Tais Elyse Designer. Stylist. Shopper

In the summertime, the Bay Area’s year-round temperate weather becomes a curse for those who just want to gambol on the beaches without being swaddled in multiple layers. But chances are that by now, you have already plotted your summer getaway trip to an exotic locale. Or perhaps you would like to get your doggie paddle on at one of the city’s many swimming pools. Luckily here is compilation of swim trunks and board shorts that will keep you stylishly covered. Forget cheesy, clichéd Hawaiian prints. These shorts, which range from classic stripes to kookier prints, will make you look as good as your abs that you have been working on all spring.   

1. Saltbox Board Short, $65, available at Unionmade, 493 Sanchez St, San Francisco

2. Saturdays Jailbreak Trunks, $75, available at J. Crew, 845 Market St, San Francisco

3. Reyn Spooner “Mano”  Volley Swim Shorts, $75, available at Nordstrom, 865 Market St, San Francisco

4. The Critical Slide Society on Shore 18” Board Short, $58, available at Urban Outfitters, 80 Powell St, San Francisco

5. Topman Design Swim Shorts, $80

6. Orlebar Brown Third Eye Swim Shorts, $325, available at Barney’s New York, 77 O’Farrell St, San Francisco

In my previous posts, I have written on how to dress smartly for the workplace because let’s face it: most people in the Bay Area use lax office dress codes as an excuse to attire themselves in frumpy semblances of suits. But dressing for nightlife can also be as equally as baffling, especially when there are practically no prohibitions on what you can wear. But isn’t that why dressing for nightlife can also be so much fun?  It gives you the opportunity to add that dash of swagger to your look that you normally withhold when dressing for other occasions. Here is a list of events that will definitely keep your evenings jam-packed. And read on for an outfit perfect for any late night escapades, from watching an avant-garde play to bar-hopping with friends.  

What To Do:

Witness theater of the future at the FURY Factory Theater Fest (via 7x7)

Take in a SF-centric film at the Intercontinental  Hotel’s Summer Movie Series (via Refinery 29)

Grab a second dinner at one of these late-night eateries (via Refinery 29)

Be a ladykiller at one of these “hook-up” bars (via City’s Best SF)

What to Wear:

T by Alexander Wang Leather Combo Ponte Jacket, available at Azalea, 411 Hayes Street San Francisco

Since the Bay Area doesn’t actually have a real summer, you will most likely need a jacket for the chilly nights. This is where this T by Alexander Wang jacket should enter your life. The jacket’s color and silhouette is fuss-free, but the leather panels lend just the right amount of edge that you need to own the pavement.

Wings and Horns S/S Double Layer Gauze Shirt, available at Acrimony, 333 Hayes Street, San Francisco

The short-sleeve shirt isn’t just a staple of IT nerds. The right shirt and a few styling tricks can make you look casual yet polished at the same time. Here’s how to wear it:

·  The shirt should be fitted, including in the sleeves. A good rule would be to check that there is room for only one or two fingers in the sleeve’s circumference. The sleeves should also hit mid-bicep.

·  Choose a shirt in a pattern or color other than the oxford white, blue, or pink that you would wear to the office (like this Wings and Horns shirt).  

·  For a casual, insouciant look, leave the top buttons undone and your shirt untucked. Just make sure the shirt’s hemline doesn’t extend past your fly.

Levis 511 Skinny Jeans in Slick Mick, available at Levis, 300 Post St, San Francisco

You probably don’t need me to tell you: wear fitted or (even better), tailored pants. You can’t go wrong with jeans in a dark wash.

Bass Compass Sneak, available at Urban Outfitters, 80 Powell St, San Francisco

Complete your look with the most casual shoe of all: a pair of sneakers.

Who says you can’t be fashionable while practicing safe bike riding? The days of strapping on a helmet that looks like an extraterrestrial extension of your head are no more! (Or if you don’t bother to wear helmets because of their dork factor, I hope this post will eradicate such a hazardous habit.) There are a panoply of options for helmets with more streamlined silhouettes, unconventional fabrics, or playful patterns. Here are five helmets that will have you riding in style.

