San Francisco City Lights Returns to Stores with California Comfort-Inspired Butterknit™ Designs

SAN FRANCISCO, March 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Remember your favorite t-shirt that lasted forever? Leggings that were uber soft? Fabric colors that never faded? Seams that never popped?  Returning to more than 100 exclusive boutique fashion retailers in March is San Francisco City Lights, California-inspired clothing for women.

Originally founded in 1987, San Francisco City Lights has a sun-soaked heritage in designing exceptionally comfortable and contemporary apparel for women who want to live the laid-back California lifestyle.  After taking a short break from retailing over the past five years, the much-loved line has been redesigned by Anna Woloshko for a "Life in Pure Comfort" and will offer more than 20 fashion-forward pieces in lush colors for the season.

Designed by women, for women, San Francisco City Lights' history was in the design of clothing for dance, yoga and every-day basics. The new line continues the brand's history with styles that easily transition from sport to street, and back again. "The styling of each piece helps women achieve a modern casual look in seasonal colors, with flattering lines and feminine details that fit every woman perfectly, no matter her size," said Woloshko. "San Francisco City Lights is all about simple, soft California beauty. There are a lot of t-shirts, leggings, hoodies and cover-ups on the market, but very few of them have stylish details that are smart enough to wear to work, but that can also be comfortable enough to run errands on a Saturday."

The 2014 Spring Collection, made in San Francisco, is distinguished by the luxuriously soft and stretchy Butterknit™ fabric used throughout the collection. As cool as a Pacific breeze, this proprietary knit is organic and recyclable, with each yarn spun in California to ensure the ultimate quality. "The feel of our Butterknit fabric is incomparably soft against your skin," added Woloshko. "Once you try it, you won't want to take it off. Plus, it retains its full color over time and will still feel as luxuriously soft as the day you purchased it." The Butterknit is pre-shrunk and will retain its size, shape and color over years of wear and washing. "There are many women who are still wearing our pieces from 25 years ago because they still look great today."

The Collection is designed for layering, with each piece designed, cut, sewn and colored by hand for each order in San Francisco. Because each piece is color-dyed after sewing using a proprietary technique, the colors remain rich and true. Customers will bask in the glow of the colors of California when they put on a piece from San Francisco City Lights. Earthy "California Sands" tones, like Sea Shell, Lagoon Blue, Hazy Mauve, Dove Grey and Deep Ocean (a mineral-wash dip dye), anchor the collection. Spicing things up are "California Dream" colors, like bright Organic Green, Violet Femme, Glass Coral and Tibetan Rose (dip dye). White, Charcoal and Super Black (mineral wash) are basic colors that will never fade.

"What makes the comeback of San Francisco City Lights special is that it has remained true to its roots in designing exclusively for women and how we live," said Jodi Campbell, regional sales representative for San Francisco City Lights. "We're busy and constantly on the move, but we don't want to look like we're running around in exercise clothes, or clothes that were merely 'downsized' from the men's version. This new collection makes you look stylish and is elegant feeling. Because it actually fits a woman's body, you feel special when wearing it."

"I'm excited that San Francisco City Lights will be back on the market," said Romance Novelist and Comic Book Creator, Anne Elizabeth. "When I first discovered their leggings many years ago, I bought every pair in the store, in every size, because they were so comfortable! Now that they are back in stores, I just went on the new website and placed my order. I will be wearing them at Comic-Con this year with my high-heeled boots."

"In bringing the Collection back to stores, we've updated pieces that every woman should have in her wardrobe," said Woloshko, "but, we've added accents that make them feminine and special, like lace details, shirttail styling, soft necklines, cutouts and bias cuts. We're also one of the only collections where all of the pieces come in sizes from extra-small (U.S. size Petite) to extra-large (U.S. size 14), so every woman can experience our comfortable, breezy, California look."

The 2014 Spring Collection offers Luv Lace tops, all distinguished by their lusciously soft Poly/Cotton Sheer Slub 3.5 oz fabric, each with exquisite lace details: The 90s Oversized Tee (#128S-50, $50 MSRP), Super Slub Scoop Tee (#138-50, $58 MSRP) and The Hollywood (#139-50, $54 MSRP), and Beach Hoodie (#136-50, $58 MSRP

Harnessing its gym-to-street heritage, the pure-Butterknit Simply Lux Collection is designed for a woman on-the-go.  The Long Skinny Mini Cami Top (#103-30, $46 MSRP), long-fitting Lux Legging (#106-30, $50-58 MSRP based on coloration, 29.5-inch inseam), Lux Capri Legging (#120-30, $49-$57 MSRP based on coloration, 24-inch inseam), Super Lux Vee (#141-20, $50 MSRP) and Super Lux Crew (#118-20, $49 MSRP) t-shirts return from years ago, because they have been loved by San Francisco City Lights' customers for more than 25 years. Each Simply Lux design offers the ultimate in softness against your skin. Each piece comes in rich, vibrant colors that are trending for the season.

Adding to the Butterknit t-shirt collection are styles that are distinguished by their colors and unique color treatments like the loose, slouch-fit of the Super Slouch tee (#102-20, $65-70 MSRP based on coloration), or the Soft Drape Neck (#142-10, $54 MSRP) short-sleeved t-shirt with a slouchy neck in the front and deep v-cut on the back; or the Sweat Tee (#144-10, $58 MSRP) with its long sleeve, soft-scoop neck, and sheer, organic voile front; or the three-quarter-sleeved Butterknit 90s Oversized Tee (#128-10, $54-56); or the Butterknit Raw Off-the-Shoulder Tee (#122-10, $58-68 MSRP based on coloration) with hand-tie-dyed upper and lower contrasting colors.

The Cali Cozy Collection offers four pieces bundled in super soft stretch French terry/lycra. Each piece is the perfect weight to throw on as you run out the door and wear all day long.  Start by pulling on the Super Duper Bootleg Sweat Pants (#114-14, $70-76 MSRP, based on coloration) that offer a major update on basic sweat pants. There are two updated sweatshirts: The Raw Oversized Sweatshirt with colorful studded details (#126-40, $72-$84, based on coloration); or overlay a burst of color with the Best Zip Hoodie Ever (#109, $98-$104 MSRP, based on coloration); or hop on the cable car in The Berlin Jacket's ruffled cardigan-like jacket (#110-40, $49 MSRP).

Retailers who carry San Francisco City Lights clothing can be found on the company's website at SFCityLights.com. Consumers are able to purchase the clothing on the company's website. Get all of the latest news by following the company on Facebook and Pinterest @SFCityLights.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140317/CL84526

SOURCE San Francisco City Lights