Chicago shopping

[pinkpolo]

i just realized that after awhile, shopping along N. Michigan Ave. gets old, the same big flagship stores. (Anyone else feel like it's very touristy?)Shopping at Macy's is just not quite the same as Marshall Field's. But I still love the local boutique stores tucked away here and there around Chicago. My latest fav is Fox's over at Lincoln Park. Can anyone else suggest other stores that they love? (Always loved your input, JJohnson!)

 

[shoegal2183]

i just realized that after awhile, shopping along N. Michigan Ave. gets old, the same big flagship stores. (Anyone else feel like it's very touristy?)

Yes, absolutely-I agree. When friends from out of town come to visit, they always want to go there..I'm over it!


I went to a consignment shop today at 2152 N. Clybourn Ave. It is called Selections. They only have designer clothes/accessories. There is not much that I would consider very trendy, but they have really nice classic and basic pieces.

 

[pinkpolo]

I went to a consignment shop today at 2152 N. Clybourn Ave. It is called Selections. They only have designer clothes/accessories. There is not much that I would consider very trendy, but they have really nice classic and basic pieces.

Oh, neat! Are the prices reasonable for those pieces? Did you get anything today? There's this nice consignment shop called McShane's Exchange on W. Armitage Ave.

By the way, love the avatar of Cameron! Is it from The Holiday?

 

[JJohnson]

Yes, absolutely-I agree. When friends from out of town come to visit, they always want to go there..I'm over it!


I went to a consignment shop today at 2152 N. Clybourn Ave. It is called Selections. They only have designer clothes/accessories. There is not much that I would consider very trendy, but they have really nice classic and basic pieces.

oh cool! Thx for telling!

 

[shoegal2183]

Oh, neat! Are the prices reasonable for those pieces? Did you get anything today? There's this nice consignment shop called McShane's Exchange on W. Armitage Ave.

By the way, love the avatar of Cameron! Is it from The Holiday?

I will have to check McShane's out for sure. I think the prices are reasonable. I have been into some 'thrift stores' around the city that sell Goodwill-esque clothing for like double the price...this was def. not one of those places! I tried on an amazingly soft Jil Sander shirt (sadly it was too big) but I think it was like $24. She had several pairs of 7 for all mankind jeans for around $50 (if I remember correctly!)
The only thing I ended up getting was an Anne Taylor dress for work and I think it was $30.

And yeah- its Cameron from The Holiday. Love her and that movie!!

 

[JJohnson]

WOW! What amazing prices! Do they have items for men?!

 

[m.j.]

Go here:

http://www.fashiondig.com/locator/index.asp?ZipSearchSubmit=1&Admin=&ZipCode=&City=Chicago&State=IL&Radius=10

and here

http://chicago.citysearch.com/roundup/39025

thank you soooo much...
you're a life saver!!!

 

[JJohnson]

thank you soooo much...
you're a life saver!!!

sure no problem

 

[haoshcn]

I was at Blake on Chicago Ave two weeks ago. The first time I visited that store was more than 2 years ago when they were still at the old location. I paid $125 for that Dries Van Noten 1-50 book, which was stupid since it was available at 30% off (maybe even cheaper than that, I don't have clear memory now) later on Amazon.com. Then I went to that store again several months ago on Chicago Ave. I was very impressed with their slections of labels and the merchandise, so I made a visit again this time even though there's nothing I could buy since it's a women boutique.

And then I came across this older guy probably in his 50's. He must be the owner of Blake. OMG, he's such a queen! I still can't believe how much pretentious and drama queen this guy turns out to be! Anyway, I don't think I would ever set my feet into that store again. It won't be a big loss for me either since I can't buy anything over there anyway.

But I must say it's a very good store. They really got some very very good stuff. They DO buy runway looks instead of those watered-down junks you oftentimes see at Barneys Chicago. And their Dries Van Noten selection are really really fantastic! It almost looks like they bought the entire runway collection from Dries for this 06/07 F/W. It's just such a visual feast for a fashion lover.

 

[pinkpolo]

I will have to check McShane's out for sure. I think the prices are reasonable. I have been into some 'thrift stores' around the city that sell Goodwill-esque clothing for like double the price...this was def. not one of those places! I tried on an amazingly soft Jil Sander shirt (sadly it was too big) but I think it was like $24. She had several pairs of 7 for all mankind jeans for around $50 (if I remember correctly!)
The only thing I ended up getting was an Anne Taylor dress for work and I think it was $30.