Bell “Skyla” Helmet, available at Valencia Cyclery, 1077 Valencia St, San Francisco

Giro “Surface” Helmet in Wine Paisley, available at Valencia Cyclery, 1077 Valencia St

Giro “Surface” Helmet in Leather, available at Valencia Cyclery, 1077 Valencia St

Bern “Watt” Helmets, $60, available in a variety of colors at Freewheel Bike Shop, 914 Valencia St

Nutcase Graphic Helmets, $50, available in a variety of designs at Mission Bicycle, 766 Valencia St

New Yorkers have the Brooklyn Flea. Los Angelenos go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market. And now, San Francisco residents finally have the Treasure Island Flea Market where they can support green causes and scratch their sleuthing-for-gold itch at the same time. This past Saturday, the stormy skies and rain didn’t deter buyers from flocking to the usually deserted island. Like any other flea market, you definitely had to dig for items worthy to be reused and repurposed; but there were some true gems buried among the bric-a-brac. Some of the wares that I wished I had carried off include: succulents and flowers planted into logs; a cabinet painted in primary colors; a gold rotary dial phone; an entire rack of vintage dresses circa 1950s – 1970s from King’s Vintage ; and antique Miaoan tribal jewelry. (Check out our Facebook page for more pictures of the flea market!)

The Treasure Island Flea also complemented the exhausting “digging” experience with food from local purveyors, including arepas from Pica Pica Maize Kitchen and Pizza Politana made in a portable clay oven (only in the food-obsessed Bay Area). And Harvey Donuts supplied the fried dough that is usually to be had at outdoor fairs.

The Treasure Island Flea might happen only on the last weekend of every month, but you don’t have to wait until the end of June to discover new products, score an antique watch, or hunt for the perfect chair that your living room desperately needs. Here are four upcoming events where you are bound to find special pieces calling for a second life.

1. Palo Alto Citywide Yard Sale, Saturday, June 4, 8am-2pm, Palo Alto

Head down to the Peninsula for Palo Alto’s citywide yard sale, where over 300 residents will be hawking both vintage wares and handmade artisanal products. In the past, the items have run the gamut from Turkish tribal rugs to Civil War-era bed to hand-milled soaps. You might strike gold as well as help a good cause: the sale is put on biennially to reduce waste and keep castoffs out of landfills.

 2. decadesTwo.1! Pop-Up Shop, June 4, 10am – 7pm, Fort Mason’s Firehouse

Speaking of old gold, the L.A. –based designer consignment shop, decadesTwo.1 is coming back to San Francisco for an one-day sale. Expect both vintage and contemporary luxury clothing and accessories sourced from the closets of Hollywood’s elite or couture clothing collectors. The designer goodies will be priced at 80% off the retail price.

3. SF Indie Mart, June 6th, 12pm-6pm, 3 Parkside in Potrero Area, SF

Imagine - Over 100 vendors bringing you the best makers, designers, vintage, handmade unique goodies, art, baked treats and much more. Tons of interactive vendors offering customization or showing you how it's made. Besides our usual standby's on stiff drinks, cheap beers & fresh BBQ food from thee Parkside...we've also got a giant demo station brought to you by our lil DIY spot, Workshop (www.workshopsf.org) that'll feature demos every hour, on the hour. 

And Get Ready for Next Week!

Tais Elyse Trunk Show, Saturday, June 11, 12-5pm, Open House at The Ellington, Jack London Sq, Oakland

Champagne, Wine, Snacks....and of course...FASHION! The trunk show will feature vintage dresses reworked with modern details by Tyese Cooper well as other apparel, jewelry and hat by other local designers such as Josie Adele, Silver Lucy, Tamo Hulva and Rachel Riggin.

Oh Sunscreen, I know that I should love you. I know that you protect my skin from turning the color of a grilled hot dog in the summer. I know that you can even prevent skin cancer. But I have to confess that I have let you languish away on my bureau because I find your embraces to be... greasy, sticky, and worse of all, very stinky.

If you are in the same sunscreen-smell-hating boat as I am, it turns out that you can’t go wrong with most natural, mineral-based sunscreens. But even if you don’t mind the smell, there are actually many good reasons to consider swapping your Banana Boat for more natural sunscreens. Unlike drugstore sunscreens, most mineral-based sunblocks don’t contain ingredients that could provoke an allergic reaction or cause adverse health effects. Mineral-based sunscreens also eschew synthetic sunscreens for titanium oxide and zinc oxide, which become effective immediately - so you won’t have to wait the usual 30 minutes before you can gambol in the sun. Need another reason to switch to mineral-based sunscreens? They are usually loaded with natural ingredients that will pamper your skin. Read on for some of the sunscreens that I will be snatching up this summer.

