2121 W. Division, (773)697-4119 (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Flashy, beat-driven clothes for men and women. Designers: TWN Black, Tit2, Lia Kes, RaRe, Fortune Denim. Owners: Friends Emily Ellibee, Michael Elborno, Omar Hussain and Joe Wright opened up the shop to cater to the burgeoning nightlife scene along Division Street. Vibe: House music pulses through this shiny space; the stylish staff is street chic and just killing time before the clubs open; classy champagne room meets modern Miami chic—for those who love to primp and pimp. Price Range: Expensive. The Look: Glossy threads that sparkle at Spy Bar and shine on at the high rise after party. Shopper’s Perks: Undoubtedly the VIP-area, set before a flat-screen TV, complete with Patrón and sponsored by Steez tea. The spot is generally reserved for the owners’ entourage, but Ellibee says they’ll open it up on occasion. The Thing for Spring: Teal, higher waists for girls and a simple t-shirt and blazer for men.

Funkshion

1205 N. Milwaukee, (773)252-6994, espacecity.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and bags. Designers: Puma, Lacoste, Adidas, Miss Sixty, Penguin and United Nude. Owner: Neighboring City Sports took the reigns from original owner Drew Ee last year. Vibe: Sleek yet comfortable. The store is easy to navigate, with neatly organized racks and displays. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Sporty, urban and stylish. Fit for an impromptu party in a studio space followed by drinks and dancing at Ohm. Shopper’s Perks: Espace purchases only three-to-four of each item, so each purchase here feels like a real find. The wide array of price points accommodates everyone from financially challenged fashionistas to professional shoppers.

Espace

1919 W. Division, (773)252-2520, casadesoul.net (2 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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Goods: Art, accessories and clothing for men and women, home items from Nigeria and an assortment of gifts. Designers: Men’s items include JC Rags, 101 apparel, Caste, Grn Apple Tree, Tylho, Report Collection and Rzst; women’s clothing comes from Yoga Army, Ori’en by Cyndi Chan, Rojas, Sworn Virgins, Choye Toi, Sweet Soul, Dept and BB Dakota. Owner: Kennedy Ashinze, a Nigerian native who moonlights as a DJ. Vibe: Afrobeat tunes are sometimes slung out by a live DJ, local artwork spruces up the walls and a plexiglass accessories wall is backlit in cherry red. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Funky with an urban, global sense of style. Loves unique, hard-to-find items. A city dweller with an artistic curiosity, an active social life and a passion for travel. Shopper’s Perks: This is one of the only spots in the city where shoppers can score Nigerian imports to spruce up the home.

Casa de Soul

1751 W. Division, (773)235-2680, bonnie-clydes.net (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Men’s and women’s clothing, accessories jewelry and graphic art. Designers: Bonnie & Clyde’s has the Chicago exclusive on Cosa Nostra (the line from Project Runway winner Jeffrey Sebelia); European Culture, Faith Connexion, Ivan Grundahl, Apartments, Revolver, Junker. Owner: Artist and former Columbia College student Stephen Naparstek began his shop to combine his two passions: art and fashion. Vibe: The store is inspired by the gallery-boutique hybrids of Miami and Paris and showcases cutting-edge clothing alongside pop surrealism art. Price Range: Expensive. The Look: Edgy and eye-catching with punk-rock flair. Shopper’s Perks: Shoppers are treated to champagne and espresso. The Thing for Spring: They’ve got the Chicago exclusive on Danish line Ivan Grundahl, whose uniquely gathered fabric and asymmetrical hems are always a scene-stealer.

Bonnie & Clyde’s

855 W. Belmont, (773)549-1038; 1318 N. Milwaukee, (773)384-8448, belmontarmy.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: New and vintage clothing and shoes for men and women. Designers: Clothing by Ben Sherman, BB Dakota, Paul Frank and Bobi; shoes by Vans, Camper, Converse, Gravis and New Balance. Owners: Chang Yoo, Tae Yoo, Tony Lee and Craig Scholla moved the legendary Belmont store over to the West Side early last year. Vibe: The upstairs stock is completely new, while the vintage goods are in the basement. The clothing (yes, even the vintage) is neatly arranged and the staff is completely hands-off (unless you need them, of course), which makes for a totally no-pressure shopping experience. Price Range: Inexpensive-Moderate. The Look: Trendy hipster upstairs, thrift-store devotee downstairs. The person who shops on both floors has a personal style that is completely their own, and thrives on blending pieces to create a unique look. Shopper’s Perks: Massive amounts of both new and used clothing in one location. Perfect for fashionable friends with dueling shopping styles. The Thing for Spring: Belmont Army recently opened back up on Belmont, just doors down from the original location. Staffers are excited about the new collection of Vans, which are simple, comfortable, and all-around phat.

