She moved!
Ikram has built the most beautiful store in the city and it is a fantastic lacquer red.
It used to be that simply walking by the window would get us inspired; now it’s more like being on the same block.
Who else in Chicago gets stockist detail in Vogue? I didn’t think so.
Ikram is the highest of high-end fashion destinations in Chicago, outmerchandising everyone in town.
Don’t miss the cafe upstairs for a perfect pick-me-up.
Gold Coast: 15 E Huron / 312.587.1000
In an austere white space next to Alan Koppel Gallery don’t expect a comfortable shopping experience unless you’ve got loads of cash.
With nothing in the window to give any hint as to the treasures inside, Blake offers a highly satisfying experience for the, shall we say, connoisseur. Dries van Noten and Balenciaga do not come cheap.
Selling full looks from the world’s best designers, be prepared to fall in love. Just don’t go into debt.
River North: 212 W Chicago Ave / 312.202.0047
Image via: Chicago Mag
If you live in Chicago and have any modicum of style Barneys is a staple.
Don’t think you’re above it (or even below). Barneys – led courageously by the outrageous Simon Doonan – never loses sight of its sense of humor.
Seasonal sales are really good. And if your heart is set on something not stocked in the Chicago store the pros here can usually track it down for you.
Barneys is my resource for The Row, Rag & Bone, Alaia, and Miu Miu.
Nota Bene: Lee Goldenstein on the third floor is extraordinary.
Rush & Oak: 25 E Oak St / 312.587.1700
SHE stocks, hands down, the best, most accessible collection of fun party clothes, pretty lady finds and everyday basics at their brick and mortar in Highland Park.
It’s definitely worth the hike because you’re sure to find something if you’re anywhere between 18-38 and searching for a rocking party look.
Owner Nicolette Prpa pulls out all the stops when buying, grabbing exclusives on the best of the best from today’s chicest designers and, now, has not one but two of her very own clothing lines, slammin’ N PRPA (designed with Samantha Sleeper, a McQueen alum) and Saturday Night Sunday Morning (a more relaxed line also designed with Ms. Sleeper).
Not to mention a line of breakthrough skin care products.
Warning: not everything makes it to the website. Read: SHE has a pack of ravenous fans that come in and buy out of the box. So make good friends with your SA. Or check in very often.
Highland Park: 483 Central / 847.926.0150
shopsheboutique.com
Fun Fact: Rosie is responsible for the most perfect pair of camouflage fatigues we’ve ever owned. They were from Abercrombie & Fitch and not only made of the perfect camo canvas, they came with the sweetest silk belt that turned the look from tomboy to front-line fashionista.
Today, Roslyn has the hip factor down to a T, stocking great basics by Elizabeth & James and Steven Alan, super chic lines like Electric Feathers, and some of the best accessories we’ve seen in the city that aren’t just run of the mill: funky belts that can be worn as necklaces and uber-embellished booties by Luxury Jones.
Now teamed up with Elise Bergman, a Chicago designer selling her convertible pieces and vintage finds in the store, the shop is a hub for young, forward-thinking activity.
Wicker Park: 2035 N Damen / 773.489.1311
On the off chance you’ve never been, Intermix is a fashion megalomaniac (in the best way), so, you know, you’re aware.
What that means for you: bigger, better, more fantastic than any of their rivals, with more buying power and a lot of sway in the fashion industry. It’s amazing to think this mega-chain had only one buyer for so many years …
Intermix is a great resource for perfectly hot dresses, the latest jeans and basic tees, shoes, and serious party looks. Carrying the new and the tried and true, their boutiques pretty much cover all the bases, from Miami to Chicago, New York to Los Angeles.
It’s hard to leave without one of their great bags swinging from your shoulder.
Gold Coast: 40 E Delaware / 312.640.2922
Bucktown: 1633 N Damen / 773.292.0894
Lincoln Park: 841 W Armitage / 773.404.8766
intermix.com
There’s nothing else like it in Chicago.
Robin Richman stocks fantastically organic, luxurious clothing and accessories in her Bucktown store, just about everything you need to put an outfit together in a neutral, natural palette of color and non-color.
