eye of the gate

Only few guys can pull together a look like this, it requires a certain personality. First, the layering: bright yellow crew neck t-shirt, black fleece zip cardigan and dark green velvet blazer with capri pants, converse and a fedora hat. Frank Sinatra once said “Cock your hat-angles are attitudes”. In this case, he committed to the hat and wore it with confidence.

You could easily find a guide on how to dress in a bookstore, but it will only show you “a recipe” of basics outfits. The point is not to dress as every single magazine or to wear the latest trend, is to mix and match and try to maintain your trade mark. Sense of style is underrated and not everyone has it. The key is in the way you pull what you are wearing and it doesn’t matter the brand or price of what you wear. Usually when you meet someone who really knows about fashion, they say they buy from vintage stores, from some high-end designers and from mass market brands (H&M, Zara, Gap, Uniqlo, etc).

Federico: I LOVE YOUR EYEGLASSES! Your accessories are impeccable!

I went to a vintage show and saw hundreds of eyeglasses (from the 18th Century to 1980′s). Eyeglasses certainly add character. When we were kids wearing glasses wasn’t cool, but things have changed. For those of you who are looking for new frames you MUST check out Allyn Scura. As they sell unique, one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, the website doesn’t show a broad assortment as the one you can experience on one of their stands. If you are lucky enough to have a show in your town you should not miss it.

@ Hayes

It would be almost impossible to give you a more accurate image of a San Francisco’s Indie Mart.

Leggings + boots + high heels + destroyed + high wasted skirt + tank top + dress + hat + headband.

@ Thee parkside

Walking around Market St, I saw this Lawyer with his tailor made suit, Turnbull & Asser shirt, Charvet tie, Gravati shoes and Panama hat.

Impossible not to ask him:

1.- Describe personal style.

Trying to keep a style and manner that probably died 50 years before I was born.

2.- Most stylish city? Why?

London. The people there still dress with style and proper form.

3.- Style icon

Cary Grant once when asked; “What should a well dress man wear?” He replied, “You just need  a beautiful woman on your arm.”

4.- Favorite item of clothing?

Neck tie

5.- What is your most marked characteristic?

I always try to be and act as a gentleman

*-*-*Thanks for the time, thanks for your style!

@ Mission

Walking down the Mission, going to a fantastic bookstore called The Abandoned Planet, I read a sign that says “Michael died. Our hero”. I have to agree with Daisuke and Yusuke –workers of the bookstore- he was one of my heroes too and he influenced BIG TIME our generation.

What most of us think of as the “Michael Jackson” style could de resumed in a word, Thriller. (F.Y.I. This album shot to the top of the billboard charts and actually no album in the history of music has been as successful as Thriller. It remained in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for 80 consecutive weeks, 37 of which at #1) But I am here to write about his style: his iconic red leather jacket -with zippered details-, tight ankle length pants, and a single white sequined glove is tattooed in my head as one the looks of the 80’s.

His style was as powerful as his music. Who couldn’t remember the long curls, black fedora hat, white plain T-Shirt, black ankle length pants, white ankle socks, black loafers and one sequined glove? It not only highlighted his smooth and magnificent moves, this also became his signature look.

Oh, don’t forget his mirrored aviator sunglasses and military inspired accessories…

“t’s almost as if the fashion industry knew it was time for a Jackson tribute. The pop singer’s influence was everywhere on the runway this past season, in the crystal-dusted jackets at Balmain, Givenchy’s gold-studded jackets and the sequined gloves at Louis Vuitton.”

It’s a shame that he is gone.

—-Sorry Farrah, we will miss you too—-

Here is the setting: eYe was walking down the street, waiting for the light to change, when this guy parked his car, grabbed his phone and walked fast to the Prada Store. I only had the chance to take 1 picture, and thank God it came out nicely! The way he parked his car and ran to the store was how we see it in the movies, fast but slow… does this makes sense to you? I couldn’t stop him to ask him about what he was wearing, he was on the phone, and my stalker rules prevented me of bothering him.

Anyways, he nailed it.

Beige Oxford Shirt + Lime Green Silk Tie + Fern Green Sports coat + Medium grey light weight flannel pants + Barrett + Rectangular sunglasses = is stylish.

I know it’s hard but take a closer look to the length of his pants, shoes and socks. I just wish every guy would have this clear. Maybe I am tough but a dressy pant too long looks awful.

Sunny day @ Geary St

We’ve got the vision, now let’s buy some more. Yeah, it’s overwhelming, but what else can we do?

Yesterday it was pretty nice. A beautiful warm sunny Sunday was the setting for the market. Watching the vendor’s cool stuff while walking with a drink and listening great music was the plan.

Some of the vendors caught my eYe:

San Franpsycho did their usual live silk print screening. They have more designs and colors! It’s great to see them perform… they are very enthusiastic,  hilariously funny and friendly. I even got one of their great t-shirts (V Neck with red printed boxing gloves)

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Beautiful Stranger Jewerly: if you like barrettes and want to pay between $10 and $15, she got them for you! She also has a “chic, vintage inspired boutique jewelry ranging from $15 to $50″

Also her stand and outfit were one of the most originals of the market.

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Heathen has unique jackets, shirts, vests and cardigans. The seventies jkt is just a brief example of their stuff. No website BUT you can email them for further info at heathenmail@mac.com

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Grayskyes has chunky, unique, special necklaces hand made by Alyssa. Loved her scoop neck tank -with the tiny pocket-, her golden watch, oversized shades and the long flower appliqué necklace -the big statement of her simple outfit-

You can contact her at alyssa650@yahoo.com

Imported from Belgium.

Because you can’t take fashion too seriously. Just let it go with the flow…

@ Market St around 2:00 pm

I see a lot of people everyday. Only a few will catch my eYe…

In this case, he was smiling and standing waiting for someone or something -don’t know-. 

The way he was standing, his smile, his hat, the last button of his sports coat unbuttoned -as it’s supposed to be-, his hands in his pockets, and his overall confidence just captured my attention.

@ Market st