Those are amazing finds! I usually don't have the patience to find stuff at thrift stores unless that became my day job. But seriously though, I've never realized what a bore Mich Ave has become until this past weekend.
Yay, it's exciting that this thread is buzzing lately! You know what would be helpful? If people could post sales specific to Chicago stores in this thread. It's hard to check when they have their sales because some stores don't even have their own website. And a lot of it seems so hush hush.

 

[JJohnson]

I was at Blake on Chicago Ave two weeks ago. The first time I visited that store was more than 2 years ago when they were still at the old location. I paid $125 for that Dries Van Noten 1-50 book, which was stupid since it was available at 30% off (maybe even cheaper than that, I don't have clear memory now) later on Amazon.com. Then I went to that store again several months ago on Chicago Ave. I was very impressed with their slections of labels and the merchandise, so I made a visit again this time even though there's nothing I could buy since it's a women boutique.

And then I came across this older guy probably in his 50's. He must be the owner of Blake. OMG, he's such a queen! I still can't believe how much pretentious and drama queen this guy turns out to be! Anyway, I don't think I would ever set my feet into that store again. It won't be a big loss for me either since I can't buy anything over there anyway.

But I must say it's a very good store. They really got some very very good stuff. They DO buy runway looks instead of those watered-down junks you oftentimes see at Barneys Chicago. And their Dries Van Noten selection are really really fantastic! It almost looks like they bought the entire runway collection from Dries for this 06/07 F/W. It's just such a visual feast for a fashion lover.

LOL@queen. yea everyone in there has some type or form of an attitude. It's very diva-esque Goto Ikram. She's waaaay nicer!

 

[ilaughead]

Blake just has womenswear, right?

 

[JJohnson]

Blake just has womenswear, right?

yea they only have womenswear. But dont go there!! Theyre very snotty for no reason They have to buzz you in. It's a lovely store though. If they lose the tude, then Ill recommend it to everyone, but for now I have no dealings with them lol

 

[shoegal2183]

WOW! What amazing prices! Do they have items for men?!

Sadly, there were only a few shirts, which I did not look at. There was another man in the store who asked the same question. The lady (who is very nice!) said there was another store similar that did have men's clothing, but (another sad story) I didn't hear where or what the name was. So, basically what I"m saying is that there is hope...somewhere!

 

[JJohnson]

Sadly, there were only a few shirts, which I did not look at. There was another man in the store who asked the same question. The lady (who is very nice!) said there was another store similar that did have men's clothing, but (another sad story) I didn't hear where or what the name was. So, basically what I"m saying is that there is hope...somewhere!

oh darn! Thx anyways! At least there's hope!

 

[shoegal2183]

I stumbled on McShane's Exchange on Armitage today. It is another all designer consignment shop. They have two locations: 1141 W Webster and 815 Armitage. I got a pair of Citizens of Humanity jeans for $48.


Its not shopping related, but while I'm posting I want to reccomend this resturaunt: Sweets and Savories. It is at 1534 W Fullterton. The owner is a chef there and everything is fantastic. We had a 12 course meal for $60/person...just amazing

 

[pinkpolo]

I stumbled on McShane's Exchange on Armitage today. It is another all designer consignment shop. They have two locations: 1141 W Webster and 815 Armitage. I got a pair of Citizens of Humanity jeans for $48.

Yay! I'm glad you had a chance to check it out! The last time I was in the neighborhood, I totally forgot to check out Lori's Shoes. OMG, you'll have to tell us about all the great finds in Chicago!

 

[JJohnson]

Oh i love love!

 

[shoegal2183]

I did see Lori's and they were having a sale. I forgot to go over to that side of the street b/c I was on my way to American Apperal and Kiehl's. Next time!

 

[minidestroyer]

Blake - One of The Best Boutiques in North America

yea they only have womenswear. But dont go there!! Theyre very snotty for no reason They have to buzz you in. It's a lovely store though. If they lose the tude, then Ill recommend it to everyone, but for now I have no dealings with them lol

Blake is at the 2nd Markdown (50% to 65% off). Designers include:
Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens, Rochas, Thomas Wylde, Chloe, Marni, Balenciaga, Margiela, Viktor & Rolf, Hussein Chalayan, Undercover, Yohji Y's, MA+, Sara Lanzi, Clu, Antipast...the list goes on and on.

The owner does a really good buy. If you think Ikram is good, Blake is better in my opinion.

From my experiences, the owners, salespeople are very friendly.