Welcome Stranger

I went to this store in search of a Topo bag. As soon as I walked in, there was dead silence. While I was perusing through all the merchandise, I realized why there was that awkward silence. One of the workers proceeded to say how they were not «into» Asians. Umm. Wow. I should have said something but I was completely embarrassed and I had to leave the store. For the store manager who cares or not, this incident happened on 9÷18÷2015. There were 3 employees working that night. 2 of them were African American and the other one was 1 non-​African American. The one who made the racial slur was the non-​African American person. Based on my brief encounter with the store, I will say that they have really cute stuff but I will not waste my money on a store who employs employee with such bigotry.

Great men wear a selection– hats, grooming products, and high quality stylish clothes.
They had this awesome slingshot set as well. We couldn’t help ourselves we had to get a sec.

Killer store for men’s clothing and lifestyle products. They carry their own local brand as well.

If you can get past the «I’m too hipster even for myself» vibe, the clothes are fantastic. Service was worse than absolute rubbish (difference of opinion: French boyfriend liked that they left us alone), but would for sure go back for the fashion. Found an excellent men’s jacket for the boyfriend here.

Contrary to a Unilocaler below, I was really happy with the customer service here. They struck up conversations with me (I never care about that either!), allowed pets and were helpful.
I like the layout of the store because it makes me want to walk slowly and really look through everything. I’m not overwhelmed as there is a couch and table so I feel comfortable for some reason, like… at home lol.
Definitely expensive stuff here, but I came in knowing that and I’ll be back every so-​so. I can’t afford these threads all the time THANKS TO THE RIDICULOUS COST OF LIFE. :)

They would not honor their return policy that is on their website! I brought it in but they said there was nothing they could do! That even though it didn’t say for «online purchases only», they said only online purchases can get a full refund. So essentially they care more about their online buyers being happy then the ones who live in the neighborhood! The employees acted as if their hands are tied, but after some urging they called the owner and they still wouldn’t give me the refund on my card. What a shame. I won’t be back!
But I took up my dispute with my credit card company I ended up with a FULL refund.

The other reviewer is right — they should be called «Unwelcome Stranger» — hipsterdocuhe workers sitting around and shooting the shit seem to be actively disinterested in the customers.

new fav mens store in sf. only been here a few times. but the staff is super friendly and knowledgable !! super nice selection of clothing. lots of stuff you might see at Unionmade without the sticker shock

This place is the jam. There are other men’s clothing stores in SF, other really really good men’s clothing stores in fact, but I just don’t even see the point anymore. There is no other place I go to.
The clothes are rad. Masculine, interesting but not showy/​flashy, high quality. Highly curated, great mix of big names and up and coming brands. You got the big dogs (Gant, Rag & Bone, Saturdays NYC), but then tons of cooler, smaller companies (Velour pants and Jungmaven t-​shirts are now staples of mine). Zig-​zag shoes, great boots, Barbour jackets, APC jeans, etc. Even the socks are great. But more so than just the brands they stock, you really get the sense that every piece was looked at closely before being included. The guys know every piece, from the belts to the shirts, and it just all goes together really well.
But what really draws me back is the service. The guys who work here are chill and relaxed, and know their stuff, but they are also honest. They’ll tell you when something isn’t a good fit or color on you, and they’ll also suggest pieces you never would have even glanced at, and yet turn out to be perfect fits that you never take off. Alex and Sebastian are particularly great, and I really trust their style and advice. They size you up pretty quickly and can figure out what look you are going for, or what would fit your vibe and body. You can go into here without a stylish bone in your body, and leave looking swagged out, in an SF hipster meets GQ way, of course.
They remember you here, always say hi if you stop by, you eventually get discounts for customer loyalty, and they do a great job of throwing launch parties and keeping you up to date with beautifully photographed e-​mail updates of what’s new in stock.
Prices are higher than, say, Urban Outfitters/​J. Crew, but nowhere near Unionmade pricing. And dudes, get your grown man on… buy fewer pieces of clothing at higher prices, instead of going for bulk for cheap, and go for the fit/​quality instead. Every piece of clothing I’ve gotten here has been insanely high quality.
This is a fantastic store that is beyond worth supporting. There seems to be little turnover, the same guys have worked here since I started going, and they all seem to really love what they do. It is easily the best men’s store in the city, and frankly I’ve never found another store as good, even in NYC.

Nice selection of casual clothes, with a few work-​appropriate items, too. Warning: shop here and you will look like you live in Hayes Valley.

Beautiful décor, hip selection, but the five stars are really for the super helpful staff. The guys here were genuinely helpful without being overbearing, and really knew their stuff. Ladies, this would be a fun place to pick up a gift for your favorite man friend.

And another one bites the dust. Maybe they used to sell unique wares, but currently on display are lots of cookie cutter Chinese print shirts and poorly made chinos from Bangladesh.
I hope when this recession finally ends (2015?) Haight and Hayes boutiques start carrying quality clothes again.

If Thoreau were trendy, he woulda shopped here. It is a striking combination of hip and outdoorsy… or perhaps outdoorsy is hip, and Las Vegas hasn’t gotten the hand-​crafted postcard just yet? Vegas peeps are still hitting the streets for fashion cues, while in SF (if this store is any indication) they have packed up some tents and sleeping bags and headed to the woods.
The store is spacious and makes for a serene shopping experience. The prices weren’t as expensive as I had anticipated. However, the selection was definitely consistent with the theme of GQ woodsman. The color palette was overwhelmingly neutral, and I found myself longing for a blast of color (grass green would work!) or something exciting. Maybe that’s the neon in me! Even so, I have no doubt if you relied on Welcome Stranger for your wardrobe, you’d look dapper, guys. This isn’t a t-​shirt emporium. It’s for a Man. So go dress like a man.

