Need help! Traveling to San Francisco. What to pack/buy? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Need help! Traveling to San Francisco. What to pack/buy?

Alicia

(website)

I'm traveling to San Francisco on Thursday. My wardrobe is very limited and I desperately need to go shopping. But I have no idea what to buy or what outfits to put together for the trip. I've heard layers are good but I don't know where to start. It's a casual trip, jeans will be mostly worn, although dressy ones. But I want to look stylish and modern and a bit sexy too. First trip with new boyfriend. :). Flats or boots for walking the city. Where do I start? Any advice? Thanks!

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from christieanne

Anonymous

Start with the most comfortable, cutest walking shoes you own. I feel like San Francisco is pretty casual and laid back. It can also be cold and windy even in summer. Be sure to take a jacket.
To look flirty, you might pack some day dresses or skirts.

Betti

Joy is spot on. I was there last year in July, and it was VERY cool. I see this year temps are a bit warmer though. We walked everywhere, and my son had to buy new (more supportive) shoes to get him through the trip. It's very casual yet very stylish. Oh I love that city - have fun!

Oh - pack a good sunscreen too! When the sun comes out it's pretty strong.

ClaraT

Veteran

Joy is spot-on. You will walk and walk and walk. Comfy feet are a must. I mean *really* comfy, with lower heels + support as it is hilly. There is so much to see!
It can be foggy and breezy, so I recommend a lightweight wind resistant top layer/jacket. I will write more later when ony computer (typing on the cell is a pain). Ps I live just north of SF so I'm there a lot.

marit

I just got back from SF (my first time there ever!)... I went in mid-June. And I had the same dilemma over what to bring. So here's what I learned:

They are NOT KIDDING about the layers! I decided reluctantly (I didn't want to take up precious carry-on space with something bulky) to bring a jean jacket the night before; and I threw a light scarf in my bag as I was leaving for the airport "because I might get chilly on the plane". I ended up wearing the jacket and scarf every day I was there, along with a fitted zip-up active jacket underneath those most days too! When I was packing I had been thinking in "outfits" and really I should have been thinking about layer options... my photos would have been less repetitive! Also when you think about the top layers, think about stuff that won't blow around in the wind. I brought my new Zara kimono and didn't wear it once because it doesn't have a belt to keep it closed. I definitely would have brought more scarves to change things up. It worked well for me to have two thinner jackets than one heavier coat so I could wear one, or the other, or both at once.

The funny thing is that you can be in one part of the city and it'll be 80 F and sunny - and you're down to bare arms - and then you move to another part of the city and it's 55 F - and you're buttoning up your jacket and winding your scarf tighter an hour later. So whatever you bring think about having to carry it around too, because you'll be taking it off and putting it on over and over!

We did a lot of walking, and there's a lot of hills and steps. Wear really comfortable shoes - I have Crocs that don't look like classic Crocs and I was so grateful for them. I brought open-toe sandals and shoes because hey it's summertime!... I wish I'd brought a closed-toe option. Boots would be fine, not dressy boots though. I used Band-Aid friction block religiously.

All my outfits were based on jeans but I had this idea since it was a big city it would be more sharp overall so I tried to pack with an eye to being a little dressier. But SF really is quite casual - stylish in a different way than I'm used to (I'm in Ontario and stylish here is a more Euro look to me); there's a lot of what I consider outdoorsy dressing (REI, Patagonia, North Face). We wore jeans to a higher-end restaurant and we were not out of place among the other people eating there. I saw very few heels and dresses; I saw a lot of flat sporty shoes. I did not see that sort of polished, designer, big-city look that I associate with, say, NYC - people's clothes were definitely more neutral colours (not so much black or bright) and definitely comfort-focused.

Betti is right about the sunscreen. I got both windburned and sunburnt on my face because it was chilly and gray and to be honest I don't think about putting on sunscreen if it's not warm and sunny out (I know, I know!). After a couple days I put it on every morning - and reapplied halfway through the day too. Oh, and I have long hair and I do wish I'd brought more options in keeping my hair back and out of my face. I had a headband which is normally fine but it wasn't secure in the wind and I had to keep adjusting it.

Have fun! I loved my trip there. The food is to die for - every single meal I ate blew my mind. I can't wait to go back =)

cciele

Veteran

Great advice! Definitely comfortable shoes and layers. I'm up in SF about twice a week or so, and it's been "normal" summer weather - mid-to-low 60s in the day, evening fog, mid-to-low 50s when the sun goes down. But as marit says, different parts of the city have different types of weather. And also different style!

Whereabouts in SF will you be visiting? Mission style is different from Marina is different from SOMA etc. Overall, the style does lean toward casual, but there are quite a few fashion-conscious young folks running around sporting everything from hipster to latest urban trends. Jeans are definitely a good call.

rachylou

Veteran

Right now I'm wearing my puffer coat over my puffer sweater. Lol. This is a walking city, so shoes you can walk a long way in. Thin-soled ballet flats probably aren't the thing from a practical standpoint. I'd go for chucks, which you can definitely wear with skirts around here. Sandals I could walk in but that also have a bit of heel (but mind you, not "ugly" walking sandals). I'd take one skirt or dress, one pants, maybe a pair of coloured jeans. Sweater. Midweight jacket (a windbreaker won't be enough). Scarf (useful for covering your head when the wind kicks up - makes my ears hurt, personally) or scarf and hat. Since it's a romantic trip... I'd take boy appealing things and perhaps leave my harem pants at home. Then again, I live here so my bf is out of luck, hehe.

