May 21, 2012

Secondhand News: Sui Generis Launches Online Boutique

Part of the holiday collection from the new Sui Generis online boutique is this Lanvin black silk mini dress, size 4, ($480) paired with purple silk velvet YSL pumps featuring snake skin heels and mink ankle straps, size 8, ($280).

Guys will find a bold, yet classic pairing with this Jill Sander wool and mohair coat, size 38, ($345) and Jill Sander fuchsia pullover, size medium, and Marc Jacobs wool Pants in size 31 ($110).

A classic black on cream wool Chanel coat in size 4 ($1,400) with silk bow at the neck and white Chanel wedges in size 9 ($300) with gold hardware details are among the chic picks in the newly launched shop.

Versace fans will no doubt swoon over this great condition black leather vintage Gianni Versace jacket, size large,with gold detachable hardware details and Medusa snap buttons ($426), a Versace silk print shirt, size large, ($244) and Helmut Lang leather pants in size 32 ($260).

Hot on the designer vintage heels of its land-based expansion, which brought a larger men’s shop and a brand new women’s boutique to San Francisco’s Castro earlier this year, Sui Generis continues to up its secondhand glam quotient with the official launch today of the Sui Generis Online Boutique. Stocked with rare, hard-to-find, vintage and designer consignment pieces for men and women, the shop offers easy access to the Market Street shops’ selection of apparel and accessories handpicked by owners Miguel Lopez and Gabriel Yanez.

In addition to the items shown here from the shops’ holiday editorial photo shoot with photographer Cecilia Austin and stylist Ken Baldwin, a recent perusal of the shop turned up such to-die-for finds as a pair of men’s Balenciaga high-top sneakers in black and brown, Ann Demeulemeester adjustable height leather boots, a perfectly polished Alexander McQueen wool dress and a Marc Jacobs brown leather mini skirt.

To celebrate the launch of the online boutique, shoppers can take 15 percent off of any purchase over $200 until December 25 with the discount code SG2011XMAS. If you’re a local resident, you can save a little more by picking up your online purchases at the store. Free gift wrapping is also an option at check-out.

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Photography courtesy Cecilia Austin for Sui Generis; art direction and styling by Ken Baldwin

3 Pieces for Subtle Guy Style at Scotts

When it comes to everyday apparel, most guys we know are looking for a few simple things from their clothes: durability, versatility and a look that’s cool in an I-really-didn’t-try way. For that, we turn to three pieces that fit the bill from British retailer Scotts.

The Launch Windcheater from Nicholas Deakins is a Scotts exclusive that’s lightweight but built to fight blustery days with a mesh-lined hood, drawstring hood and woven elastic cuffs. Available in olive and black, this military-inspired jacket is one you can toss on for adventures in the City, whether you’re day drinking on the weekend or just trying to get to work and back during the Monday to Friday slog.

Another casual, go-with-everything piece is the G-Star Cedar Denim Shirt, one item from a large selection of G-Star at Scotts. This 100 percent cotton button down features double front pockets, double button cuffs and numbered print detail on the chest. Pair with black pants, khakis or cords for a twist on the average Oxford.

While denim in blue is the obvious choice in most men’s wardrobes, going for a charcoal pair is an unexpectedly stylish move, yet still subtle enough to up an outfit’s fashion quotient without looking calculated. Shown here, the Rogue from Original Penguin offers a slim fit, three front pockets with contrast stitching and a button fly in hue that will complement black, blue, khaki and other denim fabrics.

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This is a promotional post from www.scottsmenswear.com. We love our promotional partners and hope you will, too. They make it possible for us to keep bringing you San Francisco’s independent fashion news five days a week.

 

Snap Judgment: Bush + Leavenworth Mission Pullover

The Mission Pullover Hoody by Bush + Leavenworth features a slouchy neck, hood and side pockets at the waist.

Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: the guy-friendly take on a cozy cowl neck in the cotton-spandex Mission pullover hoody, $68, from the casual-cool fall collection of San Francisco-based menswear label Bush + Leavenworth.

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Photography courtesy of Bush + Leavenworth

 

Fashion Tips for Cold Weather

The leaves are falling from the trees and the temperatures are following suit, so it’s time to start dressing for the winter weather. When there’s a chill in the air, it’s all too easy to concentrate on getting comfy and cozy and let style fall by the wayside as a consequence. Of course, it is important to stay warm in order to brave the elements. But that doesn’t have to mean looking like you’ve thrown on your entire wardrobe at once. A stylish jacket will always help.

Kayak Mighty Windbreaker Jacket from High and Mighty

Layering is the key dressing skill of the autumn and winter months, as it will make sure you are dressed appropriately whether you are outdoors or in. Consider buying a knitted sweater to slip on over your shirt or swapping your suit for one made from a woolen fabric. If you are large or tall and struggle to source these in your size, look at ranges from specialists such as www.highandmighty.co.uk.

Polo Ralph Lauren Tall Zip Sweater from High and Mighty

Tommy Hilfiger Mighty V-Neck Sweater from High and Mighty

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This is a promotional post from www.highandmighty.co.uk. We love our promotional partners and hope you will, too. They make it possible for us to keep bringing you San Francisco’s independent fashion news five days a week.

Runway Recap: GO’s Define Beauty Fashion Show

A fashionable and philanthropically-minded crowd packed Madrone Studios last week for Define: Beauty, a runway show put on by local nonprofit organization Groundwork Opportunities. With its notable line-up of labels, several of whom rarely show their work in local shows, the evening promised serious style eye-candy and lighthearted fun. But the evening’s goal was much more serious: to raise enough to fund a clean water project for over 4,000 people in Tanzania.

After the opening cocktail hour, a runway show featuring the latest from Kajan Padraig, MENK, Retrofit Republic, Sarah Liller, Ken Chen, Daniel Sudar, Cari Borja and Dallas Parke took place before a full house, with every chair occupied and several rows of standing room only space. Against the venue’s photographer-friendly, seamless white interiors, chic dresses with carefully-placed slashes and rips by Kajan Padraig, well-tailored menswear from MENK, gender-bending ensembles from Retrofit Republic and crisp suits from Daniel Sudar stood out.

Along with a solid showing of San Francisco fashion, the evening produced an even more uplifting result: approximately $5,000 was raised to benefit a community in Tanzania, just one of the many projects from Groundwork Opportunities.

Below, some of our favorite looks from the show:

Neutrals collide in this dress from Kajan Padraig

Patterned pants and a sculptured jacket caught our eyes in this look by Kajan Padraig.

MENK showed looks that were sophisticated and well-tailored, yet ready for everyday wear.

A form-fitting blazer and rolled up denim stand out in this look by MENK.

Retrofit Republic inverted the usual order of things for its presentation, which featured female models in menswear....

...and male models donning women's apparel from the Retrofit Republic collection of recycled apparel and accessories.

Contrasting prints and a girlish innocence defined the latest from Sarah Liller.

How much does this model, in Sarah Liller, look like Maggie Gyllenhaal?

A versatile women's swing coat by Ken Chen

A model channels James Bond in Ken Chen

Daniel Sudar's three-piece ensemble features a hooded layer underneath a blazer.

A creative closure adds interest to an otherwise classic suit in this look by Daniel Sudar.

Tulle, ruffles and layers created a dessert-like effect in this ensemble from Cari Borja.

Cari Borja's signature exposed seams and ruffles created movement in this two-piece look.

A cinched waist and short hemline add va-voom to this look by Dallas Parke.

Dallas Parke's all-black collection closed out the show.

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Photography courtesy of Jayson Carpenter for Groundwork Opportunities