1006 W. Armitage, (773)477-7505, armadioboutique.com (1 votes, average: 3 out of 5)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for men and women. Designers: Just Cavalli, D&G, Gianfranco Ferre, Moschino, C’N’C. Owner: Maira Okuleye, who studied fashion design at Columbia College, is currently working on her own line, Hashimi, to debut next year. Vibe: Sleek, chic and ultra modern. Silver and black are the dominant colors, décor is of the minimalist variety, and clubby music plays softly in the background. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Notice-me ensembles with an edge. The Armadio devotee loves to see-and-be-seen, and will easily be spotted at the hottest bars, restaurants and clubs. Shopper’s Perks: Because Okuleye is a designer, she selects goods with a designer eye. Clothing here features quality fabrics, stunning fits and attention to detail. Okuleye also offers shopping by appointment, complete with champagne, treats and personal-shopping expertise.

Armadio

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008

1101 W. Webster, (773)477-1101 (1 votes, average: 1 out of 5)
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Goods: Shoes, bags and jewelry for women. Designers: Shoes by Cynthia Vincent, Sigerson Morrison, Loeffler Randall and Jean-Michel Cazabat; jewelry by Me & Ro and Andrea Fohrman; bags by Rebecca Minkoff, Bird and Katherine Kwei. Owner: With years of retail experience under her belt, Kira Price found the time was right to open her own shop. Vibe: Classic and rich. Dark wood, Persian rugs, deep purple walls, chocolate-brown ottomans and tin ceilings provide simple accompaniment to shoes with the same minimalist aesthetic. A small shelf provides coloring books and a Mr. Potato Head for the little ones. Price Range: Expensive. The Look: A swank store opening event followed by dinner at Table Fifty-two and drinks at Zed451. Shopper’s Perks: Price has a cabinet full of wine and glasses, and provides refreshments to weary shoppers. She and manager Joy Koizol also offer closet consultation, personal-shopping services and can play host to shopping parties and events.

Aberle

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008

Hanig’s Slipper Box, 2754 N. Clark, (773)248-1977, Hanig’s Footwear, 847 W. Armitage, (773)929-5568, 875 N. Michigan, (312)787-6800, 1627 Sherman, Evanston, (847)864-3268, hanigs.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Men’s and women’s shoes.  Designers:  Beautifeel, Wolky, Ecco, Kenneth Cole, Merrell, Mephisto, Johnston & Murphy, Keen.  Owner: Serving Chicago since 1944, Hanig’s is owned by Peter Hanig, son of founders Irv and “Billie.”  Vibe: Extremely well-lit and roomy, with plenty of seats for shoe sampling, and an overall All-American appeal. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: Comfortably chic. While all the shoes are designed with function in mind, fashionable details are incorporated into the designs. Shopper’s Perks: Service—with plenty of friendly staff members around, you’ll be taken care of from the moment you enter to the moment you leave. Comfort also tops the bill, and your feet won’t be able to thank you enough.

Slipper Box-Lakeview

Hanig’s Slipper Box

Lincoln Park Store

Hanig’s Footwear

Michigan Avenue Store

Hanig’s Footwear

Evanston Store

Hanig’s Footwear

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008

Daily Candy reports on the new dress-only boutique in Wicker Park, Le Dress. Chicago magazine’s Sales Check has also weighed in. We’re curious about the use of the masculine “le” instead of the feminine “la”…

1022a W. Armitage, (773)248-1022, entendrecouture.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. Designers: Hard-to-find frocks come from 1…Like No Other, denim by Chip & Pepper, accessories are by Citrine by the Stones and Kenneth Jay Lane. Owner: Dina Mansur left a corporate job to open the Lincoln Park boutique last April. Her mission? To offer new-to-Chicago fashion and personalized service for ladies and gents. Vibe: Dark wood floors, crisp white walls, large mirrors and an elegant chandelier create a chic shopping environment; a down-to-earth and gregarious staff dispels any couture creepiness. Price Range: Expensive. The Look: Tailored, eye-catching European style. Perfect apparel for a weekend in Paris or a fashion event in the city. Shopper’s Perks: Entendre offers hard-to-find items that set its shoppers apart from the tired-trend crowd. Personalized service makes shopping here feel luxurious.

