Cheryl Shops

From what I hear, it's fall in most parts of the country; here in San Francisco, it was in the mid-seventies today, glorious and sunny. Everyone keeps telling me it's Indian summer, that sooner or later it's going to be foggy and cold, but for now, I love the weather just the way it is. That said, it's still San Francisco and thus unpredictable; we had a slight cold spell last week in which I had to break out my trench coat for the first time, and which also served as a reminder to me that I had to start working on the Fall Shopping Guide! So here we are.

One of the many fashion quirks of this city is that, perhaps because the weather is more or less constantly on the cool side, people wear boots year round. Like, I got here Labor Day Weekend (which was uncharacteristically hot) and women were wearing knee-high boots. As longtime Cheryl Shops readers know, I love me some boots (especially black ones) so this was welcome news to me, and perhaps an excuse to buy more! Something I've found my closet to be lacking is wedges; they're kind of perfect for SF in that they're more stable than stilettos but they still give you some height. Maybe they're not so practical for navigating the hills, but thankfully it's pretty flat where I live, so yay Lower Pac Heights!

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Like many fashion-industry folk, I worship at the altar of Isabel Marant, and if someone handed me $1500, I would gladly buy her Scarlet wedge boots. A more sophisticated evolution of her ripped-off-by-everyone wedge sneakers, the Scarlet combines leather, suede and haircalf in a sleek shape; they're still edgy but look a lot more expensive. (And they are.)


Slightly more palatable in price yet punkier in style are these Tabitha Simmons Harley boots, And while in the past I'd hesitate to wear wedge boots with skirts--they tend to have the unfortunate effect of making your legs look like Gumby's--these are unexpectedly streamlined and sculpted to flatter.


If you're more of an uptown girl (or, in my case, an Upper Pac Heights girl), Derek Lam's Marta boots may be the answer: The leather is more polished, the hardware is gold, and the double buckles are a bit more understated.


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These Josie Buckle Boots seem a bit more casual and edgy, with a hidden wedge that hearkens back to Marant's sneakers. (See how it all comes full circle?) Strategically placed buckles help shape the boot and avoid the dreaded blocky effect.


Along similar lines, these Jeffrey Campbell Willis Boots look like biker boots but have a hidden wedge for a stealth leg-lengthening effect. So these are perfect for vain people like me who refuse to wear flats ever. The toe is rounder and the buckles more basic than the rest of the styles here, but now that I'm a Californian, I feel like I need to represent the casual girls out there.


Back to chic, Alice & Olivia's Owen Wedge Boots take an even simpler approach to the buckled effect; I like the combination of skinny and thicker straps as well as the super-pointy toe. I saw these at Alice & Olivia's presentation last February, and believe me, they made quite the lasting impression.


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For the super minimalist, Steve Madden's Jossie boots have no buckles whatsoever, but the pointy toe and streamlined wedge shape remain. And considering the challenge of finding actual leather boots for under $150, I think these are a pretty solid find (with a very comfortable 2-3/4" heel).


For those totally on a budget, there are these Riawna boots from ShoeDazzle, currently available for the introductory price of $24.98 ($49.98 regularly). Yes, they are synthetic, and the hardware is a bit on the flashy side, but the shape is right and they do somehow still have a Marant-esque vibe.


But for the closest Marant experience--without the Marant sticker shock--I recommend Aldo's Jacelyn wedge boots, a point-for-point homage from the mix of materials to the adjustable buckles. Actually leather and a mere $140, they are the most obvious thing since beautiful, sunny weather in the mid-70s. The weather might not last that much longer, but I have a feeling I'll be wearing these boots for months, if not years, to come.

One of the most frequent questions people ask me here in San Francisco is how the city is different from New York. I usually say the weather is consistently beautiful, people are a gazillion times more laid-back and friendly, and there's a better work-life balance. What I usually don't say is that the general relaxation of the city extends to its fashion. It's not that people here don't have style or aren't interested in clothes, it's just that everyone dresses way more casually than in New York. I refuse to assimilate totally--I still wear heels every day, after all--but over time, I have a feeling my style will evolve in a more California direction. A nice bridge between the East and West Coast way of dressing is embellished sweatshirts--think of them as fancy enough for New York but laid-back enough for San Francisco. All of the styles pictured here are under $50 too, a price that's nice no matter where you live.


1. Xhilaration Beaded Sweatshirt, $22.99

2. Zara Glitter Finish Sweatshirt, $49.90

3. Y.A.S. Contrast Panel Sweatshirt, $50.63

4. Limited Lace-Sleeve Sweatshirt, $49.95

5. Old Navy Embellished Raglan Sweatshirt, $17

In my last post, I wrote about love, lust, and shopping. To continue with that theme, think about the first month or two in a relationship. Not that is-he-into-me-or-not uncertain period, but that giddy, euphoric, holding-hands, making-out-everywhere, butterflies-in-your-stomach, barely-coming-up-for-air phase. That is how I feel about San Francisco. I wake up to an amazing, sunny view of the city and that pretty much sets the tone for the rest of my day. I feel lucky to be here. That and whenever I fill out an address form, I think, "Oh yeah, I live in California now!" and giggle.

