Suit/dress us! Best clothing stores in SF?
May 20, 2022 6:23 PM Subscribe
We need help locating physical stores in San Francisco for shopping for wedding guest clothes.
There's two of us:
Person #1: 30-something year old woman, would like to wear a dark suit, would settle for a non-floofy formal dress if no suit can be found, size 8-10
Person #2: 30-something year old woman, wants to wear a formal floor length dress with short or 3/4 length sleeves (or sleeveless dress with a bolero type thing on top), size 14-18 depending on brand/store.
Both of us would prefer to find our clothing *in person* rather than online shopping. Preferred shopping location is San Francisco, but we're willing to drive out of the city a bit. Ideal budget is <$500 per suit or dress, could stretch a bit if necessary. We have limited time to shop (could do two more several-hour long shopping expeditions but would prefer to spend less time than that) -- need to procure the clothing fast so there's time to get alterations done before the wedding.
Stores we've tried so far haven't had much formal attire, or the formal stuff is out of our price range. Very few suits especially. (Where are all the women's suits??) We did a thorough search at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Zara, Express. Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth appear to be out of price range.
Is there a smaller store in SF that you love for formal clothes? A different department store that fits the bill? Or any other tips on in-person shopping options in the area? Please assume we're aware of online shopping options.
Thanks!
There's two of us:
Person #1: 30-something year old woman, would like to wear a dark suit, would settle for a non-floofy formal dress if no suit can be found, size 8-10
Person #2: 30-something year old woman, wants to wear a formal floor length dress with short or 3/4 length sleeves (or sleeveless dress with a bolero type thing on top), size 14-18 depending on brand/store.
Both of us would prefer to find our clothing *in person* rather than online shopping. Preferred shopping location is San Francisco, but we're willing to drive out of the city a bit. Ideal budget is <$500 per suit or dress, could stretch a bit if necessary. We have limited time to shop (could do two more several-hour long shopping expeditions but would prefer to spend less time than that) -- need to procure the clothing fast so there's time to get alterations done before the wedding.
Stores we've tried so far haven't had much formal attire, or the formal stuff is out of our price range. Very few suits especially. (Where are all the women's suits??) We did a thorough search at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Zara, Express. Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth appear to be out of price range.
Is there a smaller store in SF that you love for formal clothes? A different department store that fits the bill? Or any other tips on in-person shopping options in the area? Please assume we're aware of online shopping options.
Thanks!
So I tried this on slightly easier mode (cocktail dresses in sizes between person #1 and person #2) in NYC about 6 weeks ago and after 4-5 hours of schelping around the city, gave up, went home, and ordered things from Anthropologie with overnight shipping. Everything in stores was picked over, there was very little in stock in my size, and it seemed like a bunch of stores had closed during the pandemic, too.
You’ve already been to most of the stores I would have recommended for dress shopping several years ago in SF. Most of my formal dresses came from either the Bloomingdale’s at Westfield in SF or the one at Stanford Shopping Center, which usually has a slightly better selection. Stores like Azalea or Cary Lane or the rest of the bunch of boutiques in Hayes Valley might have something on the cocktail attire side, but I think the pickings will be slim if you’re looking at floor length formal options. There’s also a fancy Goodwill in Menlo Park that gets all the designer stuff from the entire Bay Area and is worth a look if you happen to be nearby. JCrew, Anthropologie, Banana Republic may all have something if you’re up for heading back to Union Square, but you’re likely to find that what they stock in stores is less formal than what is on their website.
I hope someone has better advice than me, but I wanted you to know you’re not alone in this frustration.
posted by A Blue Moon at 8:28 PM on May 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
You’ve already been to most of the stores I would have recommended for dress shopping several years ago in SF. Most of my formal dresses came from either the Bloomingdale’s at Westfield in SF or the one at Stanford Shopping Center, which usually has a slightly better selection. Stores like Azalea or Cary Lane or the rest of the bunch of boutiques in Hayes Valley might have something on the cocktail attire side, but I think the pickings will be slim if you’re looking at floor length formal options. There’s also a fancy Goodwill in Menlo Park that gets all the designer stuff from the entire Bay Area and is worth a look if you happen to be nearby. JCrew, Anthropologie, Banana Republic may all have something if you’re up for heading back to Union Square, but you’re likely to find that what they stock in stores is less formal than what is on their website.
