Best Vintage Clothing Stores San Francisco?

[robrinay]

I'm in SF until Monday can anyone tell me the best place to hunt for a vintage leather jacket? Thank you in advance
Rob

 

[Fanch]

Can't answer your question but might want to Google a map from where you are to the following location:
Johnson Leather Corp.
1833 Polk St.
San Francisco, Ca. 94109

 

[robrinay]

Ta v much I'll check them out.

 

[technovox]

Definitely Johnson Leathers is worth a stop. And I haven't been there for quite some time, but I used to find some real bargains at the Golden Bear Factory. They have a large selection and some discounted items in the back. They've been making leather jackets since 1922.

Golden Bear Factory
200 Potrero Ave
San Francisco, CA 94103
Between 16th St & 15th St

 

[robrinay]

Thank you this is another brand I've heard of and didn't know it was in SFO.
I've had a look at a few websites and asked a taxi driver (taxi drivers are often a good source for local knowledge) and apparently the Mission District is the best area for Vintage Clothing Stores, notably Valencia Street. I'll let you know after I've been on the expedition tomorrow afternoon.

 

[nick123]

Does Johnson carry vintage jackets?

You'll probably walk out of there with a new one. Here's to betting.

 

[feltfan]

No vintage jackets at Johnson. But if you own yours long enough...

The Golden Bear Factory - that's hilarious. I've been by many times and always assumed
it was a place to buy teddy bears. Never occurred to me it would be leather jackets.

 

[devilish]

The really good times of vintage in SF are long gone, sadly. Static and Relic on Haight St are not so bad and sometimes you can strike gold there. Afterlife on Valencia St is good sometimes too.

 

[robrinay]

I'll hope for the luck of 'Cosmic Ordering' then when I check them out. Thank you
Rob

 

[robrinay]

Well we took a cab to Valencia Street where many of the vintage clothing stores are located and not a decent vintage leather jacket was to be found in any of the half dozen we tried. The day was saved when I found a 1964 Byron leather mail satchel for $125 but the dealer accepted my cheeky offer of $100 - result! A few minor repairs but otherwise a good solid bag with great patina. I'll post a pic when I get home and I've given it a clean and a light coat of Pecards - and yes it's true cosmic ordering I've been looking on eBay for one of these in good nick for a couple of years. I've got a copy version and a refurb I repaired myself - added a front flap as it was missing on the one I bought cheap. This one is the keeper!
http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/robrinay/library/USPS mail carrier

 

[feltfan]

The really good times of vintage in SF are long gone, sadly. Static and Relic on Haight St are not so bad and sometimes you can strike gold there. Afterlife on Valencia St is good sometimes too.

The REALLY good times of vintage SF were in Albany, Crockett, and Rodeo, when we could shop in places run by
the late Jon Lundberg and the amazing Art Fawcett. Now THOSE were the days.