The thing is... I can't get excited about spending $26 on a t-shirt. I don't care how much I love the creative designs. Well, I chalk my new purchase up to an indulgence. Everyone should check Upper Playground out for themselves. I get a sense that they're here to stay. The t-shirt designs reflect varying splinters of Sucker Free's (SF) Popular culture. This is made evident by the homage to Muni via beanie replete with the Muni logo and the brown/orange shirt with silkscreen caricature of a Muni bus with web of cables hovering above. But alas, $24-26 for a t-shirt? Oww, I have got to learn to silkscreen! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UPDATE I Love my Upper Playground Big Lebowski shirt so much. Everytime I wear it I make friends on the street, in elevators, bars...everywhere. Also, the cut of the girl's t-shirts are sooo flattering. The cut actually makes my pudgy arms look lean. A miraculous t-shirt indeed. read more

After hearing about their store and checking out their website, I was pretty stoked about coming here. However, upon arrival I was sadly less than thrilled. I honestly expected more designs and the one normal tank that I thought was decent...a plain gray one with a wittle unicorn on it....screenprinted on....$32?? Must've been a really magical shirt. I guess I'm jaded after living in Tokyo where there are tons of cool shirts to be found... but then again...$32 for a tank I might find at Target? Ummmm no thank you! read more

Designs are still dope AF, but I bought a new hella fresh kitty t-shirt here like a month ago and the threads on the beck are already breaking from the fabric. Low quality ftl. read more

How much do I love Upper Playground? Half my shirts were purchased from Upper Playground. I didn't hurt that I've visited their other shops in Portland and Seattle. But the original is the one I love though parking is hell in the neighborhood. The t-shirts are typically around $25. They are original and the quality is amazing as they'll last beyond the normal lifespan of a te. . My only beef is that the sizes are difficult to figure out. Some will really shrink in the dryer. This may explain why depending on the t-shirt brand, they might be really oversized where a medium is really a large. This wouldn't be a problem if all the shirts shrank, but it's really inconsistent so sometimes I feel like it's a crap shoot on figuring out which size to get. But he real reason why I give Upper Playground five stars is that occasionally they'll have 50% sales. This is where I'll go hog wild and buy five to ten shirts and hoodies. There's nothing better than getting awesome t-shirts for super cheap, especially when you're asian! read more

Utterly amazing. One can frame and display each of these t-shirts in an art gallery. I spent an hour looking through all the shirts and walking out not buying a thing. I was even bold enough to grab the last free VICE magazine. I know I have no shame. Robert P. says: My advice: Come here on payday. . . . . . Upper Playground is EXACTLY where I will be on Fridays. read more

Shit son, here be some badass walrus Reppin' on your walls like his tusks could fight crime. Real crime, Like the lack of the Click Clack of spray paint cans and illy threads on your back. Hood ladies love it G-men scholars approve 3 year olds rock it to preschool. Say fuckyeahmenswear, and take it to the T TipTop, hip hop ya don't stop And give it real steez: Tees to take out wack trash 'Crombie Tees that would make even Don Draper more dappy Bet your sweet bippy, These Tees would black-eye-the-shit out of your American Appy. More Sour than the citrus report But Sweet like graffito Stencil your wire hangers, keep them crispy Slap up the pole wif your mail-label sticky. Ride the aerosol carousel Cause this shit is global, whirled ride Take your peasant wheatpaste And get paid, son. Street art is real art - Nah mean? Find me at the P-Ground, Swinging that black/orange bag. Uppers is tougher When you know you got swag. read more

Awesome, awesome store. The prices are up there, but the designs are incredible and showcases the work of some fabulous graphic artists. Friendly staff and constantly changing selection. UP totally captures the essence of the Lower Haight... unique, fun, and artistic. read more

Formula for street cred. 1. stop off at the BART station and pick up a route map 2. go to American apparel and buy them out of sky blue and lime green tee shirts. 3. go to Kinko's and have them enlarge your Bart map 250% 4. stop off at Blick art supply and pick up some screen printing ink, and stencil making material. 5. Go home and stencil the BART map on your shirts (Repeat this at least few times on each shirt) 6. Go to Upper playground and sell them the "art" you made. Bam, you're on your way to becoming the W. coast Russel Simmons. ps Monopoly money can be subsituted for BART map read more