Burt’s Bees Sunscreen SPF 30, $15 for 3.5 fl oz
Chemical-free; PABA-free; Paraben-free; Phthalate-free; Petrochemical –free; Sulfate-free; Cruelty-free

This sunscreen is perfect for someone who doesn’t want to bother with a product tricked out with the latest skincare technologies. It contains only moisturizing hemp seed oil, making sure that your skin stays hydrated while baking in the sun.

Jason Sunbrellas Sunblock SPF 30, 12.49 for 4 fl oz
Fragrance-free; Chemical-Free; Paraben-Free; Cruelty-free; 100% Vegetarian Ingredients

No need to buy separate sunscreen for the kids and the adults in your family. This hypoallergenic sunblock is safe enough to protect babies and adults with sensitive skin. It is also formulated with chamomile and marigold extracts to soothe the skin. 

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50, $30 for 1.69 oz.
Mineral-Based

For people with darker skin tones, the downside to using mineral-based sunscreen is that it can leave a very noticeable white residue on your skin. But you can finally avoid looking like Casper with this SkinCeuticals sunscreen, which has a sheer filmless tint adaptable to all skin tones. It also contains plankton extract to increase the skin’s defenses against harmful UV rays and heat stress.

Lavera Sunscreen Block SPF 20 UVA, $21 for 1.6 oz
Fragrance-free; Chemical-Free; Paraben-free; Petrochemical-free; GMO-free; Gluten-free; Cruelty-free; 100% Vegetarian Ingredients

Looking for a sunscreen that won’t pepper your complexion with zits or hives? This sunscreen is designed for those afflicted with allergies or sensitive skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis. It is loaded with organic evening primrose to nourish skin and licorice extract to strengthen and soothe skin. And it’s waterproof to boot.

Coola’s Body SPF 30 Unscented Natural Mineral Sunblock, $34 for 3 oz.
Fragrance-Free; Chemical-Free; PABA-free; Paraben-free; Petroleum-free; Pthalate-free

The fountain of youth might not exist, but at least you have a tube of Coola’s sunblock. Not only is it packed with soothing cucumber and moisturizing shea butter but it also contains vitamin C to help reduce visible aging.

Last week, the highly anticipated Academy of Art University Spring Fashion Show held in SOMA was packed to the gills with industry insiders and fashion enthusiasts eager to see the collections by fashion’s next designer rock stars. The show featured 16 collections by 22 graduating design students, most of whom concentrated on women’s wear. The women’s wear collections exhibited experimentation with colors, patterns, and materials, most notably with plastic. (See Margaret Yoah’s printed latex jackets that resembled shower curtains, but managed to look fantastic on the models anyway. Or Drew Williams’ silicone garments, which amazingly enough never degenerated into the kitschy, costume ‘60s look.)

 Meanwhile, the men’s wear was far less novel: the collections focused on updating everyday wear with luxe fabrics. Perhaps it was this contrast between the brashness of the women’s wear and the timidness of the men’s wear, but I couldn’t help feeling slightly disappointed by the latter. Don’t get me wrong; I definitely wouldn’t complain if the guys in my life were to dress in the suave, sophisticated clothes featured on this year’s runway. But when the AAU fashion show is an opportunity for aesthetic exploration, the men’s pieces were not as boundary-pushing nor as progressive as I hoped they would be. None of the men’s pieces were bold enough to provoke collective gasps from the audience. Neither did the men’s wear collections even dare to venture into the territory of iffy trends or questionable design like the women’s wear, which proved that something that could not possibly look good could actually end up looking very good.

But with that being said, it is a rule of thumb among male fashion gurus that men’s style at its best is non-fussy and practical. So is it possible for men’s wear to be outlandish and stylish at the same time? Read on for reviews and pictures of each of the men’s wear collections and tell us what do you think in the comments – are the men’s wear to your taste? Or are they a tad boring?   

Ashley Jung
Jung’s inspiration consisted of a jumble of sources and influences that didn’t seem to come through the clothes. However, her collection was full of updated, expertly tailored versions of men’s classic outerwear, including a sleeveless leather moto jacket, gray suede trench, cropped trench, and a color-block suit. The most inspired look of the collection was a summery color-block jacket and t-shirt duo: a cropped mint jacket layered over a lime-green t-shirt and a low-slung turquoise vest.  

