When I first began this blog a year ago, I went to one of my favorite parts of the city, the Haight, to photograph vintage clothes in stores I have frequented as a shopper. I took my new camera and after going to a few stores, the battery went dead. I published the blog, but vowed that I would return to the Haight in the future and photograph more stores. There are actually 10 vintage/consignment stores within a few blocks of each other on Haight Street in San Francisco. They are all very popular with locals and visitors.
On this visit, I took along my roommate, Alex, who is studying at Boalt Hall at UC Berkeley. He is from the U.K. and has not spent much time in the city, so he was interested in going to the Haight, which is always remembered in time for the Summer of Love back in the 1960's. He also is an excellent assistant on my vintage fashion trips. Our first stop was Static (1764 Haight St., San Francisco, CA, 415-422-0046, www.staticvintage.com). We were welcomed by an ancient pug who was sleeping by their computer. This store is brightly decorated and I love the bright green walls. They have a great designer purse collection and a variety of shoes and affordable clothes.
Down the street from Static, is one of the best vintage stores in the city, La Rosa Vintage Boutique (1711 Haight St., San Francisco, CA, 415-668-3744). This store is purely high-end vintage clothing for both men and women. La Rosa's manager, Michelle and salesperson, Hannah were very welcoming and gave me free reign in photographing their beautiful clothes. If you're visiting Haight Street, I would urge you to visit their store. They have the best in vintage clothing, shoes and accessories.
My next stop, Decades of Fashion (1653 Haight St., San Francisco, CA, 415-551-1653, 831-331-7232, vintageclothing@decadesoffashionsf.com) is also an amazing vintage clothing store. It is a very large space and has clothes from the 1700's to the 1980's. As you enter the store, you are in the 1980's and as you head towards the back, the clothing goes back in time. I was very lucky to have met Cicely Hansen who owns and curates Decades of Fashion. She graciously gave me a tour of the store, including a VIP area where there most valuable pieces are exhibited. Cicely also does fashion shows for local charities and the Art Deco Society.
After going back in time to experience the clothes of the past, we crossed the street and entered Wasteland (1660 Haight St., San Francisco, CA, 415-863-3150, www.shopwasteland.com). This is a favorite local store for modern recycled clothes and is always crowded with shoppers. It is a stark contrast from the vintage stores, but has its own charm. It has a great shoe department and also has cutting edge clothes for that very modern SF look.
Since this is getting very long and I know you are eager to see the photos of my trip, I'd like to mention the other stores I visited and encourage you to shop there too. Make sure your next trip to Haight Street includes a visit to: (1) Relic Vintage (1605 Haight St., San Francisco, CA, 415-255-7460, www.facebook.com/relicvintageSF); (2) Held Over, 1543 Haight St., San Francisco, CA, 415-864-0818; (3) Haight Ashbury Vintage (1501 Haight & Ashbury, San Francisco, CA, 415-558-8803 and (4) Mystery Mister (1506 Haight & Ashbury, San Francisco, CA, 415-552-4226, MysteryMisterSF@yahoo.com).
Pug welcoming you to Static
Shopping at Static
Street view of Static
Chanel vest at Static
Prom dresses at Static
Vintage waitress uniform at Static
Hot boots at Static
Violet platforms at Static
1940's double breasted coat with fur trim at Static
Alex trying on cowboy boots at Static
Leopard print purse at Static
Walking towards La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Red velvet 1950's cocktail dress at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Hannah & Michelle at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Vintage shoes at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Evening gown with an attitude at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Thin Man detective ensemble at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Wall of dresses at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
A step back in time at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Men's corner at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Men's suits & shoes at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
More gorgeous dresses at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Dream coat & accessories at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Vintage heels at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Vintage hats at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Sales rep Hannah at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
More vintage hats at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Elegant couple waiting for a cab at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Mannequins in party attire at La Rosa Vintage Boutique
Entrance to Decades of Fashion
Japanese Kimonos at Decades of Fashion
Cicely displaying black beaded 1920's evening gown at Decades of Fashion
Decades of Fashion
Cicely, owner of Decades of Fashion
Boots & shoes at Decades of Fashion
Vintage hats at Decades of Fashion
More vintage hats at Decades of Fashion
18th Century display at Decades of Fashion
Members of the wedding at Decades of Fashion
Evening attire at Decades of Fashion
Wasteland
Window display at Wasteland
Hip jackets & skirts at Wasteland
SF date attire at Wasteland
Leather & lace at Wasteland
Springtime in SF at Wasteland
Spiked loafers at Wasteland
Urban attire at Wasteland
Platform sandals at Wasteland
Black suede lace-up platform boots at Wasteland
Platform ankle boots at Wasteland
Shoe department at Wasteland
Male hipster mannequin at Wasteland
Relic Vintage
A view of Relic Vintage
Relic Vintage - check out the antique wall phone
Beautiful 1940's shoes at Relic Vintage
Party dresses at Relic Vintage
Held Over
Vintage shoes at Relic Vintage
Held Over
Suits on the wall at Held Over
Vintage flyer's outfit at Held Over
Crushed velvet 1960's mini dress at Held Over
Vintage hats at Held Over
Hot beaded party dress at Held Over
1950's secretary outfit at Held Over
Shoe department at Held Over
Held Over
Haight Ashbury Vintage
Haight Ashbury Vintage
Friendly sales rep at Haight Ashbury Vintage
Elegant couple for a night on the town at Haight Ashbury Vintage
Mystery Mister
Window display at Mystery Mister
Full length fur coat at Mystery Mister
Alex displaying very, very high heeled shoes at Mystery Mister
Sales rep at Mystery Mister
Leopard trim coat, hat and checked dress at Mystery Mister
Chiffon party dresses at Mystery Mister
Silver purses at Mystery Mister
Art deco jewelry at Mystery Mister
Kewpie display at Mystery Mister
Vintage party shoes at Mystery Mister
Vintage purses at Mystery Mister
Elegant beaded purse at Mystery Mister
Violet & amber beaded purse at Mystery Mister
