The 6 Best Chicago Boutiques To Visit When In The Windy City

Recently, the WRITTEN team embarked on a design trip to the city of Chicago to uncover exciting fabrics and seek inspiration for innovative and new designs.

WRITTEN Apparel currently works with a brilliant dealer of impeccably high quality fabrics, mostly from Europe. However, as WRITTEN grows we are gradually looking to expand our supply base.

The city of Chicago is roughly a four hour drive from WRITTEN Headquarters. However, this has never prevented WRITTEN founder, Emily Carlson, from often taking day trips into the city and back again. