In My Closet: PDX Blogger Tracy Watson-Hjertberg

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Marti Zimlin, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Tracy Watson-Hjertberg

Tracy Watson-Hjertberg in her closet. She is wearing a Steve Alan top and W Madewell Ecru boyfriend jeans.

Blogger and fashionista Tracy Watson-Hjertberg’s walk-in closet in the SW hills is enviable. It’s a mix of much-loved basics from APC and Madewell to some special pieces from No. 6, Isabel Marant and local label Ace & Jig. There are Chanel handbags in lux tweeds and suede bags from Mayle and Steven Alan. Everything is meticulously hung and organized.

As a merchandising manager for Hannah Anderssson and editor of the blog Persimmon, Watson-Hjertberg has a keen eye for patterns and textures and is like a magician at creating a high-low mix in her everyday style. Here she is on her "closet style" and where she shops to fill it.

What one word sums up your style? Personal.

What influences you when it comes to style and shopping? I love Pinterest and people-watching in Portland.

What is your favorite article of clothing in your closet? My No .6 feather-print dress.

What are your favorite stores to shop in Portland? Palace on SE Belmont, Steven Alan in Union Way, Frances May on SW Washington and anywhere that sells local label Ace & Jig.

What's been your best shopping find? My most recent shopping find was on a trip to Seattle – it was an Isabel Marant Japanese "sumo" coat on sale that was sold out pretty much everywhere. My best shopping find of all time was a No.6 floral print dress that I had been coveting for ages from 2009 that I was able to snag on eBay for a bargain.

If you only had to pick one thing from your closet during an emergency what would it be? My Elizabeth Dye wedding dress. It’s pretty special.

What do you think about Portland style? I think Portlanders have great style – It’s a city that is definitely more creative and less flashy than NY or LA. I am always impressed by the vintage/thrift items that usually make the outfit when I see people in Portland. I also think when I see people in Portland in an amazing look, they are always wearing the outfit - instead of the outfit wearing them, which can happen.

No. 6 clogs from Watson-Hjertberg's collection

Footwear is important – who rules your shoe closet? Clogs!! Only from No.6. - my collection is kind of out of control. I am very obsessed.

What is your go-to work outfit? I really don’t have a go-to. For work I rotate between a silk dress (fancy), a cotton dress (more laid back) or jeans with a nice top, all worn with clogs of course. Clog boots for winter, clog sandals for summer. I am really into silk printed pants right now for work with a simple oversized top tucked in. On weekends I lean more towards “nice” sweatpants and a breezy linen T-shirt.

Finally, what has been your biggest fashion miss? Wedge sneakers :( I still like them but it's over.

Marti Zimlin

Marti Zimlin is a fashion-obsessed New Yorker living in Portland who spent years working at fashion magazines. She never met a Chanel bag, Proenza Schouler dress or piece of rose gold jewelery that she hasn't liked. She blogs daily about Jeff Goldblum at iheartjeffgoldblum.blogspot.com and about fashion and other random musings at martizinpdx.blogspot.com.