Jaz & Erica

Spotted: Photographers on their way from work to park transition.

What is the best thing about spring in the city?

Jaz: My favorite part about spring is usually the rain…..I do enjoy bringing out the light and bright colors to wear. 

Erica: The best part of spring is the variety. Sometimes I wear one thing, but it’s easy to layer, and I can wear all of my wardrobe. 

Allison & Toni

Spotted: Heading to pick up burritos on 16th Street.

Allison wears Lush studded-neck blouse, vintage skirt, Doc Marten boots.

Toni wears Calvin Klein shirt, Levi’s jeans, Chie Mahari shoes.

Erin & Maura

 Spotted: 1970s & 1950s inspired looks trekking thru the masses en route to meet friends.

What is your favorite thing to do when it’s this hot?

Erin & Maura: We love to bring our dog to Dolores Park.

Photography by Sara Iravani

Custom-made ring from Mother of Gideon and Sally Hansen press on checkered nails.

Christina wears vintage sweater, striped blouse and coat, Opening Ceremony skirt, Doc Marten shoes, and glasses that belonged to her late Grandpa.

The highlight of a rainy filled week was my venture across the Bay to meet For Show fashion blogger, Christina Martinez. An L.A. transplant, Christina filled me in on Oakland’s style. Read on for her favorite haunts, watering holes and vintage hunting spots in her up-and-coming neighborhood.

Describe your style in three words.

Intelligent, with a sense of humor, and…colorful.

How did you come up with your blog title, “For Show”?

I’ve had a blog in some form forever. In high school it was Diaryland, no one remembers, then a Livejournal, and then Blogspot. I called it “For Show” on purpose, because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it, so I had to make a vague, broad title. I didn’t even start taking photos of myself until last year. It used to just be my photography, Polaroids, and I have this weird thing where if I find a crazy flyer or some strange bum art, I’d scan and upload it.

What drew you to Oakland?

Right now I’m a full time student [at UC Berkeley] studying comparative literature and art history, but I live in Lake Merritt. I’m also a submerged art writer, which is what I do for me.

Are there any differences in Oakland versus San Francisco style?

Well, San Francisco people do dress up. I don’t really see that in Oakland, because it’s a bit more casual. But that doesn’t mean people don’t try. When I go to San Francisco, girls will walk around in heels and dress up at night and I’m naturally an over-dresser. I noticed there is this thing in San Francisco, where it really wants to be a fashionable city, but everyone admires people that don’t try to hard. And I don’t really get that because everyone is trying to look effortless….People in the Bay Area are weird and stylish and have there own thing going on [versus in LA], where its more about being trendy. And I like that.

Do you have a style icon?

Not really, it comes from everywhere. I get totally psyched on people that I see. When I think about it, I have to say old cheesy country stars, like Dolly Parton. 1980’s skateboarders for their colors and gay punks from the 1970s for their attitude. Artists who work hard and just wear New Balances and sweats around. In the end, I want to be known as a writer who dressed well.

Best places for a night on the town?

I usually meet people at Art Murmer, and that’s fun because it’s everything you want when you go out. Usually I’ll keep it casual, meet people for dinner then have drinks at the Ruby Room, which is my favorite bar and right by my house. It’s a little, um, super dark in there. I don’t know, it might be really dirty [laughter]. That and bar 353, which is cleaner and cuter for a glass of wine and conversation.

If you could be any animal what would you be?

Mmmm. I think I’d want to be a really cute dog, but a big one. Because everyone is nice to you, but a little bit scared. That’s kind of evil, but that’s what I think I’d want to be.

Where are your favorite places to shop in Oakland?

Near my house, there are a couple places. A really weird vintage store called Juniper Tree, and I’ve gotten a lot of weird cool things there. There’s Pretty Penny. I get stuff from there all the time. It’s the perfect balance between cool stuff that’s not over priced – and they buy on the weekends. Any place that will buy vintage, I’m all about because I’m constantly recycling things. Mirabel, on Lakeshore Ave., doesn’t have a lot of vintage, but the goal there is unique and eclectic.

For more show and less talk, visit Christina’s fashion blog, For Show.

Photography by Sara Iravani

More San Francisco fashion…

During San Francisco’s recent SF Sketchfest, Rocky Horror Picture Show fans flocked to the Castro Theatre for a showing of the iconic 1975 film that included much-gabbed-about appearances by special guest Barry Bostwick, Peaches Christ and, would you believe it, actor Luke Perry. Here’s a look at the crowd before and during the show.

