The luxury reseller is happily welcoming consigners and shoppers back to its formerly closed Union Square brick-and-mortar.
Plus, Thom Browne drops a runway-ready sneaker collaboration and Athleta celebrates International Women’s Day at Ocean Beach.
The SF RealReal store is so back—and RealReal-er than ever.
(Mariko Reed)
Calling all designer consigners, sharp-eyed shoppers, vintage obsessives, and voyeurs seeking creative inspo: make your way to 253 Post Street, stat. There, between Grant Avenue and Stockton Street, you’ll find 8,100 square feet of fashion goodness across two floors. The RealReal (TRR), the behemoth marketplace for authenticated circular luxury, just reopened after being shuttered in 2023.
At last week’s seriously hopping (and seriously packed) grand re-celebration—yes, Mayor Lurie showed up—it was clear both TRR employees and loyal customers were thrilled to be toasting (and consigning) once again in the hometown storefront.
“San Francisco is where The RealReal was founded, and reopening our Union Square flagship reflects our optimism and confidence in the city’s long-term vitality,” says TRR president and CEO Rati Sahi Levesque.
Fans of the store’s 1.0 era will spot the same modern-meets-whimsical interior, with locally sourced vintage furniture and art by Bay Area creatives. The dressing rooms remain our favorite feature, with life-sized images-cum-wallpaper of SF icons Peaches Christ and the San Francisco Twins. (The sight of the ever adorable, impossibly glam Marian and Vivian Brown still makes our hearts flutter.)
The chic setting is reason enough to browse, but the real draw is the tightly curated mix of women’s and men’s designer fashion, shoes, accessories, fine jewelry, and watches—all merchandised with Bay Area tastes in mind.
“Everything in here is allocated to this San Francisco store… It’s all bespoke,” says chief merchandising officer Samantha Porter McCandless, noting that the team tracks everything from buying patterns to weather and local vibe.
Downstairs is the consignor hub, where sellers drop off goods and high-value pieces—think handbags and fine jewelry—to be authenticated in private rooms.
On weekends, Painted Leopard, a woman-owned coffee roaster with pop-ups in Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco, will be on hand, barista-ing. Grab your favorite single-origin blend and take a seat in the new community hang space to chill and chat while ogling the sartorial splendor.
More community moments are on deck, adds Porter McCandless: “We feel like it’s partly our responsibility to bring some of that energy back to the area. We plan to return the tables outside the Maiden Lane entrance and hold fun events.”
// 230 Post St. (Union Square), therealreal.com
Work it! Strut Market Street in the just-dropped Thom Browne x Asics kicks.
(Courtesy of Thom Browne)
Less than a month ago, an invite-only fashion crowd gathered for the ultimate big game—the GQ Bowl. For style insiders, scoring a seat to see Thom Browne debut his Fall 2026 collection at the Legion of Honor was far more covetable than entry to some other game happening days later at Levi’s Stadium.
The A-list audience—Teyana Taylor, Queen Latifah, François Arnaud, and Diplo among them—ate up the men’s and women’s suits, skirts, coats, parkas, and knits with signature TB tailoring, fresh proportions, and sporty twists. Accessories were equally drool-worthy, including the Thom Browne x Asics Gel-Kayano 14.
As of two days ago, we non-models can finally slip our tootsies into the sleek, sculptural sneakers, billed as “equally at home on the runway and the track.” The kicks ($450) come in three colorways—grey, white, and black—and unisex sizing.
Mr. Browne is clearly pumped about his new shoe baby: “I’ve long admired Asics’ approach to design and collaboration,” he says. “The Thom Browne for Asics Gel-Kayano 14 showcases the mutual respect our brands have for one another—pairing Asics’ iconic silhouette with my signature tailoring codes. It’s a technical sneaker that looks just as good in the office as it does on the field.”
Pair with your favorite shrunken blazer and pleated skirt, and sashay!
// Thom Browne San Francisco is located at 432 Jackson St. (Jackson Square), thombrowne.com
Athleta wants you to take the plunge in honor of International Women’s Day.
(Courtesy of Athleta)
Whether you’re a regular (human) polar bear or simply plunge-curious, head to Ocean Beach on Saturday, March 7th (7:30am–11am). Gap Inc.’s women’s performance and lifestyle brand Athleta is bringing the community together for a free Wake the Water event co-hosted by female-founded Ocean Beach Plunge Club. (In case you missed it, International Women’s Day is on Sunday, March 8th.)
On the agenda: a guided shoreline walk and a beachside hang featuring women-owned favorites Laundromat Bagels, Devil’s Teeth Baking Company, and Andytown Coffee Roasters.
There will be cool Athleta swag tucked into commemorative totes and your bravery benefits Bay Area girls. Athleta will donate $250 to Girls on the Run Bay Area for every plunger.
“This experience is about more than a plunge—it’s about celebrating the strength found in community, supporting the next generation, and bringing our values to life through action,” says Athleta CMO Erika Everett. “Hosting this experience in San Francisco, our hometown, makes this moment especially meaningful.”
Come on, do it for the girls. RSVP here.
P.S. Remember your swimsuit and post-plunge sandals. Athleta has towels and sweatshirts covered.
// Meet up at Ocean Beach, athleta.gap.com
