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Shopping in San Francisco suggestions?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I've been traveling, so I'm a bit more offline than normal, so first of all I just want to wave hi to all of you!

Secondly, my hubs and I are on an impromptu visit to San Francisco for a couple of days for my birthday weekend. I've only been here a couple of times before, and it's been years. Do any of you in-the-know fabbers have any recommendations of shopping areas that would be particularly good for my tastes and style, for a bit of birthday shopping? We're staying in Nob Hill but willing to venture out a bit. Local boutiques would be of particular interest, especially if there is a slant towards sleek, sophisticated, but funky and casual rock'n'roll style.

Thanks in advance! Hope you all are having a fab summer!

Shopping

32 replies

Latest reply was from Diana

rachylou

Veteran

My fave, non-international designer, non-mainstream area is Hayes St., nearish the Opera House. I think Union St. on the other side of the city would be fun for you too. Union St is the high street for smancy fancy Pacific Heights - but it's still SF and has a hip vibe. If you really want to go local, visit the Mission. But I'm thinking that's too grunge... I like Sunhee Moon there. But the clothes are sewn local too. Probably by hipsters, 'cuz the sewing can be pretty off. Ahem!

!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!

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Greyscale

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I agree on Hayes Valley. Also, Fillmore St north of Geary. There are chi-chi boutiques both places. Hayes St has many fantastic shoe stores as well as Acrimony (edgy modern clothes) and Rand and Statler (designer things). There are many others right near those, too, too many to list.

The Mission (Valencia St mostly) became so much less gritty (for better or for worse). There are now a few small high end boutiques (Voyager is my fave) and sooooo much good food. Hayes Valley still wins for upscale clothes shopping though.

Edit; thinking about it, Fillmore St you could find in any big city (Rag & Bone, Alice & Olivia, all those sorts of stores).

I do really like our Nordstrom's designer section! Lots of unique new designers (out of my price range). And Barney's is lovely if you don't get to one elsewhere.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Great info, thank you, Greyscale and rachylou! Just told hubs about Hayes and we may hop on a streetcar after we finish brunch!

Sal

Veteran

I adore San Francisco but have only been twice, most recently in 2008. We enjoyed Union St/Cow Hollow area a lot. Have a wonderful weekend.

karen13

Veteran

I second and third Fillmore and Union Streets. Union Square (different from Union Street!) is the traditional destination shopping area with Macy's, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Barneys, BLoomingdales, Nordstrom and lots of other name retailers within a few blocks. I like to pop into the big Levi's store on Market in that area to see cool new things from the iconic brand. Lots of gear-fashion stores in Union Sq area as well - Merrill, Icebreaker, North Face, Marmot all have stores there.

Lots of shopping in the streets between Union Square and the Embarcadero. At the east end of Market Street the Ferry Building is home to lots of artisanal food shops and stalls, and restaurants - I like to assemble a picnic from the shops there and eat it with a bottle of wine from the wine bar/shop there.

Where are you staying?

jill58

Veteran

Happy Birthday Janet -- what a great place to be on your birthday!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Success at Bulo-- fell in love with quite a few shoes there, but these are coming home with me!

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JAileen

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I love visiting the Bay Area. I love the natural beauty and the weather. We were down there in late June. It was the first week of our heat wave here, and we went to Point Reyes where it was foggy. Wonderfully, gloriously chilly.

rachylou

Veteran

Fab purchase, Janet!! Bulo is great. Always interesting shoes.

Dianna

Veteran

Happy birthday Janet, have fun shopping.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

And I know many of you aren't crazy about cold shoulders, but hubs loves this on me, and I love it too! Wearing it out of the store.

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rachylou

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Cold shoulders *do* make sense on you. It's interesting. Something about your style.

Greyscale

Veteran

I love Bulo! Great finds.

Carla

Veteran

If any fabbers could do cold-shoulders, it would be you! Amazing new shoes, BTW. Happy Birthday, Janet!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, all!

I had to share pics of our post-brunch treats, fancy chocolates that were as amazingly delicious as they were beautiful -- and one coordinated with my opal inlay ring! Amd we cracked up at this sign outside of a hair salon too.

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minimalist

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Sacramento Street in Laurel Heights area has boutiques, e.g. Fetish (shoes, not actually fetishy), Susan (clothing & accessories), a swimwear shop I didn't enter, Rims & Goggles (eyewear, bought frames), Goodbyes (designer consignment, bought Italian menswear), another designer consignment place (everything smaller than I'd have fit into), lots of interior decor places; some shops open limited hours plus by appointment.

North Beach, around Grant & Columbus has InSolent (shoes), and other boutiques, but to be honest, sweets at Mara Italian Pastry and aubergine parmesan at Original Joe's just might have been in keener focus for me than shopping was.

Noe Valley section of 24th Street has a lot of boutiques, but don't drink the water or you'll blink and find yourself pushing a double stroller past couples older than you are with same. (That's how it works, right?) Several independent footwear shops, but IIRC not exactly the way I imagine your usual style. More like things you'd wear at the ranch.

Where did you get the cold-shoulder top? Mr Max has requested, after I pointed out a sleek one on someone we saw.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Nice finds!

Sal

Veteran

You look terrific in that top and great new shoes too. And Happy Birthday:)

Bijou

Veteran

Happy birthday - I am loving everything that you have bought and the street signs are very cool. I totally agree about the ice-cream and shoes...

DonnaF

Veteran

Looks like you had a great birthday. Happy belated birthday!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I also scored a couple of excellent pieces of jewelry at Azalea -- a necklace and earrings(I'll post pics later), plus some cute socks. Hubs got some shirts and socks, and a really nice belt and leather dop kit bag (engraved with "Jamie loves Janet" -- yes, we are still goofy kids in love after almost 20 years). It was quite the productive shopping day! We also spotted a silver pug ring (they had other breeds too) in a shop in our hotel, but it was closed for the day. We'll go investigate that tomorrow.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Minimalist, it came from Convert -- its by Bailey44.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Love the top on you. Happy birthday!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Happy Birthday and love your new shoes and top. I agree with others that for whatever reason the cold shoulder style really works on you - I think you are very comfortable in your own style and that shows. Have a wonderful tlime!

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I was just saying to myself I cannot Wait for pictures. Then boom there they are. Those shoes are so warrior perfect.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

The shoes are way amazing. You look so good in the cool top. And thanks for all the other fun photos.
Thanks everyone for the information on where to shop. Time to go shopping, even if it's mostly for inspiration.
Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I adore you in cold shoulders and LOVE the top on you. KILLER. Very happy it followed you home. And hope you're having a wonderful birthday weekend with Jamie. Much love to you, sweet Janet.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

HAHAHAHAH. Just read the sign. Brilliant.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Happy birthday, Janet! You are stunning in that cold-shoulder top, and I love your new arty heeled slides. Looks like you found some great shopping. And I'm smiling at your hubbie's dop kit engraving. So sweet!

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