A year and a half ago, Sheri Roney opened up a business in Ukrainian Village. With “clean lines, fresh cuts and bright colors,” Roney’s clothing boutique, SoKo Fashion, was everything other stores weren’t—that was kind of the point. “We just did a lot of research [on] what customers experienced with bigger boutiques,” she says. Noting that many found shopping in such environments “intimidating,” Roney centered SoKo around customer service. Incorporating everything from the décor to the price—almost everything in the store is under $100—Roney created a shopping haven in the neighborhood that needed it most. Read the rest of this entry »

UPDATE: As of October 2009, Soko Fashion is closed.

1925 W. Chicago, (773)592-1089, sokofashion.com
Goods: Women’s clothing and accessories. Designers: Customer favorites include Colcci, Kensie Girl, LA made, BB Dakota, Goorin, MissMe and Silver. Owner: Sheri Roney’s background is in nonprofit and business, but she “knows what looks good” and isn’t afraid to share her opinion. “I think people really appreciate that honesty,” she says. Vibe: Comfortable. The store is all about making the customer at ease. Price Range: Inexpensive-Moderate. Almost everything here is $100 or less. The Look: Fun. Roney does all the buying herself, and favors designs from funky youthful lines. Shopper’s Perks: With a new partner on board, the store plans to host monthly events like fashion shows and in-store shopping services—customers will be able to get a mani or a brow wax while scoring sweet deals. Plans to expand the store’s brief foray into online shopping are also in the works.

UPDATED MAY 2009

SoKo Fashion, 1925 W. Chicago

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