San Francisco Independent Fashion
Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: make your own recycled fashion statement for a song with the new Piece X Piece and McCall’s Tunic pattern, $9.66, which will land those with sewing chops a versatile tank based on the San Francisco label’s eco-friendly designs.
More snap judgments…
There’s a reason hot and sexy often end up in the same sentence and frigid bitches in the literal sense have a tendency to act, well, like frigid bitches in the figurative sense. It’s the same reason goosebumping it up in lingerie is a fate most of us leave to models, who get paid to do things like that. Bringing a sweatpant alternative to your next close encounter of the winter kind is Snoa Lingerie, a local company whose sleep and loungewear aims to offer warmth alongside sex appeal.
Billed as “sexy sleepwear for chilly nights,” the line from Anh Oppenheimer, a documentary filmmaker who realized the need for the line when she found herself donning a negligee and socks, and California College of the Arts fashion design instructor Susan Robinson ranges from long underwear-inspired basics to signature items that includes a bell-sleeved nightie with a plunging neckline, a spaghetti strapped red chemise and a bamboo fleece shrug for covering up exposed arms without going the big, schlumpy dad sweater route (you know you’ve done it). Decidedly on the ladylike end of the demure to sizzling hot spectrum, the line strikes us as more every-night wear than let’s-rekindle-that-old-dead-fire fodder. But that’s fine by us (besides, isn’t it what happens on your average ‘ole night that really counts?).
Pieces are made using double layers of fabric for added warmth, and a focus on eco-friendly materials means fabrics like silk hemp, modal and wool jersey, as well as local production at a facility in San Francisco.
“It seemed the most eco friendly thing to do,” says Oppenheimer of the choice to manufacture close to home. “No ships, no trucks. Also, we could make sure that the facility is a fair one in terms of wages and conditions….I can shake the hand of the woman running the shop, we can take one garment back if there’s a few errant stitches and they’ll fix it up for us quickly. It’s a good feeling.”
To see Snoa in person, you’ll find a few pieces available at Workshop on Union Street, and you can warm up to the full line in the online shop.
Photography courtesy of Jan Hammock for Snoa Lingerie
Cece's Closet is a gem of a consignment option in Noe Valley.
The New Year is always a time that leaves me itching to root through my closet, hanger by hanger, to remove any space-hogging garments that I either can’t – or simply don’t – wear. And since having my son 16 months ago ushered in a very necessary wardrobe revamp, I have more clothes that deserve better homes than ever before. Had-it tossers go in the giveaway bag, but items in decent, great or brand new shape are ones I try to sell, trade or consign first.
San Francisco has a wealth of options for consigning new and used apparel and accessories for women, men and children that not only offer a way to bring in a little money on things you no longer need or use, but also are also great places to hunt down new clothes for less. Another reason to love consignment? You’ll often find apparel and accessories that are of-the-moment and in style, as many of the people who run consignment stores keep a close eye on what’s popular and take in items accordingly, but they won’t be what’s on the racks in every store right now – and that can make for a more interesting, unique wardrobe. Last but not least, buying secondhand is, plain and simple, a greener way to shop.
When you’re about to do your next closet clean out or want new wearables for less, consider these San Francisco consignment shops. With any luck, you’ll get more space at home, some cool new pieces and a little money out of your efforts. In most cases, you’ll need to contact the store for an appointment if you’d like to consign.
If you’ve got luxury brands that you’d like to unload, try these shops:
Sui Generis: Head to these twin Castro shops for men and women if you have items on hand by major designer labels that are in pristine condition. Rare vintage and couture are among the gems the stores’ buyers frequently manage to obtain from their roster of consignors. While Chanel, Versace, Prada and Oscar de la Renta grace the racks, you will also find lower-priced items from labels such as Banana Republic and Zara in the women’s shop and a solid selection of men’s denim, men’s sneakers, sunglasses and belts among the finds.
The Real Real: This online consignment site specializes in selling women’s apparel and accessories by high-end, designer brands in a flash-sale format that’s reminiscent of Gilt Groupe or Rue La La. If you’d like to consign items, you call them and speak to a styling consultant to start the process. They’ll determine what items are a match for their shoppers, and you can either ship them in for free or schedule a pick-up if you live in the Bay Area, Los Angeles or New York and have over 10 items. Another perk for consignors: the site offers 60 percent back on the sale price, compared to the usual 50 percent or less that many consignment shops offer.
Cris: This Russian hill shop has long been a go-to for those seeking to consign designer brand women’s apparel, as well as those looking for a good deal on labels such as Marc Jacobs, Prada and others. The setting is much more like that of a high-end boutique than a consignment, re-sale shop, and the owner – Cris – is known for being knowledgeable about brands, current pricing and fashion.
Simply Chic: High-end handbags are the focus at this Cow Hollow shop and online store. If you’ve got handbags (they specialize in Chanel and Louis Vuitton), women’s accessories or shoes by designer labels, this store will either allow you to consign them or will buy them outright. A consignor perk: your items will be listed for free in both the shop’s eBay site and its online boutique, as well as offered for sale in the store.
Not everyone has perfect-condition Prada hiding out in their closets. The shops below accept and sell a wide variety of brands, labels and apparel.
Cece’s Closet: This small shop in Noe Valley is a neighborhood gem of a consignment store. Run by Cece, the store never fails to turn up a great deal on something during my visits. She’s especially welcoming to new consignors and accepts both vintage and contemporary pieces in good condition in a variety of sizes.
