1101 West Fulton, (312)226-4565, shopfixchicago.com 
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Goods: Casual, professional and semiformal clothing for women and men. Owners: After working in retail for years, sisters Maggie and Jennifer Gelber decided that it was time to be their own bosses and run their own store in their own town. Read the rest of this entry »
After working in retail for years, sisters Maggie and Jennifer Gelber decided that it was time to be their own bosses and run their own store in their own town in the heart of the meatpacking district at Fulton Market. Raised in the suburbs of Chicago and inspired by their fashionista mother and the fashionable people they saw walking down the street, the Gelber sisters have always loved clothes and admired the people they knew who wore them well. But their concern was that fashion often wasn’t made for real people, and didn’t work with an ordinary lifestyle, which is why they established Fix boutique with “Chicago on the brain,” Jennifer says.
Jennifer noted that many of the styles she and her sister saw at fashion shows would not work for her family and friends. Because of crazy Chicago weather and a distinctive Midwestern fashion sense, Jennifer argues that Chicagoans need a fashion boutique for Chicagoans, and that is why she and Maggie handpicked each clothing item with a particular person or a particular situation in mind, customizing the clothes for lifestyles and people rather than trends. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: As of February 2010, Maria Pinto is closed.
135 N. Jefferson, (312)648-1350, mariapinto.com
Goods: Women’s clothing. Designers: Owner and designer Maria Pinto runs her own label. Owner: Putting Chicago fashion on the map last year with the first lady’s official seal of approval, Pinto has become a household name. Read the rest of this entry »
1142 W. Taylor, (312)265-6647, capridolce.com 
(3 votes, average: 2.67 out of 5)
Loading ...
Goods: Men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. Designers: More than 200 European-inspired designers are featured, including Ed Hardy, Grass, 575 Denim, Meltin’ Pot, Affliction and Sinful, as well as the store’s own Capri Dolce (Chicago Roma) red label. Owner: Marian Cotor brought her European style to University Village a little over three years ago. Vibe: Hip and trendy. In the heart of Little Italy, the influence can be seen in Italian flag murals and ‘Mafioso’ graffiti. Price Range: Inexpensive-Moderate. The Look: Rocker chic. Details like shredded sleeves, lace, jewels and gems give the clothes a serious edge. Shopper’s Perks: With their own tailor, Capri Dolce offers free alterations on jeans, saving you the hassle. You can find women’s dresses and tops for under $50.
UPDATED OCTOBER 2009
1167 W. Madison, (312)226-6677, shop2sisters.com (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Goods: Women’s clothing and accessories. Designers: Lulu Via, Sugar Lips, The Ark, Shulami, Lucca and denim by Vigoss. Owners: Sisters Gina O’Donnell and Elaina Bonacci opened up a Chicago outpost of their successful Park Ridge boutique. Setting up shop in the exciting, up-and-coming Near West neighborhood was a no-brainer. Vibe: Friendly and totally unpretentious. Gina and Elaina’s clientele include many regulars (they amazingly remember names and client info), and the owners are often heard conversing with customers about family and work while helping them pick out a gorgeous leather clutch. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: No loud patterns or complicated detailing here. Instead you’ll find pieces that catch the eye with their flattering cuts rather than their bright colors or added extras. Shopper’s Perks: Sign up on their Web site to receive info on their sporadic, any-occasion sales.
UPDATED May 2009
1021 W. Lake, (312)633-4000 (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Goods: Men’s and women’s footwear; baseball caps, zip-up hoodies and tees. Designers: Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Timberland shoes; Artful Dodger, Levi’s, Akoo and Rich Yung clothing. Owner: Percy Gibson helms this West Side boutique in addition to his North Side sneaker shop, Encore. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. Vibe: The store is tricked-out bachelor pad meets upscale boutique. The front is filled with high-end footwear displayed like art, a big-screen TV, couches and a well-kept bar waits in back. The Look: Sneaker-head heaven—the walls are even decked out in autographed hip-hop photos. Shopper’s Perks: The store is open until midnight on the weekends, and a party vibe permeates the shop as the night goes on. Also, Self-Conscious is one of five stores in the Midwest to have a quick strike account with Nike, meaning that highly coveted shoes show up out of nowhere.
UPDATED OCTOBER 2009
729 W. Maxwell, (312)563-9470, lissaonmaxwell.com (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Goods: Clothing and accessories for women. Designers: Coven, Lerario Beatriz, Rodebjer and local jewelry designer, Winifred Grace. Owner: Melissa Shipley (aka Lissa) is a former CPA who’s had a fashion addiction (and a WWD subscription) since she was a kid. She opened Lissa on Maxwell in late 2006. Vibe: The sleek, carefully organized shop makes shoppers feel at home with a comfy seating area, extra-private dressing rooms, a Diet Coke-stocked fridge and uber-welcoming and knowledgeable sales staff. Price Range: Expensive-Luxury. The Look: Impeccably pulled-together. Ladylike and edgy. Oozing chic but never baring brand names. Shopper’s Perks: Lissa tends to showcase designers’ debut collections, so browsing through her collection will acquaint you with up-and-coming fashion-world stars.
UPDATED OCTOBER 2009
1039 W. Lake, (312)738-0155, shopkoros.com (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Goods: Clothing, shoes and accessories for women, bath and body products. Designers: Yigal Azrouel, Jarbo, American Vintage, Bynum & Bang, Hoss, Mischen, Sportmax; denim by Anlo; jewelry by Aris Geldis, Victorian Hippie and Love Heals. Owner: Former model and current stylist Kristen Skordilis stocks her shop with handpicked confections from New York, Paris and London. Vibe: Taking a cue from its West Loop location, the store feels like a gallery, with its “art” on hangers. Price Range: Expensive-Luxury. The Look: Creative, innovative and edgy. Always stands out in a room. A gallery-hopper and upscale-lounge dweller. Shopper’s Perks: The store offers in-home styling and closet makeovers; thirty-percent off in May and June; and occasional events.
UPDATED OCTOBER 2009
1015 W. Lake, (312)226-2247, bessandloie.com (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Goods: Bags and accessories. Designers: Well-loved labels like Hayden-Harnett, as well as lesser-known designers. Owner: After years gallivanting with Paris and New York’s most fashionable, Allyson Holleb decided it was time to come home and run her own business. And there’s no question this is HER business. Only brands she loves make it to the shelves, and Allyson’s inviting personality and extensive knowledge of the industry separate her shop from the crowd. Vibe: The loft-like space is decorated like a grandmother’s living room, complete with vintage sofas, family pictures and chocolate-chip cookies. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Not your classic bags, but never over-the-top. These are statement pieces, but the statement isn’t about the size of your bank account. Shopper’s Perks: An onsite kitchen stocked with snacks.
UPDATED OCTOBER 2009
(4.67 out of 5) (4.40 out of 5) (4.37 out of 5) (4.18 out of 5) (3.89 out of 5) (3.25 out of 5)