My Current Sneaker Rotation
The three pairs getting me through San Francisco's hills, travel days, and everyday life
I’m writing this overlooking the Bay—from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz—one of my absolute favorite views. Truly, you can’t beat it. We’re calling San Francisco home for a couple of weeks, and I couldn’t be happier.
We rented an apartment here last summer while my husband worked out of the SF office, and it worked out so well for our family that we decided to do it again. Personally, I may be loving it the most, as my heart will forever be in SF—the city that feels most like home to me.
It’s also nice to get a break from the heat back home and enjoy this cooler, temperate weather.
While packing I looked through my spring and fall / winter posts for inspiration which helped me get in the mindset of layers and light-weight jackets in June.
San Francisco is very much a practical dressing city, thanks to both the weather and the hills. We walked into Blue Bottle on Fillmore on our first morning here and practically everyone was wearing a baseball cap and sneakers.
If zip-ups are the unofficial uniform for the guys, sneakers and a baseball cap are the equivalent for moms headed to the park—especially on a windy, misty, gray morning. My sister and I were laughing the other afternoon as the mist was literally blowing at us sideways, while our kids had already peeled off their layers and were running around Tunnel Tops in their t-shirts.
And then this past weekend the sun came out and it was gorgeous. Layers are the key!
I've basically been living in baseball caps, sweatshirts and sneakers. And my lightweight shell jacket (technically a rain jacket from Marfa Stance), which has been perfect for the cool mornings and foggy afternoons.
Similar shell jacket options: I’m very into this color, and this similar summer parachute style and color from Toteme. Massimo Dutti also has the best bomber styles in a similar silhouette, and this is another good save option.
I brought my Prada bucket bag for our stint in SF, and I was actually stopped on Fillmore the other day and asked about it, so I thought I’d share a quick review as it’s really a great medium / mom-bag size.
First, it’s an incredibly comfortable bag to wear on your shoulder and hits at just the right spot when you’re walking around. It’s also surprisingly roomy. At the moment, I’m carrying my sunglasses, wallet, SPF, a book, my kids’ books, a deck of cards, mini notebooks, and pencils—with room to spare. I can easily toss in a light sweatshirt, hat, or whatever the day requires.
The leather is beyond buttery, yet I’m not precious with mine at all. It gets tossed onto park benches, restaurant banquettes, and the backseat of the car without a second thought, and it still looks beautiful.
The one downside is that there’s no top closure or zipper, so if that’s important to you, it’s something to keep in mind.
And lastly, I like the way it looks slouched… which is key in my book! (I also spotted one on TRR).
Wearing | Suede Jacket (now on sale). Sneakers.
My Current Sneaker Rotation
Back to the practicality of SF… sneakers or comfortable flats are essential for a day out and about. I’m a city walker, so I’m making my kids walk as much as possible too—to and from parks, dinners, coffee runs, and our daily adventures.
I’m going to sing the praises of my Chloé sneakers yet again because they’re just so comfortable. They’re one of those rare sneakers I can walk all day in, and they go with pretty much everything—from denim to dresses to shorts—while still feeling a bit more elevated than your average sneaker.
(I popped into Freda while on Fillmore and they have a similar ballet-mesh pair that comes in a few pretty summer colors as well).
I wore the Chloé pair above for an afternoon wandering Fillmore and later out to dinner. I’m a little more careful with this pair—reserving it for meals out, museum dates and casual walking around rather than playing soccer with my son. :P
And the below pair, which has a little more cushion, I’m wearing these to and from morning coffee to the park.
A couple sizes left in the beige here, on sale in the khaki and cream.
Another sneaker I'm really liking is the APL Riviera, a slim, low-profile silhouette.
This is the pair I’ve been reaching for on days when we’re covering more ground—especially when navigating San Francisco’s steeper hills. The traction is excellent, they’re incredibly comfortable, and I’m also just partial to a white sneaker as they go with everything.
Because they lean a bit sportier, I think they look best styled with denim—particularly longer, looser, or boyfriend-style jeans.
If you're headed to Europe this summer, spending a long weekend in New York, tackling a theme park with the kids, or simply looking for a stylish sneaker that can comfortably handle a lot of steps around town, all three are great options. They're also comfortable from the very first wear—no breaking-in period required.
what size do you take in the suede jacket? love all the variations you've styled it with in all the newsletters!
Could you share the pants in the first and third photos? Not sure if they are the same. Thank you!