Aether is a joke, and not even a good one. I have several different products from their motorcycle line (gloves and Divide pants). I am a firm believer in buying quality, well-designed pieces, even at a much higher price-point, because the implied trade-off is that the items will last longer and provide better service in the long run. This is usually true, unfortunately, not with Aether. After a year of riding with my black Aether gloves, I noticed significant difference between the "top" of the gloves (back of the hand) and the "bottom (palm). The palm was still black, whereas the top was grey, and not a slight grey, but like a completely different glove. The black leather motorcycle jacket I wear with the gloves was still very much black with no visible fading. I wrote to Aether and included photos of the gloves to show the extreme difference in color. Aether admitted their fault-that it was either poor dying or leather selection. However, they dismissed my concerns as "only cosmetic." The only solution they offered was that I could take the time to find a local shoe repair place and have them dyed, at which time Aether would, presumably, reimburse me half of the cost of the dye job, upon providing written proof of the receipt. Had I known that Aether was the type of company that sold faulty goods and then refuse to stand-by their products when they make a mistake, I would have purchased motorcycle gloves from one of the many companies that make motorcycle gear, at (less than) half the price that Aether charges. Now, I have zero confidence that my Divide pants will last and perform like they are supposed to, but know that, if something happens, Aether won't be there to make it right. read more

If you got dollars they got coats. Now it's not the most expensive coat shot in the city by far...but it's not cheap here. I was looking for motorcycle gear which they have a strong selection of in textile and one leather jacket. Here's the thing: this stuff is high quality no doubt but the armor in Moto gear is this kinda non-newtonian solid. So its flexly until impact where it hardens to a shell then relaxes post impact. I don't know how to explain what kinda space polymer that is but it beats hard shelled armor hands down. Plus the coats look normal so you won't look like a storm trooper walking into that fancy spot for dinner. Solid yo. Couple that with friendly staff and its a win win even if it costs a few more Benjamins. read more

Such a cool place to check out. Great location and vibes. We spoke with Jordan and he was so wonderful and informative. I tried on a couple things and loved the designs, I just gotta source my sizes. If you are in the area, I highly advise stopping in either before or after a couple drinks at one of the many bars surrounding this location. Also, shout out to Jordan for helping us navigate which drinking establishments to visit in the city. He really made the experience so much more. read more

This review is less about the in-store experience and more about Aether's product design and customer orientation. The product line is expensive and looks pretty good. They are catalogue savvy. I have ordered 3 pieces from Aether and in each case they look solid, if not bulky, but the product design is problematic, leading to an uncomfortable and awkward fit. The hood on their Launch jacket rides on your neck vs the back of the jacket. The pockets are poorly designed. Large, such that smaller items swim in them. No small pockets for glasses or a phone. I've worn it 3 times in 2 years after paying A LOT for it. A poncho I purchased as a gift has never been worn by the person I bought it for, it clearly has not been able to crack the rotation. A hoodie I recently purchased had another design flaw with the interior pockets essentially a net sowed on the interior with a spandex strap that rides on your stomach. It's a miserable fit. When you attempt to return a sale product for a refund, they will not refund you, rather provide a store credit, in effect seizing your money and forcing you to purchase poorly designed products. They claim transparency with that policy, but all roads lead to 8 point type, buried. They consistently provide inaccurate sizing guidance in the online store. This stems from them starting the company with a 0-5 sizing system that clearly did not work, and is still challenged. They don't allow for customer reviews of their products or customer experiences. Why? Well, there could be many reasons most of which reflect poorly on Aether. My experience is the coats and hoodies are all oversized, too large, bulky and unpackable for travel. My Aethers sit in the closet for trips to Norway and the Alps while Patagonia, Marmot and Mountain Hardware all make the trip. If you want to look a little different, have cash to drop on style, accompanied by awkward design choices + a backseat to house your coat, Aether may work. If you need your gear to perform reliably, fit comfortably, be designed exquisitely, be packable, open to customer input, criticism, praise, refinement, that's not my experience with Aether. read more

