Looking for a vintage Gucci purse, '80s prom dress, floral mumu, Chanel pink tweed jacket, or wild pair of cowboy boots? You'll find it in San Francisco.
Dating back to the fashions beloved by hippies and the Free Store opened by the Diggers during the Summer of Love, second-hand shopping has become an integral part of SF culture, and it's pretty clear why: How else can you shop sustainably, save some cash, and shake up your style with some one-of-a-kind pieces all at once?
Whether you're in search of a designer bag with a luxury shopping experience to go with, a couple rare curated pieces to work into a modern wardrobe, kooky finds and period pieces straight off of Haight Street, or cheap finds dug out of bins at an authentic thrift shop (we miss you, Thrift Town and Mission Thrift), here are a few of our favorite vintage and second-hand clothing stores to suit your fancy.
Best Designer Finds
Wasteland San Francisco on Instagram: “Serving sporty chic for the weekend 🏸🏓”
Wasteland
Iconic consignment shop Wasteland is home to a constantly changing, massive collection of vintage and modern designer pieces for guys and girls inside a light filled, open space. While prices can be a little steep, Wasteland's designer pieces have a hip, trendy vibe and are consistently in amazing shape, so whether you're picking up a silver fringed Jeremy Scott leather jacket, some Rag & Bone jeans with the original tag still intact, or nearly unworn Chanel espadrilles, the splurge will be worth it. Plus, grab some more affordable graphic vintage t-shirts or Reformation finds from last season to go with. Be sure to check out the displays featuring some of Wasteland's coolest pieces artistically paired together for some trendy style inspo on the way out. // 1660 Haight St. (Upper Haight), shopwasteland.com
Fashionphile
Fashionphile's stunning San Francisco showroom is the perfect place to pick up that Gucci handbag you've been eyeing for less. The luxury retailer stocks pre-owned, vintage, and rare handbags, jewelry, and accessories from leading designers including Celine, Proenza Schouler, Fendi, and Cartier, with guaranteed designer authenticity for set prices. The best part? In case you change your mind after splurging, the majority of items can be resold to Fashionphile for 70 percent of what you paid within 180 days of purchase. // 19 Maiden Ln. (Union Square), fashionphile.com
Sui Generis Consignment
Sui Generis is far from your average consignment shop. Men and women alike will love Sui Generis for authentic, luxury pieces from brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, Prada, and Kenzo with a less daunting price tag. Head over to the women's store for gold vintage Chanel earrings alongside Comme des Garcons t-shirts or stop by the men's outpost for finds including Giorgio Armani suits and Raf Simons trainers. // Men's at 2231 Market St. (Upper Market) and women's at 2147 Union St. (Pacific Heights), suigenerisconsignment.com
Simply Chic
In search of a hot pink Hermes Constance mini bag, a Dianne von Furstenberg printed wrap dress, or some cherry red leather Gucci loafers? Look no further than Simply Chic, a boutique specializing in vintage and contemporary pieces from luxury designers that won't break the bank. The picture perfect shop, complete with a chandelier and pink awning constantly has new inventory for women, ranging from timeless to trendy and eye-catching. // 3038 Fillmore St. (Cow Hollow), simplychicsf.com
Best Curated Collections
unearth studio on Instagram: “Restocked ladies spring goods + gents collection now @indigovtg SF ✨”
Indigo Vintage Cooperative
The best part about Berkeley transplant Indigo Vintage Cooperative is that it feels like you're stepping into the closets of all of your coolest friends, but combined. Indigo Vintage Cooperative's relatively new, light filled Haight Street outpost is home to a range of permanent and rotating vendors, each with their own handpicked collection and style. Grab a denim trucker jacket or colorful silk midi dress, and keep your eye out for Indigo Vintage's 1987 vintage filled van at pop-ups around the Bay. // 1649 Haight St. (Upper Haight), instagram.com
Afterlife