Designer Consigner: Located on Sacramento in Laurel/Presidio Heights, this shop is known for frequently having upscale labels and great condition accessories brought in by the well-heeled folks who live in the surrounding neighborhood. Because of that, people from around the City head here to shop and that makes it a great place to bring your no-longer-needed apparel and accessories.
Good Byes: Another solid Laurel/Presidio Heights consignment shop, this one stands out for have a separate men’s shop that can make it a two-birds-one-stone option if you’re interested in consigning both men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. The shops also offer a 50-50 split, so consignors make the same amount that the store does on every sale.
Jane Consignment: Outer Richmond residents are known to head to this eclectic consignment shop to find both luxury and affordable labels in vintage, retro and contemporary styles. A consignor perk: in addition to women’s apparel and accessories, the shop takes small household items such as pottery and home accessories, allowing you to unload more items in one fell swoop.
The shops below are San Francisco consignment destinations for children’s clothing and gear.
Chloe’s Closet: Locations in the Inner Sunset and Bernal Heights regularly draw parents seeking to recycle their kid’s clothing, toys, shoes and gear. Both shops are great places to find gently worn children’s apparel and almost-new toys. A perk for busy parents: the shops accept consignment items seven days a week and without an appointment. That said, if you have large items or more than four bags of clothing to drop-off, they ask that you call ahead.
Peekaboutique: This Noe Valley children’s store sells new and used kids’ clothing, toys and gear, including many items from local labels and companies (something I’m a big fan of, obviously). Set buying times on different days throughout the week and most of the day on Saturday make this a convenient place for busy parents to sell. For shoppers, the tidy arrangement of items and kids’ toys to occupy little folks in tow make this a pleasant place to browse.
This list is focused on consignment shops I’ve personally visited, sold at, shopped in and written about for SF Indie Fashion and other media outlets. It’s by no means exhaustive, and there are plenty of additional places around town to sell and consign apparel and accessories. For straight selling, you’ll find Crossroads and Buffalo Exchange, as well as vintage shops such as Painted Bird, to be great spots. For a look at all the consignment options in town, a good place to start is checking out the consignment store listings on Yelp.
More San Francisco recycled fashion…
Colorful rayon-silk blend 80's-era dress in the window of Dina Louise (260 Divisadero St., SF)
Just off Haight Street, vintage boutique Dina Louise has been a neighborhood gem for nearly a year and a half. The shop stands out for not feeling like your typical vintage-slash-thrift situation, but rather an upscale boutique with uncharacteristically reasonable prices.
In the front shop window, handbags from different eras and of varying designs are nestled on an old-timey service cart, while a potted plant and retro kitchenware to add to the homey and welcoming feel. A mannequin dressed in a vibrant rayon knit dress in hues of purple, magenta, black and green sports a bauble-laden gold chain and beckons onlookers to come in for a peek.
When you do, you’ll meet owner Dina Laquaglia, whose wealth of style knowledge is vast and insightful. Not surprisingly, she tells us she was “too young to remember” when her love for retro glamor began. A glance around the store shows that her ardor for old school style is ever-enduring: vintage furniture brimming with fuzzy sweaters and well-edited racks of blouses, dresses, and outerwear from labels such as Yves Saint Laurent, Joseph Magnin, Lanvin, Louis Feraud and Jaeger adorn the small shop’s interiors.
We got a chance to chat with Dina in her shop about vintage style, her boutique and why retro-shopping is oh-so-smart:
A sampling of handbags at Dina Louise
What do you look for when picking new pieces?
I look for pieces that are classic and well-made, good tailoring. I look for something that’s just really fun, unique, something that you would not see if you were to walk into a regular store.
What is currently inspiring to you?
Pieces from the 1980s. I’m really into color right now.
Why do you love vintage?
The quality. For people who can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars on well-made clothes, vintage is a great way to go. Things were just made better back then. Nobody makes clothes like this anymore. I mean, they do, but it’s mostly couture and out of most people’s budgets.
How has Divisadero Street been treating you?
Sales-wise, my best month so far was last month, so things are starting to take off.
What does it take to wear vintage?
You have to be creative, and you have to be willing to take risks. My customers are comfortable with themselves and their style.
Photography courtesy of Alexandra Naughton
More San Francisco vintage…
Kelly Malone of Indie Mart and The Bold Italic combined powers just before the holidays for a special edition of Indie Mart that, not surprisingly, turned out to be a festive shopping occasion packed with Bay Area-produced clothing, yummy holiday treats, a crop of recycled cardboard trees to take home and decorate and a “Dirty Santa” for photo opps.
On the scene were merry shoppers and party-goers packed into the brand new Bold Italic office space on 34 Page Street to celebrate the fresh digs and pick up last-minute gifts. As often happens at Indie Mart events, a fun time was had by all.
Here are some of our favorite locally-made products from the evening:
Handmade leather bags by Hawke + Carry, handpainted by calligraphy artist Aoi Yamaguchi
The hip, 2011 version of Lisa Frank: cute little notebooks from Studio Nico.
Casa Murriguez's top seller of the night: Deliciously scented 100 percent lavander sachets.
Delectable treats from Black Jet Baking Co.
Dostoevsky Wooden Stencil by The Lamplighters. Use as a stencil or hang on the wall as art.
Locally made from organic ingredients, soap and soy candles (the wax becomes massage oil) by Heliotrope.
Recyclable and reusable cardboard Christmas trees that you decorate yourself from The Arbory.
More San Francisco local designers…
Photography courtesy of SF Indie Fashion
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