Zella Brown
Quirky resale shops and locally owned boutiques have long since been the bread and butter of these hip 'hoods. While long-standing boutiques like Una Mae's, Robin Richman and p. 45 are still thriving after a decade-plus of business, plenty of newbies have joined the ranks -- as have plenty of national labels, such as Marc by Marc Jacobs, Nanette Lepore, Cynthia Rowley, Intermix and Joe's Jeans.
Our run-down of top shops starts in Wicker Park on Milwaukee and North Avenues and then heads north on Damen into Bucktown. For our shopping picks on Division Street, click here.
Click on a store name for hours, phone numbers and more details.
1330 N. Milwaukee St. -
Chicago
312-890-3684
Remember Nau, the eco-friendly clothing shop that once lived on Halsted? The brand is back in Chicago in the form of Connect, a third-party retailer stocking the full line of outdoor and activewear for guys and girls.
1359 N. Milwaukee Ave. -
Chicago
773-276-1450
This eclectic shop's tagline is "clothing for the new planet," but really, it's more like edgy gear for urbanites. Among the jam-packed racks here, you'll find skull-print canvas bags, quirky dresses and LTB jeans, plus plenty of sunglasses and tees sporting unique screenprints.
1401 N. Milwaukee Ave. -
Chicago
773-276-3470
Never heard of this women's store before? That's because its just the second in existence, from the same company that's brought you Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Free People, just down the street.
1426 N. Milwaukee Ave. -
Chicago
773-360-8182
This utterly urban Brooklyn-born purveyor of T-shirts, messenger bags and other funky threads for men and women has opened their first non-NYC shop in Chicago.
1442 N. Milwaukee Ave. -
Chicago
773-278-7130
This airy and expansive Wicker Park jewelry shop keeps the gender ratio equal with just as much gear for guys as girls. Bubbly orange lights hang from the ceiling, illuminating glass cases packed with slick watches, stainless steel men's jewelry and semi-precious stones from Bali, Tibet and Mexico.
1468 N. Milwaukee Ave. -
Chicago
773-235-6656
Beautifying lotions and potions, trend-setting accessories, delightful nail treatments, and an ongoing schedule of fanciful events lure the girly-girl to this unique nail spa.
1444 N. Milwaukee Ave. -
Chicago
773-276-1746
This is what your apartment would look like if you were twice as cool as you are now. Contemporary home accessory store Zella Brown is a hip condo-owner's playground, with stock ranging from leather cube ottomans to velvet chairs to exquisite modern art.
1464 N. Milwaukee Ave. -
Chicago
773-227-4871
Girly personality exudes from every inch of Free People, from the oversized crochet wall hangings to the flower-painted dressing rooms decked out with bright shaggy rugs.
1472 N. Milwaukee Ave. -
Chicago
773-772-4296
Classy vintage duds comprise this shop’s stock, which focuses on the ‘40s through ‘70s.
1539-41 N. Milwaukee Ave. -
Chicago
773-772-1983
This eccentric Canadian shoe line for men and women fills a sizable storefront on Milwaukee Avenue. John Fluevog's signature styles are dark, heavy-soled kicks with flared heels, but the offerings span from colorful sneakers to slim-lined pumps to quirky boots.
1509 N. Milwaukee Ave. -
Chicago
773-486-0830
This store's quirky moniker is a not-so-necessarily-obvious mash-up of the owner's names, Elizabeth Del Castillo and Kelly Whitesell. These stylish gals hail from Indianapolis and provide the design brains behind house brand Eskell, a feminine, vintage-inspired line often featuring original printed fabrics.
1528 N. Milwaukee Ave. -
Chicago
773-276-7002
Form-fitting retro dresses by Stop Staring, personality-infused streetwear by Industry and hip, girly duds by Gentle Fawn epitomize the eclectic collections at this Wicker Park staple.
1814 W. North Ave. -
Chicago
773-489-0818
Myriad red awnings dotting North Avenue stake the claim of the Akira retail empire. This storefront is the Bucktown women's headquarters, which moved a block down North Avenue to this new, larger space in fall 2007.
1849 W. North Ave. -
Chicago
773-342-8684
This Bucktown footwear boutique stocks a wide range of kicks, from sky-high stilettos to funky sneaks.
1910 W. North Ave. -
Chicago
773-276-5640
This two-level store is for the guys, stocking urban threads for work and play.
1941 W. North Ave. -
Chicago
773-342-0500
This hipster haven stocks clothing and accessories for guys and girls with a funky edge and vintage-inspired styling.
1566 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-489-2001
Enter this chic double storefront from either Damen or North Avenue to find a serious selection of footwear for men and women.
1616 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-486-3800
Ladies with a handbag habit, welcome to your personal heaven. Inhale the sweet smell of leather and feast your eyes on handbags perched in every nook and cranny of this narrow Damen Avenue storefront.
