Shopping Reviews Archives
Window Shopping Articles
Resale Shops
Everybody's a winner here. Treasure-hunting? Scoop up the goods you want at great prices. Overcrowded closets? Find a new home for your once-treasured belongings.
Waking Up To Tea
You can get it with bubbles, in smoothies, or in bags. Tea has come a long way from the old just-dip-and-sip days. Like coffee, tea is taking a turn for the organic, the single-sourced, the fairly traded, and the upscale.
Pampering Your Pets
Indulging your pet has never been more irresistible with the current crop of fashionable, creative, or simply adorable products.
Chocolate Obsession
When the aroma of chocolate fills the air in downtown Chicago, it's not your imagination, it's a real live chocolate factory!
For The Kids
Chicago is home to a world-class selection of stores that are aimed at delighting and entertaining the kids.
Browsing the Bookstores
Need a good read for the beach, or a picture book for a kid or a coffee table? Want to just browse for what's new on the bargain shelves or what's hot in the media racks?
P.O.S.H.
Posh has been bringing its eclectic take on housewares to the city for more than a decade now, delighting customers with one of kind flea market finds, vintage tableware and sophisticated accents in a way that makes the old feel new again. This unique, homey store certainly ranks as one of Chicago's hidden treasures.
New & Notable
Take a look at these new stores on the Chicago retail landscape.
Harry Winston
Recently, Chicago's Gold Coast became home to the latest Harry Winston salon, a stunning 8000 square foot space devoted to the label's fabulous jewels.
Tory Burch
While the designer's collections have been available at Chicago department stores and boutiques for some time, her new Gold Coast boutique is her first stand-alone shop in the Windy City.
Pivot
Embracing all that is environmentally conscious is certainly a huge trend these days, and thanks to Pivot, Chicago's first completely "green" boutique, it is incredibly simple to be simultaneously eco-friendly and fashionable.
Marc Jacobs
The year is still young but one of Chicago's most anticipated store openings has already occurred - the Marc by Marc Jacobs boutique finally opened its doors in Bucktown, to the delight of hip Chicagoans and stylish visitors alike.
Malia Mills
Home to chic bikinis, sophisticated maillots, and a variety of cover-ups and accessories, this exquisite little shop takes the anxiety out of swimsuit shopping.
Cynthia Rowley
Although Barrington native Cynthia Rowley already has one store in Chicago (located on Armitage Ave. in Lincoln Park), she recently added another outpost for her signature feminine frocks and colorful accessories on hip Damen Avenue in Bucktown.
Nanette Lepore
Nanette Lepore's unapologetically girly designs have long been coveted by Chicago fashionistas, and now locals and visitors alike can indulge their passion for her feminine creations at her charming Bucktown boutique.
Eclectica
Home to merchandise from Chicago designers Vika Brown, Orlando Espinoza, Diego Rocha and Julie Schmidt (Juliet Jewelry), this welcoming little boutique has quickly become the talk of the town.
Bess & Loie
Located in the West Loop's up-and-coming shopping district, this exquisite little shop is named after her grandmothers, two very fashionable women who influenced Allyson's own taste in fashion.
Willow
Searching for something eclectic for the home? A trip to Willow is in order.
Sprout
The concept of owner Tara Heibel, this garden center and home accessories store with a modern twist has never strayed from its roots.
Jonathan Adler
Do you watch reality TV? Scour the design shows and soak up their competition-based programming? If so, there's a pretty good chance you've seen - and admired - the work of Jonathan Adler.
Mexican Shop
Tucked away on a quiet corner in Evanston is a long-lived retail institution. The Mexican Shop has been serving up inexpensive apparel, accessories and jewelry in this suburban town for forty years.
TK Men
When selecting her merchandise, Lindsay draws upon her previous experiences in the fashion industry. Finely crafted dress shirts by Bagutta, an Italian label, share racks with funky tees by Cashlords. "I only buy a few of each piece," she says, "so shoppers are getting something that's exclusive as well as high quality."
Le Magasin
Didier Milleriot traveled to Chicago often, and while he loved the city, he wondered at the lack of home decor products from his native France. So four years ago, the Parisian took up residence in River North, and Le Magasin became the source for hard to find French finery for the home.
Eliana Lily
Located on tree-lined Wells Street in Old Town, Eliana Lily is a gem of a boutique for lovers of its chic, modern merchandise sourced from NYC, LA, Milan, and Barcelona.
