Clothes for San Francisco in September?

[whatnottowear]

I received such helpful advice the last time I posted that I’m coming back for more help from the kind folks of style and beauty. OH and I are going to San Francisco next month. It will be our first big holiday for more than ten years and I’m looking for something to wear in the evenings. We won’t be going anywhere massively glamorous but just to nice restaurants / bars.

I’m in my 40s, size 12, small bust and waist, big hips and legs. My usual style is tailored but casual – wide-leg trousers with boat-neck or v-neck tops – and I’d like something a bit more dressy. I've not been to San Francisco before but am guessing that it won't be massively dressed up so have been looking for simple and stylish rather than fancy evening wear.

I don’t have any jeans that I feel good in and can’t face trying to find a pair that fit me so have been looking for dresses or jumpsuits. I wear a lot of blue and green, especially teal. I'm trying to buy more sustainably by only buying items that I really love and know that I will wear for a long time to come so budget could be up to £150 for a dress but ideally less.

I had been looking at this Sweaty Betty dress but it's now sold out in my size www.sweatybetty.com/shop/edits/bestsellers/drift-racer-dress-SB8448_FrenchNavyBlue.html?oldpid=SB8448_FrenchNavyBlue

I’d love to find something that I feel (and look!) great in and don’t really know where to start. Thank you to anyone that takes the time to help with this hunt - all suggestions gratefully received!

Layers. I know it’s in California but it isn’t especially warm in September. Although it could be.

Just looked back at my photos and I seem to be wearing T shirts but with jeans and hoodies.

San Fran is pretty casual
it can be chilly so would recommend layers and comfy shoes / trainers for the walking
hat as well

over sized shirts with camisoles etc
Dresses with denim jacket

its a beautiful city - enjoy it (and do the ferry from Sausalito and back - stunning)

Everyone wears yoga kit with hoodies in the day. Maybe jeans at night. You'll stick out massively dressed up!

San Francisco in September can be very changeable; could be warm and sunny, could be chilly and foggy, could be windy, could be all of the above. It’s a bit like Edinburgh in that regard (although obviously not as cold). I’d definitely go layers. It’s not super-dressy, generally; certainly not that semi-porno feel that some parts of LA can have.

I bloody love SF, I hope you have a brilliant time!

If Cafe de la Presse is still there (Grant Avenue) it’s well worth booking in for breakfast. Really good place plus some seriously strapping waiters

i was in SF in september and it was absolute freezing, was a high of 16 most days, it felt warmer when we were in downtown but at fishermans wharf it was soo cold i wished i had more than tv shirts and a hoodie and i was tempted to buy another layer but as it was only a couple of days i decided against it

Thanks all. The message seems to be don't dress up and do wear layers. I can manage that! And definitely won't be trying for LA body-con / semi-porno 😂

But what about for a special night out at a high-end restaurant or Napa vineyard? I'm not thinking about wearing an evening gown, but wanted something a bit nicer than my usual daytime clothes and a Rab cagoul! Would the sweaty betty dress linked above fit with SF style? (I thought it might tap into the yoga / athleisure look@StamppotAndGravy )

I am sooo looking forward to it. It's a city I've wanted to go to for a long long time. Thanks for the breakfast suggestion @NightmareSlashDelightful and the ferry @rubyslippers

Can recommend watching the sun go down at the bar/restaurant at the top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Beware Pricey!

the last Alcatraz trip of the day used to sail around the island before docking, maybe it still does? You have to book in advance to ensure you get on.

“The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” Mark Twain.

Pos

… Hit reply too soon. Possibly not very helpful, but when I was there in September it was chilly! And every one was super casual - the SF style seemed to be shorts with a hoodie. Amazing city though, have a great trip.