Search

This morning I went pawing through my bead drawer in search of my yellow plastic beads, the ones that reflect the light admirably (oh, and I do so like being admired), but at the same time tell the world that I am not too hotsy-totsy to festoon my neck in plastic. Found 'em. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Keep those catalogs coming [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

1What's Twitter doing about the touchy topic of political ads? [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It's online meets offline: Le Tote, a 7-year-old internet clothing rental company, plans to buy what is considered the oldest department store in the country, New York's Lord & Taylor, for $100 million, the companies announced Wednesday. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Just because a restaurant requires employees to wear slip-resistant shoes for safety reasons, it doesn't mean the restaurant has to pay for them. At least not according to a state appeals court. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Police in Vacaville are looking for four people shown on video pillaging an outlet store for more than $8,000 worth of clothes last week, authorities announced Saturday. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Between Elizabeth Warren's promise to break up tech businesses, the complete and utter failure of Howard Schultz's presidential rollout, and younger voters' turn toward democratic socialism, I expected the country's class of bankers and technology elites to cry persecution at some point. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Levi Strauss & Co., the venerable San Francisco jeans maker, plans to raise as much as $587 million in its initial public offering, giving the company a valuation of up to $6.2 billion. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Charlotte Russe on Sunday became the latest retailer to file for bankruptcy, putting in motion the sale of assets and store closures, including two in the Bay Area. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Children's apparel seller Gymboree Group could file for bankruptcy this week, a move that comes after it appointed a turnaround expert as CEO in November and announced in December that it was engaged in a "comprehensive review of strategic options" that could mean the sale of some of its brands. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Mill Valley's diminutive jewelry and home accessories shop, Poet and/the Bench, was the venue for a recent lingerie trunk show, and the late-afternoon sun cast a radiance in the small space as patrons perused the meticulously tailored undergarments on display. Many of these women, breast cancer survivors in all stages of treatment and recovery, knew that these intimates were tailored just for their needs in a way that only a fellow survivor could create. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

After two years in Jackson Square, designer fashion boutique Pia the Store will be closing in January. The announcement was made via the boutique's Instagram account @piathestore on Dec. 26. The notice thanked followers "for making this store one of the top shopping destinations in San Francisco." [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

One thing you can say about denim: It never rests. As fashion's great equalizer, it's continually morphing to suit our changing body types and tastes. Stiff denim gave way to stretch, then to skinny jeans (and jeggings), before the pendulum swung back to flares and high-waisted styles. For 2019, expect to hear more about a bootcut reboot (one that women might actually want to wear). On the cusp of the new year, here are a few noteworthy developments on the local jean scene. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Whether you're headed overseas or just over the state line, you are almost always a little more vulnerable to theft when you're on the road. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Whether you want to avoid paying the ever-increasing checked-bag fees or you merely want to ensure that your suitcase arrives in a destination when you do, going carry-on only is always a safe choice.It can take a while to train yourself to bring less, but sometimes having the right items makes it easier. And once you have everything down to packing science, it's easy!Here are six tested carry-on-friendly gear items to make your stay in the main cabin more enjoyable. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Levi Strauss & Co., the venerable San Francisco jeans maker that went public in 1971 and then private in 1984, plans to go public again early next year, according to a report on CNBC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Has the American teenager's once ubiquitous cloak of status and personal achievement been relegated to the Goodwill rack of history? [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

After she had her second child, Meghan Litchfield had trouble finding clothes the right size. A former Gap strategy manager, she knew that fit was the top reason for people not buying clothes and for online returns. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

While it can be easy for consumer brands to co-opt the appeal of the aloha spirit for good looks and revenue, some weave their purpose tightly within the fabric of community. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The North Face is moving out of the Bay Area, taking 650 jobs with it. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fashion edicts can sometimes seem like impossible-to-decipher in-jokes decided by a few tastemakers. If designers and fashion editors set a course, the consumer is supposed to follow - no matter how baffling. Pop culture has mined this well of absurdity for years in films ranging from the musical "Funny Face" in the 1950s ("Think pink!") to "Zoolander" ("It's derelicte!") in the aughts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The day after I learned Ivanka Trump was shutting down her namesake women's fashion brand, I went searching for its remains. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Berkeley Bob addressed his query here, because Here goes to a lot of parties. "My wife bought a very classy dress to wear to our son's wedding," he wrote, "but it is a bit too flashy for the bride's taste. Hence, we seek a venue for the wearing of a floor length red dress." Bob says they're "willing to pay the tab for a fundraiser. Keep in mind that we are of an age." In answer to your query, Bob: [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In an era of protest, in a hashtag decade, it can seem like our cities are engulfed in a forest of propaganda. "Nevertheless, She Persisted." "Make America Great Again." "Black Lives Matter." "God Bless Our Troops." [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Customers and employees of an Oakland clothing store were evacuated Monday night after a man attempted to rob the store, authorities said. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The North Face plans to open a women-focused store in San Francisco as soon as May, as part of a broader campaign highlighting women and the outdoors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

That wondrous time of year to wear an ugly sweater in public has finally arrived. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A pal and I swooned over the beauty of the clothing at the Asian Art Museum's "Couture Korea" show last week, and tried to imagine ourselves donning the seven layers of underwear a proper Korean woman was once required to wear. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

James Copes says he came up with the nickname while he was in the clothing business, going to trade shows around the country. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

