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With its grand department stores and funky secondhand boutiques, San Francisco summons a full range of shopping experiences. From the anarchist bookstore to the mouthwatering specialty-food purveyors at the gleaming Ferry Building, the local shopping opportunities reflect the city's various personalities. Visitors with limited time often focus their energies on the high-density Union Square area, where several major department stores tower over big-name boutiques. But if you're keen to find unique local shops, consider moving beyond the square's radius.
Each neighborhood has its own distinctive finds, whether it's 1960s housewares, cheeky stationery, or vintage Levi's. If shopping in San Francisco has a downside, it's that real bargains can be few and far between. Sure, neighborhoods such as the Lower Haight and the Mission have thrift shops and other inexpensive stores, but you won't find many discount outlets in the city, where rents are sky-high and space is at a premium.
Seasonal sales, usually in late January and late July or August, are good opportunities for finding deep discounts on clothing. The San Francisco Chronicle and San Francisco Examiner advertise sales. For smaller shops, check the free SF Weekly, which can be found on street corners every Wednesday. Sample sales are usually held by individual manufacturers, so check your favorite company's website before visiting.
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.
The affable staff can help guys and gals sort through the jeans selection, one of the hippest in the city, from hyperlocal to international brands. On-staff experts pride themselves on being able to match the pants to the person. Occasional release parties are hosted: sign up for the mailing list to get a taste of local fashion and art life combined.
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. Cable-car logo gear---including pocket squares, bow ties, silk ties, and scarves---makes for dashing souvenirs.
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.
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 trade in your old Levi's for store credit and to keep them out of the landfill.
It doesn't take much time in San Francisco to learn about the city's frequent fog and chilly wind, both of which are the cozy inspiration for this local label's distinctive soft-textured, stylish clothing for men and women of all ages. If you're at any restaurant or event in the city, there's a good chance that several residents are wearing a Marine Layer design.
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.
The artists at this screen-printing boutique offer homespun souvenirs in the form of colorful graphic T-shirts and hoodies paying homage to the city. Favorites include tees saluting North Beach and various signature San Francisco street signs. You can often see the giant screen printer behind the counter in action.
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.
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.
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.