Fayrouz Abi Assi
Assi’s inspiration, the American Depression and Arab desert dwellers, portended utilitarian clothing designed to survive bleak conditions, but the collection managed to marry a sense of luxury to her vision. Each piece and each overall look was a mosaic of textues and rich fabrics, elevating the boxy silhouettes and monochromatic camel or gray schemes. The standouts of the collection included a chocolate-brown suede vest layered over a quilted gray shirt; a workingman’s vest with quilted leather shoulders, smooth leather pockets, and tweed; and a tailored wool coat with a large collar unfolded to reveal a tweed lining.  

Stephanie Duarte (Men’s Wear Design), Baron A. Davis (Knitwear), Christina Monic Chavez (Fine Art Sculpture)
This vagabond-inspired collection could have easily descended into “homeless chic” with its dark color palette, shredded sweaters, and disheveled silhouettes. Thankfully, it didn’t. But with that being said, the collection was generally forgettable because Christina Monic Chavez’s braided rubber murses stole all of my attention. The translucent caramel-hued clutches, cross-body bags, and bucket bags reified my belief that men can have fashionable bags for things like, you know, that iPhone bulging out of the pocket of your slim-fit pants.
 

All pictures courtesy of Angel Cintron. 

Thanks to the heat waves that smoldered the Bay Area last week, we have started to brainstorm ways to look polished while staying as thinly clad as possible. And when the temperature is climbing into the 80s, nothing can be more daunting than getting into a stiff suit for the office. But this doesn’t mean that you should forego the suit altogether. Although suits are usually prim and proper attire, there are a myriad ways of styling a suit to make it both office-appropriate and weatherproof. Check out these four male style bloggers who are not afraid to break the “rules” when it comes to wearing suits.  

1. Wear Denim in your Suit

Although prepsters are not usually known for being rebels, the blog, Unabashedly Prep, features a bevy of men who dare to wear the often mismatched blazer + jeans combination. As Vanity Fair writer David Foxley shows us by styling slim denim with the jacket from his cotton gabardine suit, this outfit can still make you look like you are ready to get down to serious business.

Styling Tips: The key to pulling off this look is to find a perfectly-fitted pair of jeans and blazer. You can mix and match separates in different colors, as long as they are neutral colors (black, navy, gray, or white blazers with dark denim, khakis, or wool trousers). If you really want to “fake” a suit, your best bet is to pair a navy blazer with dark denim. For more details, see this previous post.

2. Shortchange your suit, but not your style

Wearing shorts with your suit jacket is a bit of controversial suggestion, given that a certain gentleman has decried the notion of wearing shorts (besides on the tennis court and at the beach) at all. But Travis Gumbs and Joshua Kissi of Street Etiquette prove that you shouldn’t follow rules (especially stodgy ones) all the time. They style fitted shorts with equally fitted blazers, pocket squares, and leather dress shoes, making their shorts completely appropriate for the office, the city, and wherever else you hang.   

Styling Tips: Do we even need to repeat that you should strive for a trim silhouette when wearing a suit? Wear tailored shorts with tailored blazers. And forget wearing socks - shorts look better with ankles in commando.    

3. Forget the Suit, But not the Tie

The boys of The MidWeStyle work formal elements such as suspenders and ties into their casual outfits so effortlessly that you barely register the oddity of wearing them without a suit. In the picture above, Jeff and his friend Oliver layer cardigans, down sweaters, and utility jackets over their ties, but the visible five inches (or so) of their ties show some thought to their dress.

Styling Tips: For a casual yet polished look, take measures to prevent your tie from flopping around. In the summer, tuck your tie underneath a vest or a thin cardigan. If you prefer your tie to be more conspicuous, secure it with a tie clip.  

4. Kick it up a Notch

Some readers might have been confused when Dan Trepanier of The Style Blogger dubbed the suit and sneaker as the “ultimate go-anywhere outfit.” But after seeing his interpretations of the unlikely combination, we are confused as to why men don’t sport this look more often.

Styling Tips: You don’t want your sneakers to clash with your suit nor draw unwanted attention, so go for sneakers in a simple design and slim silhouette. You can’t go wrong with a low-top sneaker in leather, canvas, or suede. The Style Blogger chose Nikes, Vans, and Chucks, but Adidas and Superaga would work as well. And though the suit and sneakers can be an outfit appropriate for many occasions, don’t make like Russell Simmons and throw on your kicks for a glamorous soiree or a boardroom meeting. Exercise your judgment and always, always, always dress for the occasion.      

