Though it’s tucked into a tiny storefront far from San Francisco’s well-traveled
Union Square retail district, Department Seventeen (shop.dept17.com) has hooked customers worldwide with its hip menswear and handsome accessories. The 250-square-foot Russian Hill boutique draws shoppers and online orders from as far away as
Sweden and
Australia by offering polished looks with a playful streetwear sensibility.
Now, the three young men behind Department Seventeen have also launched an eponymous line of smartly cut shirts, scarves, neckties and pocket squares made in
San Francisco — and, though none of the founders has a formal fashion background, the venture is thriving. Check out the brand’s new Western-style chambray button-downs debuting this season (detailed shoulder stitching adds a splash of character), and look your best with fall fashion advice from Department Seventeen co-founder Nelson Jang.
Jang’s Fashion Forecast
Jackets Trade the traditional tailored suit for less-structured jackets and blazers made from earth-tone cotton fabrics.
Apolis Standard Issue Service Blazer, $198
Scarves Look polished and block chilly fall breezes with a lightweight patterned scarf.
Department Seventeen Cotton Dungaree Short Scarf, $40
Jeans “Selvage denim is always in,” Jang says, referring to rugged, dark jeans with crisp edges.
Norse Projects Two Jeans, $180
Shoes “Choose classic shoes but with a colorful twist,” suggests Jang. Think round-toe wing tips in blue suede.