Even though summer is now definitely in the air, San Francisco weather can still be pretty unpredictable. You never know when you might turn a corner and suddenly feel the temperature drop or get hit by an unexpected gust of wind. Because of this unique climate, and the fact that many San Francisco residents rely on walking, biking and public transportation to get around town, style must necessarily co-exist with a certain level of utilitarian function.
To honor the beginning of the summer season, we hit the streets of Union Square, Hayes Valley & The Mission to check out the style on San Francisco’s streets. Although each neighborhood can have its own unique look, people seem to dress for themselves in functional yet eclectic ways. There’s a certain laid back vibe here that, combined with a large array of local designer boutiques, thrift shops and vintage clothing stores, creates an “anything goes” philosophy when it comes to fashion.
Common threads we discovered in this summer’s San Francisco street styles were: lots of layering, summer scarves, jackets & coats, skirts & dresses worn with leggings & tights, lace-up boots & shoes, skinny jeans, vintage & second-hand items combined with customized clothing.
Take a look at these 12 different “Summer in the City” shots and hear how locals define their own sense of style (to view slideshow, press play to hear audio and click on captions to read more):
Even though San Francisco can be casual and is not always known for its high fashion, the strong sense of local community, concern for the environment and liberal atmosphere helps create a diverse urban edginess and a freedom of self-expression that cannot be found in other cities. It feels like there are no rules when it comes to San Francisco fashion. And to me, true style is not about following a certain direction when getting dressed or about chasing the latest trends; it’s about being true to yourself and making fashion your own.
