Curator

The last thing San Francisco needs is another “hipster millennial” boutique selling linen midi dresses and $200 culottes. But Curator isn't just another boutique.

Powerhouse best-friend duo Deirdre Nagayama and Stacy Rodgers originally founded Curator in 2005, reworking old vintage items with simple updates. Fast forward 15 years and it’s now a thriving womenswear hotspot on Valencia Street, still selling the original house line of simple-silhouette dresses and dainty accessories. The best part of it all? All garments are made in the U.S. with 100% of the line manufactured within a 10-min drive from their shop. It's so local you could practically think of it like a farmers market...for clothes.

         

The majority of their curation is polished and conservative, think: ultra-basic v-neck blouses, chambray wide-leg trousers, and pretty much no hemlines falling above the knee. Make no mistake though, Curator is anything but drab; their accessory selection is particularly quirky, stocking technicolor mood glasses, neon “vegan” nail polish, and even socks with La Croix cans stitched into them.

If you’re trying to nail the artsy-urban aesthetic, you have PLENTY of shopping options in San Francisco; finding a boutique that's pushing prairie dresses and palazzo pants is about as easy as finding a Starbucks. But Curator has rightfully earned its place in this competitive niche. It’s hard to say whether it’s the compelling backstory, good vibes, or just the fact that the clothes are practically manufactured in your backyard, something about Curator feels right.

           

Product photos courtesy of Curator.