Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [160]
Jeremys This boutique is a serious mecca for fashion hounds thanks to the wide array of top designer fashions, from shoes to suits, at rock-bottom prices. There are no cheap knockoffs here, just good men’s and women’s clothes and accessories that the owner scoops up from major retailers—last season’s items and overruns to sale samples and returns. 2 S. Park (btw. Bryant and Brannan sts. at Second St.). 415/882-4929.www.jeremys.com.
Loehmann’s San Francisco’s branch of Loehmann’s—the nation’s only upscale off-price specialty retailer—caters to a sophisticated white-collar crowd, offering professional clothing, shoes, and accessories at bargain prices. Be sure to check out the Back Room, where designer clothes are sold for 30% to 65% less than the Union Square department stores. Note: There’s a separate men’s store at 211 Sutter St. 222 Sutter St. (btw. Kearny St. and Grant Ave.). 415/982-3215.www.loehmanns.com.
Fabrics
Britex Fabrics A San Francisco institution since 1952 and newly renovated, Britex offers an absurd quantity and variety of fabrics, lace, ribbons, and trims—four floors in all. The top floor is for bargains and remnants; the third floor houses more than 40,000 buttons. Closed Sundays. 146 Geary St. (btw. Stockton and Grant sts.). 415/392-2910.www.britexfabrics.com.
Fashion
See also “Vintage Clothing,” later in this section.
MEN’S FASHIONS
Brooks Brothers In San Francisco, this bulwark of tradition is 1 block east of Union Square. Brooks Brothers introduced the button-down collar and single-handedly changed the standard of the well-dressed businessman. The multilevel shop also sells traditional casual wear, including sportswear, sweaters, and shirts. 150 Post St. (at Grant Ave.). 415/397-4500.www.brooksbrothers.com.
Cable Car Clothiers Dapper men head to this fashion institution for traditional attire, such as three-button suits with natural shoulders, Aquascutum coats, McGeorge sweaters, and Atkinson ties. Closed Sundays. 200 Bush St. (at Sansome St.). 415/397-4740.www.cablecarclothiers.com.
Citizen Clothing The Castro has some of America’s best men’s casual clothing stores, and this is one of them. Stylish (but not faddish) pants, tops, and accessories are in stock here. Its sister store, Body, at 450 Castro St. (btw. 17th and 18th sts.), carries men’s sportswear. 536 Castro St. (btw. 18th and 19th sts.). 415/575-3560.
The Levi’s Store Levi’s Castro shop is geared for the boys, with a tasteful array of jeans, jean jackets, boots, and everything in between—plus some witty touches like the handlebar moustaches on the mannequins and a poster that gives an eyeful of beefcake bottom en route to the changing rooms. 525 Castro St. (btw. 18th and 19th sts.). 415/255-6726.
A mannequin at the Levi’s Store in the Castro.
UNISEX
A-B Fits This North Beach boutique is the place to pop in for jeans to fit all shapes, styles, and sizes, as well as smart and sassy contemporary wear for gals and guys on the go. The snugly fitting stock with over 100 styles of jeans and pants ranges from Chip & Pepper, Earnest Sewn, Edwin, Notify, and Rogan, to chic wear from the likes of Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Ya-Ya, and Twinkle by Wenlan. 1519 Grant Ave. (at Union and Filbert sts.). 415/982-5726.www.abfits.com.
Gucci America Donning Gucci’s golden Gs is not a cheap endeavor. But if you’ve got the cash, you’ll find all the latest lines of shoes, leather goods, scarves, and pricey accessories here, such as a $9,000 handmade crocodile bag. 240 Stock-ton St. (btw. Geary and Post sts.). 415/392-2808.www.gucci.com.
H & M This ever-trendy and cheap Swedish clothing chain opened in Union Square at the end of 2004 and had lines out the door all through the holiday season—and not just for their collection by Stella McCartney. Drop in anytime for trendy cuts and styles sure to satisfy the hip him and her along on the trip. 150 Powell St. (btw. Ellis and O’Farrell sts.). 415/986-4215.www.hm.com/us.
MAC