Russian Hill : Lucky Magazine

American Rag

This famed retailer's Los Angeles outpost may get most of the accolades, but the San Francisco shop is the original—it's the same size as its neighboring car dealerships, offering a compendious assortment of vintage dresses and tops (all arranged by era) along with new talents like Monrow and Humanoid.
1305 Van Ness Ave., 415-474-5214

Anica

Occupying a slender open-air duplex in Russian Hill, this three-year-old all-white cube of a boutique provides a spare backdrop to a handful of artfully crafted collections. Owner Rati Sahi, a former banker, selects pieces that qualify as both elegant and interesting, which translates to names such as Vena Cava, Karen Walker, Wood Wood, and the locally based House of Hengst.
2418 Polk St., 415‑447-2878, anicaboutique.com

As featured in Lucky's City Summer Shopping Guide!

Eco Citizen

Tucked away in Russian Hill and owned by a former stylist, zeroes in on the best pieces from the most fashion-forward green designers. Turk + Taylor tops and Larsen Gray dresses are here, along with an ample array of clutches, totes, and heels.
1488 Vallejo St., 415-614-0100

Helpers House of Couture

Iconic San Francisco socialite Joy Venturini Bianchi's newest undertaking is a brownstone turned appointment-only store, replete with centuries' worth of vintage that's been donated by her many friends. Venturini Bianchi, who is always on hand, knows the history and lineage of almost every garment here, from the Estevez capes to the Chanel dresses. Prices are reasonable considering the inventory, and all sales directly benefit the charity she's been supporting since she was 14, Helpers, which aids the mentally disabled.
415-387-3031

Swallowtail

Helmed by one of the city's most celebrated interior designers, Sheri Sheridan's store has been an inimitable source for inspirational home goods since it opened in 1996. In naming her store after the bird that's supposed to guide wayward sailors to shore, Sheridan takes a far-flung, nest-building approach to creating her displays, placing Stephen Sprouse graffitied chairs next to botanical posters and ages-old ephemera.
2217 Polk St., 415-567-1555