Graphic t-shirts are like present day calling cards. They tell people who you are, what you believe, and generally what makes you tick. San Francisco is a mecca of graphic t-shirt wearers, and Upper Playground is an excellent resource for them, in fact the best I have seen in the city. Their graphics are varied so you'll find something for everyone. In addition to carrying a wide assortment of local artists, their store logo ones are awesome. There are actually 2 stores, right next door to each other. The larger of the two houses men's product, including accessories and artwork. The smaller of the two houses women's and baby products. It is SO HARD to find cool women's tees that I was pleased to have such a vast selection. When I was there, a mom and her teen-aged son were shopping and both ended up with an armload of shirts. I found the staff to be extremely helpful and kind, so my experience was different than other reviewers. Really, they could not have been nicer to me. Prices are pretty consistent - $24-30 for a tee. They also offer hoodies and hats. Quality is good - but what you really come here for is the artwork. Make sure you pick up a catalog - it's beautifully produced, and you can do some advanced shopping for next time. Or check out the website http://www.upperplayground.com/06/home.html A gift certificate from UP would be sure to please a wide range of people on your shopping list, especially those that live outside of our city. Spread the love! read more

This store still rocks my world. My friend mentioned in my original review, unfortunately passed away a few months ago, but with the love she had for all things Sam Flores, I had to go back and buy something from there for my wall. I found the piece I wanted at the store, but had to think about it for a bit. So, when I got home, I ordered it online! They have a huge warehouse of stuff that they sell at the online store as well. Now, whenever I look at my art, I will always think of Rubi. Jeremy Fish, Shepard Fairey, Sam Flores, and all sorts of other awesome artists rock this store, and rock my world. read more

Upper Playground I think I love you. Though my work uniform now consits of merino wool v-neck sweaters, slacks and Ferragamos, I still defiantly sport your Snoop Dog smoking a bleezy t-shirt circa 2003 under my polyesther-blend button-up. It's been cold lately, and I've been taking the train so I've been wearing trench coats, but tucked away in my back pack is my trusty Jeremy Fish hoodie, still equiped with the ski mask you oh so brilliantly attached--should i decide to rob my local liquor store (Sam's Market, you suck!) or decide to do a quick throw-up on the side of the CalTrain. I cried the day i accidently shrank my Fillmore sweatshirt after 5 years of use. Upper playground, I know you're expanding, with another flagship store in Portland, stores in Japan (you're international playa!), etc. but please don't lose that grimey, "I made it in my Lower-Haight studio", feel that your clothes tends to have. There's other places like Lower Haters, but UP, you popped my cherry. Though the Black Eyed Peas and I may have sold out, I hope you never have to. read more

This place rocks my mismatched socks! Their hoodies are awesome, although I always prefer the designs of the male hoodies than the female selection. Their shirt prints are very cutting edge - with alot of subtle humor and political statements mixed into logos and designs. If you see something, make sure to buy it quick - alot of their stuff are limited editions. This is the best place to pick up presents for 'hip' friends - afar and near. You're supporting local artists. getting creative original pieces, and spreading the San Francisco love. My sister and I spent forever in here when she came to visit, checking out all the prints and hats. I sometimes wish their sizing was a little better, but still a great place. read more

ALERT: THIS IS A STORE OF CHIILDREN'S CLOTHING. YOU WILL NOT FIND CLOTHES THAT FIT YOU IF YOU ARE OVER 14 YEARS OLD OR A MAN. For that dude who was bitching about wanting a smaller size--YOU DON'T AND THAT CLERK WAS DOING YOU A FAVOR--even if he did it poorly. Hoodies there are fine, but their shirts are a MAJOR problem. NEVER EVER under any circumstances put them in a dryer, or you will have just destroyed the garment. Mens X-L turns into a baby tee. So, if you are 4'10" or under 120lb., you can wear an X-L. The rest of the population of the SFBA is SOL. I can't wear their girls shirts because they will only fit infants after being washed and dried. (I usually wear a size 8 in women's clothes, I am not a big girl!) Don't buy your guy friends ANY of their shirts. They will never fit after a wash and it you will both be disappointed. I blew $80 here. Live and learn. Read down the page. Note how the 5 star reviewers are Asian. read more

