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We're celebrating 2016 in style...by updating our SF Racked 38. Our list of essential San Francisco shopping spots includes a couple of newcomers, a slew of classics and several wildcards. All of them should be on your radar. Keep in mind, this guide is a roundup not a ranking (stores are listed alphabetically). Now, what are you still doing here? You've got shopping to do.
Hats are all the rage, and this homegrown company has been keeping San Franciscans covered for almost 120 years. While it has four locations in SF, the North Beach shop is the flagship.
This Jackson Square shop carries unique French-made pillows and other home goods, clothing from SF's 2x3, jewelry by Sabrina Dehoff, and many other items you won't find anyplace else.
Still a relative newcomer, former fashion writer Sydney Pfaff's Chinatown-style spot is always worth a whirl. You'll find accessories by Cold Picnic and Abacus Row, as well as clothing from KAAREM, Kowtow, wrk-shp, and lots more to covet.
Wingtip occupies the former Bank of Italy building. The 10th and 11th floors house an exclusive private club where you can smoke cigars, drink whiskey and eat charcuterie. And when you're all clubbed out and you've played enough billiards, take one of Wingtip's fancy Audis out on the town. You can shop for a suit, too. [Photo: Patricia Chang]
Prepare to spend hours in this mind-blowing vintage store, with clothes dating all the way back to the early 1900s and spanning the decades up to the '80s and '90s. Celeb stylists shop for period pieces here, and celebs themselves (including Lenny Kravitz) have been known to frequent this massive Union Square shop.
You can thank Wilkes Bashford for introducing Italian labels like Armani to America. For almost 50 years, this posh store (now in its second San Francisco location) has delivered upscale merchandise with personalized customer service, Relish the old-school shopping experience at this mainstay. [Photo]
Top contender for best place in the city to buy jeans (plus dresses, shoes and accessories) for men and women. It's huge, and carries everything from Chanel vintage to Levi's. [Photo]
Yes, this store is still a relative newbie, but it's already earned its place on our must-shop list. There's no shortage of retailers in San Francisco that carry Ms Minkoff's wares, but the Fillmore flagship is redefining the retail experience with smart, touch-screen mirrors and RFID technology.
Men's clothes that are stylish and never twee: APC Jeans, Filson, Woolrich, lots more. And they have an awesome couch for your lady friends to relax on while you shop.
MAC in Hayes Valley was selling Dries Van Noten, Margiela and Jill Sander when the 101 still spilled directly into the Valley. In other words, they know their designers, and they sell the absolute best. [Photo]
Rand + Statler is one of those rare stores that will keep both men and women happily shopping for Vena Cava, Wren, Paul Smith, Timo Weiland, and tons more. It's also the sibling to nearby shops Welcome Stranger and Azalea—run by partners Catherine Chow and Corina Murimba-Hambali.
The vintage clothing here is upscale, but the prices are accessible. Plus it carries contemporary indie jewelry from Sweet Bird, Metal Smith, and 1228, fragrances from Sebastian Signs, and vintage-inspired new clothing from Kit Kit Dodge and more. (Note: the second location at 437 Hayes Street closed since out last update.)
Gorgeous vintage clothing, jewelry, textile, and other objects of desire. Proprietor Leah Bershad handpicks small designer lines and vintage items to create a collection you won't find elsewhere.
Dish has been in Hayes Valley long before it was an absolute must shopping destination (and even before that in Berkeley). In fact, it likely played a hand in making it one. You'll find Rhie, Rachel Comey, Raquel Allegra, NDC and plenty of local designers as well.
Founded by college buddies Stephen Chen and Otto Zoell, this small Castro space provides clothing for a man's whole life, from the boardroom to the trail. You'll find crisp button-up shirts, parkas, backpacks, and shoes (both of the casual and dress variety). And of course, only the highest-quality brands including Robert Geller, Adam Kimmel, Dana Lee and Band of Outsiders.
Voyager has its own submarine inside, which itself is worth a visit. And the goods won't disappoint: all-American traveler-wear, including stationary on which to record your adventures.
The shop's tagline is "gorgeous little things," and that about sums it up. Owner Sasha Darling carries apparel from Corey Lynn Calter, Funktional, Something Else, plus gifts for you and yours in the form of pretty candles, jewelry, and home decor. [Photo: Patricia Chang]
Local men rave about the selection at Unionmade, both for the house labels and smaller, niche brands like Raleigh Denim. Whether you're shopping for yourself or someone else, you'll be hard-pressed to leave this store without finding something you love.
Whether you're landscaping your outdoor area or looking to bring the outdoors in with plants or a taxidermied chipmunk, this place has you covered. It also carries an assortment of unique and gift-worthy books and jewelry.
You'll find international brands in this shop that you won't find anywhere else. Owner Mira Pickett scours the globe for undiscovered designers so you can buy them first.