Photography by Aura O’Brien

Aura O’Brien is an award-winning photographer and Marin native who has shot for Seventeen magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, Curve magazine, Mediabistro and many others. In 2011, she showed her work in anotherPERSPECTIVE: 2011 Art Show in Mill Valley and frequently shoots commercial and individual projects ranging from high fashion and editorial to weddings and boudoir photography.

On a recent day during the 5 o’clock downtown frenzy, with people bolting underground or huddling in doorways to escape the chill, I snagged Alicea Osborne, a Fashion Merchandising student at the Academy of Art, from the pack as she dashed into Coffee Bean on Market St.

Once inside, Alicea spilled the contents of her Alexander Wang duffle bag to share a few winter necessities she keeps on hand:

In Alicea’s bag, from left to right:

1. H&M foxtail keychain
2. Brown Leather Gloves from La Rosa Vintage on Haight Street
“My boyfriend really likes finding random things, and he found these in the Haight last winter. I steal these all the time because brown goes with everything.”
3. iPhone, iPad + Marc by Marc Jacobs iPad Case
“I can’t exist without my iPad. Not only is it my reader, but it’s my notebook for school.”
4. Nivea Hand Cream
“The most important thing to have in purse is my hand cream, because San Francisco is so windy and cold in the winter!”
5. Black leather wallet, thrifted from Painted Bird on Valencia Street
6. NARS lipstick in “Catfight”
7. SNACKS!
“I live in Berkeley, so I have to keep food on me.”
8. Fusion Beauty LipFusion Lip Plump in “Berry”

What do you keep stashed in your bag for winter?

Photography by Sara Iravani

More San Francisco style…

A fan of all things fine and fancy, as well as “ruffly, lacey, chiffon and feminine” and a long time San Francisco resident, fashion blogger Ashley Ording loves vintage, yet has an updated sense of style that you’ll spot in no time on her blog Fancy Fine. I recently met up with Ording for fashion talk and a delicious blueberry muffin in the Mission. Read on for more on Ashley’s shopping secrets, her love of karaoke bars and the best place for a burger from this self-described burger connoisseur.

How did you get inspired to start your fashion blog?

I was reading a lot of amazing style blogs, and I almost talked myself out of starting it. I thought maybe I’d be just another drop in the bucket because there are so many fashion blogs. But I was getting so much inspiration from other people, and I have this crazy, always-growing collection of vintage clothes that I thought I might as well share it. And I’m glad I did. 

How do you describe your aesthetic?

It’s all kind of revolving around vintage and sort of celebrating femininity anything lace, ruffle, girly, sweet – I love old things.

Where is your favorite place to find one-of-a kind clothes in the Bay Area?

I love the Alameda flea market. Oh man, it’s dangerous. I pretty much never walk out without a giant bag filled with things. The dealers knows me now. One of them calls me “the lace girl” and it’s good because it helps me work with them to find things for my etsy shop (Fancy Fine Vintage). 

What inspires you most?

Probably friends of mine, girls I know, whose names you maybe wouldn’t know. But they find their entire wardrobe at thrift stores and only wear what they love even if it looks kind of goofy or off in some way. Girls like that inspire me, more so than actresses or models. And street style photos, when it’s just photos of random folks. That’s always inspiring to me, too. 

If someone handed you a free plane ticket, where would you travel to and why?

I would want to go to Tokyo. I’ve never been, and I just felt like I would love it and want to live there. It’s so colorful and beautiful and vibrant. I feel like I might never come back. The karaoke, the food, the culture….

Wait. You’re into karaoke?!

Oh yea, obsessed. I do it all the time. Encore Karaoke in Nob Hill is the best. I’m even having a karaoke party tonight. I also consider myself an expert in a good burger, too. Pearl’s Deluxe (as she writes it down for me) is really good and in my neighborhood. 

Favorite winter trend at the moment?

I’m not very trend-driven, but I guess for me, anything pleated or chiffon. Definitely keeping my eye out for nice vintage coats ones that have a nice swing shape to them or big collar or nice buttons. And tights, I never wear pants. I need to have tights in every color. My sock and tights collection is ridiculous. 

Lastly, who are you wearing today?

All labeless, but…my vintage 60s dress from Afterlife. Vintage coat from the 50s. I’ve had forever. I got it at Haute Couture in Santa Rosa, an amazing vintage store I’ve been shopping at since I was 15. It’s been there forever, and they have great stuff. And my trusty vintage Ferragamos. 

Follow Ashley’s vintage style on Fancy Fine.

Photography by Sara Iravani

More San Francisco fashion bloggers…