Public I
A trip to this well-appointed shop is like delving into the closet of a stylish friend, if that friend loves to travel and has an equally style-conscious husband.
Cellar Rat
Cellar Rat boasts the motto: "Corporate Wine Still Sucks" on its website, and the simple shop sticks to this philosophy by carrying a hand-picked selection that celebrates the history and craft of winemaking in addition to great taste.
Stitch
Best-selling items, such as sleek sectional sofas, are accompanied by a constantly evolving selection of coordinating pieces. The design aesthetic is basically "urban loft" -- clean strong lines with an eclectic twist that includes whimsical accents, fabrics and lighting.
Haus
Owner Greg Steffens is a potter by trade, and last fall gave up waiting tables and selling his work on the festival circuit to open this Andersonville boutique. "Artists all talk about how difficult it is to do fairs, so I decided to open a space that focuses on one of a kind, handmade items," he explains. "To bring it all together and help make art an integral part of everyday life.'
Presence
Tie-dye to today, Presence stays relevant. It doesn't sell the latest $300 jeans, and you won't find a single brand sported by the celebrity du jour, but Presence is still a regular stop on a fanciful fashionista's shopping route.
Marrakech
Entering the store is like a trip to a Moroccan market, but without the live animals and loud haggling over prices. Rather, the richly colored walls, flickering candles and lush fabrics help to create a soothing, contemporary version of a distinctly Moroccan experience.
Scout
Scout, the store, sits on a stretch of Clark Street in Andersonville. With its ever-changing collection of one of a kind items, Scout is quickly becoming a mecca for home furnishings aficionados.
White Attic
White Attic beckons passersby with irresistible, ever-changing window displays that daringly match freshly painted antique furniture with of-the-moment accent pieces.
Workroom
Tucked away on a stretch of Belmont populated by dusty antique shops and thrift stores lies one of the city's most unusual home décor concepts. Workroom, as its name suggests, is a working showroom filled with gorgeous fabrics, wall and floor coverings in an artful, ever-changing setting.
Malabar
Owner Claudia Kleiner is a native of Venezuela, and she stocks many South American designers alongside American labels like Betsey Johnson, Castle Starr, and Central Park West. This buying strategy results in a merchandise mix that combines elegant European lines, American trends, and more than a little bit of Latin va-va-voom.
Pump Shoes
Located between artsy Wicker Park and the bohemian enclave of Ukrainian Village, Pump Shoes & Accessories has an eclectic vibe and a wide array of colorful shoes, bags, and jewelry.
Florodora
An ultra-feminine boutique with vintage leanings located smack in the middle of the Loop? So described, Florodora might seem an anomaly. But once you step into the cozy, welcoming space, you'll see what a stylish respite from the city's hubbub this little boutique offers.
Tula
Located in a cozy brownstone along Southport's main shopping corridor, Tula offers plenty of ways to indulge oneself. The boutique is full of stylish clothes from a variety of European and American designers; jewelry from Brazilian designer Marcia Moran; Olivina and Eskander bath products; and lots of gorgeous coffee table books.
Seagrass
If the smell of salty ocean air and images of summer beach houses make you want to go coastal, Seagrass is the home furnishing store of your dreams.
ps:accessories
"I always choose style over brand," says Shelly Meekma, owner of PS Accessories in Chicago's fashionable Gold Coast. "But I still make sure that everything in my boutique is the best possible quality for the price."
Habit
Habit carries mostly emerging designers, so one of owner Lindsey Boland's primary tasks is introducing her customers to labels they might not otherwise be aware of.
Clever Alice
"We look for lines that no one else in Chicago carries, like the smaller designers in Europe and the States," says Tamara Chaponot, owner and fashion mastermind behind Clever Alice, one of the chic-est spots in the River North's hip gallery district.
Lissa on Maxwell
Located on historic Maxwell Street in the South Loop's University Village, Lissa on Maxwell is an outpost of high fashion in a neighborhood not otherwise known for its style.
Language
"We are not a one-stop shop for all people," says Natalie Barber, owner of Language, one of Chicago's chic-est little boutiques. "We are focused on a particular customer who shares our sense of style, the woman who loves to have some old-school glamour in her everyday life and wants each piece in her wardrobe to be special and timeless."