This beautiful Noe Valley shop is the go-to for playful, tomboy-chic clothing and accessories, with an emphasis on quality and one-of-a-kind-ness. Think must-have Gitman Bros. button-downs, striped tops by Saint James and genius jeans by Raleigh Denim, Imogene + Willie, and Levi’s Made & Crafted.
This Presidio Heights charmer is owned and run by Christina Spaulding. The former architect and designer's sharp eye shines through in the clothing and accessories that inhabit the two-level space. You'll find brands including A.L.C., Mother Denim, White and Warren and lots more from uber-casual tees to going-out dresses.[Photo]
Whether or not you're a surfer, this classic Outer Sunset surf shop slash art gallery has something for everyone, from surf boards and skateboards to super-cute sweats. It opened in SF in 2005, and has location in Venice Beach (natch).
Men, women, and children are all covered here, plus you'll find rare magazines and great books. Lots of goods from local craftspeeps, and don't forget to check out the sunny (really!) backyard.
Heidi Says offers fancy looks in the front, and premium denim and tees in the back. It's a shop-in-shop set up designed to appeal to Heidi's evolving customer. Heidi Says Shoes, down the street at 2105 Fillmore, serves up complementary fashionable footwear.
[Photo]
Shoe designers Megan Papay and Cristina Palomo-Nelson moved to their fab and funky new retail digs earlier this year. Same gorgeous, well-made shoes that will have everyone asking where you got 'em.
More than a lingerie store, the custom corset makers at this Hayes Valley shop have dressed celebrities like Dita Von Teese and Christina Aguilera. If you're thinking about jumping on the waist-training bandwagon, start with a corset from Dark Garden. [Photo: Aubrie Pick]
Jenny Chung, the mastermind behind Acrimony and the now-closed Acre/SF, owns this petite Russian Hill jewelry shop. Stop here for gorgeous pieces by brands like Bing Bang, ManiaMania, Vale, and the No. 3 house line. [Photo]
Lauren and Josh Podoll opened their first city boutique (joining its older baby in Burlingame) in early spring. Star of the show in the Noe Valley space: the married duo’s eco-friendly clothing line The Podolls. Also find their kids' line Podots, as well as Ryan Roche, Martiniano shoes, 6397 denim, Melissa Joy Manning jewelry, and more.
For more than 20 years, this men's and women's denim purveyor has been fitting locals (and visitors) with the coolest jeans on the planet. Needless to say, owner Howard Gee knows his stuff, which explains customers' fierce loyalty to the Upper Grant Street boutique. Just a few labels you'll see: Matias, Blue Blanket, C.O.F., Raleigh, Ksubi and Civilianaire.
The light-filled 1,000 square-foot newcomer is a fashion girl’s dream. Hard-to-find-in-SF labels are beautifully displayed: Carven, MM6 Maison Martin Margiela, Vanessa Bruno, No.6, and the list goes on. The unique accessories are beyond. Opened in October, the store has a bit of a built-in following, thanks to owner Renee Friedrich’s toddler e-comm site.
Beautiful, handmade ceramics are only part of the story at Heath, founded in Sausalito in 1948. Along with its signature tableware and architectural tiles, find beautiful textiles, lighting, candles and more in this ginormous retail, showroom and factory space. Bonus: you can grab a cuppa Blue Bottle at the kiosk near the entrance.
The iconic, 20-year-old store run by the ever-affable Vas Kiniris, recently closed its original location. Good news is, this one-year-old 5,000-square-foot outpost is filled with the same mix of modern furnishings, art and gifts curated from around the globe. Brands include Kartell, Knoll, Vitra, Marimekko, Design House and more.
Inspired by their vacations in the South of France, the mother-daughter duo behind this darling Fillmore boutique have turned their wanderlust into the street's cutest French shop. From bedding and home accessories to gorgeous jewelry, clothing, toys and gifts, everything here has that je ne sais quoi. A must-shop for Francophiles.
Colleen Mauer, one cool chick, has been designing jewelry for about 10 years. Her welcoming store-cum-studio is loaded with her simple, stunning and effortlessly hip earrings, bracelets and necklaces. The stackable rings, though, are the stars of the show; and the new ring bar is brilliant.
Only a couple months old, this cool, sophisticated and ethically sourced home décor shop has quickly become a local favorite. It’s tagline is home luxury for the modern bohemian. And its ever-changing selection of rugs, gifts, textiles and pillows most definitely fit the bill.
Quintessentially San Francisco, this quirky crowd-sourced clothier features an ever-rotating collection of its own Mission-hipster-y men's and women's clothing. The extra-large space also serves as an office/photo studio.