Everything she’s got is great: the socks, undies, dresses, hats, and shoes (the Shoes!) especially speak to me. Robin says her store is her self-expression and delivers on a promise that her merchandise is driven by aesthetics and quality and never by trend.
I say: Thank you Robin for selling clothing for the intelligent, beautiful, and well put-together woman.
Bucktown: 2108 N Damen Ave / 773.278.6150
The leader in hipster chic. Penelope’s is equal opportunity for men and women, with lots of little delights in between, i.e. stuff for kiddies, precious little papers, undies and belts and canteens and gifts!
Stocking higher-end pieces from A.P.C. and essential cottons from Petit Bateau, they fill in the racks for him and her with lots of Cheap Monday, cool coats from Sessun, plenty of bags and lots of rocking goods from little-known designers that do great things in a big way.
We have to admit that we weren’t really into this shop until just recently but we’ve picked up more pieces here in the past month than any other shops combined. Go here for great, affordable things that will have you standing out from the crowd.
And, as always, major props to stores that do well by both genders. I mean, who can’t appreciate stealing their boyfriends’ sweaters and shirts? Not to promote insincerity, but a great place to buy your boy a gift!
Wicker Park: 1913 west division street / 773.395.2351
Helen Yi is brilliant (her racks are filled with gems), beautiful (stunning and always well-dressed), and bold (she’s running a high fashion, independent boutique in Chicago).
Carrying beloved labels and those you won’t find elsewhere (Manish Arora? Yes.), the whole shop feels like a well-edited closet. And you’d be quite happy to make it yours when you discover her cache of drapey t-shirts, exclusive-to-her jewelry, and essential, beautiful coats to keep warm during Chicago’s notorious winters.
She just moved up the street and is generating a lot of new energy – stop in for Halston Heritage, Barbara Bui and loads of new attitude.
Bucktown: 1725 N. Damen / 773.252.3838
Hello, jackpot. SARCA is for the woman who loves fashion, isn’t afraid to wear color or splash out on the season’s must haves.
Totally of the moment, the siren song of the store is super high heels with pulled together, uptown going downtown looks.
Texture, volume, color and structure characterize the buy. Well-edited, you’ll leave with something you’ll love and wear a lot – but it isn’t going to be basic. From t-shirts to bikinis, fur coats to formal wear, the store is dripping in the stuff to attach your confidence.
Gold Coast: 1710 N Wabash / 312.255.0900
Gavin is a great little addition to Central Street in Evanston, just a short jaunt away up LSD.
Serving a clientele that trends a little fun, you’ll find casual and party-going pieces while easy jackets, not-so-basic t-shirts and simple dresses take up most of the rack space.
Owned by a woman who absolutely adores fashion, the boutique shines when you check out the accessories selection. Here you can really score, scooping up great, can’t-break-the-bank pieces that can easily translate into a personal signature.
And because chalk is just around the corner, you should be up this way often.
Evanston: 1710 N Wabash / 312.255.0900
Billing themselves “The Ultimate Closet,” of course we’ve got love for SCOOP NYC.
Always a great stop if you’re in the mood to shop, dudes and chicks have an equal opportunity to find something fly. With a big parking lot and lots of friendly, but unobtrusive staff, you can step inside this extra-large space and easily throw a whole outfit together.
For men, they’ve got great printed tees, fresh jeans and super-soft Inhabit sweaters. For women, SCOOP collabs with Alice + Olivia are rather fruitful and the ladies racks are filled with Alex Wang’s awesome basics: everything from a $40 t-shirt to a $1400 designer dress.
Plus, the sale rack rocks. And this is one of only a few places in town where you can pick up fantastic Eberjey undies.
The SCOOP chain has undergone some changes as of late and the store in Chicago is definitely making an effort to be a bigger part of Chicago’s fashion community – definitely a great thing.
Wicker Park: 1702 North Milwaukee, 773.227.9930
Well, well, well: you’re in luck, ladies and gents. Silver Moon has one of the most well-edited vintage collections in the city. It’s clean, elegant, and chock full of some of the best designer labels going back to the beginning of the 20th century. Be sure to dip into Silver Moon if you’ve got an event, need a great coat or jacket, or you’re a bride on the hunt for something truly beautiful and unique.