Kaveri
Kaveri Satpathy tries her best to make sure that her eponymous boutique offers women the best shopping experience possible. "I feel that boutique shopping is a way for women to relax away from their husbands and kids. Like going to a spa, it might not be an absolute necessity, but it offers women a time and place to pay undivided attention to themselves."
Mint Boutique
Midwestern artists get top billing at Mint Boutique in Lincoln Park. Owner Melissa Tierney's goal is to provide a showcase for local designers and artisans who create quality goods.
Wolfbait & B-girls
It often seems that Chicago boutiques overlook local designers in favor of labels from New York or Los Angeles. But Jenny Stadler and Shirley Novak, owners of Wolfbait & B-girls in Logan Square, are committed to putting Chicago on the map for unique, affordable design.
Cottonseed
Owner Erin Gutierrez started Cottonseed Clothing in 2006 after the birth of her daughter Jordan. Struggling to find high-quality cotton clothing in basic colors perfect for everyday, she set out to do it herself.
Jade
Jade's soothing green walls and graceful antique furniture just beg passers-by to stop in, and the racks of luxurious clothes and cases of unique jewelry encourage them to stay awhile.
Roslyn
Showing up at a party in the same dress as another woman is one of the cardinal style sins, and the only really good way to avoid this kind of mishap is to seek out unique designers and one-of-a-kind boutiques. Roslyn, a recently opened Bucktown boutique, may be the best antidote to this kind of fashion disaster.
Jake
"I think that Chicagoans have New York style in the winter and LA style in the summer," says Jim Wetzel, one of the owners of Jake, a luxury boutique for men and women with multiple locations in Chicago.
Beta Boutique
Stylish women everywhere can't resist the lure of a good sample sale - the promise of designer clothing and accessories at unbelievably low prices. Chicago women now have an even bigger lure, Beta Boutique, a shop that's essentially a permanent sample sale.
1154 Lill Studio
Move over, Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade, there's a new designer in town. And a new place to realize our designer dreams.
Akira
Affordable prices, distinctive, trend-setting pieces and a regular inflow of new merchandise are main reasons for the popularity of Akira stores.
Guise
With Classic, Minimalist Clothing Collections, and an In-House Grooming Salon, Creating Style From Head-To-Toe Just Got Easier.
p.45
Nestled in the heart of the heavy-hitting artist community of Wicker Park, p.45 has emerged as one of Chicago's coolest boutiques.
Lush Cosmetics
If by some chance you've missed this fragrant wonderland, it can't have been that you walked by without noticing it
Majamas
From high-end designer lines at elite independent boutiques to lower-cost Liz Lange designs at Target, we have certainly come a long way when it comes to maternity wear.
lululemon athletica
You can't help but be drawn into this new breath-of-fresh-air storefront on Halsted Street in Lincoln Park.
Ta-Ze Olives
This unique gourmet shop is an easy-to-miss treasure in Westfield North Bridge, but an unforgettable experience to shoppers who seek it out.
The Spice House
Whether you're planning a barbeque, searing a salmon, or baking a batch of cookies, The Spice House can put sweetness 'n spice into every bite.
The Blues Jean Bar
Shopping for jeans is no longer an afternoon of agony, thanks to The Blues Jean Bar.
Timeless Toys
Bring back childhood memories, or start new ones, in this Lincoln Square specialty toy store.
Vosges Chocolate
Chocolate connoisseurs, this one’s for you. Tired of the usual candy bar, those been-there sweets? Treat your palate to an east meets west trip around the world.
White Chicago
Located in the heart of the River North arts district, White Chicago is the perfect place for brides-to-be looking for a high-fashion designer gown without the designer price tag
Utopia
The inspiration of owner Kim Fedowicz, Utopia was one of the first boutiques of its kind in the notably family-friendly, kid-focused community of LaGrange.
Evening Trends
In terms of shopping difficulty, evening wear is second only to swimsuits. The amount of choices is staggering. But when you actually need a dress, it's impossible to find the just-right one. SeeMore Shopping is here to help.
Mother's Day Gift Guide
Mother's Day is just around the corner, and we've put together some of our favorites from Chicago designers and stores.
Must-Have Spring Trends
SeeMore Shopping has made shopping a breeze by rounding up the hottest trends and scoping out some of the best locally-owned boutiques that flaunt them in Chicago.
Baby on the Way
Whether you are expecting a child, or you have been charged with finding that perfect gift for someone else's bundle of joy, shopping for any baby on the way can be a daunting task.