Speaking of addresses, my apartment is right on the edge of Lower Pacific Heights, which I've quickly concluded is the best neighborhood of the city in which to shop. Key in this conclusion is my proximity to the Fillmore Street branch of Steven Alan; I will admit, it reminds me a little bit of home, and I do find that comforting (hey, you never forget your first love, right?). I recently stopped by the store after a few hours of day drinking outside in the sunshine, and I promptly locked eyes on Clare Vivier's Duffle Petit bag. This was no case of beer goggles; it was more like I walked into the bar, er, store and spotted the man, er, bag of my dreams. It's a classic shape with the option of double handles or a longer, adjustable shoulder strap; the size is big enough to hold all the essentials but not so big that you feel the need to overload it with crap. (Ahem, like I used to.) Vivier has also started lining her bags, which is key--I'd been deterred from buying one in the past for that reason alone. What really sold me, however, is that it is monogrammable. In my old age, I'm becoming very vain, and thus I like to see my initials slapped on everything. Sheets? Sure! Stationery? Of course! But those are so practical. Monogramming a bag says, "I'm SO not going to sell this purse on The Real Real six months from now!"

I almost pulled the trigger--after all, I owe myself a bag, which is my traditional present to myself when I get a raise or a new job. However, I have a more immediate concern: furnishing my apartment, which happens to be significantly bigger than my apartment in New York. (That's right, I said BIGGER. First World problems, I know.) So I am on a clothes-and-accessory-shopping diet*, but as soon as I'm ready to binge, I'm marching myself four blocks up the street and slapping down my Amex. After all, once you find The One, you don't want to let it slip away, do you?

*Okay, so I am human. I cheated and bought this garment-dyed hemp T-shirt by Jungmaven and it was the best $30 I've spent in awhile. It. Is. So. Soft. Seriously, new favorite T-shirt. It's for men, so size down; I think I'm seriously going to buy one in every color. Once my shopping diet is over, of course. Of course.  

Alice + Olivia presentation at Highline Stages [09.19.13]

The last collection I viewed at Fashion Week was Alice + Olivia. Gossip Girl celebrities Kelly Rutherford and Taylor Momsen caused a stir, so I took a couple shots to share on Cheryl Shops. Enjoy!

I've recently come to the conclusion that I shop differently online than I do in stores. I'm very meticulous about the former, keeping track of things I want to buy, most of which tend to be investment pieces or wardrobe staples; think of online shopping as my brain. When I shop in stores, I tend to be way more reckless, and I let my heart lead the way. Of course, the heart wants what it wants, so I tend to get into trouble, but I've also found that those fleeting moments of lust can turn into true long-term love—some of my favorite items in my closet were total impulse buys. An interesting intersection of head and heart is Storenvy's Pop-Up Shop at the Crocker Galleria in San Francisco, whose closing party I attended last night. If you're not familiar, Storenvy is an online marketplace with everything from handmade toys to artisan chocolate (and, yes, lots and lots of clothes and accessories), and if you're thinking its wares would fit better in my heart category, you're right, which is why it's awesome that they've opened a pop-up shop that hosts a rotating selection of merchants from the site.

True to my nature, I stumbled into Set & Style's section of the store and fell in love with a series of bracelets by Sasa Designs, a company that employs deaf women in Kenya. I mean, can you hear me swooning? I bought a similar style to this Horizon Wrap Bracelet, which may bear a resemblance to a design you've seen before, but come on, it was made by a deaf Kenyan woman (Lucy, in my case), and it was a very reasonable $40. I wore it to work today and kept peeking at my wrist; right now I'm in the infatuation stage, but I think this relationship has true long-term potential.

If you're ready to fall in love (or even just have a fling), I suggest stopping by. The Storenvy Pop-Up Shop is open now through the holidays; details here.

Vivienne Tam at Stage, Lincoln Center [09.08.13]

I am really glad I attended this show, for two reasons. a) It's Vivienne Tam. b) Front row celebrity Tiffani Thiessen (White Collar!) got me pretty excited. Gossip Girl mom Kelly Rutherford was next to her as well. Let's start this post with a couple celebri-shots.

Kelly Rutherford, Tiffani Thiessen & front row friends.

Mrs. Peter Burke takes an interview.

And now, you may enjoy Vivienne Tam's Spring 2014 collection:

The closing number of the collection.

Had to highlight my favorite dress. Mark my words: I will own this.

Diane von Furstenberg at Theatre, Lincoln Center [09.08.13]

I knew if I attended DVF's Spring 2014 show, something big might happen. Well, it did. Supermodel O.G. Naomi Campbell walked this show and closed it out. I would call out her dress, but really most of the season's collection was stunning and very wearable so it wasn't an exception. Take a look below.

Naomi Campbell closes out the show

More Naomi!

Diane von Furstenberg boogied all the way down and around the runway. It was amazing.

Custo Barcelona at Stage, Lincoln Center [09.08.13]

Love the back of this swimsuit.

Designer Custo Dalmau

Mara Hoffman at Stage, Lincoln Center [09.07.13]

Mara Hoffman is one of the masters of bright, joyful prints. I worship every single thing that comes out on the runway during her shows, as do myriads of fans. There were more lovely ladies wearing her designs in homage at this show than any other I witnessed this season.

I managed to snag one of the best spots on the riser for this show.

I adore how much Grace Bol smiled for us on her final swing down the runway!

Amazing kid sihouette before the show started.

The ponytail extension work for Mara Hoffman this season was incredible. Absolutely loved watching those ponies swing back and forth on the catwalk.