I saw a non-hippie girl wearing these barefoot shoes over the summer and didn't think twice about it. But this weekend I saw an attractive, non-hippie guy wearing these and was utterly repulsed. Why am I having such a strong reaction about a dude wearing these shoes, and no volatile lady reaction? Maybe because she was at a park and he was at a bar on a Saturday night? I'm not sure.

Would you accompany someone out in public if they were wearing these?

• Think of all the things that could get caught between those creepy little toes. Shudder.

Official word just came out that the good people of the Portland Fashion Synergy group are taking over one of downtown's all-too-many dead zones at 401 SW Morrison with Flurry, a temporary shop open from this Thursday through the end of December. In addition to activating the empty space, the hope is that it might pick off some of the shoppers headed toward the same-old-same-olds of the mall and department stores and inject some cash into the local design economy. You can read more about it, including which 14 PDX clothing lines will be available at the shop, over on MOD.

Find out which new shoe store is giving away 100 pairs of Vans Classics this Saturday over on MOD. (Luckily you have to show up barefoot, which should reduce the chance of stampede-related injury.)

Behold via Buzzfeed a new web series called "Put This On," for men. It's kinda informative, kinda funny, and seems geared for guys who kinda want to look nice but are kinda shy about feeling ignorant. As you can tell I'm feeling very "kinda" on this. But I do like the "rudimentary" guy on the park table, he's funny. This is the first episode, on denim:

The blog is also full of adorably self-conscious tidbits like, "This is a hat made by fashion types for a mass-market retailer, and it will be purchased by numerous douchebags. That does not mean it is not lovely." Segue: There's a crap-ton of events happening for the ladies this week in Portland retail. Hop over to MOD to fill up your evenings with complimentary wine and browsing. Who said you can't make dinner out of the hors d'oeuvres of four consecutive store parties?

Not to keep harping on how awesome Content was (but it was), but one of my favorite rooms at the event was Luxury Jones'. In it, two films were projected simultaneously on the wall of the room, together the collective tale of a wild night out with lots of costume changes (all Luxury Jones' hot-ass party clothes). If you missed it, regular Mercury photo contributor Minh Tran, who shot the films (called "Heavy Syrup") and even composed and performed the original score with Vera Domini, has unleashed them online. You can watch them separately but to get the full effect, here are his playback instructions:

1. Depending on the resolution of your monitor, you’ll see the two videos side by side (which is ideal) or on top of each other (which is a bit of a bummer but not the biggest of deals).

2. Completely mute the volume on one of the videos - the audio is identical on both so you won’t be missing out. If you want to see each of the videos individually in full screen, return the volume to normal levels for the one you muted (obviously). Depending on your internet connection and the processing capabilities of your computer, you may have to watch these videos independently for smooth playback. We tried our best to make each of the videos entertaining on their own.

3. Press play on one video and then as quickly as possible press play on the other video. Then go back to the first video and pause it for a split second to compensate for the difference in start times.

4. When the opening sequences start up, the videos should be identical, pause and unpause accordingly to get them synchronized as closely as possible. You should be all set after this.

Let the hot girls, good times in Portland clubs and even the scary ending be your inspiration for this weekend's parties. In the meantime, plenty of info on PDX shopping and fashion over on MOD. Oh, and dibs on the black fringed mini-dress!

I can't take credit for rounding these up—that would go to the fabulous Ashkan of the Day After—at least one of which has already joined the ranks of hilarity on Regretsy, but you need to know what's out there on Etsy. Shop carefully.

$135 DOLLARS????!!!! Oh yes, and there's more. Hit the break, and check MOD for some less sarcastic fall picks.

Sunday's Content '09 event was not your average fashion show, as you can see.

See pictures from the nearly 30 rooms of the Ace Hotel that were transformed for the night over on MOD. And if you missed it, I'm thinking there will be a Content '10.

The coolest fashion show during Portland Fashion Week... didn't happen at Portland Fashion Week. See a complete slideshow of looks by Fuchsia Lin, Liza Rietz, Emily Ryan, and Idom from their "Fashion Collective" show on Monday at the Armory over on MOD. (And read more about it here.)

One of the many photos taken by Minh Tran.

It doesn't make any less sense than a padded bra (which I've always thought is a needless exercise in building, and then dashing, favorable expectations—seriously, who needs the lies, the drama?) or the padded ass:

The New York Observer goes to surprising levels of detail and introspection on it here.

“You feel more confident,” Mr. Lopez said. “You have people who wear the skinny jean, and the only thing you see is the bulge. These work with the whole body.”

And then: “Would you like to try a pair?”

“Sure,” I said. An instrumental, smooth jazz version of the Beatles’ “Come Together” began playing on the speakers as I walked to the dressing room, clutching the Body Jeans like a secret.

They were a breakthrough! Such comfort, such support! And yes, my confidence was bigger! It looked bigger, at least.

GODDAMMIT!! I just bought the "Three Keyboard Cat Moon" T-shirt, and now I have to buy this one too?!?
Fine. Just empty my bank account, whydon'tcha??

Moon howls to The Uniblog.

Last weekend I ventured out to the first fashion show I've ever been to in my life. It turned out to be pretty interesting. The stories behind these three photos over on MOD.

I should know, because I've been looking at her all goddamn week. It's Portland Fashion Week! AHH! I've been putting some blogs (and my life) together over on MOD. Keep up, and don't miss the scathing comments from the peanut gallery. You guys are mean! I like it!

I hate to be cruel, but I think even people who don't ordinarily care about fashion should be up in arms about some of the things that happened on Wednesday on the first night of Portland Fashion Week:

See more photos and read my very generous comments on MOD, and check back for ongoing coverage of all the fashion shows this week.

American Apparel Flea Market, PSU's Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom, 1825 SW Broadway, Tues Sept 29, 9 am-8 pm, free admission

What is it about mustaches that automatically turn people into serial rapists? Check out this 1973 commercial for Quick Curl Barbie and Mod Hair Ken, where Barbie gets carried away by Ken's new rape-o 'stache… LITERALLY!

This has been a public service warning from MOD.

I compiled everything you need to know right now about Portland fashion on MOD, which took me seriously like 2,000% longer than it will take for you to read it, so check it out if you want to hear which local designer got a grant to execute her new collection from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the line-ups of several upcoming major fashion events, two of which are international, plus sales and opportunities to break out onto the scene.

And I'm not just throwing this up here because it's a beautiful girl in underthings whose stance on sandwich consumption neither you nor I know a goddamn thing about. I want your opinion: Is this too much bra?

As promised, here are the complete shots taken by Minh Tran of Leanne Marshall's Spring/Summer 2010 show in New York on Saturday, in handy slide show form!