4703 N. Lincoln, (773)561-5997 (22 votes, average: 3.05 out of 5)
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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 »

900 N. Michigan, Level 3, (312)944-0040 (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Men’s and women’s denim, shoes and accessories. Designers: The store houses thirty women’s denim brands and twenty men’s, including C.R.A.F.T. Denim, Hudson, G-Star, Rebecca Minkoff, House of Harlow, Naked & Famous, Nobody and Grace Sun to name a few. Read the rest of this entry »

1525 N. Milwaukee, (773)342-2623, g-star.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Menswear, womenswear and accessories. Designer: G-Star Raw Owner: New York-based Denimwall Inc. operates the New York, Boston, Miami  and Chicago stores of this European brand. Read the rest of this entry »

1539-41 N. Milwaukee, (773)772-1983, fluevog.com
Goods: Men’s and women’s shoes Designer: John Fluevog Owner: The Vancouver-based designer John Fluevog has a handful of stores in North America. Read the rest of this entry »

UPDATE: As of January 2012, Buffalo Exchange has closed its Lakeview location.

1478 N. Milwaukee, (773)227-9558; 2875 N. Broadway, (773)549-1999, buffaloexchange.com
Goods: Men’s and women’s gently used clothing, shoes and accessories. Designers: Varying—Buffalo houses anything from Express and Banana to hipster labels American Apparel and Cheap Monday. Read the rest of this entry »

1519 N. Milwaukee, (773)227-5300, 2711 N. Clark, (773)296-1000, 1730 Sherman, Evanston, (847)492-9400 crossroadstrading.com
Goods: Men’s and women’s gently used apparel, shoes and accessories. Designers: Marc Jacobs, Diesel, Express, Nine West, etc.—the stores stock all types of brands, as long as they’re contemporary and in good shape. Read the rest of this entry »

In the department of openings and closings, American Apparel has opened another Chicago location:

American Apparel
Belmont Central
929 W. Belmont Ave.
Tel. (773) 472-0500

Meanwhile, French housewares boutique Porte Rouge has announced it’s closing May 1.

It may be the middle of December, but upscale London-based lingerie brand Agent Provocateur is steaming up the city with the launch of its first Chicago boutique. The shop has been here just one week but the brand has been at the pinnacle of the lingerie hierarchy for years. “Other lingerie companies often follow what we do and try to copy what we do,” says Danielle Boholst, United States training coordinator for the company. “[We] set the standard for the industry.”

Imported from London’s Soho district, the brand made its way to America in 2000 with a flagship store in Los Angeles. Hitting the Oak Street scene eight years later, the line’s reputation precedes it. Granted, this is not your everyday underwear—a single bra can set you back $110. Made from only the finest fabrics and lace, product quality is key. Boholst, for one, says you get what you pay for. “Initially, like at Victoria’s Secret, something may look the same as something of ours, but it will be falling apart within weeks whereas our threads hold together for years,” she says. “It’s the difference between buying from H&M and Barney’s. It may be cute and trendy, but overall you’re also buying for the quality and longevity.”

Store “agent” Helena Barber agrees. “I think it takes a lot of engineering to get these little details right,” she says of the largely English cuts and designs.

Featuring Dita Von Teese-esque tuxedo-style corsets and lace-infused brassieres, the line is one part nice and two parts naughty. Barber points out some of the store’s riskier pieces. “Masks, whips, latex stockings with a paddle,” she says with a laugh. “It’s tastefully done. Nothing trashy—we’re not in competition with those types of places,” she says. “Our clientele has always been more higher end.”

Which may explain why Agent Provocateur doesn’t seem to be receding with the economy. “The company will only open doors where it already has established clientele,” Boholst says. “Chicago showed a lot of interest.” (Nicole Briese)

Agent Provocateur, 47 E. Oak, (312)335-0229

47 E. Oak, (312) 335-0229, agentprovocateur.com (1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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Goods: Lingerie, loungewear and accessories for women. Designers: The store is stocked with largely European cuts and designs from the brand’s own label. Owners: Joseph Corré and Serena Rees opened their first store in Soho, London in 1994. Vibe: Super sexy. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: The collection has a very burlesque air reminiscent of glam-girl goddess Dita Von Teese. Shopper’s Perks: The store “agents” insist on in-room fittings with each and every customer to ensure a more personal experience and great fit.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

Agent Provocateur, 47 E. Oak

Skinny. Boyfriend. Bootcut. Flare. With so many different styles of denim in today’s day and age, finding the perfect pair of jeans can be downright daunting. Throw in elements like wash and fit? The task becomes nearly impossible. Say hello to Lincoln Park’s latest, DNA 2050. Following on the heels of launches in both New York and Virginia, the boutique comes to Chicago specializing in premium denim and items that can be worn around it.

“When a customer comes in looking for a pair of jeans, we take a lot of time to figure out how the jeans fit and what the jeans are good for, like a bigger backside or a smaller waist or a petite person. We just help them find the perfect fit for their body,” assistant manager Kristin Wolfel says. “We have so many different types of jeans [that] it’s pretty easy.” And with tailoring services available at a minimal charge, the fit is practically guaranteed.

With an average price tag of about $300, the perfect pair may cost you a pretty penny, but Wolfel says the quality of the denim speaks for itself. “They’re gonna last for a really long time,” she says.

Look for brands like G-Star, Rich & Skinny, Bread & Butter, Justin Timberlake’s William Rast, Adam, Sport Max, Kooba purses and Frye shoes, some of which are rather obscure. “There’s obviously a lot of boutiques and a lot of competition, so we wanted to carry things that people haven’t seen,” Wolfel says.

Housing enough draping, flowing designs to make the entire cast of “The Hills” drool with envy, the women’s section could easily clothe and cater to the individual styles of Lauren, Audrina and Whitney. As for the men, selections go from funky coats and blazers to dress shirts to loungewear.

So far, DNA 2050 feels right at home in Lincoln Park. “We didn’t want to go downtown ‘cause it’s more touristy people,” Wolfel says. “Here is more of a fashion-conscious customer—they know what they’re looking for, and they know what they want to wear. I love Lincoln Park.” (Nicole Briese)

DNA 2050, 2122 N. Halsted, (773)525-8004