So here it is almost 4 years later, and i return thinner, drunker, and loving life more than ever... In this past 4 years ive learned a bit about local artists as well, such as Sam Flores, Jeremy Fish and MARS-1, and UP is the place to check their shit out. And you know? I might be a little richer.....cuz i DID shell the $60 for the clothing, and may even shell the $150 for the shoes ill never wear. (Just keep telling yourself, Mick....its art......) read more

They never replied to emails or tweets regarding their products, I waited for more than a month and still no reply. Def not shopping here! read more

Coolest Store Ever. Period. Got an amazing hounds tooth travel bag, a couple of shirts, and there is plenty of Jeremy Fish art work. How can you go wrong? read more

Always something good there for me or for someone else I know. Helpful. Creative. Local. Good clothes, music, books, and videos. Always know what's up around them in the area specifically and SF in general -- culture and style-wise. Two things I wish for from them: more plain-ish hoodies and zipups with a small embroidered or screened image and some guys shirts that fit guys not so tight. read more

This store is pretty much unavoidable. A must for those who like art and the "urban" scene. Plus, I love the inspiration it gives me! They carry a variety of artist based items: shirts, prints, figures, bags, pillows, dvds, and of course the fifty 24 sf goods! Carrying the art of Sam Flores, Jeremy Fish, etc including the Upper Playground brand itself. You pay for what you get, and you're paying for art....so don't expect bargain deals! It's worth the spend. They recently remodeled it to a very nice, wood based set up. Very clean and modern. And they also now have a men's and women's store. The store usually carries a good selection and I've never had any problems with finding sizes for shirts. Friendly staff, and always helpful. Only problem: walking out with an empty wallet... :) read more

Does anyone know why this store is called "Upper Playground?" And one more question, does anyone else not understand half their shirts? I seriously stared at their shirts for a few minutes, contemplating what they were referring to and I still couldn't figure it out. A lot of their designs cater to some sort of designer brand that we know but it's tweaked with a flare of urban-ness (I know that's probably not a word but stay with me here). I swear the people who do design the shirts are either high, cracked out, or simply think differently than I do (duh). I guess it's not really my style but it's something that I can get accustomed to, definitely. They did have this shirt that says "Cali" on it written in gold printed on a navy blue shirt to mimmick the "Cal" T-shirts I see everywhere. I laughed. They have a lot of pride for Bay Area sports because a lot of their shirts are either black and orange **GO GIANTS!!** or yellow and green for them stankin' A's. I also saw a beanie and on it had the MUNI logo. I laughed as well. Tons of San Francisco pride in this store so if you want something that screams SAN FRANCISCOOOOOOOOOOO this is deifnitely a place you should check out. I think I'm going to come back in the near future and spend at least an hour in this store, trying to understand their T-shirts. Who knows, maybe I'm the one thinking too much and there really isn't anything to comprehend... read more

Loved, loved, loved this super cool skateboard/art/cloths shop - in fact I wish I lived closer so as I could kit myself out with stuff from here regularly. Based in the Haight, they have a gallery showcasing amazing artists who then design T-shirts, bags and other fashion items for a limited time that you can buy. So basically everything is there for a very short space and some of the designs were totally awesome - I was also impressed with how good value the T's were - you're talking about $25-30 for most of them. Staff were super friendly, great tunes in-store and just a cool place to hit - can't wait to get back to SF and see what they have on offer next time! read more

Typical day for me when i go to haight is.......get to upper haight first, walk around, get food, maybe buy some records...then check out the clothing shops. shoe shops..whathaveyou and when im done i realize out of all the shops, i have found nothing i like, dont get me wrong theres some cool shops on upperhaight( like TRUE or some may say stussy-but when did stussy become cool?-stussy=streetwear bandwagons) well the image change paid off i guess...anywho...sometimes i find something i like at TRUE or some random place, but almost everytime i end the day off by going to UPPER PLAYGROUND in the lower haight cus i know i will find something i like..... the community of artist that design the gear and whatnot stand in an elite class of creative minds amongst themselves...(i dont even know what that means).... but they're dope. peep fifty24sf, peep the dithers video, peep the run up video, peep it all.... I realized i should write a review on this when i looked down at my shirt and saw that i had a walrus on it..... read more

