Tula

European Flair comes to Lakeview  

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.

Plus owners Laura and Sue Westgate are warm, welcoming, and ready to help you choose the most suitable pieces from their carefully edited collection.  

“I’ve always been interested in fashion and dressing well. I like to look sophisticated and pulled together,” says Laura, the daughter half of the mother-daughter that owns Tula. “My mother, Sue, has had a beautiful store in Grand Haven, Michigan, for seventeen years, and she always wanted to open a second boutique. So when I graduated from college, we decided to try our hand at the Chicago fashion scene.”   

They stand out from the pack thanks to what they describe as “a more European approach to dressing.” Sue is from Budapest, and her choices lend a touch of Old World panache to everything. “Instead of following trends, we buy high quality, classic pieces that you can build your wardrobe around.” Tula is investment shopping at its chicest.   

That’s not to say that they don’t know what’s currently in vogue. “We’re showing lots of white for summer. We carry a Spanish line, Hoss, that has some crisp, summery white dresses and tops.” Tula is also focusing on the dress craze – “dresses are key for us this season, because it’s so easy to just throw on a dress and be out the door. My favorite one is a Vera Wang Lavender label dress that’s black with a slight metallic sheen.”  

While metallics are a popular look at Tula, the shop’s selections tend to be on the more subtle side. Instead of blingy golds and silvers, some of their metallic pieces include brocade evening jackets and silky tops.  

Although Southport is home to many boutiques, none are quite as sophisticated as Tula.

“We chose our location because we liked the friendly, laid-back atmosphere.” The Lakeview area was also an advantageous choice in terms of allowing them to stand out among the many shops focusing on casual apparel.



Tula is like the glamorous, slightly bohemian older sister to the many denim and t-shirt shops on the same street, as would be personified by Laura’s dream client. “I would love to see Gwyneth Paltrow in here,” she says. “I think she has a great, classic style and interprets the trends very tastefully, which is something we try to do at Tula.”   

They carry a variety of labels, most of which are exclusives in Lakeview and, in many cases, Chicago. “I think we have a good mix of merchandise. For example, we carry Mint, which is very young and playful, and we also have Hache, an Italian line with clean lines and an edgy feel. There’s a little something for everyone.” Their accessory selection has plenty of variety, too – clutches with heavy chain straps by Kooba, slouchy buckled totes by Abaco, and dramatic cocktail rings with semi-precious stones by Marcia Moran.  

All of these labels are fully vetted and endorsed by the owners. “I always wear our merchandise so that I can be an educated resource for my customers. Right now I love wearing my embroidered Bell tunic over leggings or jeans, and I just got a chunky gold necklace from one of our jewelry designers, Vaubel. I’ve been wearing it every day and I love it,” says Laura.   

In addition to their current offerings, Tula is adding some new lines for next fall. “We’re really excited to be getting Sonia by Sonia Rykiel. She has a great sense of humor that translates into unique yet extremely wearable clothing.” They’re also adding Organic, a new line made entirely of organic materials. “It’s great for the eco-conscious shopper who still wants to look stylish.”   

Tula is located in Lakeview:

3738 N.Southport Ave.
Chicago, IL

www.tulaboutique.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.  06/07.