San Francisco’s Diverse Fashion And City Style

Last week in San Francisco, I was sorting through my dozens and dozens of pictures** of street style and realized that’s it’s been a good long minute since I posted up all the great fashion I’ve been stumbling upon with no premise other than me infamously saying:

“I love what you’re wearing! May I photograph your outfit?”

All smiles at the Phoenix Hotel Pool Party Season Opener.

The “better weather” is in full swing here in the city, and back on are the dozens of seasonal events that pop up on a perennial basis at some of our favorite local venues around town, like the Phoenix Hotel’s series of summer pool parties featuring a rotating selection of well known DJs.

Unpredictable, yet sunny weather always encourages city girls in the know to show out in fantastic summer weight outerwear.

Unfortunately, despite it being a “pool” party you can only go swimming if you’re a registered hotel guest, but it’s no matter really because the event happening around the pool is more like a daytime nightclub, and just as fabulous as anything you can do in the water.

Chef Raff Lim @raf.lim might look familiar from his recent takeover of historical The Cats Restaurant @thecatslosgatos in Los Gatos

I teamed up with my bestie mate Dudley as we bounced from cabana to cabana, saying hi to all the movers and shakers who came out that Sunday afternoon to do some moving and shaking of their own on the dance floor.

Your author serving Big Top circus tent, alongside “Lord” Dudley Duberry.

Happening on consecutive Sundays until the end of the summer season, this pool party series is the sort of event I like to check back into every few weeks or so. A guaranteed good time, it’s the best sort of merging of the local fashion, nightlife, art, and travel crowds and a great way to meet new, interesting people in the city.

Iris, Gabriella, and a friend hang near DJ Moody Jones’ @moodyjones decks at the Phoenix Hotel

I also recently found myself at Fort Mason, where nationally touring art show Art Market had set back up in the corner facing Alcatraz.

Gilded Gallerina – this gallery exhibitor was platinum perfection in a vintage brocade floor length dress at Art Market San Francisco @artmarketproductions

Similar to a festival concert mobile set up, Art Market moves from city to city depending on the weekend, and similar to the Phoenix Hotel Pool Party series, you always know there’s one going on somewhere in the country during the summer – it’s fun to check in with them on social media and see what area they’re currently in.

I couldn’t get over the dress on the left, which was made by a Peruvian designer, the owner explained.

It’s a great place to spot some incredible outfits, as I did at their opening night reception party.

This art loving couple mentioned that they had been enjoying art together for the past 28 years

And of course I ran into some familiar faces, including friend DJ Agana in one of her signature bespoke namesake pieces.

The homie DJ Agana @djagana always looks great every time I see her

Also local artist Kate Tova wearing one of her own hand painted creations, alongside “divo” service dog extraordinaire Brixton – aka San Francisco’s most stylish dog.

I am constantly running into local celebrities like artist @katetova and @brixtonatlarge

And finally, with wedding season in full swing I suspected I’d spot some incredible fashion at the nuptials of my fellow Junior League cohort Kara Lugtu to Bay Area break dance impresario Matthew Loy of Jive City Crew at downtown’s jewel box of a cathedral: St. Patrick’s.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral made an epic backdrop for Lugtu’s @obviousdelirium glorious bridal ensemble. Photo by Vision Infinie Photography @visioninfiniephotography

Determined to photograph all the fashion at one of JLSF’s biggest weddings of the year, I donned my best Carrie Bradshaw-esque, somewhat ridiculous, (one gigantic flower the size of a large cabbage, strapped to a headband) “fun” hat and jumped into a car downtown, only to find that the best dressed of all that day of course, was the bride herself – glowing in a gown by Essense of Australia.

Lugtu and Moy, who surprised everyone by shearing off his signature ponytail just before the big day. Photo by Vision Infinie Photography

An elaborately embellished custom made bridal cape speckled with a delicate cascade of pink and peach flower petals stood in the place of a veil, with the ombre effect of the blended tones creating an ethereal look for an otherwise very traditional bride, and ceremony. We were then all swept off to the Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel for the Enchanted Forest themed reception where line dancing and outfit changes abounded while the glasses of champagne kept flowing throughout the night.

Cinderella Core:  The bride wasted no time dashing off to a third location in our second outfits of the evening

A “Catholic gap” had allowed many to change into a second outfit, including the bride and yours truly who was happy to don another performatively feminine, maximalist ensemble – perfect for the after party at private Chinatown member’s club, The Lion’s Den.

I’ve been distracted covering open air events like music festivals and PRIDE lately but it’s so great to be back and showcasing some the best street (and wedding) style that San Francisco has to offer. And if you’ve ever been photographed by City Style and haven’t seen your photo published yet, hang tight – we still have them and yes, we will eventually publish them!

Reader submission call: Have you been to Outside Lands, or the more recent Portola Festival in years past? City Style wants your best outfit pics, please and thank you.

Send to: lionheartedpr@gmail.com – best pics will be used in the column!

**All photos in this article by and courtesy of Rose Eden, unless otherwise notated.

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