Because I wear tshirts like a uniform, Upper Playground serves as my version of an Army/Navy surplus store. Showcasing the design work of rad underground artists (primarily that of graffitios), I can think of no better place that simultaneously supports local and indie kids while also delivering an awesome product. The store further exists as a gallery space that both displays and sells cool pieces in a traditional context (posters and screen prints) in addition to using shirts, hats and skate decks as showcases. As one of my top places to find gifts, Upper Playground always succeeds in delighting my lucky recipient. You should probably go there now to test this out and I'll even volunteer myself as your giftee. I know, I know, it's hard to believe how cooperative and helpful I am. But quit protesting! Go buy me some stuff so I can prove to you how fabulous of a response you'll receive with giving the gift of Upper Playground! No, really. Go fucking buy me stuff. read more

Cool art - crappy quality t-shirts. UP used to be one of my favorite spots in the city. It was a regular stop when I gave tours of the city to out-of-town friends. When a t-shirt I recently purchased from UP literally started falling apart at the seams, I took it back to the store for an exchange. I had worn the t-shirt once, but unfortunately had lost my receipt. The shirt was designed by one of UP's resident artists so I didn't think it would be an issue that I didn't have the receipt - as far as I know, you can't buy those shirts anywhere else... Anyway, the store clerk interrogated me like I was some kind of criminal trying to rip off the store. Her manager treated me the same way. And when I insisted on a call to her manager to explain the customer relations blunder that was conspiring - even they denied the request. I love the shirts. I'll never go back to the store. read more

Not only do I like their little SF skyline tee's, I have become a fan of their entire graffiti line. This is one store worth checking out. read more

Loved it, even though there is a better selection for guys than the ladies. I was impressed by the fact that the shirts weren't necessarily "boutique" prices like in the $30 plus range, but in the average 22-25. However, I was diggin' the art prints and was able to purchase a Sam Flores Print that I thought was cute. RCA Love? (All I gotta say is the guy looks like he wants to put a "male" input into the female "plug"... hmm... sexual but subtle.) I originally wanted the Violin Print or the Stereo Heads prints, but they ran out of those. Boohoo. I will be back! read more

I got the HOOK-UPS! No, not the brand...although, they were cool back in the day when I skated. This is like graffiti meets art. These sick a$$ artist made shirts alive, defined people as "cool" kids, gave them style, image, and fame. I support local kids. I support Upper Playground. read more

Upper Playground manages to make tshirts interesting again with their kitchsy, but slogan-less tees. Just about every childhood character you remember will show up skewed in their designs. The selection & artworks on the walls is excellent. Sadly, the staff has been less than pleasant when I've been in. If I hadn't been ignored, then shut down mid-question by one of the girls working there, I'd give it 4 stars. read more

Probably one of the best shops in SF for random tshirts. And when I say random, I mean RANDOM. The selection in this place is pretty awesome and I really have yet to see too many places which do the whole capitalism/art thing good as a combination. This place was super crowded scooping up $70 hoodies and $30 tees. I can't get too mad at the prices considering all the quality stuff nowadays is around the same price at Nordy's or SF centre. read more

I have been shopping at Upper Playground for years and have a solid tshirt collection and I'm slowly building on my hoodie collection. I'm definitely someone that will gladly spend $28 bucks on a well designed shirt that fits me well and supports a local artist and business. Their gear is fresh, original, and limited edition. It looks light years beyond more inventive and stylish than some of that crap up in the Upper Haight stores. The artistry and talent put into their clothing, their chill staff, their fierce dedication to reppin' SF; this is why they are so well loved and respected by their loyal customers. read more

