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…

On a recent Sunday in Dolores Park, a small but stalwart group of local fashion fans gathered to celebrate their shared love of an oh-so-San Francisco garment: the poncho. Along with a D.I.Y. runway and socializing, the first Love Me, Love My Poncho event included a free clothing swap. You, too, can feel the poncho love by cruising through this photo recap of the event.

Love Me, Love My Poncho organizer Mirabelle Jones

A clothing swap was also part of the event

So many ponchos, so little time!

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.

San Francisco fashion blogger Catie Neinaber, who pens the always-good-for-a-read Cuffington blog and never fails to impress with her vintage-inspired looks, caught up with us outside her Lower Haight office looking as stylish as ever and ready for the rain. Read on for her favorite shops, outfit inspirations and time-killers in the city that surrounds us.

What is your favorite place to shop in the city?

Ver Unica in Hayes Valley, it’s in my neighborhood. The owner is really nice and everyone that works there is full of sunshine. I cannot walk in there without buying something, it’s so well done. It’s the kind of vintage that is more 70’s and 80’s or vintage that would mix seamlessly with modern clothing.

What inspired your outfit today and who are you wearing?

I was cold, so I wore my Wellington boots to work. I was feeling really wintery today, so I choose to look textured with my vintage tweed pants and vintage sweater. I wanted to wear easy shoes so I wore my Lanvin flats. My coat is Burberry and bag Chloe.  

Who are your current style influences?

In my mental mood board, right now, I have two people. Dita Von Teese and Ashley Olsen. They are both five feet tall, but they dress really well for their body type and are very daring. Dita isn’t afraid of color. Ashley could wear anything, and it would make sense. She’s also a bit more buttoned up, and I tend to be buttoned up.

What’s your favorite neighborhood to kill time in the city?

I used to live in Pacific Heights, and I really like it there because the architecture is really beautiful and when I walk down the streets, I feel like I should be singing a song from My Fair Lady. There’s a lot of history there, and it’s just really kind of romantic.

For more, keep up with Catie on Cuffington.

Photography by Sara Iravani

More San Francisco style…

Spotted: San Francisco blogger Punam, at the Space Gallery’s City Dolls trunk show, scoring some sweet jewelry at the Polk Street sale while donning a cream turtleneck, blue vintage sweater with cutouts and sequin detailing, black motorcycle inspired lace-front boots and chunky statement bracelets for the finishing touch.

How does this local style blogger (who writes at Nothing Broken) describe her personal style?

“Lots of vintage. Sometimes I’m dressed like a drag queen, sometimes I’m dressed like a prep, and other times I’m dressed like MC Hammer,” she tells us.

Her favorite places to shop in the city? A girl after our own hearts, she loves to peruse a combo of Goodwill, trade shows, pop-up shops, clothing-by-the-pound and anywhere that doesn’t have an official cash register.

Photography courtesy of Alexandra Naughton with editing fun by SF Indie Fashion

More San Francisco street style…

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Alexandra is a San Francisco writer with a passion for style and creativity. You can find her on Twitter @theTsaritsa

A model and party-goer smile for the camera

Looking for wildly inventive New Year’s Eve hair inspiration? Maybe you’ll pick up a few ideas from Ginger Rubio Salon‘s The Hunt fashion and hair event, held at DNA Lounge this fall. Channeling Little Red Riding Hood and Twilight, the model’s moody up-dos, “boho meets barbarian” men’s cuts, feathers, braids and exaggerated extensions were inspired by German forests, supple leather, utility, fantasy and history.

Party-goers packed the massive venue to its gills and danced to the beats of house DJs Adrian and Mysterious D while waiting for the unveiling of the Ginger Rubio crew’s transformation of the models waiting in the wings.

When they appeared, models with hair by the Ginger Rubio team and makeup by Nikole Elaine made their way down the runway sporting  smokey eyes and muted tones just as Mysterious D kicked up the beats on the ones and twos in time with the models on the stage. Hot on their heels were oohs and ahs from the audience and satisfaction from the stylists and curators backstage.

Below, a few more shots from this avant garde San Francisco style event.

A model working it on the runway

Backstage, a model shows off her Twilight-inspired hair

A model with a feathers and smokey eyes

Two models, backstage, show off the Ginger Rubio crew's skills

Smiling and happy for post-show success

Photography courtesy of Nathan Koch and Eric Stein

More San Francisco fashion shows…