Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [161]
Niketown Here it’s not “I can,” but “I can spend.” At least that’s what the kings of sportswear were banking on when they opened this megastore in 1997. As you’d expect, inside the doors shoppers find themselves in a Nike world offering everything the merchandising team could create. 278 Post St. (at Stockton St.). 415/392-6453.http://store.nike.com.
Three Bags Full Snuggling up in a cozy sweater can be a fashionable event if you do your shopping at this pricey boutique, which carries the gamut in handmade, playful, and extravagant knitwear. Another city location, which also closes on Sunday, is at 500 Sutter St. ( 415/398-7987). 3314 Sacramento St. (at Presidio Ave.). 415/923-1454.www.threebagsfull.com.
Wilkes Bashford Wilkes Bashford, who recently staved off closure by merging with an East Coast retail chain, is one of the most expensive and best-known clothing stores in the city. In its 4-plus decades in business, the boutique has garnered a reputation for stocking only the finest clothes in the world (which can often be seen on former and current mayors, and the city’s social elite). Most fashions come from Italy and France; they include women’s designer sportswear and couture and men’s Kiton and Brioni suits (at $2,500 and up, they’re considered the most expensive suits in the world). Closed Sundays. 375 Sutter St. (at Stock-ton St.). 415/986-4380.www.wilkesbashford.com.
WOMEN’S FASHIONS
Ambiance This chain of Bay Area boutiques is laden with designer wear, often found at heavily discounted prices. On my last visit, I left with a knockout BCBG dress and a Diane von Furstenberg shift marked down to just $100, an absolute steal. Other labels commonly found on the racks include Tibi, Milly, and Nanette Lepore. There are also inexpensive jewelry bins by the counter that are worth a glance. Just be wary: The shop girls are extremely good at their jobs, and you’ll often walk out with far more than you intended to buy. 1458 Haight St. 415/552-5095. Additional locations are at 3985–3989 24th St. ( 415/647-7144) and 1858–1864 Union St. ( 415/923-9797). www.ambiancesf.com.
The Chanel Boutique Ever fashionable and expensive, Chanel is appropriately located on Maiden Lane, the quaint downtown side street where the most exclusive stores and spas cluster. You’ll find here what you’d expect from Chanel: clothing, accessories, scents, cosmetics, and jewelry. 155 Maiden Lane (btw. Stockton St. and Grant Ave.). 415/981-1550.www.chanel.com.
emily lee More mature fashionistas head to the quaint shopping area of Laurel Village, a block-long strip mall of shops that includes emily lee, for everything from artsy-designer garb to sportswear—all stylish, sensible, and loose fitting. Designers include the likes of Blanque, Eileen Fisher, Flax, Ivan Grundahl, and Three Dots. 3509 California St. (at Locust St.). 415/751-3443.
Métier Discerning and well-funded shoppers consider this the best women’s clothing shop in town. Within its walls you’ll find classic, sophisticated, and expensive creations, which include European ready-to-wear lines and designers: fashions by Italian designers Anna Molinari, Hache, and Blumarine and by French designer Martine Sitbon. You will also find a distinguished collection of antique-style, high-end jewelry from L.A.’s Cathy Waterman, as well as ultrapopular custom-designed poetry jewelry by Jeanine Payer. Closed Sunday. 355 Sutter St. (btw. Stockton and