Wicker Park: 1755 W North Avenue / 773.235.5797
If you need something fabulous – and understand hands on attention and the precious nature of vintage dressing – go see Laurie Demma Davis in her fabulous salon. This woman danced her way through Studio 54 and has the archive of gorgeous pieces to prove it.
When you walk in you’ll be asked to give the collection the utmost respect: Don’t let this put you off. Experience the best collection of costume jewelry in the city. Score a sweet deal on Brian Atwood’s runway shoes. Try on absolutely beautiful dresses and purchase that perfect frock. Go here if you want to feel truly woman.
North Center: 3862 N Lincoln Armitage / 773.404.5858
Since moving into a space that quadrupled their size – and then adding a second location dedicated solely to vintage fashion – Lenny and Me, a decade-old purveyor of all sorts of home goods and no-name to big-name vintage clothing, is a clearing house for anything-goes vintage in Chicago. You never know what you’re gonna get, so I highly recommend making regular trips to see what’s new. The digging is half the fun and Lenny and Me keeps the ick factor down to a minimum.
Wicker Park: 1459 N Milwaukee / 773.489.5576
With a pair of the most passionate owners I’ve ever met, this place is thick with mens, womens and home goods having that slick vintage sheen. These two guys travel all over the USA to bring back truckloads of choice finds – fantastic party dresses, yummy flannels, and superb vintage boots not to mention the clever collections of retro kitchen stuff. Everyone I take here walks out with a great piece – see over-the-knee caramel suede boots for a fabulous Southern fashion plate, an intarsia knitted poncho for a handsome young dandy, and a gold mesh belt to cinch the waist of a truly funky disco queen. If you’re looking for a signature piece to add to your own wardrobe, make your way down to Pilsen and wade in.
Pilsen: 1425 W 18th / 312.850.2510
I live for, lust for, and believe in the cowboy boot. There’s nothing like a favorite pair you’ve worn here, there, and everywhere. Enter Dominic at US #1: People hunt this man down because of his boot collection. He is notoriously difficult to deal with – everyone thinks his prices are too high – but, you know what, you’ll most likely walk out happy unless you’re coveting a pair on a shelf that’s out of reach: these boots sell for some serious Gs. Regardless, I highly recommend US #1. And asking for a discount.
But! Don’t be fooled by the fake purses. Chanel hardware doesn’t have a ® symbol – EVER – even if said imposter does carry a Chanel price.
Wicker Park: 1460 N Milwaukee / 773.489.9428
Chicago vintage boutiques usually don’t get much play in the New York Times, so either the owners have some nice friends or Dovetail really delivers.Showcasing the clothing of new designers alongside vintage pieces that tend toward the modern, Dovetail offers up duds for both men and women in addition to a selection of home goods that’s truly worth perusing. All of the accessories at Dovetail tend toward the fabulous, so check it out when you’re in the neighborhood.
Noble Square: 1452 W Chicago / 312.243.3100
So. You’re on the hunt for something cheap and chic and trending towards the hipster je ne sais quoi: here’s some advice sift through the fab goods at Clothes Optional. This first floor space vibes on the orange/owl/seventies shag motif and is packed full of all kinds of stuff. We love this place for picking up kicky accessories like lace gloves and retro belts that are totally on trend. We also like digging through the basement and coming up with some random treasure in tow. And, we totally dig the staff. But don’t tell us we didn’t warn you - you may have to part the polyester sea.
Lakeview: 2918 N Clark / 773.296.6630
Sofia is THE boutique on Oak Street.
Blending designer vintage with the best new labels, the store serves women with a mix of cosmopolitan basics and on-the-cusp trends.
Sister owners the Zisook’s really know how to edit a collection – custom Sofia jewelry, vintage CHANEL bags and super cute shoes find their spot amongst labels like House of Harlow and the best Chicago labels.
Personally, our favorite thing about Sofia is that you can pick up a complete outfit without breaking the bank (but you can if you like). Swimwear, jewels, dresses, vests, super-luxe furs, belts, hats, jackets – you name it, they’ve got it.
Hit it off with the friendly staff and you’ll always never miss out on a must-have piece. Given the hip-factor of this place, you’ll always leave with something fresh.
Gold Coast: 72 E Oak / 312.640.0878
