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Underground > Art, Fashion & Design >

Shopping in the Bay Area

09:44 / 03.05.07

Well, this has happened before, but I fear this time it'll cost me more than I've known.

Basically, I don't look as cool as I know I can. I want to change this. Fortunately, I have the resources of San Francisco/Berkeley/Oakland at my disposal. Unfortunately, I do not know what those resources are. Additionally, I am utterly untrendy, and wouldn't even know the general area to begin looking. Is there anyone who can point me in the right direction?

I'm not so much looking as a particular article as I am for some sort of stylistic extension of what I already have. Basically, and this may sound lame, I wear t-shirts with well-known semiotic images. Think of Jack Frost in courduroys and cotton jackets.

But now I'm trying to go past that, look for something new, blah blah blah.

In a dream world, I would go out and snatch this, this, and this, but I'd rather not pay quite so much if it isn't absolutely necessary.

Sites are welcome as well, although to make a day of it would be a nice thing.

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14:20 / 03.05.07

I cannot afford to have good dress sense. Thus, I shop at Out of the Closet, or sometimes H&M when I'm feeling more flush.

18:12 / 04.05.07

I went to an amazing charity shop in San Francisco once. It was opposite a chain hotel and it sold retro and vintage clothing. For years I carried the business card around with me in case I met anyone going to the city.

It wasn't the cheapest of shops, but it was cheaper than John Smedley.

Ahh, I found it! It was called American Rag. But oh. They have a shop in Japan too now so I'm sure their prices will be far too high.

Go with Id's suggestions. He lives there.

That was helpful, wasn't it.

07:33 / 08.05.07

Indeed it was.

Many thanks for the replies.

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06:04 / 09.05.07

I've heard mixed things about The Wasteland, but I've never been myself.

01:16 / 30.05.07

Buffalo Exchange is well regarded, and has many locations. American Apparel has hip clothes (though current opinion may be against the company due to weirdness surrounding the owner) and many Bay Area locations.

Fritz K Driftwood

00:22 / 01.08.07

If you are looking for cheap(er) designer stuff, there is always Nordstrom Rack. I know that there is one in SOMA and also Daly City (i think). My ex got some fab Ben Sherman Ts for $12 each (a quarter of what you would pay at the Nordstroms downtown). Some Diesel shoes were $40.

I personally like DSW for shoes. They are on Powell a block up from the cable car turnaround.

The second hand stores thru out the city are great, but the Goodwill store on Fillmore is especial good for loot that Richie Rich and pals are finished with.