SF fashion is described as 'highly practical and high performing' (Los Angeles: transplants, mortgage)

[mini_cute]

San Francisco made the list by GQ magazine, of 40 worst-dressed cities in the U.S. Here is the hilarious piece that was written about it, below- it is very true, don't you think? But don't feel too bad SF! New York City and Los Angeles also made the list of worst-dressed cities.

20. San Francisco
Marked by uber-brains from the Silicon Valley/biotech/finance nerd trifecta, aging blue bloods, Midwest transplants San Francisco exists, in part, as the older, wiser, straitlaced counterpoint to the younger, flashier, bottle-service-vodka-swilling Los Angeles. Aggressively casual and understated, San Franciscans eschew sartorial frivolity of any kind (like color, for example) in favor of the highly practical and high performing, not surprising in a city known more for its brain trust than style quotient. And it's no accident that good old dependable American brands like Levi's, Gap and Dockers are comfortably headquartered here. Muted earth tones and grayscale reign, possibly a reaction to generally abysmal weather or to the unrestrained flamboyance of its southern brethren (see: Newport Beach, the afore-mentioned LA). But would it kill you, San Francisco, to give the fleece a rest and put on a blazer for a night? We get it though, it can't be easy to be the intellectual capital of the country—just know that there are options out there, and that a wardrobe bought entirely from REI is not a source of pride.—Maxandra Short

Source here: The 40 Worst-Dressed Cities in America: Style: GQ

[mayorhaggar]

Sorry GQ, but every time I read one of your issues when waiting at the barbershop, it strikes me as a bunch of women writing for gay guys. I mean they tell guys that they should wear scarves indoors. As a fashion statement. Year-round.

Oh well, it's actually kind of a funny set of articles.

[SunDevil1212]

Seems to me that just about every big city in the entire country is on that list. So I'm not really sure what the point of it was - Are they trying to say all of the US dresses poorly?

[mini_cute]

Originally Posted by mayorhaggar

Sorry GQ, but every time I read one of your issues when waiting at the barbershop, it strikes me as a bunch of women writing for gay guys. I mean they tell guys that they should wear scarves indoors. As a fashion statement. Year-round.

Oh well, it's actually kind of a funny set of articles.

Yeah, I think the article was meant to be humorous more than anything. But there seems to be some underlying truths in there.

[mini_cute]

Originally Posted by SunDevil1212

Seems to me that just about every big city in the entire country is on that list. So I'm not really sure what the point of it was - Are they trying to say all of the US dresses poorly?

I think they were just trying to be funny in the article. Well, it did make me laugh out loud.

I started off being into eclectic dressing ex Manhattan living then evolved into dresses and skirts thanks to San Diego and now evolving subconsciously towards North Face. I never though it would come to this but another North Face jacket or fleece seems good right about now...

[BayAreaHillbilly]

A good non North Face alternative is the Gothic Look. There are also offshoots of this now, with a bit more color, that get inspiration from anime.

[andyadhi01]

Originally Posted by mini_cute

Muted earth tones and grayscale reign, possibly a reaction to generally abysmal weather

Yes wear the northface jackets year long to match the terrible weather

[mini_cute]

Originally Posted by andyadhi01

Yes wear the northface jackets year long to match the terrible weather

another weather plug by "andyadhi the terrible"

[jeffredo]

Originally Posted by mini_cute

another weather plug by "andyadhi the terrible"

Never mind its been this way since the last ice age and one lone disgruntled Texas transplant isn't going to change it by kvetching. But given your average Texan's over-inflated sense of importance he'll keep trying.

As far as the tripe they had to say about San Francisco is was pretty mild...if untrue. This town is a hipster and thrift shop heaven. If I had a buck for every pork pie hat I see each day I could pay my mortgage with it at the end of the month.

[tstieber]

I just don't see the whole REI thing. I think of SF as more of a Lululemon, Banana Republic, or filthy thrift store hipster demographic, depending on the neighborhood.

Sure, there is a kernel of truth to the article, but I think it's largely based on outdated stereotypes and perceptions by those who don't live here. Fleece was big like 15 years ago. I've never owned a single piece of fleece. I'd say of al the current brands, Lululemon is the quintessentially annoying modern-day SF chic-but-understated style for yuppie yoga and running enthusiasts. I'm not a fan of that either, but I think that's much more accurate for the era than REI. There's only one REI store in SF, and it's not even as big as the San Diego stores I've seen. I'm sure all their stores do fine, but it's not exactly on the top of the SF list.