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BAY AREA
Ruti
With three Bay Area locations in San Francisco, Berkeley and Palo Alto, American Israeli fashion designer Ruti Zisser has three rules for her design: it must be cool, it must be flattering, and it must be practical. Specializing in clothing for discerning women over 35, Ruti’s clothing is handmade Israeli fashion and modern styles that are both unique and effortless.
SAN FRANCISCO
Ambiance
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
ambiancesf.com
Ambiance, which opened in the Haight-Ashbury area in 1983, has three San Francisco stores and offers “cute clothes, stylish options and great variety and prices,” says co-owner and co-founder Donna O’Leary, with items priced from $5 to several hundred dollars. The focus is on personal service, and the stores offer wardrobe appointments.
SOUTH BAY/PENINSULA
Yum Yum Tree
LOS ALTOS
(650) 917-8900
Once again dressing up J.’s Readers’ Choice list, Yum Yum Tree in Los Altos sells fun and funky clothing and accessories, often with a European flair. Unique clothes at reasonable prices, plus advice from staff on how to put your look together, make this a local fave.
NORTH BAY
New Threads
CORTE MADERA
(415) 927-3260 • shopnewthreads.com
New Threads is an upscale women’s clothing store located at Corte Madera Town Center. It fulfills its goal of offering the very latest in unique and affordable women’s clothing and accessories. Check out the fun, homespun videos on the website, and of course, go visit the store! Celebrating another year in Readers’ Choice, it places an emphasis on clothing made in America.
