Pike Place Fashion Show

They're loud. They're gaudy. And they're everywhere during summer tourist season. Beware the crappy city-specific merchandise.

Photo by Sy Bean. Modeling by Kristy Hamilton

How not to do it. Pink beanie: Pike Place Gifts, $6.99 Got Rain? T-shirt: Pike Place Gifts, $9.99 Tote bag: Market Wear, $12.99

Photo by Sy Bean. Modeling by Kristy Hamilton

A better way. Dress: Sew It Seams Tie-Dye, $65 Gray hoodie: El Gringo Imports, $40 Recycled leather cuff: Cyclical Designs, $20

Details

Summer Guide 2011

Ask the Experts: What Seattle's tourist wranglers know, and don't know, about the city.

The Waterfront Streetcar's Second Run: A tourist-friendly transportation alternative is primed for a resurrection.

Eric Smiley - Seattle's Couch Surfing Ambassador: The city's host with the most on how he got his start in ad hoc hospitality.

Seattle's Top Three Food Tours: What our new critic learned on her culinary circuit.

Seattle's Best Bars for Tourists: A quick guide for drinkers far from home.

An Open Letter to the Seattle Business Traveler: On whether to get hammered at the hotel bar or brave an unfamiliar world.

Bright Lights, Sky City: The Space Needle's rotating restaurant has never been about food.

Seattle's Best Art for Out-of-Towners: How to make the accessible enjoyable for your guests.

Our Summer Guide Calendar: Music! Art! Food! Sports! Unnecessary Exclamation Points! And More!

 

 

Related Content

• Pike Place Market Recipes Brings The Market Home
  May 21, 2012
• Ben Kweller's Listening to Steve Miller, Megadeth, Nirvana, and Beck's "Asshole"
  April 25, 2012
• Love Mac-n-Cheese? Here's A Winning Recipe
  April 24, 2012
• Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery Debuts in Ballard, I Love New York Deli Closes, & More
  May 24, 2012
• Stephen Tow
  April 18, 2012

More About

• Pike Place Market
• Nirvana (Band)
• Mount Rainier

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

For whatever reason, travelers love to pick up crew-neck T-shirts or billowing sweaters emblazoned with localized slogans. ("Virginia Is for Lovers," for example. Or, the worst offender, "Everything's Bigger in Texas.")

Seattle is not immune to this fashion scourge—if you're seeking classic tourist wear, Pike Place Market has more than a few gift shops willing to sell you a "Got Rain?" T or some Sleepless in Seattle and Nirvana gear. (And it doesn't stop with T-shirts. Key rings, tote bags, hats—kitschy crap comes in all kinds of nauseating flavors.)

Luckily, Pike Place also has cuter and classier options. No, really—the market is practically bursting with shops and booths featuring local artisans who specialize in unique apparel, jewelry, and accessories. With handmade leather belts, custom-dyed skirts and dresses, and organic cotton Ts available, it actually is possible to purchase a stylish top-to-bottom outfit here, even one that doesn't feature a silhouette of Mt. Rainier.

ethompson@seattleweekly.com