Cheryl Shops

When people think of California in the summer, I’ll bet they think beaches, sunshine, and sweltering temperatures. That may be true for much of the state, but it’s generally not the case in San Francisco. We do have beaches and the sun usually appears for at least an hour or two, but in the month of August, the temperatures are anything but sweltering. Welcome to Fogust, when the inland heat hits the cool ocean air and blankets the city in a thick fog. It's also when you see tourists traipsing through the city in shorts, sandals, and San Francisco sweatshirts. The good news is that you don’t have to totally forgo summer clothes in August, but you do need to get creative with your layers. Here’s my go-to outfit for summer in San Francisco.



You may be tempted to wear a thick sweater when you see that morning temperatures can start in the 50s, but if and when the sun does come out, you will be sweating. Hence light layers are always the way to go, and my favorite base is a long-sleeved tee. Unless I’m going to wine country (or it’s September or October, when it’s actually hot in SF), this is what I wear year-round.




This time of year, however, a leather jacket is frequently in order. I like leather because it keeps out the wind chill; people complain about the fog, but, to me, the bigger problem is the wind that makes it roll in so quickly. This is my favorite leather jacket which you’ve seen a gazillion times (most recently on Valentine's Day, but also with the same tee in this post on how to dress like a French woman). It’s a relic from my years at Banana Republic, and it’s such a classic; I’d highly recommend picking one up during their Friends & Family event. I’m in a size small, for reference.


I like to be prepared in case the sun actually does come out, so my go-to summer outfit usually involves a skirt. I feel like the weather isn’t as bone-chillingly cold as it is in the winter, so I can usually get away with bare legs. I own this skirt in two washes (you last saw it here with white boots) and recommend sizing up, as I almost always do with Topshop.



And even if it is cold enough to force me into pants, I almost always wear sandals in summer. That’s one area where I refuse to compromise. (To be honest, it was so chilly when we were shooting this post, I almost wish I were wearing jeans.) I picked this pair up during Zara’s summer sale; I’m really trying to downsize my Zara shopping, but I thought the cutout shape of these was so unique, and for some reason, it’s hard to find a pair of yellow sandals in leather, rather than suede, which gets so dirty. These are sadly long gone, but I’ve linked a similar pair below. And yes, I'm carrying my Audette bag, which I had with me all through my trip to Stockholm and Copenhagen.



We shot these photos in Cole Valley, a neighborhood in San Francisco that I tend not to spend much time in, but have decided I will do so more in the future, because it’s cute and neighborhoody, and not too far from where I live. I highly recommend Padrecito for tacos and Alembic on Haight Street for cocktails.




OUTFIT DETAILS: Banana Republic jacket | Zadig & Voltaire tee | Topshop denim skirt | Audette coffret bag | Zara sandals (similar here)