Men’s fashion in the Bay Area is genuinely top-tier—if you know where to look. These local finds will have you outdressing even the fashionistas in your life this season.
Psst: This is also the perfect cheat sheet if you're still figuring out what to get Dad this Father’s Day.
Self Edge: Studio D’Artisan, SD-1001E GL3 Denim Jeans $340 / Evan Kinori, Field Shirt Two $895 // Presidio Post: Paraboot, Coraux in Lisse America $350 // Understory Shop: William Fredrick, T-Shirt in Bordeaux/Pink $105 // Ian James, Belt in Black/Silver $75 // SVRN: Homme Plisse Issey Miyake, Versatile Crossbody in Black $365(Collage by Anisa Esmail
Everyday Essentials
Jump into summer with essential everyday basics from Yardsale (925 Cole St.), a three-year-old brand originating and operating out of Cole Valley. A functional standout from the local favorite, The Day Bag balances utility with style. It features intuitive organizational pockets, an internal laptop sleeve, and resilient waterproof fabric. A dedicated water bottle pocket and sleeping bag cinch closure complete the design.
For upscale elevated basics, head across the bridge to Temescal’s Understory Shop (484 49th St. C, Oakland). The boutique excels at sourcing the kind of low-key, hyper-functional daily pieces that immediately anchor a wardrobe. They bridge the gap between hard-to-find domestic craft, like William Fredrick and Royce Hill, and rare global imports, including collections from South Korea’s Neithers, and a stellar collaborative capsule from Better Gift Shop and orSlow.
Other go-to local menswear shops with cult-like followings include Self Edge, SVRN, and Rising Star Laundry. At Self Edge (569 Valencia St., Mission), think premium Japanese raw denim and timeless heritage pieces. Over at SVRN (1928 Fillmore St., Pac Heights), you’ll find directional, upscale menswear from names like Willy Chavarria, Comme des Garçons, Homme Plissé Issey Miyake, Rick Owens, and Enfants Riches Déprimés. It is essentially Maxfield on Melrose, but on Fillmore Street.
Rising Star Laundry (858 Cole St.) is a neighborhood gem tucked away in Cole Valley. With a completely offline retail model, the store features a curated selection of sought-after designers from Europe, Japan, and North America, offering a rare space to discover and try on collections in person. The boutique also serves as an intimate gallery space to showcase local artists.
Rising Star Laundry in Cole Valley(Courtesy of Rising Star Laundry and Phil Kim)
Standout Designers + Emerging Labels
Other reliable favorites like Modern Appealing Clothing (MAC), Presidio Post, and Studio Ferris are incredible small-brand independent shops. Studio Ferris (1504 Vallejo St., Russian Hill) stocks standout designers from Copenhagen and Japan alongside unique housewares, graphic tees, and well-fitted jackets. Presidio Post (1301 Mason St., Chinatown) offers a variety of emerging labels with a distinct, vintage-inspired aesthetic. Finally, MAC (387 Grove St., Hayes Valley) remains an absolute must-visit in SF, with high-end luxury brands displayed with deeply artful, gallery-like curation.
For well-made leather goods, check out local artisan Ian James’ store at 303 Valencia Street (Mission), where you can buy beautiful items in a broad selection of colorways and hardware choices. Just down the road, Evan Kinori (1367 Valencia St., Mission) drops limited, individually numbered garments cut from custom fabrics.
Local designer Johny Cariño Marquez is doing absolute numbers across the Bay right now, flipping upcycled textiles into 1-of-1 workwear jackets that instantly sell out. If you’re trying to level up your wardrobe with rare archival pieces, anything from Johny is a must. Other vintage spots to swear by include SF’s Chameleon Vintage (1581 Webster St., Ste. 200, Japantown + 1572 Haight St., Haight-Ashbury) and Big Time Vintage (968 Valencia St., Mission + 1630 Haight St., Haight-Ashbury), and Oakland’s 3319 Marche (3319 Lakeshore Ave.)
Johny Cariño Marquez, Jacket $250 // SVRN: Willy Chavarria, Panaderia Chavarria Buffalo Tee in Masa $365 // 510 Skateshop: Carhartt W.I.P. Belmont Pants $145 // Bows and Arrows: Adidas Japan in OffWhite/Beige $130 // Ian James: Leather Belt in Black $75; (Courtesy of Johny Cariño Marquez; collage by Anisa Esmail)
Streetwear + Bay Area Style
A bit further south, is Daly City’s certified streetwear destination, 1985 Gallery (451 Westlake Center). Formerly Kick City, the boutique secures its Jordan and Nike inventory straight from the source, granting them exclusive tier-one colorways. Best of all? With no online store, their heavy-hitting drops go strictly to loyal locals in-store.
It is undeniable that the Bay Area carries a rich skateboarding culture that remains deeply embedded in everyday style. Heavy-hitter shops that are keeping the vibe alive while delivering unique fits include There Skateboards, 510 Skateboarding (2506 Telegraph Ave.) and Bows and Arrows (1827 4th St.) in Berkeley, San Francisco’s FTC Skateboarding (1632 Haight St., Haight-Ashbury) and DLX Skateshop (2330 Mission St., Mission), and Atlas Skateboarding (209 2nd Ave.) in San Mateo. If you are looking for the ultimate local co-sign, watch out for 13Gallons. This powerhouse screenprinting and embroidery service is working closely with creators and underground institutions to fire off sought-after collaborations all over San Francisco.
