2037 W. Roscoe, (773)281-2210, apiedshoeboutique.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Shoes and accessories for women. Designers: Taryn by Taryn Rose, All Black, Jeffrey Campbell, Corso Como; bags by Joelle Nadine. Owner: Trudy Robinson Foley, owner of maternity boutique Kickin’, opened her shoe shop in mid-May because it was the only wardrobe essential her neighbors couldn’t find in Roscoe Village. Vibe: Mellow, bright, spacious and cozy. Antique Persian rugs and old trunks add vintage flavor to the exposed brick and hardwood floors, while a fireplace and the sonic sounds of John Mayer keep it comfy. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: A style-obsessed city gal who leaves the house at 7am and doesn’t return until 10pm. The shoes are chicly European in their aesthetic yet practical in their form, so you won’t be nursing blisters after your eight-block walk to the El. Shopper’s Perks: Originality all the way. Robinson Foley works with many smaller lines to custom-design shoes, and a few of the shop’s offerings are made exclusively for A Pied.

A Pied

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008

750 N. Franklin, (312)587-8693, cleveralice.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for women. Designers: Religion, Eternal Child, Plastic Island, Parisian line Casting, Kitchen Orange from Montreal, boots from Jeffrey Campbell and jewelry from local artist Veronica Riley Martin. Owner: Tamara Chaponot named her store after a children’s book she found in France. Vibe: Tailored, feminine designs stock a tranquil space in the heart of the gallery district. The staff is gracious, chatty and abundantly fashion-savvy. Price Range: Expensive. The Look: Prim and coquettish, creative and demure all at once—like the store’s fairytale namesake. Perfect gear for the belle of the art gallery or a hip young publicist. Shopper’s Perks: The sales at Clever Alice are the stuff of wardrobe-building legends, and customers on their email list will get the exclusive heads up on these deep discounts. The Thing for Spring: Eco-friendly pieces from Prairie Underground and the high-quality, won’t-break-the-bank line from Ikks.

Clever Alice

824 W. Armitage, (773)281-5655, lorisshoes.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Women’s shoes and accessories. Designers: Heels by Calvin Klein, wedges by Jeffrey Campbell, flats by Sam Edelman; handbags by Pietro Alessandro, clutches by Hobo and jewelry from Gorjana and Pieces of a Girl. Owner: A self-confessed “shoe addict,” Lori Andre opened Lori’s Shoes in 1983. Her business policy: customers must leave as friends. Vibe: Open, spacious and stocked with more shoeboxes and sparkly accessories than Cinderella could dream of. The store is always bustling with shoppers and shoe-fueled energy. Price Range: Inexpensive-Expensive. The Look: With pastel wedges, patterned pumps and kick-around running shoes, Lori’s stocks a pair for a gal’s every mood. Shopper’s Perks: Lori takes biannual shopping trips to Europe, so she’s always ahead of the curve on trends. Check her Web site for detailed info on what’s kicking in the world of shoes—she even has a blog!

Lori’s Designer Shoes

1659 W. Division, (773)384-6750, pumpshoeschicago.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Shoes and accessories for women. Designers: Jeffrey Campbell, Betsey Johnson, Miss Sixty, Michael Kors and Fornarina. Owner: Maureen Longua, who adores hard-to-find heels from sultry locales like Spain and Argentina. Vibe: Pink ribbons climb the walls, a crystal chandelier sparkles overhead and a round ottoman is strewn with shoeboxes as shoppers fancy up their feet. Longua showers visitors with friendly energy and accessorizing-savvy. Price Range: Mostly moderate, with a few expensive items. The Look: A girly-girl who knows how to dress adorably without spending a fortune. Shopper’s Perks: Fabulous sales and on-site cocktail parties. The Thing for Spring: “You can’t miss the gladiator sandal,” says Longua, who hopes that this season’s influx of feminine flat sandals will lead to the demise of the plastic flip-flop.

Pump Shoes and Accessories