Sara Lenart
Be it bangles, brooches or bracelets, local jewelry designer Sara Lenart has the gem for the occasion - even if the occasion is little more than brunch with friends.
Diego Rocha
For most Chicago women, Louis Vuitton, Coach and Prada are the must-have names in handbags. But if you want the one-of-a-kind look that will turn heads, you must acquaint yourself with Chicago-based handbag designer extraordinaire, Diego Rocha.
SERPICO
Although many of her pieces are quite dramatic, Melissa creates the kinds of pieces you'll have in your closet for years. Taking advantage of the timeless appeal of a classic pea coat or pencil skirt, she updates them with modern details, resulting in styles that will still look current ten years from now.
Scarlet Designs
These adaptable separates can be worn to a formal event, or matched with everyday pieces to dress up an outfit for work or an evening with friends. Finally, affordable formal wear that you can mix and match for multiple looks -- day or night!
Orlando Espinoza
Local designer Orlando Espinoza has an eye on the future. It's time for fashion to stop looking to the past for inspiration," he says. It's time to look forward to new and different horizons."
Cuff Luv
Want to update your look without spending a ton of cash? Or are you just bored with your current array of accessories?
Tracey Mayer
"A lot of my creative ideas come from southern Asia. Even in chaos of the cities I find an underlying sense of peace and calm that is very inspiring," says Tracey Mayer, one of the Midwest's most innovative jewelry designers.
Evil Kitty
"Evil Kitty represents the rebellious side of me, but with a classic twist," says Lidia. "I'm always going to extremes with fashion, and mixing different eras and sources." For inspiration, she closely follows what teenagers and young people are wearing, including Japanese street style.
Mohop Shoes
"I believe that I'm the only person in the world who is making hand-bent wooden sandals," says Annie Mohaupt, designer and producer of some of the most unique shoes that ever stepped onto the Chicago scene.
Alexis Drake
Timeless and Contemporary, Alexis Drake's Hand-Crafted Designs are Heirlooms in the Making.
Blake Standard
Pierre Colorado's line of women's sportswear consists of perfectly cut and detailed supima cotton basics that are utterly simple and chic.
Doris Ruth
"Please be kind, wear with heels," is the motto of Doris Ruth, one of Chicago’s most deliciously feminine labels.
Vika Brown
“I always knew that I loved fashion and that I had to be involved in it somehow,” says Vika Brown, designer of Eclectica by Vika, one of Chicago’s most stylish new labels.
Elyse C. Bec
Rise above the elements in style with the luxuriously warm, absolutely gorgeous scarves and wraps of Elyse C. Bec Designs.
Dolan Geiman
This designer's many varied creations include handmade clothing and accessories, and a variety of collages and panel paintings that combine his fine art background with folk art and pop aesthetics.
Susan Fitch
Transform an Everyday Ensemble into Something Special with these Hip and Modern Handbags Made in Chicago
Cyndi Chan
Just three years out of New York, Cyndi Chan has emerged as a leading designer on the Chicago fashion scene.
Calvin Tran
Calvin Tran creates beautifully constructed designs that flow and drape across a woman's body.
CC Bella
Celebrate your Individuality with Local Designer Catherine Chamberlain's Affordable Collection of Distinctive, Hand-Crafted Showpieces.
Objets d'Envy
Catch Oohs and Eyes with this Alluring Collection of Hand-Crafted Jewelry.
K. Amato Designs
Balancing Trendy and Classic Styles, this Local Designer Creates Attention-Grabbing, Affordable Jewelry.
Lara Miller
A True Fashion Artist with a Heart of Green.
Public I
A trip to this well-appointed shop is like delving into the closet of a stylish friend, if that friend loves to travel and has an equally style-conscious husband.
Malabar Chicago
Owner Claudia Kleiner is a native of Venezuela, and she stocks many South American designers alongside American labels like Betsey Johnson, Castle Starr, and Central Park West. This buying strategy results in a merchandise mix that combines elegant European lines, American trends, and more than a little bit of Latin va-va-voom.
Pump Shoes
Located between artsy Wicker Park and the bohemian enclave of Ukrainian Village, Pump Shoes & Accessories has an eclectic vibe and a wide array of colorful shoes, bags, and jewelry.
