The Sidewalk is Your Runway | Oakland Street Style
Heads up! Oakland side-walkers are turning heads with some solid street style statements. In case you hadn’t heard, there’s been a resurgence of fashionistas flocking to the East Bay over the past decade. Many creatives call Oakland home, embracing the underdog spirit and strong communal ties. The air of comradery is potent and powerful. And the fashion roots run deep! With the nearest shopping malls across the bay or in the suburbs, small independent shops provide a diverse and unique curation of options for Oaklanders to jazz up their wardrobes with signature flare. An abundance of top notch vintage shops and local Oakland designer studio/ shop spaces are sprinkled throughout the town for guys and gals eager to find that one of a kind or locally made piece to help them stand out from the crowd. All the ladies we spotted on the streets rocked a blend of old classics from decades past with modern maker gems. If you’re ever in the East Bay and want to shop like our Oakland street style stars, check out Mercy Vintage for old designer duds and colorful frocks or Minds Eye Vintage for an Americana gold mine of student fit Levis and Victorian whites. Or swing by local designer shops like Ali Golden and Costalots to sample their entire collections in person.
With a storm moving in, we spotted lots of layers. From cool weather whites and wool jackets, to blanket coats and plaid pants—Oakland style transformed the streets to runways. Check out our favorite Oakland natives fall fashion combos for some fresh outfit inspo.
Karen's ensemble is all about the flare! Statement coat. CHECK. Safety pin + pendant on pants. CHECK. Styling trick to steal—add a cropped ankle to balance out cozy top layers. Find her @mercyvintage. (Similar loafers here.)
Krissy knows how to keep comfort classic in her head to toe vintage ensemble. Try layering a chic, cuddly sweater coat over a cashmere pullover to trick your mind into thinking your still snuggled up in bed. No need to hit snooze. Find her @krissykeifer. (Similar sweater coat here.)
We spotted Erin in Temescal Alley—a must visit Oakland treasure if you're ever in the area. Her casual tuck, raw cropped denim, and modern loafers helped her stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons. Find her @gothburger. (Similar shoes here. Similar shirt here.)
We fell hard for this chain stitch leather choker with subtle western flare. It's a simple, chic way to don the embroidered trend without breaking the bank. Find Erin's embroidered choker @dixonrand.
Rachel rocks vintage like nobodies business! She is co-owner of Oakland staple Mercy Vintage with Karen and mixes prints like a pro. We caught her keeping snug and chic on a rainy day in the bay. Find her @rachelcubed. (Similar denim here.)
Dana makes a compelling display for cool weather whites and strategic tucking. Her flannel— front half tucked. Her pants—tucked into boots. This style isn't only for knee highs and skinny jeans ladies! Take a note from Dana and play around with volume this season. Find her @wearegoodstock. (Similar top here.)
