Sources:
- Scarf - souvenir from Minnesota
- Grey tank – Hanes
- Purple top - Target
- Grey cardi - Kimchi and Blue, thrifted
- Navy cords - Limited
- Red pumps – Matisse, thrifted
- Blazer – Gap, thrifted
Endnotes:
This vacation has been an exercise in creating easy day-to-evening outfits, since I’ve spent most of my days so far walking, walking, and walking some more around town by myself. Then I usually meet up with T. and friends in the evenings for dinner and drinks. So I have tried to dress in ways that
a) don’t scream tourist – when traveling, I really like to blend in.
b) are comfortable for a day on my feet.
c) can easily transition to evenings with friends without looking like a tourist who’s been on my feet all day.
I do this by avoiding athletic footwear and backpacks and by wearing comfortable clothes and shoes that can easily transition to evening wear. These red pumps have a barely-there one-inch heel and are comfortable for a day of walking, but can easily become evening ready given their fun color and cheeky point of toe. I also love scarves for day-to-night looks, since they’re an easy accessory to throw on during the day and can add a dash of chic for that evening glam later in the day. Similarly, a fitted jacket works well during the day, but is not that sweatshirt or fleece that would make me feel somewhat out of place getting drinks with all the chic Californians out for dinner. And lastly, I love a big tote when traveling. It’s less conspicuous than a backpack but just as effective for carrying my map, camera, snacks, reading material, and all the other various things I throw in there for a day of exploring.
Now if I can just gush about the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art for a minute, because it’s FABULOUS! Imagine my delight when I came across Duchamp’s “Fountain”, which I’ve read endlessly about but never expected to see in person. I also wanted to steal this Calder mobile for E.’s baby room, but it was slightly bigger than my tote and made for an awkward getaway, so I let it be..
I also fell in love with this artist’s installation, which was beautiful and breathtaking and made me want to live in that room. And of course my photography does not even begin to do it justice.
After spending the first part of my day at the SFMOMA (free admission every first Tuesday of the month, thanks for a great reader tip!), I ventured on to Chinatown. Again, more with the color inspiration! The endless beautiful color combinations are so stunning and inspiring for someone’s who’s as color-driven as I am in my approach to style and aesthetics.
After meandering through all the alleys and sidewalks of Chinatown, I unintentionally ended up on Columbus Street, which I remembered from more reader tips on where to find a great bookstore. I forged ahead and soon stumbled across City Lights Bookstore, which many of you had recommended and which was a true book-lover’s heaven indeed! And oh my, their critical theory WALL OF BOOKS made my heart pitter-patter. Most bookstores devote about one to two shelves to these titles and to see so many great works from my to-get list just sitting right there made me really love the good people of San Francisco.
I picked up a book and spent a pleasant hour reading and giving my feet a break at a little cafe and bakery just across the street from City Lights. And then I forged on to Fisherman’s Wharf where I met T. and a friend of ours for dinner of fresh seafood.
And then I soothed my tired feet with a lovely beer and good company. Did I mention that I love San Francisco? Just in case that didn’t come across. And thanks to all who have given such great suggestions, I’m still open to more for the rest of my week here! S.
3 June 2009 – San Francisco, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sounds like you’re having an amazing trip! I love that you stay stylish and chic while traveling. I hate it when people wear things that desperately scream “tourist”.
I must say I love your green tote! What a great idea when traveling! My hubby and I always look like tourists with our backpacks (and our confused looks!).
Love your outfit today. I’m fairly new to your site and I noticed all of you ladies rock the belt and scarf thing. I heart them all but have never been brave enough to try it myself. Except of course in the bitter Michigan winter! Might need to change that!
Sounds like you’re having a blast! Be sure to hit Held Over in the Haight, S. SUCH gorgeous vintage treasures …
I love your look especially the scarf! It ties your outfit together making is very stylish!
If you have some time, head out to the West side of the city to Clement Street in the Inner Richmond, especially the part between Arguello and 7th. There is a fabulous bookstore (Green Apple Books)and two of sfgirlbybay’s favorite design stores:
http://www.7×7.com/blogs/domain/sfgirlbybays-stylish-seven-my-favorite-design-stores-sf
You’re also not far from the de Young museum and Golden Gate Park there. And there is yummy not-to-be-missed Burmese food at Burma Super Star.
Other fun areas to check out: Fillmore Street (north of Geary up through Pacific Heights) and Hayes Valley.
marcel duchamp is one of my favorite artists (joseph cornel is the other)… thusfar, i’ve only see the Fountain at the philladelphia museum of art but i look forward to seeing the other three at some point! ;D
your trip sounds fabulous!
I love hearing about your trip. Im so glad you are having a good time and have so many fun places to go. Will you continue to blog like this on your year abroad?
Ahhhh City Lights! Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg! Beatniks! Howl! You made me miss SF so much! :)
Great day out outfit! It makes sense to not drastically change the way you dress just because you are traveling. Make a few wise choices and you can stay comfortable and chic!
I really do need to invest in a good tote bag for myself!
Go to the deYoung!
And Walker Art Center shops has really similar (but smaller) mobiles.
I saw the Ranjani Shettar exhibit too! I really loved that one, so I’m so glad to see you featured it on your website. The work you photographed felt like it was flying to me. Anyway, if you are hitting the de Young as some readers have suggested, I’d suggest also checking out the SF botanical gardens (which are free). If you want to see a bit more of the area, I’d say take the ferry over to Sausalito and take in some ocean views (maybe around sunset for maximum effect).
If you have time, you might think about hopping on BART to cross the Bay to explore Berkeley a bit. The UC campus is lovely, and the area north of the University, on Shattuck, is rightly called “The Gourmet Ghetto”.
Lovely look – not touristy at all!
Thanks, everyone!
I’m saving Berkeley for the weekend because T wants to go with me and we have a friend there who will show us around a bit.
I’m going to go to DeYoung today and I hope I can get in, online it looked like I couldn’t buy tickets for today…so hopefully I can in person, since so many of you recommended it, I’m really dying to visit it!
@Kaylyn – if i’m not boring people with my travel accounts, I would gladly do similar posts from my travels in Europe – I love to travel and write about it and to get to share a few photographs from my trip, so I’m glad you’re enjoying it! :)
S.
This is so cute! I hope you are having fun!
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