Afterlife stocks a huge range of cool, casual vintage items—think graphic t-shirts and perfectly worn in Levis—and statement designer pieces like Gucci jackets, and Gianni Versace tops in a hip setting. Thanks to the shop's curated collection—everything is in impeccable condition—and organization by style, vintage shopping has never been easier. // 988 Valencia St. (Mission), afterlifeboutique.com
No
No packs a large assortment of vintage threads for guys and girls—plus some newer finds—into their succulent filled Valencia space. While you'll be sure to find good basics here too, No's quirky patterned pants and tops, occasional designer finds, and oversized vintage jackets really shine. Compared to the usual markup at curated thrift stores, No's prices are refreshingly affordable. // 389 Valencia St. (Mission), ohnonotno.com
Best True Vintage
RelicVintage on Instagram: “✨✨✨1920s dreams do come true!✨✨✨ All fresh summer wears restocked & awaiting your arrival at #RelicVintage - #silkchiffon #vintagedress…”
Relic Vintage
Upon entering Relic Vintage's glamorous, art-deco inspired space—there's even a cheetah print futon—you'll be greeted with a curated array of fine vintage apparel and accessories for men and women from the 1920s through the 1960s, presented in an organized layout. Whether you come to Relic Vintage in search of a pleated midi skirt circa 1950, a second hand fur stole, an ornate beaded gown, or a letterman sweater, thanks to owner Oran Scott's vintage expertise and desire to help every customer find fashions they'll cherish forever, you'll leave Relic Vintage with the perfectly fitting vintage piece of your dreams, without breaking the bank. // 1605 Haight St. (Upper Haight), relicvintagesf.com
Held Over
On a street with endless thrift shops, Held Over is the cream of the crop. Pieces are organized by specific style and decade, which makes for easier shopping in this otherwise overwhelming store, which is filled with relatively affordable wearable vintage pieces—including a huge selection of jeans, overalls, and leather jackets—and plenty of costumey fashions for men and women. The beauty of Held Over is that you'll go in with the intention of just picking up a '20s flapper dress for your next theme party, and you'll leave—after perusing the aisles for hours—with some wild '60s patterned pants, an '80s prom dress, a florescent color blocked windbreaker, and some garters as well. // 1543 Haight St. (Upper Haight), instagram.com
Best In-house Mini Vintage Collections
Eden & Eden on Instagram: “FLORAL for A Current Affair / Saturday March 2nd / Bay Area Spring Show / Discounted tickets available now at itsacurrentaffair.com 🌸…”
Eden & Eden
Inside this aesthetically pleasing, impeccably designed boutique, you'll find unique high fashion vintage pieces that you could never find on your own, alongside current fashions, jewelry, and home goods. From the blush pink vintage Sonia Rykiel power suit of your dreams, to a Yves Saint Laurent tweed coat you'll treasure forever or a floaty caftan perfect for your next beach getaway, Eden & Eden's vintage collection has something for every occasion. // 560 Jackson St. (Financial District), edenandeden.com
General Store
Beloved home and apparel establishment General Store has a curated rack of beautiful vintage apparel with the same effortlessly artistic aesthetic as the boutique's current finds. While the selection may be small, the regularly restocked collection features unique hand picked pieces that are in impeccable condition and can easily be worked into a modern wardrobe (try pairing them with General Store's new items). Minimalist-chic fashionistas will fall in love with high quality garments including silk hand embroidered Chinese blouses, floral cotton summer dresses, and hand crocheted tanks. // 4035 Judah St. (Outer Sunset), shop-generalstore.com
Best Thrifting
Diseñadora on Instagram: “Alerta tesorista💕”
Community Thrift Store
While Thrift Town and Mission Thrift may have closed, other longtime neighborhood favorite Community Thrift thankfully still stands. Dig around in this massive warehouse and you're sure to find some hidden gems to add to your wardrobe—from cashmere sweaters and funky dresses to leather purses and colorful jewelry—for a fraction of what they would cost in a curated shop, with proceeds going to Bay Area charities. While you're there, sift through old records, tableware, furniture, books, and more. // 623 Valencia St. (Mission), communitythriftsf.org
Goodwill