Lakeview Store

Belmont Army

Wicker Park Store

Belmont Army

1733 W. Chicago, (312)226-0152, alcalas.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Boots, hats and Western garb for men, women and cowboys—and cowgirls-in-training. Designers: Boots are by Frye, Lucchese and Durango; hats are by Stetson and Shady Brady. Owner: Luis Alcala founded the store in 1972. Luis’ son Richard and family manage the store. Vibe: A lit-up, braying pony beckons shoppers to one of the largest retailers of Western wear this side of Texas. Inside, there’s a dizzying array of cowboy gear including everything from boots to lassos. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: A beer-swigging, line-dancing, red-blooded American. Shopper’s Perks: The store offers free alterations, hat-shaping and on-site boot repair.

Alcala’s Western Wear

2135 W. Belmont, (773)832-4866, Rrclothing.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for men. Designers: Christian Audigier (celebs love his hoodies), Juicy Couture for men, 1921 Denim, Lacoste, Kid Robot, Affliction. Owners: Between the five of them, buddies Patrick Draut, Andy Mullady, Cee Sanchez, Chris Poole and Bob Brown have experience as club owners, designers and real estate investors. They opened Revolver in late 2006 as a way to combine their interests. Vibe: The upscale men’s boutique features “Godfather”-blaring plasma screens, video games and cold brewskies for shoppers (21-plus shoppers, that is). Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Relaxed, confident, young, cheeky and a bit rebellious. This guy has a great sense of humor, but he’s got a tough side to him too. Think Turtle from Entourage. Shopper’s Perks: Customers who spend $200 or more are given free CDs loaded with current hits. Customers who are feelin’ lucky will appreciate this: free condoms are also doled out. The Thing for Spring: Revolver is adding a personal shopping service, and they’re excited about the unique, authentically vintage tees (which will save an afternoon digging through the thrifts).

Revolver

106 E. Oak, (312)640-1940 (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for men and women. Designers: Valentino, Gaultier, Versace Jeans Couture, D&G by Dolce & Gabbana and Just Cavalli by Roberto Cavalli. Owner: Marc Engel stocks goods from the younger, slightly-more-affordable lines of high-end designers. Vibe: Minimalist, yet cozy. The simple interior gives the clothes some extra showcase room, while the friendly staff adds an extra dose of warmth. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: These style-philes may not be making their millions yet, but they’re not going to let a little thing like money stand between themselves and the runway. Shopper’s Perks: The pieces at Chasalla aren’t going to be found at your local department store; these items are fashion forward and straight from the runway. The Thing for Spring: Bright colors sparkle through the store, and Engel is excited about the beautiful bright tops from an array of designers.

Chasalla

2004 W. Roscoe, (773)935-2820, thedenimlounge.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories. Designers: Rock & Republic, Joe’s Jeans, Antik Denim, Serfontaine, 1921 Denim, True Religion. Owner: David Shelist modeled this full-size boutique after the original Denim Lounge—a store-within-a-store in his Gold Coast Madison and Friends shop—because he wanted to bring a family-friendly denim store to Roscoe Village. Vibe: Denim Lounge takes its name seriously, with a massive wall of jeans overlooking an overstuffed blue couch, stacks of magazines and a large-screen plasma TV. The mirror mosaic counter, saltwater fish tank and dogs-welcome policy round out the laidback lounge atmosphere. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Rock-star cool, headed to the Empty Bottle for a show. Shopper’s Perks: Watch for random Bag Sales, when $250 will get you whatever you can stuff into a drawstring bag.

The Denim Lounge

2128 N. Halsted (773)929-6101, guisestyle.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Men and women’s clothing and accessories. Salon carries high-end beauty/body products. Designers: Fillipa K, Oliver Spencer, Theory, IRO and J Brand jeans. Owners: Original owner of the all-male boutique Guise, Brad Habansky teamed up with two new owners, Jodi Immel and Heidi Taylor, to create a new fashion one-stop-shop that includes women’s clothing and a salon. Vibe: Urban rustic, with exposed-brick walls and barn-wood garnishes. Screen-printed and painted artwork adorns the walls. Hardwood floors throughout and glowing futuristic-looking salon in the back. The space oozes with an organic-modern essence. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Polished. Casual. Urban meets yachter-preppy. Shopper’s Perks: Professionals at your disposal. These people will tell you what looks good because they know what’s good. The Thing for Spring: Burgundy and fantastic outerwear are going to thrive.

Guise | Chic