Bess & Loie

The Haute-est Handbags in Town   

Allyson Hoeb has one of the most desirable handbag collections in Chicago.

Her personal choice? “I love big bags, but I don’t care if I’m wearing a designer label. Since I wear mostly black and other neutrals, and accessories are how I bring color into my look, I don’t own many black bags – they blend in too much and you can’t see all the interesting design that is being incorporated into bags these days.”

She also adores chic little clutches, which are also one of the biggest fall trends. “They’re the complete opposite of the bags that I carry during the day. They come in so many different shapes and colors, and it’s so easy just to grab a cute clutch and my essentials and head out for the evening!”

Fortunately for Chicago shoppers, Allyson shares her passions with the world at her handbag-centric boutique, 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. “They both have great style and have always showcased that. I still carry many of their bags today” she says.

“Bess grew up in New Orleans, so she was a Southern belle at heart. I like to think of her style as the more classic of the two.” Her other grandmother, Loie, is a native Chicagoan. “She has lived in this city all her life, and I would call her style more ‘urban sophisticate.’ She was always getting dressed up to go downtown or to a party with my grandfather.” Clearly, style is in Allyson’s blood.

   

With that kind of background, it’s not surprising that she’s always been in the fashion industry. After working as a buyer for Eileen Fisher for several years, which allowed her to learn the ins and outs of retail, she was ready to move back to Chicago. “I knew that opening a boutique would allow me to combine many of the aspects of retail that I loved, especially getting to spend time on the sales floor, working with customers, and meeting new people.”  

Allyson’s experience and warm, friendly attitude are immediately apparent when you walk into Bess & Loie. She makes it “a very comfortable place to shop, free of pressure. I don’t want you to buy something if you’re not going to wear it.”

In fact, shopping at Bess & Loie can be more like relaxing with friends. As Allyson says, “I’d rather you come to visit, have a glass of wine, and hang out with us at the store than buy something just to buy it. Wait it out! The right pieces will eventually find you and you’ll be glad you waited, and so will we.”

So what exactly will visitors discover at Bess & Loie? There’s a wide variety of labels on hand, and “I try not to ever have too much from any one line.

That said, Hayden-Harnett [a Brooklyn line] has been a great seller so far. They are just able to nail what is going on at any point in time and translate that into very useful pieces that you’ll wear for seasons to come.”

Other favorites include Dautore, a new Brazilian label. According to Allyson, “There is a lot of great design and beautiful leather happening in South America right now.”  And Bess & Loie is the only location in the US to purchase a made-to-order, hand crafted Dognin bag, as seen on Sex and the City & in US Vogue.  

Although she avoids ultra-trendy items, Bess & Loie will be stocking plenty of colorful patent, pony hair, and metallic pieces this fall. However, Allyson’s philosophy is to focus on personal style instead of following fashion. “If you find something you like, you’ll wear it often and for a long time. And remember that fashion is supposed to be fun!”

Her boutique is definitely all about having fun with fashion, whether she’s hosting a trunk show or party at the store (often one and the same), or shopping the NYC showrooms for the best bags to bring home to Chicago. More reason to, in Allyson’s words, “next time you find yourself in the West Loop, stop by and say hello.”

 

Bess & Loie  

1015 W. Lake St.
Chicago, IL  
312.226.2247

www.bessandloie.com

 

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SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer – J. Zenn.
 
We recommend checking with stores for product availability. Suggested prices may change without notice. SeeMore Shopping strives for accuracy, but is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews. Publ.  09/07.