Ian on the move

Capitol Hill's loss is Fremont's gain. The trendy store Ian closed up shop and moved to Fremont this month. It not only expanded in space, but is now offering women's clothing as well as men's, just like at the Belltown location.

I like the urban aesthetic of the shop with its unfinished plywood floors and walls. Two groovy black leather chairs near the entrance encourage shoppers to relax -- it's not just about buying stuff, you know? A coral-hued counter contrasts with grass-green lab tables that hold piles of denim. Matching green wall displays are filled with accessories. Most unusual though is the randomly placed toile patterned wallpaper customized by local artists.

The shop will continue to carry the tough, edgy styles in muted colors that it's known for but the selection will evolve in its new location. You'll see some higher-priced lines such as the fashion-forward designs of Helmut Lang, a hard-to-find brand in Seattle, as well as affordable offerings from Penguin and Modern Amusement.

Shopping is easy here – guys clothes on one side, girls on the other – but it could still prove a worthy meeting ground, especially for those with the same taste in clothes. Right now you'll still find an abundance of hoodies for girls and guys, military inspired jackets for guys, and lots of layering pieces for girls. T's for guys here can cost as little as $38 or much more. You might suffer from sticker shock when you see the $140 price tag on an Ever T-shirt, but it is super-soft and looks like it's been worn thin from decades of wear – who can resist? Premium denim continues to be a staple, running from around $140 to $250. Look for extra skinny jeans from Superfine and Tsubi from Australia.

In the coming months the shop will beef up its accessories. Notable pieces right now include women's multi-chained vintage style jewelry from Dirty Librarian.

Go now and you'll save 30 to 50 percent on winter items – you'll have enough left over to get that Ever T.

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