Lizard Lounge… Hipster-Chic at Blue Blood prices.
Portland Oregon’s boutique clothing store Lizard Lounge may quite possibly be the most frustrating ‘love-hate’ shopping experience I’ve ever encountered!
There is a lot to love about this bohemian-hipster outpost, located in the Pearl District and I want to love it, really I do. First off, hands down the interior layout and design of Lizard Lounge is far and away my favorite in all of Portland. Frankly, I just as soon bypass shopping there altogether and simply move in! Decked out in an industrial chic/vintage vibe, Lizard Lounge has a way of seducing you into imagining you are actually lucky enough to be able to afford to live in a loft in the trendy Pearl District or, even to be able to afford to shop there for that matter!
Make no mistake, they have some terrific clothing lines such as NAU, Mister Freedom, Horny Toad, Stronghold and Garbstore but the inflated prices for what essentially amounts to stylish outdoor clothing will have you heading for the beautifully worn-in leather chairs to recover from sticker shock. Seriously overpriced plaid shirts, simple t-shirts and denim abound. Add to this, an unfortunate tendency to get a heavy dose of “We’re way too cool to be working here as clerks” attitude from the staff and the actual shopping experience simply doesn’t live up to the pretty hype.
But oh what a pretty hype it is. I will still continue to visit Lizard Lounge just to soak up the interior decor and store design, but my wallet will remain firmly in my well-under $100 blue jeans.
Randy – A Life Designed
Retail prices of goods often reflect their cost to be manufactured. A clothing label choosing to manufacture in Countries where wages and work conditions are controlled by Labor Laws, along with opting for narrow loom premium fabrics with less yield, using quality trims and choosing extensive R&D over ripping off other’s designs, will have to incorporate the extra cost to the consumer at retail level.
Everyone has the option to purchase cheaper imported goods from garmentos, but if supporting honest artisans seems like a worthy cause to you, may I suggest saving for one $300 well made pair of jeans from a trusted label, instead of owning four cheap Chinese or Turkish imports.
Where and how your wallet votes will be decisive on whether the manufacturing sector is still active in your Country of residence in the coming years.
Christophe Loiron, Mister Freedom®
Quality costs money…maybe you should stick to WalMart then? Buy 10 pairs of jean in 2 years instead of 2 pairs of jeans in 10 years.
Oh Randy you poor deluded fool, you just don’t get it huh?
you cannot simultaneously get excited when you read or hear about manufacturing coming back to the u.s. and not make some move to support the companies that are making it happen.
Agreed Pete!
I don’t think Randy gets it.
You got it Pete, well said.
As the Creative Director and Buyer for Lizard Lounge I am fully aware of the struggle between quality and price. I sincerely do try to strike the balance of making the product we sell as affordable and accessible to as many consumers as possible without sacrificing quality and design. It will be an ongoing effort on my part. Lizard Lounge isn’t for everyone and that’s the way it should be. The prices I charge for my products are not inflated. The prices do reflect the selection of brands I have chosen to buy for my store and they are some of the best quality and designed apparel available in the US. Much of it made in the US and not mass distributed which often leads to higher prices. As consumers we are allowed to make choices everyday whether it’s the coffee we buy ($3 for a quality cup) or the food we buy (organic is expensive). The beauty is that we have a choice, you can shop at H&M or Wallmart or Lizard Lounge or Nordstroms, your choice. Shop where you feel most comfortable and what works for you but don’t hate on those who are trying to offer a higher quality of product and offer a better shopping experience.
Wow,
I would like to thank all of the passionate folks who have weighed in on this topic! While the ruckus my ‘personal observations and opinions’ about my experiences at Lizard Lounge were not intended to touch a nerve or offend, they clearly did. However, public discourse is not a bad thing and is in fact often times a very good and enlightening. Such has been the case for me here today. Good points gentlemen.
That said;
@Matt- I find it humorous that you assume that just because I might balk at parting with up to $300+ for a pair of jeans, I must be shopping at Wal-Mart… as if there is no in-between. Since I do my utter best to NEVER enter a Wal-Mart, your comment simply made me laugh. For the record, I tend to purchase my jeans at the Gap or Banana Republic etc. and I seem to get plenty of life out of a single pair. If this makes me “not cool” or “not hip”… Sorry.
@John- If simply stating my opinion or observation makes me a “poor deluded fool”, well then I guess so be it. Is that what you tell anyone who might disagree with your point of view? Not sure which stung more, you calling me names or being accused of shopping in Wal-Mart! Lol. Actually neither! Agreeing to disagree is what keeps things interesting and spicy.
@Pete- Excellent point sir. Fact is though, I HAVE purchased a few items at Lizard Lounge and when I find something that really speaks to me and it fits into the budget, I’m sure I will again. But you are absolutely right about being aware of supporting companies that are making an effort to source from within the US and your point is well taken. I will be more aware moving forward.
@Bob- As a fellow creative having worked in design and marketing now for 20+ years, it is no wonder I am drawn to your store like a magnet! As my post clearly states, I think you do an AMAZING job in creating a unique shopping experience. No detail has been left out in creating a total brand experience, (outside of at times, somewhat indifferent/nonexistent help from the clerks that is.) Regardless, I have visited Lizard Lounge multiple times, even making a point to take friends who have never been, just so they can see what I am raving about. And yes, I have even purchased some of your “higher quality product.”
If you remove my comment, (personal opinion), regarding pricing and my observation on a lack of in-store help, (also shared by others on the internet btw, I’m certainly not the only one saying this), my post actually reads as a BIG thumbs up to you and what you have created – hence the post title: Lizard Lounge – a pearl in the Pearl. Please remember, expressing one’s opinion doesn’t always = “hating”
Anways, Thanks gentlemen. I actually will be looking into where you source your clothes from, and make an effort to learn what, if anything, makes them so much better than the “norm” out there. I probably will never spend $300 on a pair of blue jeans, but that’s just me. Doesn’t mean I’m any less stylish, educated or hip than the person who does. It simply means I put my discretionary income towards other purchases, that is all.
Thanks for reading A Life Designed!
Randy
Thanks for the thoughtful reply Randy.
I enjoyed your write up and the accompanying photos.
Looking forward to your next post.
Randy,
Thanks for your thoughtful response. You are right that the use of “hate” was more of a gut reaction on my part and I apologize. Also, regarding staff attitude..this is always a challenge in the retail business to make certain that the sales staff is best representing what I and my managers want to convey. I take this seriously and will work to make it better.
Thanks.
Bob,
Having put myself through design school working in a variety of retail positions, I full well understand the challenges you face. No worries my friend… You have a fantastic store and I look forward to my next visit.
[...] component of customer face-to-face interaction is lacking or worse, completely non-existent. In a blog review of Portland Oregon’s style-savvy clothing store, Lizard Lounge, we expressed mixed feelings [...]