Hands Of The World is like a taking a trip around the world in one store. The glowing storefront lures you to step inside and see what this colorful shop has to offer. The shelves are brimming with ethically sourced folk art, jewelry, and handicrafts, such as Turkish glass lamps, hand-carved Ivory Coast masks, and patterned scarves. The fair trade system puts the needs of the producer first, so you can buy while knowing that the artisans are paid a fair wage for their goods.

Meticulously Eccentric

The interior of a space-age indie shop.

I first met Andreya Taylor in 2017 after following her on Instagram for some time. Dressed from head to toe in florescent neon colors, chunky jewelry and rainbow braids, Andreya’s creative style is unforgettable. This fashion powerhouse opened up her own store in the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall, a collection of funky shops in vintage trailers. The delightfully unconventional clothes and accessories at Meticulously Eccentric are for anyone who dares to be different.

Portage Bay Goods

The interior of an indie shop featuring quirky goods and turquoise walls.

Portage Bay Goods has always been a favorite of mine in Fremont. This colorful shop has quirky stationery and journals, tasteful jewelry, rows of greeting cards, and kids’ toys and books. There are Seattle-themed stickers and t-shirts. The wall behind the registers also features a different local artist every month. You can peruse the extensive online store; there’s something for everyone here.

Sfingiday

White wooden wall featuring locally made art and a rainbow display of nail polish.

Sfingiday is a charming boutique in the heart of Fremont. This shop features an ever-evolving rotation of products from over 100 artists. Here you’ll find original art, jewelry, environmentally friendly home goods, and many more delightful gifts. Each piece of art has a story, with the mission to be in its forever home. Browse the online store, and enjoy free delivery if you live within 20 minutes of Fremont.

Punk Vest

It only took 19 years

When I was 13, I began to dabble into goth. The music, the aesthetic, and my natural curiosity led me to a beautiful, yet mysterious and unfamiliar, genre. When you get into a music scene, you also might be interested in the roots of that scene. That’s where punk comes in. I feel that in order to appreciate goth, punk should also get recognition because that’s where it originates.

I slowly started getting into punk more, even going to local shows. I’ve always admired everyone’s altered vests with their numerous patches, buttons, and metal studs. But it seemed like quite a time commitment, not to mention all that patience it would require to make one of those vests. Besides, I was more of a painter.

So, I dropped the idea.

Nick and Doug of BUGS

Recently however, I’ve been dipping my toes a little bit in punk again. It may not be my cup of tea 100 percent, but I still enjoy the enthusiasm and spirit of the community. When I befriended Doug, the frontman of the local Seattle punk band BUGS, it renewed my appreciation of the scene. Doug also has an altered vest, which reignited a desire to make one of my own.

The elusive black denim vest

I found the one.

I went to Goodwill and chose the denim jacket that spoke to me the most. It fits well, and there are lots of pockets. But it wasn’t really the kind I wanted. I still searched for one with notched lapels throughout the city, but those proved to be surprisingly hard to find.

I could still hear the purchased blue denim jacket whisper from my closet, “why don’t you want me? You liked me before. Am I not good enough for you?”

Upon thinking of it more, I decided it really was a good jacket to make a vest from. I would then make the alterations: first, by cutting off the sleeves; then, by dyeing it black. I remembered what a perfect fit it is.

I cut off the sleeves.
…And dyed it black.

Patch it up

Collected in Seattle over the years

These patches were gifted to me, or bought from indie organizations or artists.

It’s an art.

I hand-stitched all of those patches onto my new vest.

I tend to stick to pins and patches that have messages, rather than ones from music bands. Things others might be able to relate to. I no longer have a favorite band, and these little messages seem more effective in conveying me as a person.

Nothing is ever really done evolving

“I love you because you’re not like everybody else.”

Right now this vest is a work in progress. I still would like to add more, but I only select patches and mementos that speak to my soul, which I feel is the essence of a punk vest.

I can’t tell if anyone’s vest is ever really finished. Some people remove patches or pins to reposition then, or they make way for new ones. Others have a set product. Then others, like me, are still letting their vests evolve especially after getting started. I’ve always felt that something as personal as a punk vest doesn’t have to stop evolving—much like the person who wears it.

Portraits That Look Like Paintings

My friend, Chris of Elden Images

I have a very talented and intelligent friend named Chris. Several years ago, Chris wanted to add a new passion to his life, and he experimented with several different options before finding his new pursuit in photography.

We had a conversation about how to find a particular style that people would recognize as his own. I suggested to keep playing around with what he’s doing. When an artist keeps exploring techniques and subjects, a distinct style will eventually come around and stick. Now Chris does thematic portrait photography that look like dark classical paintings.

His girlfriend, Ryan, is the hair and make-up artist. Her role in the photoshoots cannot be underestimated, since she brings out the best features of every subject in Chris’s photography. Ryan is quite meticulous when it comes to her craft. (She also colored my hair purple a few months ago.) Together, Chris and Ryan make a good team for these photoshoots.

I brought whatever fancy dark clothes I had, and we mixed and matched pieces. In some of the shots, my hair was swept back, exposing my face more and accentuating the cheekbones. Here are five more photos that Chris has put finishing touches on.

To see more of Chris’s portrait photography, please follow @elden_images on Instagram. Ryan’s hair artistry can be found via @ryan_alexis_d.

What a 30-Year-Old Likes Wearing


Vest: The North Face

Headphones: Beats by Dre

Hair: Arctic Fox hair color

This is how I usually dress, though I’ve been cleaning up my style some lately. What used to be more on the grungy-goth side of fashion has shifted to a style that’s more sleek and sophisticated. These travel plans have forced me to invest in higher quality clothes while significantly downsizing my wardrobe. These days, I’m aiming to look neater while my threads stand the test of adventure. Also, a little voice in my head said, “you’re 30! Dress your age!”

I’m a firm believer that women should wear what they’re comfortable in, regardless of age. There are so many articles of what to wear at age 30, and really, it all comes down to personal choice. However, I’ve already lived through the goth phase of torn black clothes… if you call 17 years a phase. 😛 I can still maintain my dark style while aiming for a cleaner appearance. It happens to a lot of us; change like this is welcome.

And… You want to know a little secret of mine? The stuff I have on might be pricey as the brand, but with godsends like Groupon and the thrift store, I managed to find things for really cheap or significantly discounted. That North Face vest: whoever was in charge for pricing items at the thrift store probably had no idea what they were selling. I was like, “$10 Northface vest? Don’t mind if I do.”

Groupon had sold the headphones as refurbished and honestly, I love them and use them every single day. They are quite sturdy and the sound quality is wonderful. I used to use cheap headphones that sounded okay, but they’d break every few months. I figured it’s time to invest in a real pair that will last a while, because it saves money in the long run. I wanted the blue pair, but the pink pair was $15 cheaper. They do the same thing…but…it’s a $15 price difference. It wasn’t worth picking the blue ones, in my opinion.

To get this hair color, I use Arctic Fox hair color on bleached hair. I highly recommend using latex gloves because it stains heavily. I mixed one part Purple Rain, one part Poison, and one part Wrath. The mixture results in a beautiful crimson that gradually fades to fuchsia like shown here. It will eventually fade to magenta and then bright pink. The hair dye also smells like grape candy and bubblegum, so the process of coloring hair is a pleasant experience!