Our first stop was Fashion Exchange (1446 Polk St., San Francisco, CA, (415) 441-1331), which was crowded with Halloween costume shoppers. There were racks of costumes, but also a large selection of consignment clothing and accessories. I especially liked a tailored, black Burberry suit on the wall. Kathy found 2 micro mini skirts in red and black. They also have a huge collection of shoes. Down the street from Fashion Exchange, is Out of the Closet (1498 Polk St., San Francisco, CA, (415) 771-1503). They wouldn't let me take photographs inside the store, but I did get a shot of a very hunky male mannequin in the window wearing a muscle body tee shirt.
A few blocks away, we passed by a bakery that was also an antique store, Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques (1720 Polk St., San Francisco, CA, (415) 359-9039). This small store is a combination bakery and collection of antique curiosities and some vintage clothing. It had a great collection of gold compacts and bracelets in a cabinet. The pastries and cakes were also very tempting.
Our next stop was Townschool Clothes Closet (1850 Polk St., San Francisco, CA, (415) 929-8019, townschoolclothescloset.org), which is a combination thrift store and clothing store. Every 2 months, this store has a huge sale at 50-70% off. Proceeds go towards community schools in the area, so it's a great place to shop.
Heading towards Broadway, we stopped in at Molte Cose, a small consignment shop that has a large selection of vintage beaded purses. It also had vintage shoes, gloves and other interesting accessories combined with antique figurine and toys. I liked the black patten leather t-strap shoes by Anna Sylvestri. If they had fit me, I would have brought them home. Oh well. After shopping here, we needed a break and had lunch at Nick's Crispy Taco's (Corner of Polk Street and Broadway). Since the weather was so nice, we sat outside and feasted on grilled fish burritos.
After lunch, we walked across the street to Cris Consignment (2056 Polk St./Broadway, San Francisco, CA, (415) 474-1191. This was our last stop on the tour and my favorite. The store was crammed full with gorgeous designer clothes that were affordable. I enjoyed photographing the clothes and also searching for anything that took my fancy. While going through the skirts, I found a black and white checked sequined skirt that had a petticoat underneath. It was so unique that I had to try it on and yes it did fit (just barely). Kathy found many things to try on and finally settled for a soft wool, plaid shirt for only $20. At the sales counter, I enjoyed meeting and talking to the owner, Cris, and her friendly sales staff. Cris not only gave me a bag for my skirt, which is now a no-no in San Francisco, but she also tied a small flower arrangement to it, - such a nice finishing touch. It was a great way to end my day and I will definitely go back and visit Cris Consignment again.
Fashion Exchange
The busy sales counter at Fashion Exchange
A view of the store at Fashion Exchange
Halloween mask and wool hats at Fashion Exchange
Flower power costume at Fashion Exchange
Men's department at Fashion Exchange
Sales rack at Fashion Exchange
Multi-colored petticoats at Fashion Exchange
Pink panties and gold pumps at Fashion Exchange
Fur coats at Fashion Exchange
Hot black boots at Fashion Exchange
Huge selection of shoes at Fashion Exchange
Micro mini skirts at Fashion Exchange
Strapless mini dress at Fashion Exchange
Burberry suit at Fashion Exchange
Sequined bras at Fashion Exchange
Colorful pants at Fashion Exchange
Out of the Closet
Mannequin in muscle body shirt at Out of the Closet
Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques
Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques
Mannequin wearing faux fur cape at Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques
Mannequin in helmet hat with antique lamp at Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques
Silver metal vintage purse at Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques
Vintage compacts and cases at Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques
Colorful bracelets at Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques
Pee Wee and platforms at Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques
Fur muff at Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques
Kathy in the bakery at Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques
Vintage hats and feather fan at Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques
Pastry to die for at Lotta's Bakery/Sweet Antiques
Townschool Clothes Closet
Townschool Clothes Closet
Townschool Clothes Closet
Leather & rhinestone clutch purse at Townschool Clothes Closet
Mineralesque purse at Townschool Clothes Closet
Velvet clutch purse at Townschool Clothes Closet
D&G tortoise sunglasses at Townschool Clothes Closet
Kathy walking towards Molte Cose
Lies, the owner of Molte Cose
Vintage clip-on earrings at Molte Cose
Drop earrings at Molte Cose
Purses & poodles at Molte Cose
Pink fantasy dream dress at Molte Cose
Cooking in the kitchen at Molte Cose
White beaded purse at Molte Cose
Beaded purse with floral design at Molte Cose
Little yellow ducky with red chair at Molte Cose
Vintage brown alligator pumps with white gloves and hat at Molte Cose
Embroidered purse with perfume bottle & figurine at Molte Cose
Jackie O sunglasses & gloves at Molte Cose
Anna Slyvestri dancing shoes at Molte Cose
Black beaded flower purse at Molte Cose with hat & gloves
A view of the store at Molte Cose
Shell purse at Molte Cose
1930's or 1940's yellow & green pumps at Molte Cose
Heading towards Nick's Crispy Tacos for lunch
Diners having lunch at Nick's Crispy Tacos
An elegant Kathryn Hepburn ensemble in the window at Cris
Cris
Shoppers at Cris
Kathy lost in the racks at Cris
Patterned jacket at Cris
Double breasted black wool jacket at Cris
Leather & velvet heels at Cris
Chanel flowered pumps at Cris
Red fabric Chanel flats at Cris
Brown leather shoes at Cris
Copper wedgies at Cris
Black suede & leather wedgies at Cris
Black dresses and pearls at Cris
Gray & white Ferragamo dress at Cris
Italian art fantasy mini dress at Cris
Kathy checking out a skirt at Cris
Black Armani jacket at Cris
Shoes at Cris
Black faux alligator purse at Cris
My black & white sequined skirt from Cris