Welcome to Racked SF, where local fashion blogger Kristen Philipkoski reports on retail comings and goings around San Francisco. Phiipkoski has been living and shopping in San Francisco for 20 years, and she blogs about it over at Stylenik.com. Seen a store open, close, or otherwise claim your attention? Hit the tipline, s'il vous plait
There's a refreshing amount going on this week for the oft-neglected sartorially-inclined men among us! From high-end tailored to fast fashion, Bay Area retailers have the dudes covered in the coming weeks. As always there are also plenty of offerings for the ladies: parties, new store openings, and even smartypants speakers. Check it all out below!
1. Financial District: Wingtip (formerly On The Fly) opened a new flagship store last week in an amazing space: a 104-year-old former Bank of Italy headquarters at 550 Montgomery Street. Its Carrara marble, solid brass fixtures, massive vaults and intricate moldings are the perfect backdrop for a serious collection of men's merch. Bonus: they have a barber station! Upping the fancy ante even more: in the coming weeks look for their Bespoke Shop downstairs with custom shoes, suits, hats, letterpress stationary, belts and more. Also stay tuned for a private club opening in December. Ooh la la! In the meantime, mark your calendar for the official grand opening on Thursday, September 27. The prefect opportunity to break out your wingtips! [Urban Daddy]
2. Union Square: Topshop merch is now available at Nordstrom! Since we have no Topshop on the West Coast, this is very exciting. Get the goods at the Union Square and San Jose locations: 855 Market Street and 2400 Forest Avenue, respectively. Note: the San Jose location only also carries Topman [Nordstrom]
3. Union Square: Cheap and chic menswear tailors at Indochino are taking appointments for a Traveling Tailor pop-up shop coming soon to San Francisco. Book your fitting and styling session now for a quick 10-minute measuring any time from 8am to 8pm from September 18 through the 23 at 710 Market Street and receive your hand-tailored suit in just three weeks! Still not sold? You get a free dress shirt worth $80 if you book an traveling appointment and buy a suit. That should do it, no? [Indochino Traveling Tailor]
4. Noe Valley: In case like us you've have been distracted by Fashion's Night Out and New York fashion week, heads up, Mill Mercantile in Noe Valley is open! The sister store to Unionmade, the Castro's wildly popular men's shop, opened the last weekend of August and is offering up a refreshing collection of pieces to last you a lifetime. In other words, the opposite of fast fashion. You'll find Gant by Michael Bastian, Johnstons of Elgin cashmere crewneck sweaters (made in Scotland), and Birkenstocks and Swedish clogs in a rainbow of colors. See you there at 3751 24th Street! Look for their online shop to launch in September. [Mill on Facebook]
5. Palo Alto: Crimson Mim's Summer Speaker Series wraps up tonight, and the finale is a good one. Author, Harvard Business Review writer and TEDGlobal talker Nilofer Merchant will give advice on how to dress for the myriad roles in a woman's life these days while staying stylish and true to your own aesthetic. Merchant will also preview her upcoming book 11 Rules for Creating Value in the #SocialEra. Check out "A Conversation with Nilofer Merchant on Women, Power & Wardrobes" tonight from 6-7pm at Crimson Mim, 855 El Camino Real, Suite 35 in Palo Alto. [Crimson Mim on Facebook]
6. Civic Center: Macy's annual Glamorama bash is this Friday! The ticket price ($79 to $1,000, buy yours here) goes towards fighting childhood illness, cancer, HIV, and AIDS. In return you'll be treated to runway shows from Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger and live music from Robin Thicke and Karmin. It's at the Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market Street on Friday starting at 8pm. [Refinery 29]
7. Fillmore: Clary Sage Organics turns four this weekend! They're throwing a party to celebrate this Saturday starting at 7pm. The eco boutique will mark down some prices, entertain you with music, and feed you some treats. Also get a first look at Clary Sage's newest collection, and check out artwork by Nicole Buffett (related to Warren, not Jimmy). Be there! 2241 Fillmore Street; 415-673-7300. [Refinery 29]