I was a fan of U.P. before I even moved to SF from the east coast. Great artists, designs, and products. The shop itself is mostly t-shirts, hoodies, and hats, but they also have a few housewares like pillows and pint glasses, as well as books, prints and art. I'm a big fan of the art from Sam Flores, Herbert Baglione, Jeremy Fish and photography from Estevan Oriol. Attached to Upper Playground is a little room with "FIFTY24SF Gallery" products, including Jeremy Fish's "Superfishal" line of goods, awesome stuff. For some reason the sizing seems off, the Medium's should be labeled Small and the Larges should be Mediums. However the FIFTY24SF sizing seems normal. I've gotten shirts in the wrong size several times because of this confusion, as the t-shirts shrink a lot in the dryer. Prices are moderate, but certainly not a bargain. The best time to get down to the store is during the annual 50% off sale, which is usually in January and lasts several days. $11-12 shirts and $30-40 hoodies? Yes, please. The staff is usually chill and helpful, but every so often they can just be "there", and not want to help anyone. [PRODUCTS] - 10 / 10 [PRICES] - 7 / 10 [STAFF] - 7.5 / 10 [EXPERIENCE] - 9 / 10 [OVERALL] - 8.4 / 10 read more

I ordered a book in november. After waiting for weeks, bombarding them with emails, asking for help or any kind of information.. 3,5 months later, i dont have a book, they have my 140 dollars and they are not responding to my emails. Is this a scam? Was I just scammed? Hello! :) read more

It's been a month since we were here and I forgot o write a review and I am making up for it now.. My bf and I came out to see the David Choe exhibit at their gallery just a few steps away "FIFTY24SF Gallery". We then came in here to shop. This store is a haven for those who can appreciate street art. Those who don't appreciate urban art and don't understand it will not find this boutique like shop interesting at all. The staff that work here are all friendly.. They had tons of stuff clothing for both ladies and men... Cool stuff... The Chrome bags had artist design on them. I ended up getting tons of stuff here. They also have a shop in LA that I have yet to go to but it is on the list of things to do.. read more

There once was a time when UP was still a little shop on Fillmore in the Lower Haight district, where the women's and men's hiphop/urban inspired shirts were divided by a flimsy wall. Now, as shit's been blowing up, not only are there two gender specific stores that co-exist side by side, but there's even another location in Berkeley. Being one who hates hype, I sigh at this. But anyway, I still got love for the UP. I'm usually not one for graphic t's, but I make an exception here since the Playground always hosts the finest designers with the phatest prints. At 25-30 bucks a pop, a t-shirt is still the cheapest item in which you can acquire some of your favorite artists' work. I especially like Mike Giant's Oakland-pride shirts which give shoutouts to ghetto girls in tube socks and the Raiders (interchangeable with LA pride, but that's another post for another time). And of course, who can forget Mr. Flores, the man who has helped make UP the company that it is today. Aside from the infamous t-shirts and hoodies, UP also provides a few other select items which are purchase-worthy, including some choice sneaks, travel bags/totes, candles, pillows, etc. I got an ex a really nice pleather bag that he uses as a gig bag for cables, which ran me around 50 bucks. One less star goes to the fact that while quality of the items are pretty good, the sizes are highly inconsistent. I purchased three of the same shirt in different colors because I loved it so much, but didn't try all of them on at the store, figuring that they'd all fit the same. Lo and behold, they did not. As my luck goes, the two I didn't try on turned out to be much smaller and shorter. Same goes with the hoodies. Not all fit the same, and vary in quality. One hoodie I got I realized is much too thick and boxy for my liking. Wtf gives? Moral of the story, try on all that shit before shelling out the big dollos because if you're like me and don't live in SF, you'll be really annoyed too. read more

My go- to shop for gifts for guys. This place is more like a gallery than clothing store. Love it. One-of-a-kind tees. WAY reasonable prices (and I'm cheap). Local artists. Variety of styles (black&white, bright colors, abstract art, graffiti-style, bay area pride, social/ political commentary, music, sports, etc.). Customer service. Not all up in yo' biz but they will nonchalantly ask how you're doing. They're too cool to up-sell. Just *useful* advice if you're having trouble decided between items. No vague feedback. Tip: Pick up a catalog. FREE! I feel like I get 10 cool points for just having it in my room. read more

