skirt

Fall doesn’t hit San Francisco in a barrage of colored leaves, crisp days and transitioning wardrobes, as it does in other cities around the country. But a recent visit to Brooklyn, where I strolled down the tree-lined streets of Park Slope and felt the imminence of pumpkin-carving parties just by breathing in the air, left me a little jealous. Okay, a lot jealous. Opaque stockings, heavy scarves and wool jackets may be impractical where I live, but I still want to get my autumn on, g’dammit.

Luckily, Smashing Darling has plenty of pieces to help me do just that. Doing it up fall-style in the City by the Bay could easily start with a funky twist on an outerwear basic, like Reif’s Mayfair Trench. Its structured shape is oh-so-slick, but the lightweight, water-resistant fabric is functional enough for the 60-something days and misty, fog-filled afternoons that come with our West Coast winters.

When the winds really pick up, I’d love to wrap myself in FiftySeven-ThirtyThree’s Anna May Wong Rebel Hoodie and take a stroll with my scrappy pitbull mix along the Pacific Coast to our favorite, dog-friendly hangout: Fort Funston.

Come nightfall, when the temperatures dip down, I’d don the Spiral Cloche with Ties by Naik Fur. What better way could there be to channel my inner Princess Leia while staying warm and protected from the elements?

Of course, there are plenty of warm, balmy days in San Francisco’s autumn months. Erika Hendrix’s High-Waisted Pencil Skirt in brown and camel jersey knit would travel throughout the season while satisfying my current craving for pencil skirts paired with blousey tops.

Next up, accessories. Because what is life without adornment? On weekends, I’d be happy to hit up the dive bar or a friend’s backyard barbecue with a beat up pair of boots, comfy jeans and belt cinched with the Cowgirl Diva Buckle by Urge to Adorn.

In the midst of such a politically charged season, it seems appropriate to don something that looks fabulous and supports a great cause, like Victorian San Francisco’s Support Proposition J Bracelet. A full 100 percent of the profit from this bracelet’s purchase goes to support a local San Francisco ballot initiative to preserve historic architecture.
And last but not least, I’d round out my San Francisco-friendly take on fall fashion with a warm, snuggly knit. While a cozy sweater might sit in the back of my closet until I make it to the Tahoe slopes, the Choco River Clutch by Peep Accessories offers just the right touch of warmth, but without the long-sleeved commitment.

Thanks, Smashing Darling, for helping me find a cure for my fall fashion-envy!

- Lorraine Sanders, Editor, SF Indie Fashion

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