Fashion Festivus

By Christina Dillmann

'TIS THE SEASON of righteous shopping, and what better way to do it than by supporting your very own San Francisco indie fashion designers and – hey, why not, while you're at it – by picking out a few nice things for yourself? Plus, it's such a glamorous way to spend money. The following is a guide to holiday fashion fairs and bazaars happening around town.

Stockings and Stilettos Come peruse the styles at this highly anticipated quarterly event by Appel and Frank that pairs up fashion-savvy shoppers and some 65 designers, including Generation Studio (handcrafted bags made from recycled material), Submarine Assemblage (T-shirts), Rose + Sadie (embroidered felt pins), and many more. Wed/7, 5-10 p.m., Regency Center, Sutter Room, 1270 Sutter, SF. $10. SF. www.appelandfrank.com.

Feria Urbana Enjoy the Canvas Gallery's delicious grub while perusing the wares of local San Francisco artists and designers at this urban fair, which also occurs regularly at nonholiday times of year (starting February: second Thursdays, 6-10 p.m.; last Saturdays, noon-5 p.m.). This month's more than 20 participants include, on Dec. 8, State of Grace, Queen Puff Puff, and Chakabraca; on Dec. 17, Cara Lyndon, Super Hero, and Toys by Veta; and, on Dec. 18, Aiko Designs, Recover Those Thoughts, and Teetree. Thurs/8, 6-10 p.m.; Dec. 17-18, noon-5 p.m., Canvas Gallery, 1200 Ninth Ave., SF. Free. (415) 504-0060, www.feriaurbanasf.com.

Shop Your Rocks Off: A Fabulous Holiday Trunk Show No anxiety attacks at the cash register this year, no mean-spirited showdowns over mall parking spaces. Instead you'll be sipping cocktails and grooving to DJ-spun, shopping-appropriate music at Bottom of the Hill's first annual holiday trunk show. Designers include Travis Tees, Rock Candy Jewelry Design, Tina's Bags, Moon Girl (Ts, tanks, hoodies), Sprout Studio (bags, paper goods, ceramics, jewelry), Ramona Downey Ceramics, and many more. Sat/10, noon-5 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., SF. Free. (415) 621-4455, www.travis-tee.com/shopyourrocksoff.htm, www.bottomofthehill.com.

Third Street Holiday Warehouse Sale Come watch more than 40 designers and manufacturers clear out their warehouses at deep discounts. Merchandise includes wearable art, sweaters, scarves, bath and body products, home decor, children's toys, home furnishings, and more. Sat/10, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 2455 Third St., SF. Free. (415) 561-9703, www.3rdstreetsale.com.

December Fashion Fest Leave your favorite brunch dive to the weekend rookies and come out to 12 Galaxies' December Fashion Fest (copresented by the Bay Guardian), where a pancake breakfast, cocktails, your favorite DJs, and the answers to your holiday-shopping dilemmas await. You'll find dresses from PorkChop, undies from Boi-oi-oing, artful printed wear from Taylor-Made-It, and wares from close to 30 other retailers and designers. That list also includes Mittenmaker, headed up by the multitalented Alissa Anderson, who currently poses on our cover as one-half of folky musical duo Vetiver. What better way to decadently mix brunch, booze, and holiday errands? Sun/11, noon-5 p.m., 12 Galaxies, 2565 Mission, SF. Free. (415) 970-9777, www.12galaxies.com.

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair More than 200 street artists, merchants, and community groups sell their wares at this pedestrian-friendly event. Get your holiday shopping done while sampling handmade crafts, music, entertainment, and food. Artists' wares include jewelry, beadwork, hats, wirework, leatherwork, fine art, and a wide array of crafts. Sat/10-Sun/11, Dec. 17-18, and Dec. 23-24, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Telegraph between Bancroft and Dwight, Berk. Free. (510) 234-1013 or (510) 525-5137, www.telegraphberkeley.org.

Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studio More than 100 Berkeley studios open their doors to show off handcrafted wares. Download a map and set off in search of items including clothing, textiles, jewelry, furniture, blown glass, ceramics, paintings, sculpture, and garden art. Sat/10-Sun/11 and Sat/17-Sun/18, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., various locations, Berk. Free. (510) 845-2612, www.berkeleyartisans.com.

WEARS: Wearable Art from the Underground This combo fashion show and one-night-only boutique features local designs by Remade in America, Trinity Cross, Coconica, Miss Velvet Cream, Tinc, Hannah Burney, and Van Solo. Other entertainment includes a raffle and music by DJs Cat Five and friends. Sat/10, 7 p.m.-midnight (fashion show 9:30 p.m.), House of Shields, 39 New Montgomery, SF. (415) 975-8651, www.houseofshields.com, www.underconstructionproject.net.