1623 North Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-489-4500
Known for her feminine designs, Ohio native Nanette Lepore returns to her Midwestern roots with her first standalone boutique in Chi-town, which debuted Nov. 1 in the former Jolie Joli address.
1633 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-292-0894
Label mongers will relish in the selection of coveted designer lines carried at this bold boutique, from Stella McCartney to Chloe.
1643 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-862-4523
This utterly sharp women's clothing boutique blazed the trail in making Damen Avenue a growing designer destination when it opened in 1997, carrying then-fledgling designer Rebecca Taylor.
1645 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-252-3838
This spare Bucktown boutique stocks astute, upscale lines such as Chloe, Sari Gueron and Chaiken, from floor-length evening gowns to elegantly puffy parkas.
2016 Concord Pl. -
Chicago
773-276-0905
Started as the popular sales event of the same name, Beta is now literally a boutique, just a half block off the beaten path of Damen Avenue. Just like at a sample sale, you'll find designer overstock and samples marked anywhere from 40 to 90 percent off.
1653 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-276-9209
Well-known fashion and home designer Cynthia Rowley is an Illinois native herself; this is her second of two Chicago boutiques.
1659 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-489-0101
Bucktown residents may remember this storefront as shabby-chic women's clothing shop Daffodil Hill. In April 2007, owner Stephanie Riley switched directions with this new, modern men and women's boutique.
1647 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-862-1133
Being knocked up is way trendy in Bucktown, thanks to Belly Dance Maternity.
1723 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-782-1570
This luxury goods haven is absolute heaven for label hounds and designer junkies. Expect an array of sunglasses, wallets, purses and home accessories, all with designer pedigrees.
1735 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-227-3402
Head to this Bucktown women's boutique for plenty of mix-and-match basics and updated classics.
1739 N Damen Ave. -
Chicago
276-6266
At first glace, you could easily mistake this custom T-shirt shop for a old-school deli -- and that's precisely the point.
1630 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-772-2815
If Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie lived in Bucktown, this is where they'd shop for their brood. Psychobaby stocks all matter of stylish clothing and accoutrements for infants and children.
1702 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-862-7075
An eclectic gift shop specializing in unusual gifts for the home, including candles, tote bags, watches, bath products, and assorted bric-a-brac, most in the $20-40 range.
1714 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-276-2998
Vegas has one, L.A. has two, New York City has three on Bleeker Street alone -- now Chicago has its very own Marc Jacobs boutique.
1715 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-252-1715
Premium denim brand Joe's Jeans breaks out of its wholesale handcuffs with its very first retail boutique on Damen Avenue.
1719 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-772-0505
Shopping at this cozy Wicker Park boutique is more like browsing in your (well-dressed) best friend's closet.
1804 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-395-2999
This Bucktown boutique offers everything for the put-together fella, from casual button-ups and designer denim to full suits and ties. Theory blazers, Jack Spade messenger bags, leather jackets and sweaters from TSE and Etro are just a few of the myriad brands carried here.
1867 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-489-3220
This pint-sized shop packs its shelves with bags by Bulga, Aleya and Elliott Luca, plus its own namesake original designs. You'll also find a selection of delicate jewelry.
1874 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-252-1888
More often than not, you'll find Chicago-based designer Michelle Tan herself behind the counter here, clicking away on her laptop; ask her how she describes her creations and she'll utter words such as edgy, wearable and feminine.
1917 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-384-7223
This stately shoe shop provides the perfect setting for its vast designer selection.
1920 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-276-2444
This sleek women's boutique is a tried and true mecca for hard-to-find labels from Europe, New York and L.A.
1933 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-342-2388
Step away from your Blackberry and rediscover the tradition of low-tech communication at this Bucktown paperie. Owner Becky Edelhauser LeMay, a dedicated lover of old-fashioned correspondence and journaling, stocks her shop with indulgent treats for those who relish writing by hand.
1940 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-384-1600
This pleasant paper emporium specializes in custom cards and invitations.
1944 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-292-0510
This stylish Bucktown shop focuses on eco-friendly gifts -- not just for the new homeowners, married couples and hostesses in your lives, but yourself, too.
2035 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-489-1311
Shoppers won't be stumped about the labels at this rustic Bucktown boutique. Framed bios of each designer are displayed near their respective threads so you can read about the creative mind behind each piece of clothing.
2027 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-292-1120
This dual storefront boasts two shops in one: dazzling contemporary jewelry alongside trendy, wearable women's clothing.
2108 N. Damen Ave. -
Chicago
773-278-6150
This boutique’s fluid space is anchored by unexpected pieces, like the ceiling’s wrought iron sculptures, from which dressing room curtains are suspended.
1702 N. Milwaukee Ave. -
Chicago
773-227-9930
This NYC-based boutique (the creators tout the concept as “the Ultimate Closet”) is has opened in Bucktown. This outpost has a cafe featuring salads, sandwiches and desserts.
