Get Fleeced

Seattlest was once on the NYC subway with a friend; it was winter and so we were both clad in Gore-Tex jackets. We ran into another friend--a New Yorker--who asked us if we had just gotten back from a camping trip.

That wouldn't happen here, where outdoor gear is de rigeur. If you hanker to fit in but are on a limited budget, now's the time to get yourself to Patagonia and REI, which are currently in the midst of their annual winter clearance sales.

Seattlest has done you the service of attending the Patagonia sale on opening day; we weren't nerdy enough to be part of the line that formed before the store's 10 am opening, though. Inside you'll find great deals on jackets of all kinds--waterproof, down, and fleece. As usual with Patagonia, by the time the sale gets around you're left with color choices between, say, avocado and burnt sienna for your clothing, but there were a few tempting items in the store. Get there soon before all that's left is XS.

We've only visited the REI sale online and can tell you that pickins are slim.

Even though Dick Cheney's faux-pas parka would pass muster in Seattle, we suggest you be careful wearing your Seattle colors out of town.