Style and Dressing in SF (The City) (San Francisco, Santa Rosa: appointed, buying)

[friendlyflyer]

Curious to hear about peoples impressions of SF style, and dressing up or down for that matter? I've just return to live in "The City" after living in LA for 2 1/2 yrs, prior to that 14yrs living in SF.

I believe the diverse nature of the people in SF and the Bay Area lends people to be as individualistic in the appearance as their attitudes or politics.

I've read through many posts where the general assumption is "The Gap and Banana Republic" look pretty much prevails the Bay Area. However as a friend said to me recently "you can never be over dressed in San Francisco". I think this is very true. At some aspects people are very casual about their appearance than others dress to the "nines", it just depends on the Corporate environment or the social gathering.

Having attended many social events in my years here from simple to high society, you'll see everything. I remember attending a cocktail reception at Tiffany's in Union Square for some Charity and there were about 60 people in the room.
The Socialites were in tailor made "high fashion", there was a young tech millionaire in jeans and a t-shirt, a drag queen, the usual "Gap" wear of a few people, and the rest a mix of styles. Everything from "Armani to JC Penny's was present!

Here's some oberservations about people and their style of dress:
1) They wear "jeans" here better than most anywhere, with the exception of cowboys and cowgirls.
2) Gap and Bananna Republic style rules for the most part.
3) When people dress up they really dress up, Charity Events, Opera, Symphony, etc,etc
4)Dressing down is an "art" here. The "haight", mission district, etc has its own style.
5) San Franciscan's and Bay Area people have mastered the art of wearing layers.
6) They spend alot of money here on "sporting wear", biking, skiing, climbing, gym wear, etc.

What's your observations??

[gizmo980]

Have you ever heard of "San Francisco black?" Supposedly people in this city wear a TON of black clothing, maybe because we don't see the sun very often. Even in the dead of summer, I see locals in black suits & sweaters downtown! They say you can spot a tourist by the white shorts, sandals, and a San Francisco SWEATshirt - they expect it to be sunny CA, and end up buying some cheap warmer clothing while here.

[Michael Di Meo]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

Have you ever heard of "San Francisco black?" Supposedly people in this city wear a TON of black clothing, maybe because we don't see the sun very often. Even in the dead of summer, I see locals in black suits & sweaters downtown! They say you can spot a tourist by the white shorts, sandals, and a San Francisco SWEATshirt - they expect it to be sunny CA, and end up buying some cheap warmer clothing while here.

I have asked myself the same thing, regarding SF dress. I lived in Paris for several years (moved back last year), and I am used to thin women wearing tight-fitting, or figure flattering jeans and pants, usually with cool shoes and a tasteful top - even at work. I would say that Brussels, Munich, Frankfurt, Rome and Milan had similar styles. I have been living in the midwest for almost a year now, and the fashion is hardly exciting. Of course, I have heard the excuses from women here (it's not professional to dress stylish and sexy, blah blah blah), and my Euro-friends tell me it has to do with Puritanism. Even Canadian women (especially Montréal) dress great. I was up there last year and I was impressed by the femmes québécoises. Buenos Aires ... awesome. Caracas ... stunning.

Where are the stylish women? ... sigh ... Even New York disappointed me. Oh well, this is the situation, I have to live with it - for now.

[skatealoneskatetogether]

I think Sf is reasonably well dressed, save the hipsters. some one needs to tell these people that those trends died in the 80's for a reason.

[ImRandy]

Originally Posted by skatealoneskatetogether

I think Sf is reasonably well dressed, save the hipsters. some one needs to tell these people that those trends died in the 80's for a reason.

Once a look has been around 40 years it never really dies.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by skatealoneskatetogether

I think Sf is reasonably well dressed, save the hipsters. some one needs to tell these people that those trends died in the 80's for a reason.

LOL... I'm just now learning what a "hipster" is, but I agree - any fashion trends from the '80s were better left behind. I remember that decade quite well, and the stuff was ugly even then!

[jscore]

actually, nobody dresses up in san francisco (or in california) for this matter. if you wanna see dressed up people, go to nyc or south beach nightclubs.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by jscore

actually, nobody dresses up in san francisco (or in california) for this matter. if you wanna see dressed up people, go to nyc or south beach nightclubs.

True! When I got my job with the city, I asked if there was a dress code... my boss laughed and said "just don't wear ripped jeans, or anything that shows your butt-crack." I ended up wearing jeans, clogs/sandals & a casual blouse almost every day, except when I had district meetings - then I'd wear slacks instead of the jeans, LOL.

But despite our casual fashion sense, I wouldn't say that San Franciscans (or Californians, for that matter) are SLOPPY dressers either. Most of us have some sense of style, even if it doesn't include blazers and heels... and while I can't speak for everyone here, I personally know how & when to dress UP.

[sonarrat]

I wear jeans and a t-shirt to work, even in a corporate setting.. all depends on who you have to impress, or think you have to impress.

[ladysrodgers]

Originally Posted by jscore

actually, nobody dresses up in san francisco (or in california) for this matter. if you wanna see dressed up people, go to nyc or south beach nightclubs.

That's not true at all. How can you paint the entire state with such a broad brush, or even a city? It depends entirely on your job and your taste in clothing.

I worked in Santa Rosa for 18 years. I had jobs where jeans were okay, and other jobs where I had to really dress up. Personally, I liked dressing up and wearing nice clothes and likewise, I enjoyed shedding them at the end of the day, and throwing on my jeans.

People in a "club" setting isn't indicative of anyone, anywhere.