Shipping container retail has finally come ashore in San Francisco, thanks to sleek outerwear stockist Aether. Housed in Hayes Valley near Biergarten and Ritual, this is the L.A. brand's first stand-alone shop and it's a stunner with a glass-encased cantilevered lounge, reclaimed oak floors and a dry cleaner style conveyor belt to ferry clothing between the floors. I stopped in on Sunday in search of a coat to withstand the cold that awaits me next month in Europe. Francesca helped me try on the artic trench in jet black and total eclipse (an inky dark blue). It's a waterproof, snow ready jacket that's actually flattering! Until Aether, I didn't think such a thing actually existed. After a moment of deliberation, I purchased it in total eclipse, happy to finally say goodbye to the Helly Hansen puffer I bought in Bath, England in late 2001 (and have been wearing in cold temps since)! I'm headed to Paris, Copenhagen and London next month and now I know the rain and snow will be no problem. And for once I won't look like an oompa loompa in a puffer! Whilst not cheap, I have a strong feeling that my artic trench will end up being a very good value in the long run. The fact that it has a lifetime guarantee doesn't hurt either. read more

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This place is super cool. A small clothing shop located in a storage container! Their products are more geared towards outdoor biker travelers, but still offer a unique look. Keep in mind this is an upscale store. You go here because of the quality and style they offer. Cool place for photos for any IGers out there. read more

AETHER Apparel - Women's Clothing Near Me - San Francisco, California

Very cool store in Hayes Valley, and hard not to miss! The interior is small, but has a very cool conveyor belt for all their merchandise to rotate around with the push of a button! While the stuff inside is too pricey for me and isn't really my style personally, I still enjoyed popping my head in because the people working there were so incredibly friendly and helpful! These two guys greeted us and openly sparked a conversation about their purpose and offered to help us view anything. This might just be because there was no one else in there at the time, but I still appreciate the service! I might just come back and end up buying one of their ultra-light windbreakers to support and rep this store haha! read more

I purchased an Aether zip hoodie in ~2013 - and looking at their history, they were in business a short 4 years at that time. Gotta say the zip hoodie was no ordinary zip hoodie - fabric quality and features were exceptional. I have been interested in there product line since. If you have a chance to visit the SF store - you should, just to see it - amazing! The staff at the store provides world class customer service. The Airplane track pants are heaven, around town and particularly for 10+ hour flights. read more

Classy doesn't always have to come with a side of snooty! To prove my point, let's transport you to Aether in SF. For those of you who are not familiar with Aether; they make quality gear, primarily jackets. I decided to go into their Hayes Valley container store today to tease myself. I knew I had all the jackets I needed for the season, yet I found myself drawn in. Ben asked if I was looking for anything specific and I was pretty clear that I was just window shopping, but that didn't keep him from providing personalized attention. Lydia too was personable and awesome! When I asked about t-shirts, she pulled out their newest styles from an unopened box that had not even made to the display floor yet. Despite the steady stream of traffic, they kept an eye on me, and even proactively suggested products based on my lifestyle. They were so fabulous that I was tempted to buy something though I didn't really need anything. Like most people in SF, space is limited, and as a minimalist I try to get rid of an item before bringing one in. Net-net, I didn't buy anything but left feeling really good about my experience in there. Thanks Ben and Lydia you guys rock. Oh and Francesca who was the third associate seemed super nice too. So go in check out their products, and if you receive anything short of great service, I'd be open to getting hate mail :) read more

Got the cutest coat from this place! They are a cool box cart shop. Very happy with the quality. I will be back for more clothes this season. read more

Summary: Cool store, worth going into and poking around; don't expect the clothing to hold up relative to the price. The store is pretty cool from a design standpoint. The minimal industrial aesthetic fits the clothing style and design. Unfortunately the clothing doesn't hold up under everyday use. I bought a lightweight hooded sweatshirt. It was perfect for SF. I was disappointed when after a year of regular wear the sleeve cuffs were stretched out and the fabric was sun bleached and my grey hoodie was no a strange distressed taupe/grey. With no lifetime guarantee on their products, i'd say buy something from Arcteryx that will last your entire life and is guaranteed. read more

Kay and Ryan provided me with the best customer service! They were friendly, helpful and professional making my purchase a smooth one. Would highly recommend that you check this place out! read more

