31 Best Shopping in San Francisco, California

The extensive collection of clothing from the 1920s through the 1980s in this vintage store is organized by decade, saving those looking for flapper dresses from having to wade through lime-green '70s polyester sundresses. Shoes, hats, handbags, and jewelry complete the different looks.

If you can only buy one piece of clothing in San Francisco, make it a hand-loomed cashmere sweater by this Irish-born local legend. The perfect antidote to the city's wind and fog, the sweaters are so beloved by San Franciscans that some of them never wear anything else. Pick up an airplane wrap for your trip home.

A handblown-glass chandelier winks at you through the store's front window, while DJs do their thing in the back. Sandwiched in between are styles like Cameo miniskirts or Shona Joy's hip-hugging skinny pants. There's something special for men, too: double-layered muscle tees and Gitman Bros. blue oxfords and vintage chambray shirts. Think progressive and of-the-moment.

Men and women can find fashionable, high-quality, used clothing at this national chain. Among the items are Levi's, leather jackets, sunglasses, and novelty jewelry. It's also known for its costume offerings and more offbeat merchandise.

This classic British menswear store, open since 1939, is so fully stocked that a whole room is dedicated to hats, pants are cataloged like papers in file cabinets, and entire displays showcase badger-bristle shaving brushes. The cable-car logo gear, from silk ties to pewter banks, makes for dashing souvenirs.

Discounts of up to 50% apply to the hand-loomed cotton sweaters with fanciful, intricate designs. There's also a large selection of colorful sweaters for children. Pillows, stuffed animals, and assorted knickknacks are also on offer in this small showroom.

This upscale designer consignment shop is full of nearly new items for a lot less than new prices. Chloé and Chanel are a couple of the many high-end labels to grace the racks. Not only is this shop brimming with one-of-a-kind tops, dresses, and coats, but it smells like a spring garden, and they include a sprig of fresh flowers with every purchase.

Located a few blocks off of Union Street, this shop's name perfectly sums up how in vogue its selection of women's clothing is. The boutique keeps thing edgy and comfortable but never veers too far in either direction for stylish tops, pants, skirts, dresses, and even colorful cardigans. It is without question a San Francisco favorite for contemporary, fun, but functional designs.

This quaint boutique offers up fashions by dozens of brands, among them Kathy Kamei and Ulla Johnson. The clothes have been thoughtfully selected with entire wardrobes in mind. Items don't crowd the racks, and the service is friendly without being overwhelming. You can sometimes find good bargains here.

Feeding and fueling the city's obsession with international designers, this intimate boutique stocks Caroline Constas, Kinder Aggugini, Isabel Marant, and Timo Weiland, with an emphasis on the very finest fabrics.

The gold-label designer exudes luxe elegance in a palatial temple of black lacquer, bronze, and marble. Fine jewelry, handbags, and luggage dominate the first floor, and shoes rule the second. If you make it to the third floor without maxing out your credit card, you'll be rewarded with a flute of champagne for trying on an evening gown or dinner coat.

Hip, youthful designs for men and women are cheap, cheap, cheap at this import from Sweden that's known as the IKEA of clothing stores. Club-going teenagers and those who want to look like them form long lines for the dressing room, so aim to visit midweek, before or after the noon–2 lunch rush.

Arguably the city's best-dressed philanthropist, Joy Bianchi, along with other volunteers, runs this store to benefit the mentally disabled. A red Bill Blass cocktail dress, a Chanel suit, or a Schiaparelli hat are among the vintage masterpieces you might expect to find here—to see the good stuff, all you have to do is ask nicely. Don't miss a look at Bianchi's "mouse couture," a clever fund-raiser display in which designers like Armani and Carolina Herrera dress up 4-inch stuffed mice.

Local artisans Julia Relinghaus and Katharina Ernst have been producing one-of-a-kind and custom products for more than 30 years. Ernst's bold knitted sweaters and accessories will help you stand out from the crowd, and Relinghaus's exquisite, high-quality leather jackets for men and women are the kind of investment you make for fine leather.