Florodora
An ultra-feminine boutique with vintage leanings located smack in the middle of the Loop? So described, Florodora might seem an anomaly. But once you step into the cozy, welcoming space, you'll see what a stylish respite from the city's hubbub this little boutique offers.
Tula
Located in a cozy brownstone along Southport's main shopping corridor, Tula offers plenty of ways to indulge oneself. The boutique is full of stylish clothes from a variety of European and American designers; jewelry from Brazilian designer Marcia Moran; Olivina and Eskander bath products; and lots of gorgeous coffee table books.
ps:accessories
"I always choose style over brand," says Shelly Meekma, owner of PS Accessories in Chicago's fashionable Gold Coast. "But I still make sure that everything in my boutique is the best possible quality for the price."
Habit
Habit carries mostly emerging designers, so one of owner Lindsey Boland's primary tasks is introducing her customers to labels they might not otherwise be aware of.
Clever Alice
"We look for lines that no one else in Chicago carries, like the smaller designers in Europe and the States," says Tamara Chaponot, owner and fashion mastermind behind Clever Alice, one of the chic-est spots in the River North's hip gallery district.
Lissa on Maxwell
Located on historic Maxwell Street in the South Loop's University Village, Lissa on Maxwell is an outpost of high fashion in a neighborhood not otherwise known for its style.
Language
"We are not a one-stop shop for all people," says Natalie Barber, owner of Language, one of Chicago's chic-est little boutiques. "We are focused on a particular customer who shares our sense of style, the woman who loves to have some old-school glamour in her everyday life and wants each piece in her wardrobe to be special and timeless."
Kaveri
Kaveri Satpathy tries her best to make sure that her eponymous boutique offers women the best shopping experience possible. "I feel that boutique shopping is a way for women to relax away from their husbands and kids. Like going to a spa, it might not be an absolute necessity, but it offers women a time and place to pay undivided attention to themselves."
Mint Boutique
Midwestern artists get top billing at Mint Boutique in Lincoln Park. Owner Melissa Tierney's goal is to provide a showcase for local designers and artisans who create quality goods.
Wolfbait & B-Girls
It often seems that Chicago boutiques overlook local designers in favor of labels from New York or Los Angeles. But Jenny Stadler and Shirley Novak, owners of Wolfbait & B-girls in Logan Square, are committed to putting Chicago on the map for unique, affordable design.
Jade
Jade's soothing green walls and graceful antique furniture just beg passers-by to stop in, and the racks of luxurious clothes and cases of unique jewelry encourage them to stay awhile.
Roslyn
Showing up at a party in the same dress as another woman is one of the cardinal style sins, and the only really good way to avoid this kind of mishap is to seek out unique designers and one-of-a-kind boutiques. Roslyn, a recently opened Bucktown boutique, may be the best antidote to this kind of fashion disaster.
Jake
"I think that Chicagoans have New York style in the winter and LA style in the summer," says Jim Wetzel, one of the owners of Jake, a luxury boutique for men and women with multiple locations in Chicago.
Beta Boutique
Stylish women everywhere can't resist the lure of a good sample sale - the promise of designer clothing and accessories at unbelievably low prices. Chicago women now have an even bigger lure, Beta Boutique, a shop that's essentially a permanent sample sale.
1154 Lill
Move over, Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade, there's a new designer in town. And a new place to realize our designer dreams.
Akira
Affordable prices, distinctive, trend-setting pieces and a regular inflow of new merchandise are main reasons for the popularity of Akira stores.
Guise
With Classic, Minimalist Clothing Collections, and an In-House Grooming Salon, Creating Style From Head-To-Toe Just Got Easier.
p.45
Nestled in the heart of the heavy-hitting artist community of Wicker Park, p.45 has emerged as one of Chicago's coolest boutiques.
Majamas
From high-end designer lines at elite independent boutiques to lower-cost Liz Lange designs at Target, we have certainly come a long way when it comes to maternity wear.
lululemon athletica
You can't help but be drawn into this new breath-of-fresh-air storefront on Halsted Street in Lincoln Park.
The Blues Jean Bar
Shopping for jeans is no longer an afternoon of agony, thanks to The Blues Jean Bar.
White Chicago
Located in the heart of the River North arts district, White Chicago is the perfect place for brides-to-be looking for a high-fashion designer gown without the designer price tag
Utopia
The inspiration of owner Kim Fedowicz, Utopia was one of the first boutiques of its kind in the notably family-friendly, kid-focused community of LaGrange.