4 stars for the cool factor, 2 stars for the price, but since I enjoyed the cool more than the price, I’ll stick this place with 4 stars. This place is nifty, neat and sells APC which is a rare thing when you’re not in the general LA area. The prices are up the wall insane so come here to browse or have a large wallet but the setup is nice. They have unique items that you will be hard pressed to find at many other boutique stores and they definitely have high end brands you will find in places like Saks or Neiman Marcus but with a little bit more of a personal touch.
The staff was nice, friendly and understands many people come here to browse and not buy so they don’t bother you every 2 minutes to ask if you need something or make you feel unwelcomed, which is why it’s such a nice place to be and they are more than happy to help you try on something without judging whether they think you might splurge or not.
A cute store!

Whoa mama this joint is so much $$$$$, located right next to it’s mama, Azalea in Hayes.
The set up is so spacious, décor is minimal, a little dark without seeming too trendy/​gothic, and very sartorial. It’s funny because the way I’m describing this place makes it seems intimidating, trendy, and a little obnoxious. But I can be glad to report to you that I feel no hint of arrogance in this lovely shop. Though I wasn’t assisted at the time, I felt welcome.
The best way to describe this place is a blogspot blog with the Minimalist theme who’s into high end taste but with a down to earth personality.
Selection is superb on both sides. So neither gender will feel neglected. I was eyeing some of the men ‘s merchandise myself. Comme de garçon, Swedish Hasbeens, Opening Ceremony, Rag & Bone, and so much more. Their clothing selections are very unique, a lot of which seem like a piece of art. The shoes, OH MY! I’m in heaven.
Definitely a window shopping destination for me, although, I am debating if I could do without the newest iPhone 5 and get that Comme De Garçon wallet…

See my review for the YEE thing that was at Welcome Stranger for what are surely repetitious praises (sidebar: I saw YEE once in someone’s Unilocal Lists and was like what in the hell? And then I saw it a second time on a Unilocal employee’s review of an elite event and was like ohhhhh I get it. And now I’m using it. I’m in the building and I’m feeling like YEE! R.I.P. to tha Mac D.R.E…wrong side of the bay. OK FOCUS. GDammit.)
This place was cool, although I don’t know what it’s like without free beverages. I bought a hat for myself (it was unisex, I think), but all you fellas should check out the threads here. It seems like pretty good/​stylish stuff. I specifically remember rad shoes and unusually thin ties. Also, there were manly candles (mandles?) and manly bathroom stuff (not going to combine those…).
I did note that one pair of pj bottoms was like 40 bucks. A bit pricy… but who knows? They might come with a western saunter, which would totally be worth it!

My first trip to Welcome Stranger came during the recent Unilocal elite event and again, Unilocal hit the nail right on the head. I immediately found a vest I simply HAD to have (and that was before my first pisco sour).
They have many items from british/​european clothing designers, so if you, like me, find yourself swimming in the voluminous wal-​mart-​esque middle-​america GINORMOUS sizes offered by corporate brick and mortar clothing stores, saddle on up or mosey on over to WS on Gough.
In short, if you are looking for a clothing boutique with unique items and would prefer NOT to find yourself wearing the same shirt as another guy at the bar (often they only get a few of each item and once they are gone… they are gone)…make a weekly pilgrimage to Welcome Stranger.
I know I will.
I was also amazing by their prices. When I saw that vest, we played the «guess the inflated boutique price before looking at the tag”-game and we were both WAY off. I paid more for a vest at Express Men than for this one and this was MUCH better quality.
OH and of course, it’s in Hayes Valley so there’s lots of alleys (street parking) and it’s very transit accessible.

I just have to say that I love, love, love this store! Did I say I love it already? Their angle is much more the vintage Americana that’s become quite popular in San Francisco and beyond, but I’m okay with that BECAUSE I LOVE IT. And they carry Burkman Bros which I love. I even went to the Burkman Bros trunk show a few weekends ago, but I didn’t love that so much because the gay twins never showed up (at least, not while I was there). But I still bought some clothes. Just recently, they added Topman to their collection, too.
But in all seriousness, I appreciate how friendly and accomodating their staff is. Very laid back folks, no weird stares, and yes, they will ask you if you need help. There’s a good range of prices– shoes for $ 20 on up to a few hundred for the more high end brands.
This and Levis, Revolver and Barney’s are my favorite stores for men’s clothes these days.

Being a huge fan of the offerings at Azalea, I waited with bated breath for their newest (and manliest!) project yet, Welcome Stranger. They’ve settled just a stone’s throw from their current digs in Hayes Valley, and with this outpost, they’re giving the fellas something to really sink their teeth into.
It’s a pretty large space, so you don’t feel the nuances of a shop keep breathing down your neck while you browse around like you can often experience at smaller boutiques around the city. They’ve got Levi’s on lock, the finest Paul Smith this side of the Atlantic, and being fall (or is it winter?), they have plenty of options for looking hipster-​chic in the great outdoors.
They’re certainly not cheap (I suppose this is circumstantial), so I can’t picture myself walking away from a visit with more than one or two items at a time, but their threads are pretty darn hip, so you’ll have no problem turning a few heads. If you thought chicks dug the cast of Thunder from Down Under, just wait until these cougars pounce with your spiffy new $ 300 pea coat!

So they’ve finally announced the name of the store: Welcome Stranger. Brilliant. If that’s not rich kid cool, then I don’t know what is.