Thrifting aficionados know that if you do it right, thanks to dirt cheap prices and an ever changing inventory, Goodwill has the city's best vintage and second hand finds. The key? Be ready to dig through rack after rack, and don't give up if you don't have luck one day—the occasional designer piece, wool sweater, tacky-chic pair of plastic earrings or floral vintage cotton dress someone just dug out of their grandmother's closet might come in tomorrow, and you want to be the one to find them. While the expansive Goodwill located in the Haight (aka the thrifting mecca of the city) is great, you'll be searching for hidden gems with tons of people. Increase your chances of finding the good stuff and head to a Goodwill located further off the beaten path in West Portal (61 West Portal Ave.) or the Outer Sunset (2400 Judah St.) instead. // Locations across the city, goodwill.org
Best Shopping Events for Vintage Finds
A Current Affair on Instagram: “TODAY in the SF Bay - Shop the best vintage on the planet from over 80 exhibitors from the Bay and beyond for one day only! Doors open at…”
A Current Affair
This moving pop up show offers the best in vintage fashion from over 70 curated retailers and private dealers from across the country, including the Bay Area's Eden and Eden, Mercy Vintage, and Pretty Penny. While you'll of course find plenty of vintage classics like Levi's and graphic t's, what you're really going for is the endless array of the world's best show stopping luxury vintage all in one place (and in near perfect condition)—think pastel furs, tiered silk slip dresses, hand painted jackets, dramatic sleeves, turquoise statement jewelry, and head to toe appliquéd pieces. November can't come soon enough! // Tickets ($12-$20) can be purchased on Eventbrite. // 10am-6pm, Nov. 2 at The Craneway Pavillion, 1414 Harbour Way South (Richmond), itsacurrentaffair.com
Alameda Point Antiques Faire
Venture across the Bay to the monthly Alameda Point Antiques Faire and get ready to sift through over 800 outdoor booths of antiques and vintage clothing. All items sold at the fair must be over 20 years old, and you'll find booths with hundreds of pairs of Levi's in every color under the sun, one of a kind international pieces, leather jackets, graphic t's, bakelite bracelets, silk slip dresses and more, all for a fraction of what they would cost in a curated shop. Get there as early as possible to beat the crowd—we promise the early Sunday morning wake up will be worth it—bring a bunch of cash, and be prepared to negotiate prices with vendors. // Admission price ranges from $15 to $5 depending on time of entrance. // 6am-3pm, 1st Sunday of every month, Alameda Point, 2900 Navy Way (Alameda), alamedapointantiquesfaire.com
Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire
If you just can't get enough of the Alameda Point Antiques Faire, then you'll love the Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire, a biannual indoor shopping event featuring over 75 booths of vintage from the '40s through the '80s. You'll find pieces for men, women, and children including leather jackets, costume jewelry, overalls, pleated skirts, and suits from vendors across the country at a range of price points. More than just a flea market, this season's Fashion Faire is Roaring 2020's The New Jazz Age themed and boasts a Friday night shopping party with music, cocktails and a Decked Out In Deco Fashion Contest. // October 18-19 at Michaan's Annex Auction Showroom, 2701 Monarch St. (Alameda), alamedapointantiquesfaire.com. Tickets ($5-20) can be purchased on brownpaperbagtickets.com.
TreasureFest
Where else can you shop for cool vintage threads with waterfront views of the Bay? This monthly celebration hosts roughly 400 vendors and artists with many of them specializing in vintage pieces, and is perfect for those hoping for flea market prices and finds who don't want to go all the way to Alameda. Shop vintage jewelry, graphic sweatshirts, denim, and one of a kind pieces, while enjoying the food trucks, cocktails, and live music also on offer at this festival. // Tickets can be purchased on ticketfairy.com ($3) or at the gate ($7). // Last Saturday and Sunday of each month, February through November; 500 Ave N. (Treasure Island), treasurefest.com.
#Fashionphile #@itsacurrentaffair #Goodwill #AlamedaPointAntiquesFaire #RelicVintage
