3527 N. Southport, (773)248-9866, Mboutiquechicago.com 
(No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Accessories for women, bags, gifts. Designers: Latico and Sondra Roberts bags; Taolei and By Boe jewelry. Owner: Melissa Nelson, an accessories addict, formerly owned M Boutique on Armitage Avenue. She opened M2 in 2006. Vibe: A long and narrow, white-walled accessories haven. Items are organized by color, so it’s a cinch to find something to match with any outfit. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: The M2 girl can pull together any outfit by slinging a bag over her shoulder or clasping a bracelet around her wrist—she is clued into the power of a good accessory. Shopper’s Perks: Customers can special-order bridesmaid gifts like clutches and jewelry. The Thing for Spring: Tano leather handbags, bright-colored clutches and color Jade stones from Taolei.
2150 N. Seminary, (773)322-2944, mintboutique.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Locally made gifts, apparel and accessories for women. Designers: Cuff Luv cuffs, Alexis Drake jewelry, cards by La Familia Green. Owner: Melissa Tierney, a former art-school owner, is creator of the clothing lines Melissabrit and Grateful not Greedy. Vibe: Sun flows into a tiny space filled with mint green and sunflower yellow walls. A sparkly chandelier and eyelet-trimmed curtains are quaint decorative touches. Price Range: Inexpensive-Expensive. The Look: Fresh, feminine, funky, full of youthful joy and storybook charm. Anyone who shops here has tons of city pride and a desire to support local artists. Shopper’s Perks: Onsite classes can be self-designed—just let Tierney know what you want to learn. Mint also offers custom jewelry services and can help out with bridal sets. The Thing for Spring: “We’re as green and as inexpensive as can be,” says Tierney. Scope out the English Retreads bags constructed from inner tubes and MiMo fine leather bags, which run from $75-$120.
1723 N. Damen, (773)782-1570, stitchchicago.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Specializing in leather bags, laptop cases, purses and wallets, Stitch also carries furniture, throws, jewelry, pillows, bedding and gifts. Designers: Missoni, Acme Made, Wendy Mink, Adina, Kooba. Owner: With a background in art design, Pamela Hewett was one of the pioneers to open a boutique on this stretch of Damen Avenue, motivated by her love of handmade, stitched goods. Vibe: This boutique looks more like the full-to-bursting living room of an artsy friend than a boutique, with Björk playing overhead and bookshelves and furniture breaking the space up into a hide-and-go-seek of stitched goods. Price Range: Moderate-Luxury. The Look: Colorful, highly detailed accent pieces with loads of personality. Shopper’s Perks: Shoppers can create a wish list or wedding registry on the store’s Web site. The Thing for Spring: Classic men’s aviator sunglasses by Modern Amusement, colorful leather bags and five new furniture lines, heavy on walnut and white.
1867 N. Damen, (773)489-3220, dmariehandbags.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Accessories and handbags for women. Designers: Elliott Luca, Latico, Sabina and the shop’s exclusive D. Marie line. Owners: After her home became an empty nest, Diane Gallery pursued her dream of opening up a boutique for fellow purse-and-accessory fetishists. Best of all, the shop allowed her to spend more time with her daughter Therese, who co-owns the girly shop. Vibe: Artfully arranged accessories perch on clean, white shelves. The unobtrusive staff is friendly, but won’t try to hold your hand as you rifle through handbags. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: The woman who shops here is a master at making inexpensive accessories look like prize finds from Neiman’s or Saks. Shopper’s Perks: D. Marie is the perfect shop for the queen of accessories on a city-princess budget.
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
Akira
-Accessories, -Mens Shoes, -Menswear, -Women's Shoes, -Womenswear, Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Loop, Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village 1 Comment »1837 W. North, (773)489-0818 (women’s flagship store), 1922 W. North, (312)423-6693 (men), 1849 W. North, (773)342-8684 (shoes), 2357 N. Clark, (773)404-5826; 122 S. State, (312)346-3034; 643 W. Diversey, (773)649-9257; akirachicago.com 
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Goods: Women’s and men’s clothing, accessories and shoes. Designers: Rock & Republic, Citizens of Humanity, 7 for All Mankind, Max & Cleo, DKNY, Salvage, Gold Sign, Ben Sherman, Free People, Kensie, Kitchen Orange,Mieko Mellucci, French Connection, Serfontaine; dresses by BCBG, Anna Sui and Betsey Johnson; sunglasses by Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana and Just Cavalli; Monarchy, 7Diamonds, Tankfarm, Ben Sherman, Custo Barcelona and Scotch & Soda for men, shoes by Ted Baker, Creative Recreation, L.A.M.B., Chinese Laundry, Schutz, Adidas and Converse. Owners: College friends Eric Hsueh, Jon Cotay and Erikka Wang began their North Avenue domination with the Akira women’s store in 2002. Now Akira encompasses several different stores all over the city, and 20,000 square feet of retail space on a single street in Bucktown. Vibe: The atmosphere mimics the clothes—it’s young, poppy and vibrant. Clothing is organized by color and designer so you don’t have to mess around. Price Range: Inexpensive-Moderate. The Look: With so many designers, there are so many looks. But a youthful energy shines in feminine prints, bright colors, current trends and designer denim. You can score everything from denim-focused, kick-it gear to an ensemble perfect for sipping martinis at Enclave. Shopper’s Perks: The store’s personal shoppers expertly lead you through “one-stop shopping”—they’re happy to grab shoes or accessories from the other stores to completely finish your look. Stop by to pick out an outfit for a night out and receive complimentary club passes.
Akira Wicker Park
Akira Men
Akira Shoes
Akira Lakeview
Akira Lincoln Park
Akira Loop
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
5643 N. Ashland, (773)907-0709, evamay.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Hats, scarves, bags, pins and other accessories for women. Designers: Most of the wearable art in this shop is designed by Eva May herself. Owner: Swedish-born Eva May studied at Chicago’s own Ray College of Design and after several years of hawking her goods at art shows and online, she recently opened her own shop. Vibe: With all of the impeccably handcrafted goods on display, the shop feels like an accessories gallery. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: Artsy, eclectic and slightly bohemian. Spend a morning stocking up on organics at Whole Foods, then head to a friend’s gallery opening. Shopper’s Perks: Nearly everything Eva May creates is one-of-a-kind. Plus, she’ll happily custom-make any of her products if you can’t find the perfect size, color or material.
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
