San Francisco - Alison Bing [107]
DE LA SOLE Map Shoes
415-255-3140; www.delasole.com; 549 Castro St; 11am-7pm Sun-Fri, to 8pm Sat; 24, 33, F, K, L, M, Castro St
SF gets its kicks at De La Sole, from mod Ryan Rowe white wing-tips to radiator-vented sandals by Montreal brand Industry. Says the sales rep to a customer squeezing into a 60%-off gold ankleboot: ‘Don’t worry, it won’t always be so tight.’ Chimes in a fellow customer, without missing a beat: ‘That’s what they all say.’
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THE HAIGHT
BRAINDROPS Map Body Art
415-621-4162; www.braindrops.net; 1324 Haight St; noon-7pm Sun-Thu, to 8pm Fri & Sat; 6, 7, 33, 37, 43, 71
New Yorkers and Berliners fly in for original custom designs by top tattoo artists here – bring design ideas to your consultant, or trust them to make suggestions. Piercings are done here gently without a gun, with body jewelry ranging from pop-star opal belly-button studs to mondo jade ear spools.
BOUND TOGETHER ANARCHIST BOOK COLLECTIVE Map Books
415-431-8355; www.boundtogetherbooks.com; 1369 Haight St; 11:30am-7:30pm; 6, 7, 33, 37, 43, 71
Given the state of the economy lately, an anarchist bookstore seems like the go-to place for answers. Since 1976, this volunteer-run, nonprofit bookstore has kept free thinkers supplied with organic farming manuals, prison literature and radical comics, while coordinating the Anarchist Book Fair and restoring its ‘Anarchists of the Americas’ storefront mural – makes us tools of the state look like slackers.
AQUA SURF SHOP Map Clothing & Accessories, Sporting Goods
415-876-2780; www.aquasurfshop.com; 1742 Haight St; 11am-7pm; rental per day board/wetsuit $25/15; 6, 7, 33, 37, 43, 71
No locals-only attitude here: this laid-back, tiki-themed surf shop has sex wax for your board, Bantu’s fair-trade African-print bikinis, and signature hoodies to brave chilly Ocean Beach. Even kooks (newbies) become mavericks with Aqua’s wetsuit rentals, tide updates and lesson referrals.
DOE Map Clothing & Accessories, Local Designer
415-558-8588; 629a Haight St; noon-7pm Mon-Sat, to 6pm Sun; 6, 7, 22, 71, N
Upgrade from the ‘I escaped from Alcatraz’ shot-glasses to Doe’s signature belts featuring the fogged-in Sutro Tower on the buckle, Jill Bliss stationery with unruly California poppies and mushrooms in the margins, or a gold outline of the state of California with a gem inset in (of course) San Francisco.
LOYAL ARMY CLOTHING Map Clothing & Accessories, Local Designer
415-221-6200; www.loyalarmy.com; 1728 Haight St; 10am-8pm Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm Sun; 6, 7, 33, 37, 43, 71
Food with high self-esteem is a recurring theme on this San Francisco designer’s cartoon-cute tees, totes and baby clothes: California rolls brag to nigiri sushi, ‘That’s how we roll!,’ smiling custard declares ‘Girls just wanna have flan!’ and a grumpy bran muffin surrounded by uber-adorable pink cupcakes protests, ‘Muffins are cute on the inside.’ But the most popular character is the San Francisco fogbank: most of the clouds are silver and smiling, but there’s always one that has fangs.
TRUNK Map Clothing & Accessories, Local Designer
415-861-5310; www.trunksf.com; 544 Haight St; 11am-8pm Wed-Mon; 6, 7, 22, 71, N
The Burning Man aesthetic rages on year-round at this cooperative boutique, where most items are locally designed and eco-conscious, from Miranda Caroligne’s radically reconstructed patchwork sweaters, mesmerizing Dida glass-globe earrings, and high-drama flower barrettes with veils.
UPPER PLAYGROUND Map Clothing & Accessories, Local Designer
415-861-1960; www.upperplayground.com; 220 Fillmore St; noon-7pm Mon-Fri, 11am-7pm Sat & Sun; 6, 7, 22, 71, N
Blend into the SF scenery with locally designed Fillmore neighborhood hoodies, Barbary Coast pirate tees and knit Muni caps. Men’s gear dominates the main store, but there’s an even more impressive selection of locally designed tees in the women’s annex, and slick