FIRST, 

A Recap of Our Sample Sale Last Friday.

Party goers flocked to our sample sale for a touch of spring cleaning. And cleaning they did: people cleaned out Our Cuban Kitchen’s chicken fricassee as well as the designer samples in the loft. Shoppers were given a chance to become acquainted with local indie designers they would not have known otherwise. In a time when runway-emulating, uber-trendy mass retailers like H&M and Zara dominate the mid-price clothing market, it was refreshing to look through Josie Adele’s non-trendy jewelry, Silver's body-transforming jumpsuits or Jasmin Zorlu’s unapologetically outlandish, sculptural headpieces at the party. The sample sale and party was a reminder that supporting local designers is not only an ethical cause, but also a way to broaden one’s personal style beyond mainstream tastes. Though San Francisco gets a lot of flak for being a sartorial laggard in comparison to other fashion-forward cities, there is definitely no shortage of talented indie designers.

 Here are three upcoming events that will allow you to support local designers and get you in the mood for springtime dressing.

1. Tais Elyse Style Lab at Citizen Clothing, Thursday, April 28, 5-7 pm, free
Join us for happy hour nibbles and personal style consultations with Tyese and then shop for some spring threads at Citizen Clothing in the Castro. "5 Essential Spring Must-Haves to Stand Out"

2. Benny Gold Grand Opening at Benny Gold, Saturday, April 30, 11am-7pm, free
The skatewear shop (and purveyor of selvedge denim) will celebrate the opening of its larger Mission location with drinks and the debut of its spring collection.

3. Capsule Design Street Festival at Hayes Valley Park, Sunday, May 1, 11:00am – 6pm, free
There is a good chance that festival attendees will find something to spruce up their spring wardrobe among wares that will be hawked by 130 local designers.  

It is undeniable that Mad Men has influenced for the better men’s perception of how they should dress for the office. The show’s hot shot (in both the boardroom and the bedroom) Don Draper especially has inspired men to style their hair and attire themselves in tailored suits that practically brag about their buff physique. But it is also undeniable that after watching the male leads wear the same old black, gray, and blue structured suits for four seasons, their office wardrobe becomes hardly noticeable anymore. And this is something that men, whether you are the scrappy upstart or an executive in the firm, should not aspire to: being boring, predictable, and repetitive in your office dress (or any dress for that matter). Rather, men should personalize their suit and tie uniform to achieve their distinctive look. And one of the easiest ways to do so? Wear patterned garments. Play with conservative checks and stripes but also experiment with the more unconventional madras, polka dot, and floral prints. Incorporate a small dose of pattern into your suit with a printed pocket square and/or tie. Be a bit bolder by swapping out your white dress shirt for a microscopically-checked gingham shirt or a subtle floral shirt (like this one). Or take a risk by pairing several printed separates in one look, like the dotted tie, check shirt, and pinstripe suit combination above. Just make sure the pieces form a muted, monochromatic color scheme so you don’t look clownishly mismatched. A patterned look can still be conservative, respectable, and boardroom-ready, but the details will make you stand out.

Although the majority of fashion trends have a finite expiration date, color in the spring time is definitely not one of them. In the fashion world, spring is touted as a time to pack away finally the drab wooly layers that have cocooned you through the winter and exhume the bright, refreshing pieces that will give you a sunny disposition to match the weather. This spring is no exception; colors, alongside the military green and safari khaki of past seasons, have saturated the SS11 runway and since then have seeped through a plethora of lookbooks, editorial spreads and street style snaps. But this spring, the colors are bolder and bigger: fluorescent hues are outshining the predictable whites, lemons, and roses associated with warmer weather clothing and being delivered in the form of persimmon suits, coral chinos, and lime green leather jackets. 

The explosion of starburst colors has inevitably given rise to the hackneyed question: do these runway colors translate to off-the-runway locales? Is it practical or even in your best interest to wear colors that might potentially be offensively obnoxious to other people? And even if you stay away from colors that threaten to scorch eyeballs and wear milder colors, will anyone take you seriously? Although fluorescent hues might be tricky to style and wear, I say a resounding yes in response to the last question. Though colors give an unmistakably youthful feel to an outfit, whether you are wearing magenta socks or royal blue chinos, they also signal that you are bold, fearless, and definitely worthy of other people’s attention. 

Come to our Spring Sample Sale and Party at Cotton Mills Studio on April 15 so you can be in the know about upcoming trends!