The sister boutique of the original in San Anselmo is a newbie to our list, and a must-shop for everyday pieces—denim to dresses and killer accessories. You'll find interesting labels not seen everywhere (i.e. Calleen Cordero, Nili Lotan). The medium-sized space is warm, inviting and not too overwhelming.
Hats are all the rage, and this homegrown company has been keeping San Franciscans covered for almost 120 years. While it has four locations in SF, the North Beach shop is the flagship.
This Jackson Square shop carries unique French-made pillows and other home goods, clothing from SF's 2x3, jewelry by Sabrina Dehoff, and many other items you won't find anyplace else.
Still a relative newcomer, former fashion writer Sydney Pfaff's Chinatown-style spot is always worth a whirl. You'll find accessories by Cold Picnic and Abacus Row, as well as clothing from KAAREM, Kowtow, wrk-shp, and lots more to covet.
Wingtip occupies the former Bank of Italy building. The 10th and 11th floors house an exclusive private club where you can smoke cigars, drink whiskey and eat charcuterie. And when you're all clubbed out and you've played enough billiards, take one of Wingtip's fancy Audis out on the town. You can shop for a suit, too. [Photo: Patricia Chang]
Prepare to spend hours in this mind-blowing vintage store, with clothes dating all the way back to the early 1900s and spanning the decades up to the '80s and '90s. Celeb stylists shop for period pieces here, and celebs themselves (including Lenny Kravitz) have been known to frequent this massive Union Square shop.
You can thank Wilkes Bashford for introducing Italian labels like Armani to America. For almost 50 years, this posh store (now in its second San Francisco location) has delivered upscale merchandise with personalized customer service, Relish the old-school shopping experience at this mainstay. [Photo]
Top contender for best place in the city to buy jeans (plus dresses, shoes and accessories) for men and women. It's huge, and carries everything from Chanel vintage to Levi's. [Photo]
Yes, this store is still a relative newbie, but it's already earned its place on our must-shop list. There's no shortage of retailers in San Francisco that carry Ms Minkoff's wares, but the Fillmore flagship is redefining the retail experience with smart, touch-screen mirrors and RFID technology.
Men's clothes that are stylish and never twee: APC Jeans, Filson, Woolrich, lots more. And they have an awesome couch for your lady friends to relax on while you shop.
MAC in Hayes Valley was selling Dries Van Noten, Margiela and Jill Sander when the 101 still spilled directly into the Valley. In other words, they know their designers, and they sell the absolute best. [Photo]
Rand + Statler is one of those rare stores that will keep both men and women happily shopping for Vena Cava, Wren, Paul Smith, Timo Weiland, and tons more. It's also the sibling to nearby shops Welcome Stranger and Azalea—run by partners Catherine Chow and Corina Murimba-Hambali.
The vintage clothing here is upscale, but the prices are accessible. Plus it carries contemporary indie jewelry from Sweet Bird, Metal Smith, and 1228, fragrances from Sebastian Signs, and vintage-inspired new clothing from Kit Kit Dodge and more. (Note: the second location at 437 Hayes Street closed since out last update.)
Gorgeous vintage clothing, jewelry, textile, and other objects of desire. Proprietor Leah Bershad handpicks small designer lines and vintage items to create a collection you won't find elsewhere.
Dish has been in Hayes Valley long before it was an absolute must shopping destination (and even before that in Berkeley). In fact, it likely played a hand in making it one. You'll find Rhie, Rachel Comey, Raquel Allegra, NDC and plenty of local designers as well.
Founded by college buddies Stephen Chen and Otto Zoell, this small Castro space provides clothing for a man's whole life, from the boardroom to the trail. You'll find crisp button-up shirts, parkas, backpacks, and shoes (both of the casual and dress variety). And of course, only the highest-quality brands including Robert Geller, Adam Kimmel, Dana Lee and Band of Outsiders.
Voyager has its own submarine inside, which itself is worth a visit. And the goods won't disappoint: all-American traveler-wear, including stationary on which to record your adventures.
The shop's tagline is "gorgeous little things," and that about sums it up. Owner Sasha Darling carries apparel from Corey Lynn Calter, Funktional, Something Else, plus gifts for you and yours in the form of pretty candles, jewelry, and home decor. [Photo: Patricia Chang]
Local men rave about the selection at Unionmade, both for the house labels and smaller, niche brands like Raleigh Denim. Whether you're shopping for yourself or someone else, you'll be hard-pressed to leave this store without finding something you love.
Whether you're landscaping your outdoor area or looking to bring the outdoors in with plants or a taxidermied chipmunk, this place has you covered. It also carries an assortment of unique and gift-worthy books and jewelry.
You'll find international brands in this shop that you won't find anywhere else. Owner Mira Pickett scours the globe for undiscovered designers so you can buy them first.
