For stylish low-priced clothing, Chicago women might shop at H&M or Forever 21 downtown. But discriminating value shoppers have a new option: DLR Clothing & Accessories in Lincoln Square. Owner Sandy Veder stocks his boutique with fashionable merchandise that he buys wholesale. “Inventory is held at the actual manufacturer, which is different from most retailers,” he says. With no distributor or large stockroom, the markup is low.

DLR’s reasonably priced brands include Pink Martini, Ark & Co, and Alythea. “We sell Lush—you’ll find it at Nordstrom’s, but ours is thirty percent cheaper,” Veder says. “We have Renee C. at thirty percent cheaper than Saks, and we get it three weeks before they do. Shop anywhere around and you’ll see that a jacket/coat costs $250, but we have it for $129.95.”

Another advantage is the limited quantity offered of each distinctive fashion. Read the rest of this entry »

4703 N. Lincoln, (773)561-5997 (19 votes, average: 3.11 out of 5)
 Loading ...

Goods: Stylish women’s fashions. Softly-draping sweaters, blouses and tops. Elegant cocktail dresses, tailored jackets/coats. Accessories include plaid scarves, knit berets and oversized handbags. Designers: Lush and Renee C., Pink Martini, Ark & Co., Toska, Alythea. Read the rest of this entry »

4161 N. Lincoln, (773)525-4400, embellishchicago.com (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
 Loading ...

Goods: Women’s jewelry and accessories. Designers: Rebecca Zemans, Anne-Marie Chagnon, Ubuntu, David Aubrey, Bellissima. Read the rest of this entry »

Find kicky boots at Dressing Room Shoes, and set yourself apart. Josh Hambly, a salesman at the shop, quotes “Sex and the City” stylist Patricia Fields: “We’re all essentially wearing the same thing—it’s the accessories that make us stand out.” At this new Lincoln Square store, today’s chic woman will find a wide range of fashionable boots, shoes, purses and jewelry—in other words, everything she needs to establish her personal style.

Dressing Room Shoes, which opened in August 2008, is the brainchild of Barbara Ruiz and Sarah Sanchez. Ruiz attended Columbia College and Sanchez studied at Harrington Institute and worked at Herman Miller. In 2005, the friends combined a love of fashion, natural aesthetics and bohemian style, and opened the Dressing Room clothing store. Three years later they launched the sister shoe store and gave it eye-catching decor: bright orange chairs and a white bicycle protrude from the walls, while jewelry tumbles from ceramic bowls, glass cubes, round mirrors, and wooden frames.

The boutique features snakeskin shoes by Naughty Monkey, chunky-heeled shoes by Seychelles and Kenneth Cole, ballet flats by Penny Loves Kenny and oversized bags by Nicole and Bagtique. Moms can slip into comfy Nyla moccasins while teens snap up Superga gym shoes. The vast boot selection includes stylish models in leather, fabric, wool and synthetics by Blowfish, BC and Colcci. Shoes cost between $40 and $200; boots range from $60 to $300 a pair.

The staff knows the importance of both staging and styling, so they rearrange merchandise on a daily basis to keep it fresh. Speaking of fresh, top winter fashion trends include cashmere tights by MeMoi ($35), leather cuff bracelets ($66.50), and long rectangular purses handmade by New York-based Rebel Designs  ($192.50). In other words, everything a girl needs to dress up and hit the town. (Sarah Klose)

Dressing Room Shoes, 4657 N. Lincoln, Chicago, (773)878-7400

4341 N. Lincoln, (773)935-5511, traipseshoes.com (No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
Goods: Shoes for men and women as well as a select line of CYDWOQ bags. Designers: CYDWOQ, Cordani, Tsubo, Camper, Chie Mahara and Trippen. Owner: Margaret Jung had her heart set on opening a clothing store until she tried on a pair of CYDWOQ shoes. Now she travels the world to handpick shoes for her Lincoln Square boutique. Vibe: The small, sparsely decorated space can seem intimidating since there is no room for the salespeople to hide, but browsing is highly encouraged. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: A touch from Traipse would elevate a pair of sweats to the look of a laidback hipster.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