This is a neat, nifty type of store. It is basically two shipping containers that are stacked on each other with a carousel rotate the inventory. I have never seen such an ingenious idea. My significant other has seen a jacket on display as we were spending time in the Hayes. So in early July, I paid the store a visit and was trying to gift this jacket for her birthday. Unaware of the jacket's style and the size I needed for her, Francesca provided assistance. She knew exactly of the jacket I was referring to, The Amelia, and informed me of the measurements. Unsure of the size I wanted, Francesca worked out a deal that I was pleased with and I bought that jacket. Well, the jacket was too fit around the bust due to the inner lining of the jacket. I called the store and asked for a bigger size. They were able to hold the item for me until my return to the City. I reside in the City on the weekends only. During the time in between for the exchange, Francesca had e-mail me to inform that she had discovered some staining on the jacket that I was on reserve. Moreover, she has taken forward-progressing steps to order me a new jacket from the warehouse before my arrival for the exchange. WOW, what a tentative and caring person. I would doubt anyone from any other company would do such a thing. That service alone is impeccable. read more

I had a really amazing experience at this store. The architecture and interior design of the place is definitely enough for a visit. However, the quality of their clothes as well as their impeccable customer service is really noteworthy. The products are not monetarily cheap and I definitely went over my imaginary budget. But, the quality and design really stood out and was worth the extra cash. I did some comparisons that night before at REI. When compared to brand names such as North Face, Patagonia etc the design at Aether were slim and felt right. The design and feel were not baggy as they would have been with the aforementioned companies. The finished product at Aether gives you something that can be used for both city and wilderness prowling life. I believe I dealt with Ben, the manager. He was very patient and kind. He went above and beyond what is typical in the retail world. To top it off, I sampled some amazing single malt scotches before noon on a Friday. Now, that's what I call winning. read more

I wear their T-shirts every damn day. I've gotta have a good 20 of them. Some are ugly at this point. Some are still new lookin. But they hold up well. And for 40 bones. I damn well hope so. But I guess that's becoming the norm. I've got a few of the sweat shirts/hoodies and flippin love em! Now to get together a few hundred bucks to afford the jackets I want. I also went to the L.A location. I had a blast. They carry some really nice pieces by other designers. Just a cool building to be in even. The folks were cool too. read more

worst customer service. Ever. The two employees never put their phones down... The merchandise is good but their tude made it for an incredibly forgettable experience. Never.Going.Back. read more

I had scoured almost every boutique around Union Square in search of a jacket that would fit me to the T but to no avail. I checked into the Eddie Bauer, IceBreaker, North Face, Adidas & Nike stores but nothing fit well. Even the mega Macy's Men's Store didn't have what I was looking for. Per chance I saw some jackets displayed inside a container at Hayes Valley with an unfamiliar name (until now) and decided to check it out. Ten minutes later and a few hundred bucks poorer, I exit with my striking blue Glacier Shelter. Aether's a winner in my eyes...more accurately, we both are! read more

Yada yada yada, the clothes are great. Super patient and knowledgable people who carefully and honestly tell you when you have too much trunk junk for certain items -- and just the right amount for others. Five stars. FIVE STARS!!!!! read more

I've been waiting a long time for a brand like Aether to emerge. It is clear that the materials, color palette, fit, construction, utility and presentation are all the result of carefully considered decisions. I had a wonderful experience both in-store and online with Aether. The gentleman who helped me (Ben) was incredibly knowledgeable about the products as well as their specific utility (and patiently and politely answered all my nuanced questions!). Congratulations to the entire team. I'm a lifelong customer and can't wait for the next season! read more

Shipping container shopping...how amazing is that??? Aether is a really neat shop that is built out of old shipping containers. The stairs up to the second level are steep, very ladder like, Upstairs there are a few more racks of jackets and shirts along with a great chair and some architecture books with a great view of the shops. The clothes are all very soft and there are some great warm jackets. read more

Not only is this a great space, but the ladies who work there couldn't be any nicer! They are extremely friendly and chatty - I always feel welcome when I come to Aether. Love this store and its stellar customer service!! read more

I went in to browse without the intent to buy but I ended up walking out of the store with a great new jacket. The service level was outstanding - the guys working there were super professional, knew the products well, and made great recommendations all without hovering or being pushy. I love the quality of all the products I looked at. The only downside is the cost. read more

Being a fan of the design/aesthetic of the online shop (especially the imagery), I was blown away by the design of the SF shop... It's absolutely beautiful. Every product has it's place. Bought a space hoodie- I'll give that 5 stars too. read more