Diana

Veteran

Yes, like the others have said, layers and comfy shoes! You could do summer boots in SF, since it's cool enough. Don't wear sandals that don't have at least a back strap if you're planning on walking up any of the steep hill, otherwise you will walk right out of them. Likewise, really high heels are probably a bad idea.

I think SF weather is ideal for leather jackets, so i usually bring a leather moto jacket. The leather cuts the wind really well, and they're heavy enough not to be flappy in the wind. Otherwise a trench coat would work too.

If you're thinking about shorter skirts and dresses... I would consider bringing some bike shorts for underneath, because the wind and the steep hills can lead to some wardrobe malfunctions. Ask me how I know...

Also, I don't know if you are planning any trips outside of the city, but if so, you should know that the weather can be very different once you leave SF, and even less than an hour away it might be roasting.

rachylou

Veteran

Those are excellent tips, Diana, re. sandal straps and bike shorts for dresses. Capri leggings would do too.

Makrame

Veteran

In terms of shopping, when I was in SF I stopped by the Uniqlo store (there are not that many in the US, so this was a rare opportunity). I picked up some of their layering basics (heattech) and a packable puffer jacket, which is great for packing into luggage - you see those little puffers everywhere in SF, at least close to the Uniqlo store, but not in other places.

Laurie

Veteran

I travel to the Bay Area at least 3 times a year. Last visit was in mid-May - super warm outside the city, froze the evening we had dinner in the Mission as I had to wait, standing outside, for a table for 40 minutes. Got a good chance to observe what the locals (who were sitting at outside tables!) were wearing.

a light leather jacket for night wouldn't be crazy - temps look to be in the 50's at night this week.

Boots/booties seem to be worn year round in SF

Less stylish, but a staple in SF is fleece - a summer weight fleece would be welcome when it gets damp and windy.

The place we ate is one of my favs, by the way - Delfina Pizzeria. Bi Rite Creamery up the block is amazing for dessert, too.

Have a blast.

DonnaF

Veteran

For ice cream: Humphrey Slocombe in the Mission -- Secret Breakfast which is bourbon & corn flakes.

Uniqlo's online shopping isn't all that great, so yeah, I agree with Makrame that it's a great opportunity to pick up Heattech stuff.

If you venture out of The City to Wine Country, note that both Sonoma and Napa counties are hot and dry.

****ALSO****CELL PHONE THEFT IS A HUGE PROBLEM IN SF. I IMAGINE THE SAME IS TRUE FOR IPADS. Be mindful about talking and walking. Approximately one in three thefts in SF are of cell phones, esp. later models, incl. Android. I have a VERY dumb phone so I guess I'm relatively safe.

cciele

Veteran

To DonnaF's point, I had a friend who got a phone snatched out of his hand while he was using it on the bus! So yeah, be careful, be aware. Thieves particularly look for distracted people staring at the cell phones.

DonnaF

Veteran

And -- I guess this would apply anywhere on buses, streetcars, and other public transportation: You are most vulnerable to theft/phone and ipod snatching when you are near a door because they grab & go.

In the suburbs fairly recently a couple of women had a scam going: They would ask elementary school kids if they could borrow their cells to call their own kids since their own needed battery charging or some such. . .and then they stole the kids' phones! Most kids know better than to give up their phones, but when the requester appears to be a mom, their guard is down.

Vivi

I'm just leaving SF after enjoying the holiday here. I'm a day late getting home, but that's understandable due to the tragic crash.

I wore BF jeans, Cole Haan Sabrina loafers, cropped blazers, a top and scarf for most of the trip. I brought two open weave sweaters and wore them with shorts on warmer days. The things I packed but didn't wear were a skirt, a dress and strappy heels. I really appreciated layers, because it seems the weather could change within blocks. We walked over 45 miles in 5 days, including Muir Woods so if you're planning an active trip, you may also want to bring gear shoes. I brought New Balance Minimus shoes that are so light and flexible they fit nicely into a carry-on.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Do one of these. I did the Berkley one. It was awesome

http://www.edibleexcursions.net/

Also second the walking shoes. I wore Pumas. Although we had a freak heatwave when I was there, so I had to buy shorts. But a jean jacket was sufficient for me.

Alicia

(website)

Thanks everyone!! I spent a whole day (in vain) looking for jeans that fit. May end up at Nordstroms even though its $$ for jeans. Plus I had an accident yesterday and broke my big toe. I think pretty bad. Headed to dr now. I think it's going to seriously limit my wardrobe choices. ;(. So sad.

Anonymous

Oh,no, Alicia! I'm glad that you are seeing a doctor. I found out the hard way that even pinky toes, if allowed to mend on their own, can become permanently bent just enough to make footwear choices quite limited forever after.

christieanne

Veteran

Sorry to hear about your toe - that can be painful. Hope it doesn't change your plans.
For any visitors to our Bay Area I would advise being ready for microclimates. Hot in one city (Napa, San Jose and south, suburbs/Walnut Creek, parts of Marin, foggy in the city and Peninsula, in the middle in Oakland and Berkeley).
Plan on a jean jacket, some type of sweater, scarf is great idea.
Walking is the best way around the city although cabs and public transportation are in ready supply. Comfy shoes are a must.
Jeans go anywhere (yes, even to the ballet and opera and new Jazz Hall) which is sad but also easy to dress up when you are tourist-ing and making last minute plans.
Check out sfgate.com or chowhound for restaurant ideas. SO many great neighborhoods to try in SF if you can get out of Union Square and away from the stores there:)
Hope everything goes well!