With a single silhouette and a variety of bold colors and wild prints, Zuri is conquering the fashion world "just one dress" at a time. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

When you're packing light, you can't afford to bring along a shoe type for every adventure, so you need to choose versatile shoes that can go from trail to tavern, or mountain to museum, or just look good and stay comfortable while you're walking around. These models, available in women's and men's sizes, are good insurance to have on your feet if you happen to step off the sidewalk at any point on your travels. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

I was in New York last week and stopped by Trump Tower. Like its namesake, it's starting to look a bit old and frayed at the edges. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

For many people, buying clothing online is not worth the hassle of getting a pair of pants or a shirt that does not fit. Many retailers have tried to eliminate that risk by offering free returns on clothing, but now Amazon.com is going even further. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The menswear offerings continue to grow in the Bay Area as two new brands seek to reimagine both men's wardrobe curation and fashion giving back. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

"You really sell mini flamethrowers?" I recently asked Jerry Hum. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The signs of spring, and summer, are everywhere from fashion to foliage, both foraged and French-inspired. Whether you're going to Coachella or reliving the Summer of Love, we recommend going straight to the source. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Rainy days either make you want to stay indoors or lure you outside to see glistening foliage and smell the fresh air. If you're going to venture out, you want a good rain jacket. Styles vary, from city-style trench to sporty shells that can be used for hiking and skiing, so it's possible to find a favorite without compromising. Most important elements for traveling are packability (lightweight jackets are key here), breathability and solidly sealed seams. Style is fine, as long as you're not sacrificing performance. Otherwise, you'll look good only as long as the jacket is on, and then you'll look more like a drenched rodent. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Vintage-clothing maven Cicely Ann Hansen, seated at a desk in the back of her shop on Haight Street in San Francisco, looked nothing like the endangered-animal profiteer she says state and federal wildlife officials are making her out to be. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

NEW YORK - Two blocks from the Secret Service barricade at Trump Tower, fashion designer Christian Siriano presented his fall 2017 collection at the Plaza Hotel on Saturday. As models circled the venue's grand ballroom wearing metallic and ruffled gowns, it seemed like business as usual at New York Fashion Week, the biannual industry event that draws media, celebrities and retail buyers from around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on Thursday gave Ivanka Trump's fashion line a "free commercial" on national television from a West Wing briefing room, encouraging viewers to buy from Ivanka Trump's online fashion line. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

They say you're not supposed to look a gift horse in the mouth and, on Monday in San Francisco, nobody did. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sometimes, travel shoes come from unlikely places. Ultimately, you're looking for comfort and versatility, so you don't have to pack a pair of shoes for every purpose. The Arc'teryx Arakys Approach Shoes are ultralight, ideal to wear on climbing adventures, but also perfect for everyday use. A leather foot bed makes the shoe barefoot friendly, and the shoe's upper is air permeable, which is comfortable in warmer climates. The extremely grippy Vibram sole makes the shoe great on wet and dry surfaces - even those slippery cobblestones. A one-handed closure and memory buckle feature helps for easy on-and-off situations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Perhaps the last person you'd expect to see in the lobby of San Francisco's Equinox gym at the Four Seasons Hotel selling clothes from her first fashion collection is a two-time Academy Award-winning actress. If you had been there Dec. 13, you would have been surprised to find Hilary Swank ("Boys Don't Cry," "Million Dollar Baby") greeting fans as they tried on pieces from her just-launched athleisure brand, Mission Statement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Tropical-weight travel pants are optimal in places where the temperature is high, but what about when you're somewhere a little less hot? The ExOfficio Men's Cano Pant is a stylish addition to your wardrobe, and it can be used easily walking in town, biking or hiking. The fabric (80 percent cotton, 18 percent polyester, 2 percent spandex) is relatively lightweight, resists stains and wrinkling, and is tough enough to take on adventures without shredding. The soft-brushed tricot-lined waistband makes the pants cozy enough to wear all day, or even on the airplane on your way to your next adventure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

If you travel by bike, whether at home or on your vacation, you know the importance of having a comfortable pack in which to tote your belongings. The Osprey Radial 26 Pack is an ideal technical commute pack for those who spend a lot of time on two wheels. The separate top zip access to padded laptop and tablet sleeves allows you to easily access those items when you don't want to dig through everything. The integrated rain cover lets you go out without thinking in advance about the weather - and you can deploy it when the rain falls or you just need to be more visible to motorists. A ventilated back panel and harness helps allow airflow and keeps sweat down on your ride. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There are more than 20 sneakers arrayed on a custom shelf above Alonzo Moore Jr.'s bed that he may never wear outside his Antioch home. The yellow, black, pink and gray of the shoelaces, soles, tongues and toe tips form a mosaic of footwear. It's art meant to be displayed, not worn. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

While there are sports that require very specific footwear, the main requirements of outdoor adventure shoes are comfort, support and stability. That's good for travelers, who can pick one pair of great shoes that will cover a variety of excursions and still be fine to wear for bar-hopping at the end of the day. The Keen women's Versatrail waterproof shoe has lightweight, flexible support, plus a dual-density foot bed that helps absorb shock - so you can stay out all day. The bungee lacing system adjusts easily for the right fit, and you can stomp through the rain and puddles without worry because the waterproof membrane keeps liquid out. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]