I hope someone has better advice than me, but I wanted you to know you’re not alone in this frustration.
posted by A Blue Moon at 8:28 PM on May 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
> We did a thorough search at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Zara, Express. Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth appear to be out of price range.
So it sounds like you've covered the usual suspects at Westfield/Galleria-type malls. I would try checking the discount versions of those shops--Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off Fifth, TJMaxx, Marshalls, Ross...Some of my best formal dress/suit finds have been from the designer or professional sections of those shops, including specifically the ones in SF or East Bay. The con of course is the time pressure + highly varied selection depending on season and location...You could try looking up their online catalog to get an idea of what they stock (but they won't list much of the in-store stuff) or call the location to find out when they get new inventory to maximize your choices.
If it's Nordstrom Rack, I remember hearing the Nordstrom card offers a credit towards tailoring.
My other go-to would be Anthropologie and maybe their bridal store BHLDN. For these, the website should tell you if your closest location carries a particular item, unless it's in the sale section or some other fluke situation (depending on luck, the sale section might have more fancy-ish things, as the current new stuff seems to be heavy on summer-casual clothing; it's also where you find the "online exclusives" products that got returned to the store, which can include the more formal items).
A friend recommends TheRealReal for (consigned) designer dresses. We've bought only from their online shop but they seem to have physical storefronts in the Bay Area.
I also remember popping in to a New York & Company when I once needed a suit in a pinch, but they seem to have gone much more casual now (and there might not be an SF location anyway). Would also check Ann Taylor or Talbots but perhaps a similar problem of too casual or too far...
Good luck!
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 12:29 AM on May 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
So it sounds like you've covered the usual suspects at Westfield/Galleria-type malls. I would try checking the discount versions of those shops--Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off Fifth, TJMaxx, Marshalls, Ross...Some of my best formal dress/suit finds have been from the designer or professional sections of those shops, including specifically the ones in SF or East Bay. The con of course is the time pressure + highly varied selection depending on season and location...You could try looking up their online catalog to get an idea of what they stock (but they won't list much of the in-store stuff) or call the location to find out when they get new inventory to maximize your choices.
If it's Nordstrom Rack, I remember hearing the Nordstrom card offers a credit towards tailoring.
My other go-to would be Anthropologie and maybe their bridal store BHLDN. For these, the website should tell you if your closest location carries a particular item, unless it's in the sale section or some other fluke situation (depending on luck, the sale section might have more fancy-ish things, as the current new stuff seems to be heavy on summer-casual clothing; it's also where you find the "online exclusives" products that got returned to the store, which can include the more formal items).
A friend recommends TheRealReal for (consigned) designer dresses. We've bought only from their online shop but they seem to have physical storefronts in the Bay Area.
I also remember popping in to a New York & Company when I once needed a suit in a pinch, but they seem to have gone much more casual now (and there might not be an SF location anyway). Would also check Ann Taylor or Talbots but perhaps a similar problem of too casual or too far...
Good luck!
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 12:29 AM on May 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
Are you up for a drive out to Livermore? The outlet mall there has the best collection of designer outlets in the area (vs. the separate "made for outlet" lines/stores, avoid these because the quality is really bad). For women's suiting I would try the Max Mara store there first, though your $500 budget is tight.
Consignment stores are always hit-or-miss but you might have some luck at places like Sui Generis, Cris Consigment, Designer Consigner or (really a long shot) the Crossroads in Pacific Heights.
posted by 4rtemis at 5:36 AM on May 21, 2022
Consignment stores are always hit-or-miss but you might have some luck at places like Sui Generis, Cris Consigment, Designer Consigner or (really a long shot) the Crossroads in Pacific Heights.
posted by 4rtemis at 5:36 AM on May 21, 2022
I would try Reformation (on Valencia or Fillmore) for the dress.
posted by pinochiette at 10:22 AM on May 21, 2022
posted by pinochiette at 10:22 AM on May 21, 2022
This article might be helpful. Stores you may have available in your area: Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Talbot's, J. Crew.
posted by See you tomorrow, saguaro at 1:27 PM on May 21, 2022
posted by See you tomorrow, saguaro at 1:27 PM on May 21, 2022
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posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 8:10 PM on May 20, 2022