This beautiful Noe Valley shop is the go-to for playful, tomboy-chic clothing and accessories, with an emphasis on quality and one-of-a-kind-ness. Think must-have Gitman Bros. button-downs, striped tops by Saint James and genius jeans by Raleigh Denim, Imogene + Willie, and Levi’s Made & Crafted.
This Presidio Heights charmer is owned and run by Christina Spaulding. The former architect and designer's sharp eye shines through in the clothing and accessories that inhabit the two-level space. You'll find brands including A.L.C., Mother Denim, White and Warren and lots more from uber-casual tees to going-out dresses.[Photo]
Whether or not you're a surfer, this classic Outer Sunset surf shop slash art gallery has something for everyone, from surf boards and skateboards to super-cute sweats. It opened in SF in 2005, and has location in Venice Beach (natch).
Men, women, and children are all covered here, plus you'll find rare magazines and great books. Lots of goods from local craftspeeps, and don't forget to check out the sunny (really!) backyard.
Heidi Says offers fancy looks in the front, and premium denim and tees in the back. It's a shop-in-shop set up designed to appeal to Heidi's evolving customer. Heidi Says Shoes, down the street at 2105 Fillmore, serves up complementary fashionable footwear.
[Photo]
Shoe designers Megan Papay and Cristina Palomo-Nelson moved to their fab and funky new retail digs earlier this year. Same gorgeous, well-made shoes that will have everyone asking where you got 'em.
More than a lingerie store, the custom corset makers at this Hayes Valley shop have dressed celebrities like Dita Von Teese and Christina Aguilera. If you're thinking about jumping on the waist-training bandwagon, start with a corset from Dark Garden. [Photo: Aubrie Pick]
Jenny Chung, the mastermind behind Acrimony and the now-closed Acre/SF, owns this petite Russian Hill jewelry shop. Stop here for gorgeous pieces by brands like Bing Bang, ManiaMania, Vale, and the No. 3 house line. [Photo]
Lauren and Josh Podoll opened their first city boutique (joining its older baby in Burlingame) in early spring. Star of the show in the Noe Valley space: the married duo’s eco-friendly clothing line The Podolls. Also find their kids' line Podots, as well as Ryan Roche, Martiniano shoes, 6397 denim, Melissa Joy Manning jewelry, and more.
For more than 20 years, this men's and women's denim purveyor has been fitting locals (and visitors) with the coolest jeans on the planet. Needless to say, owner Howard Gee knows his stuff, which explains customers' fierce loyalty to the Upper Grant Street boutique. Just a few labels you'll see: Matias, Blue Blanket, C.O.F., Raleigh, Ksubi and Civilianaire.
The light-filled 1,000 square-foot newcomer is a fashion girl’s dream. Hard-to-find-in-SF labels are beautifully displayed: Carven, MM6 Maison Martin Margiela, Vanessa Bruno, No.6, and the list goes on. The unique accessories are beyond. Opened in October, the store has a bit of a built-in following, thanks to owner Renee Friedrich’s toddler e-comm site.
Beautiful, handmade ceramics are only part of the story at Heath, founded in Sausalito in 1948. Along with its signature tableware and architectural tiles, find beautiful textiles, lighting, candles and more in this ginormous retail, showroom and factory space. Bonus: you can grab a cuppa Blue Bottle at the kiosk near the entrance.
The iconic, 20-year-old store run by the ever-affable Vas Kiniris, recently closed its original location. Good news is, this one-year-old 5,000-square-foot outpost is filled with the same mix of modern furnishings, art and gifts curated from around the globe. Brands include Kartell, Knoll, Vitra, Marimekko, Design House and more.
Inspired by their vacations in the South of France, the mother-daughter duo behind this darling Fillmore boutique have turned their wanderlust into the street's cutest French shop. From bedding and home accessories to gorgeous jewelry, clothing, toys and gifts, everything here has that je ne sais quoi. A must-shop for Francophiles.
Colleen Mauer, one cool chick, has been designing jewelry for about 10 years. Her welcoming store-cum-studio is loaded with her simple, stunning and effortlessly hip earrings, bracelets and necklaces. The stackable rings, though, are the stars of the show; and the new ring bar is brilliant.
Only a couple months old, this cool, sophisticated and ethically sourced home décor shop has quickly become a local favorite. It’s tagline is home luxury for the modern bohemian. And its ever-changing selection of rugs, gifts, textiles and pillows most definitely fit the bill.
Quintessentially San Francisco, this quirky crowd-sourced clothier features an ever-rotating collection of its own Mission-hipster-y men's and women's clothing. The extra-large space also serves as an office/photo studio.
The sister boutique of the original in San Anselmo is a newbie to our list, and a must-shop for everyday pieces—denim to dresses and killer accessories. You'll find interesting labels not seen everywhere (i.e. Calleen Cordero, Nili Lotan). The medium-sized space is warm, inviting and not too overwhelming.
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