What the Marine Layer Team Wears to Work

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Welcome to Working It, where Racked SF follows street style into the office. Forget pedestrian khakis and button-downs—these fashionable professionals take dress codes to a whole new dimension. Quick, somebody call HR!

With such a great product, plus a team like the one you see before you, it's no surprise the company is growing and gaining popularity by the minute. They recently moved their headquarters into the former Lumiere Theater in Nob Hill—if anyone had to take over this amazing space, we're glad it was them. They've made it their own, with dramatically high exposed-beam ceilings and and an open floorplan. We paid them a visit recently and asked some probing questions, which we're thankful they agreed to answer. Check it all out below!

Allison Sanders, visual designer (and occasional Marine Layer model), wearing the brand's black and white stripe woven crew (no longer available) with white Levi's jeans.

What is your worst shopping habit?

"SHOES. They are the one thing that instantly cheers me up. Stressful day at work? Shoes. Break up? no problem... shoes. It's a problem.

Your closet is on fire! What three items do you save from the flames?

"I would save as much of my mother's amazing vintage from the 70's and 80's as possible; my favorite orange tab Levis—they fit me like a glove, could wear them everyday; my Swedish Hasbeens clogs! The one casual shoe I could wear every day. That might be more then three... but lets be honest, 3 items is just not enough."

What have you learned at Marine Layer that you never would have otherwise?

"I've converted to the tissue tee and my T-shirt collection will never be the same! It is the perfect lightweight boyfriend cut that every woman needs in her closet."

Chad Campion, director of design, is wearing the Marine Layer <a href="http://www.marinelayer.com/store/signature-crewneck-tee-asphalt-grey/dp/7669">asphalt crew</a> and Ashby woven (no longer available), and pants by Levi's Made & Crafted; <b>Isabel Whitcomb, women's designer and head of fabric sourcing</b> is wearing the Marine Layer <a href="http://www.marinelayer.com/store/striped-hi-low-woven-black-and-white/dp/8365">black and white stripe silk woven</a> and <a href="http://www.marinelayer.com/store/indigo-blazer/dp/7953">indigo blazer</a>, with overalls from Forever 21, and vintage clogs.

Chad: Which trend do you really like, and which would you never be caught dead trying?

"I really like the fun, colorful/print short-sleeve woven shirt trend for men."

Your closet is on fire! What three items do you save from the flames?

"The first sample shirt I ever made back when I started in this industry (although it's quite embarrassing); my favorite old T-shirt from my dad's archives (a faded gold University of Iowa tee, circa 1977), and my childhood baseball card collection."

What’s an item that you spent a lot of money on that you regret buying?

"A pair of Nike Air Flight basketball shoes in middle school... the store didn't have the color I wanted so I ended up with the periwinkle and peach colorway. I just didn't feel right wearing them to b-ball practice, so I spent hours trying to color them in with Sharpie."

What fashion rule do you shamelessly break?

"I like to wear black and navy together. Is that even still a thing? I actually don't know."

What item did you pass on that you wish you could go back in time and purchase?

"Last month Marine Layer made a sweet Hawaiian shirt that sold out in 2 days. I even tried to snag the original sample, but it was already spoken for."

What is your worst shopping habit?

"Buying stuff on-line, not liking it, but then never returning it."

What have you learned at Marine Layer that you never would have otherwise?

That a '69 VW Bus is the perfect car to road trip down the coast in from SF to LA. The view from all of the windows is awesome, plus you get a lot of respect from everyone else on the road."

Isabel: Your closet's on fire! What three things do you save?

"A new Hackwith Design dress, Vintage Clogs, and my favorite Marine Layer Chambray."

What item did you pass on that you wish you could go back in time and purchase?

"A really amazing vintage leather moto jacket I found at a store on Haight. I have really been dying for a great, not too expensive leather jacket and just haven't found the perfect one."

What is your worst shopping habit?

"I have a bad habit of online shopping and often buy things that don't fit. Or once they arrive in the mail and I don't love it as much as I thought I would."

What have you learned working at Marine Layer that you never would have otherwise?

"More of an inside joke between Marine Layer employees, but I never knew that people not doing their dishes at the office after lunch would bother me so much. So, Marine Layer people reading this, please do your dishes!"

Lucy Poole, website merchant (and occasional model) is wearing an asphalt grey tissue tee—the color is no longer available but check out the <a href="http://www.marinelayer.com/store/silk-tissue-tee-azure/dp/8780">new colors</a>, white jeans by Rich and Skinny and boots by Sam Edelman.

Your closet is on fire! What three items do you save from the flames?

"My no fail little black dress, a favorite pair of cutoff camo shorts I've had since I was 15, and my dry shampoo (probably TMI and not technically a closet item but I can't live without the stuff).

What’s an item that you spent a lot of money on that you regret buying?

"There is absolutely no reason for me to own a suit."

What fashion rule do you shamelessly break?

"When I have a new favorite item in my closet, I'll wear it to death, (i.e. I'm on day 4 in a row of the denim jacket I just purchased and I haven't switched my handbag since January)."

What is your worst shopping habit?

"I online shop in my bed from my iPhone in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. Just got myself a new TV at 3am a few weeks ago!"

Chu-Min Lee, planner and merchant is wearing the Marine Layer <a href="http://www.marinelayer.com/store/shift-dress-black/dp/8035">black silk shift dress</a> with a Celine leopard print belt.

What’s an item that you spent a lot of money on that you regret buying?

"I used to spend quite a bit of money buying handbags and then getting sick of them after a year or so. Then last year I went to a flea market and found my all-time favorite vintage Coach bag that was perfectly worn in for $20 and I don't use any other bag anymore."

What fashion rule do you shamelessly break?

"White sneaks, jeans, and shorts before Memorial Day. I used to try to abide by this rule when I lived in the Midwest but no one out here cares, so... #whitesneaksdontcare."

What is your worst shopping habit?

"Impulsiveness. Depending on my mood, I can be very impulsive in buying things and then more often than not, they end up sitting in my closet collecting dust. I also love buying heels, but I wear Keds, moccasins, or loafers 99.9% of the time, so that's another thing that sits in my closet collecting dust."

What have you learned at Marine Layer that you never would have otherwise?

"Skateboarding in an office."

Adam Lynch, partner, COO, and head of production is wearing an old school Marine Layer oxford (now expired) and Levi's jeans.

Your closet's on fire! What three items do you save from the flames?

"Marine Layer duofold henley, blue chambray button down and Levis 513s. I also keep shoes in my closet though so I suppose in this scenario I'd be shoeless after the fire...."

What fashion rule do you shamelessly break?

"It's not so much a rule per se, but I have a habit of showing up to events dressed way too casually."

What's an item you spent way too much money on that you regret buying?

"Sale shopping in general. I'm way too eager to convince myself that I'll find a use for some random 50% off item... and end up wearing it twice."

What have you learned at Marine Layer that you never would have otherwise?

"Well, since I knew essentially zero about the apparel business before taking this job, I'd say pretty much everything I know about clothing and style I know because of Marine Layer. But highlights include how great it is to design and manufacture something here in the US, how important thinking about your customer is in business, and how fun building a company from the ground up is."

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Marine Layer

1572 California Street, San Francisco, CA