Eddie Bauer

Profile

The Eddie Bauer outlets around town don’t try too hard to be cool: Exposed beams and wood paneling remind shoppers of the Seattle-based retailer's rugged roots. Selling clothes to outdoor enthusiasts since 1920, the chain practically patented the formula for clean-cut casual basics—and rarely strays far from that agenda. Men’s khakis are available flat-fronted or with old-fashioned pleats, women’s jeans hit at or just below the waist, and even the boot cuts don’t flare much. Zip-up fleeces and pique cotton polos are never out of stock or out of style, and button-downs for both sexes come in plaids, stripes and muted solids like plum and basil. The company prides itself on the durability and practicality of its products, with most of the shirts made to be wrinkle-resistant and drip-dry; some are even stain- and water-repellant. As a nod to the times, Bauer's near-indestructible canvas backpacks now have pockets for water bottles as well as iPods. — Eve Gerber

Items are marked down every Wednesday.