A Guide to Unique- This is really the only fitting word to use to describe San Francisco fashion. Fashion here tends to be eclectic and not as "button-up" as many other large cities. To that end, there are a number of shops catering to the quest for the one-of-a-kind.
Sure, like any big city, San Francisco is a shopping mecca - it has everything from major top-quality department stores to small, eclectic boutiques. If you're looking for something specific, you won't have trouble finding it – and that includes everything from hot-ticket runway items to vintage and retro staples.
Speaking of vintage, a great place to dig up a find is American Rag (1305 Van Ness Ave, americanrag.com). The store specializes in buying and reselling anything retro-riffic. And you know that annoying task you have to suffer through at some vintage and resell stores - where you have to dig through racks of smelly shirts just to find anything good? You can bypass all that here! American Rag does all the digging, so when you enter the store, you'll be presented with a vast selection of classic pieces to chose from. They also offer the latest collections from certain designers, but in limited quantity - so you won't run much of a risk of showing up to a party in the same thing as your friend.
All San Franciscans know to head to Union Square for the best shopping selection, but I like to walk a little off the beaten path to find some more diverse options - places that sell lesser quantities and sometimes more daring pieces. NE is such a place. They opened relatively recently and I was pleasantly surprised when the construction scaffolds came down and revealed this little gem of a shop. But I'd actually never entered, prior to writing this article, as I was afraid I'd find too many things I just had to have. I was right. The jackets presented in the window this winter gave way to springy dresses over the last couple weeks. If the display window is enticing, the inside of the store is a feast of fashion goodness. And the styles aren't runway rip-offs or mass-produced pieces - the selection is creative and festive, no matter what the season.
Also not too far from Union Square - up on Sutter between Leavenworth and Jones is Huf (Hufsf.com). This store reminds me of that episode of Entourage where Turtle is trying to score a pair of the latest, limited edition Nike kicks. Of course - because of his friends' superstar status - he thinks he can just bypass the super long line of people who are also hoping to take home these sneakers. Anyway, this plan doesn't work, but the idea of lining up for a pair of shoes is something I've seen fairly often outside Huf. This store is more than just eclectic shoes. There are three separate storefronts that sell different things from shoes to hip-hop gear and apparel, which, I'll admit, is not really up my alley, but something about the aesthetics of the store, the unique colors and designs of the shoes. and the intimate set up draw me in.
You'll find a number of eclectic shopping destinations in the Haight. One of my favorites is Ambiance. They have a great selection of unique, non mass-produced pieces mixed in with adorable shoes and accessories. And the ambience in the store, while usually crowded on weekends, is inviting, with colorful chandeliers and a raised sales area in the back. You'll definitely want to hit up this section, since a lot of the full priced options can be a bit outrageous.
No matter what your style, San Francisco has unique shopping options that allow you to find one-of-a-kind pieces and ensure you won't look like anyone else out there!
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