Entendre Couture

826 W. Armitage, (773)281-0999, elianalily.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Women’s clothing and accessories. Designers: Jeans by Chip & Pepper, dresses by Helen Wang and Nancy Rose and jewelry by SBG and Ilaria. Owner: Elizabeth Floersheimer, a bag designer and lifelong fashion fiend, named the shop after her daughter. Vibe: The airy storefront boasts lavender walls and white-velvet curtains. Fur rugs, plush, comfy seating and neighbors dropping in to say hi give the place a cozy vibe. Price Range: Expensive. The Look: Old-time glamour meets modern-day sass. Shopper’s Perks: The store’s famous re-styling department makes down-and-out clothes and accessories look stylish and new. The Thing for Spring: Tunics, prints, dresses and high-waisted shorts.

Eliana Lily

1117 W. Armitage, (773)665-1102, b-chicago.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Women’s clothing, jewelry and scarves. Designers: Courtney Washington, Animale, Alice Berry scarves and Lilian Cartwright jewelry. Owner: After she retired as a civil-rights lawyer, owner Barbara Phillips opened the shop so that she and her friends would have a place where they could enjoy shopping. Vibe: Open, friendly and informative. Bright yellow walls add a playful feel, while jewelry displays around the store add sparkle. Price Range: Moderate-Luxury. The Look: Fancy, fashionable and elegant, tailored especially for women over 40. Ready to look fabulous for any red carpet or special events. Shopper’s Perks: Shoppers can sometimes indulge in mango margaritas or espresso, and the shop offers networking happy hours once a month that highlight various topics that range from financial to spiritual.

B Boutique

934 W. Armitage, (773)929-3600, shoparteffect.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Clothing for women, jewelry, hair accessories, shoes, belts, purses, wallets, home accents, bath and body products and toys. Designers: Orla Kiely, Hannoh, Michael Stars, jewelry by Alexis Bittar, Jeanine Payer and Saundra Messinger. Owner: Esther Fishman opened Art Effect twenty-three years ago as an outpost for “wearable art.” Vibe: The shop has evolved into a modern-day general store, selling everything from jeans and cowboy boots to espresso machines and knitting kits. Price Range: Expensive. The Look: All dressed up with lots of trendy places to go. Shopper’s Perks: Special orders are available for almost anything, free gift-wrapping. The Thing for Spring: Art Effect is going green! Look for plenty of eco-friendly clothing and housewares.

Art Effect

2707 N. Clark, (773)404-9225; 1941 W. North, (773)342-0500; 812 Church, Evanston (847)332-2370, untitledshop.com (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Goods: Clothing, shoes and accessories for men and women. Designers: Fornarina, J. Lindeberg, Modern Amusement, Diesel, Triple 5 Soul, Corpus, WeSC and Obey for clothes; Vans Vault, Schmoove, Colcci and Nike Quick Strike for shoes. Owners: Candise and Luke Cho opened the shop sixteen years ago, giving it the name Untitled in reference to the evolving nature of art and fashion. Vibe: With skinny jeans and mini-skirts by the dozen, there’s an air of “cool” wafting through the shop. Things stay upbeat with a smiling sales staff. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Fashion-minded hipster with the disposable income to stock up on perfectly tattered pants. Shopper’s Perks: A wide array of denim features more than twenty-five brands.

Lincoln Park Store

Untitled

Bucktown Store

Untitled

Evanston Store

Untitled

804 W. Webster, (773)472-9291 (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Pajamas, robes, chemises, nightgowns, camisoles, bachelorette gifts and, well, under-things. Designers: Hanky Panky, Vera Wang, Eberjey, Natori and Princess Tam Tam. Owner: After working as a manager under the previous owner, Maria Ashby rose through the lingerie ranks and now owns the shop. Vibe: The small, light-flooded space sparkles with friendly staff and pretty pieces. Cherry cabinets display one of each item. Price Range: Expensive. The Look: Comfortable and chic en meme temps. Shopper’s Perks: With more than twenty-five years of bra-fitting experience, Maria Ashby is a master at her craft; nobody leaves her shop sagging or stifled. Another Perk: Subscriptions to the Underthings Panty Club and the Hanky Panky club make great gifts. Customers can sign up for six- or twelve-month subscriptions and expect a panty the first week of every month.

Underthings