Traipse

4164 N. Lincoln, (773)388-2626, stellar26.com (No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
Goods: Clothing, shoes and accessories for men and women and a small selection for babies. Designers: We the Free/Free People, Roxy for women; Penguin, Billabong and Quicksilver for men; flip-flops by Reef; boots by Roxy; and Element for men and women. Owner: Carrie Bowers designed this shop to mimic the stress-free, beachy feel of her South Haven upbringing. Vibe: Comfortable, laidback and easy—just like the clothing. The eclectic displays give it a vintage-store vibe, while the folksy music in the background contributes to the no-stress shopping experience. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: The perfect blend of comfort and style. Just right for the shopper who wants to look good but doesn’t want to spend hours getting there. Take a walk down one of the boulevards, hit up the Double Door for a concert and finish off the night next to the fireplace at Moody’s Pub. Shopper’s Perks: Carrie and crew offer a really laid back atmosphere.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

Stellar 26

4617 N. Lincoln, (773)293-2903 (3 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)
 Loading ...
Goods: Vintage and contemporary clothing and shoes for women and a dazzling array of new purses. Designers: A bevy of higher-end designers supply the must-have purses that could easily fit in at Anthropologie. Owner: Carmen Mooses’ friendly demeanor has turned her vintage store into a neighborhood staple—friends come to peruse her latest handpicked finds or just stop by to chat. Vibe: The true definition of vintage, this tiny store is chalk full of timeless furniture lined with gently used designer swag. Price Range: Inexpensive. The Look: Perfect for grad students or aspiring actors: this shopper knows how to stand out in a crowd while on a budget. Shopper’s Perks: The secret in this closet? Walls of affordable, stylish purses that seem to have found their way off Madison Avenue.

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008

A Secret Closet

3862 N. Lincoln, (773)404-5858, lulusbellekay.com (No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
Goods: Mint-condition evening gowns, party dresses, cocktail attire and accessories from the 1920s to 1980s. Designers: Oscar de la Renta, Halston, Dior, Iraj Moini, Bill Blass and Norell. Owner: Former Marshall Field’s personal shopper Laurie Demma-Davis has a knack for style and an impressive knowledge of fashion history. Vibe: Even if Frank Sinatra’s not streaming through the speakers, you’ll hear his voice emanating from the pink walls of this plush shop. Pearl-studded gowns, 1960s turban hats, 1940s beaded bags, Victorian taffeta skirts and leather gowns from the seventies keep company on the racks. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Cocktail party to black-tie ball. Perfectly paired with a dirty martini and a handsome young Kennedy. Shopper’s Perks: On-site alterations. A selection of untraditional wedding dresses.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

Lulu’s at the Belle Kay

4635 N. Lincoln, (773)728-0088, thedressingroomchicago.com (No Ratings Yet)
 Loading ...
Goods: Clothing, accessories and shoes for women. Designers: BB Dakota, Tano, 525 America, Tulle; denim by Red Engine, Christopher Blue, !iT  and Joe’s Jeans, dresses and skirts by Skunkfunk. Owners: Barbara Ruiz and Sarah Sanchez opened this North Center boutique with the hopes of making shopping easy and fun again—especially for moms with tots in tow. They also have a shoe store up the block. Vibe: With easy-on-the-ears John Mayer playing in the background, funky wallpaper lining the walls and exposed pipes dangling above, The Dressing Room is something right out of Dwell magazine. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: On-top-of-it young mom who effortlessly taps into timely style (think Kate Hudson). If kids aren’t in your picture, think more daring Southport dweller. Shopper’s Perks: An increasingly diminishing kids’ play area (sorry kiddies, the shoes had to go somewhere) and plenty of goods from local designers including Deana Rose and Jess L.C. Jewelry.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

The Dressing Room