Danette Scheib's smart, sharp designs make this one of SF's leading of-the-moment clothing boutiques. Caftans, wrap dresses, and leisure suit jackets are both comfortable and savvy enough for a night out or a business meeting.

A San Francisco icon, founded in 1853, Levi's offers every style, size, color, and cut of 501s for men and women at its massive flagship store. You can even get a custom fitting if you book ahead of time.

This yoga-inspired company makes all kinds of athletic gear out of Luon fabric—it's nonchafing, moisture-wicking, preshrunk, and best of all it can be washed in warm water. The pants have a rep as the best thing in town for a yogi's derriere.

Filled with bright dresses and patterned tops, this Cow Hollow beacon of style has a real Californian feel. Designers both local and from Southern California are represented, and the owner and her staff are happy to help you match things, including earrings and sweaters and jeans and simple T-shirts.

Fed by more than 25 boutiques in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, the Closet carries clothing and accessories by designers like BB Dakota, Current Elliot, and Alexander McQueen, all at least 50% off the retail price.

Offering well-curated clothing, accessories, and jewelry from the roaring '20s to the hippie '60s, this premier vintage shop has a loyal following among retro-conscious gals and pals. Patrons have fun turning back the clock in the well-organized yet funky interior with Hawaiian-theme dressing rooms and a leopard-print chaise lounge.

Selling hard-to-find denim, sportswear, shoes, and accessories with a European influence, this store includes clothes designed by Fred Perry, G-Star RAW, and Benson. R by Rolo, down the street at 2267 Market Street, has high-quality gym- and sportswear.

A narrow store on a hip Mission block, Schauplatz sells vintage clothing from the 1920s to the 1980s. Some of the dramatic women's wear—go-go boots, pillbox hats, faux Chanel suits—is suitable for street wear or dress-up, depending on your style, while the menswear tends more toward fashionably retro jackets and button-up shirts from the classic to the gaudy.

With clean, tailored lines and deep solid colors, there is something elegant yet cutting-edge for every age here. Based on Amsterdam couture, and carrying European labels, this hive of a shop is cool but friendly; it also has an old but new feel to it. The Bodycon Peplum dress is a classic, as is the men's stretch wool blazer. This is a good place to visit if you're looking for a new pair of denims, or a cool shirt for a night out.

Hanging from metal rods on perfectly separated wooden hangers are dozens of pairs of Japanese selvage denim. The industrial-weight fabric that makes up these jeans will run you between $180 and $450, but alterers will hem them for free on a vintage chain-stitching machine.

Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, sconces on the walls, a faux fireplace, and groovy music in the background set the scene at this oasis of hip. Dress shirts, sweaters, swingy pleated skirts, and suits, trousers, and jackets by the British designer have an updated 1960s aesthetic.

The closest thing to Savile Row in San Francisco, this small, cutting-edge, men-only boutique has everything from handmade suits to large handmade silver belt buckles from top-shelf Japanese and Italian designers.

The East Coast socialite–turned–designer has brightened staid Maiden Lane with her outpost for Bergdorf Blondes, inspired by designs from the '60s and '70s. The carpet is a rich avocado, walls are magenta among other colors, and velvet curtains frame floor-to-ceiling mirrors in other candy colors. In addition to her ubiquitous ballet flats, Burch's signature tunics, silk blouses, and suits are on offer.

A fresh place to find a lacy top or a soft pair of jeans, Two Birds stocks Frēda Salvador, Ulla Johnson, and Smythe. You'll also find sleek jewelry, handbags, and dresses by local designers.

Though you can find a few items from the psychedelic '60s, beautifully preserved fashions from the '40s and '50s are the best reason for visiting. You can even track down purses and hard-to-find vintage shoes to go with that fur-trimmed jacket.