They made a walrus logo the coolest thing in the world. Amazing. UP is one of my favorite brands, for reals. They basically put a SF twist on all kinds of urban/pop culture trends, and it usually ends up hella fly. It's fresh, it's original, still indie and not played out or overdone like other overly commercialized brands. No, I do not work for Upper Playground. So, this is the flagship store of the brand, so it is the place to go if you love UP. There's actually a smaller women's only store right next to the bigger men's store, and they're both about the right size for a boutique (although I wouldn't mind if it was a little more spacious, it was kinda crowded when I was there). The staff was pretty nice too, one of the workers took me over to the women's store to pay for a shirt since they were having trouble with the machine in the guy's store. I haven't been to the New York one, but I hope it's got as good a selection as this one. read more

Used to be a big fan and supporter of this company. I was just in upper playground on November 3rd for my birthday and purchased an usugrow hoodie. I'v only washed it once and the print is cracking so bad it's unbelievable. I paid $75 dollars for the hoodie which the Material itself is really good but the print is cracking really bad after having it one month and washing it one time and hang drying it. I'm Scared to See what it looks like after the next wash. So anyone interested in purchasing some clothing from this place just a heads up that the material is good but the print may like like crap after you wash it. read more

Oh Upper Playground. A breath of dirty, second-hand smoke-filled, subway air in a world of far too clean Martin Lawrence and Thomas Kinkade f-art galleries. Some of my favorite artists' work is featured here... Bigfoot, Sam Flores, Jeremy Fish, and of course, David Choe. Not to mention the lovely Miss Van piece just 2 stores down. Going into Upper Playground is like being transported back to my early years of high school when I first discovered the wonderful world of local/underground art and fell in love. I love coming in here and wetting myself over the stacks and stacks of neatly folded t-shirts and now that there's a ladies' store, knowing I can buy them and not have to worry about them making me look like I'm trying to fit into my little brother's leftovers. It's so unfortunate that half of the well-meaning folks who work there have no idea what customer service means. It's not like I'm spending $26 on a T-shirt... wait... yeah it is. Still, Fifty24SF & UP will always hold such a near and dear place in my heart. Right next to my first Lucky Strike, my first journal, and the fuzzy memory of making out really drunk with my boyfriend for the first time. read more

What, I haven't reviewed UP? This place is great not only because of the great designs and the fact that they are home grown, but they've been owning this part of the Lower Haight with the gallery spaces and expanded storefronts. Great work by local artists, solidly built clothing and free stickers too. read more

You really don't know? What are ya, new? My roommate buys all his gifts here. Seriously. Maybe I shouldn't mention that he's just plain fucking lazy, but among his many faults he did manage to pick an excellent store to serve as his own personal stockroom for Christmas and birthday gifts. Let's say you're in San Francisco. You need a t-shirt sweater, hat, beanie, bag or pair of shoes that says you went to San Francisco or you just plain out need to represent, but you don't want to look like those chumps sporting the "Alcatraz Psycho Ward" shirts and you'd like something a bit more stylish than a cable car on your chest. Come here. Granted, it's not as cheap as those sorts of articles of clothing but everything here is top notch quality. You can get neighborhood beanies and stuff that lets you rock SF pride with some originality and panache. Not feeling in a pride mood? Come check out any of the just flat out awesome t-shirt designs, from the Straight out of Lo Cash design with Chris Rock looking like Easy-E, to the Big Lebowski "Dudes" t-shirt to some great t-shirts featuring original art. Everyone I take here rushes for a catalog to take home with them. While in LA, a friend of mine was wearing the Thriller in Manilla shirt with Michael Jackson and Muhammad Ali and was accosted by a girl who screeched at the top of her voicebox "I WANT THAT SHIRT! WHERE CAN I GET ONE!?!?!!" I'd like to say shopping at Upper Playground can get you laid, but at least it can get someone to remove your shirt. read more

As a lifelong fan of hip-hop (I used to steal my older sisters NWA & 2 Live Crew tapes overnight as a child), this place is similar to walking into a church. All aspects of hip-hop culture are addressed in this store. DJ, MC's, Graffiti and B-Boys. The shirts have some of the most obscure references on them, but if you're a true hip-hop head (and not one that thinks simply owning a Hiero T-shirt is "keeping it real") you will appreciate the nods and references to the culture. Take some $$ when you visit as I guaranty more than a few articles of clothing will catch your eye. read more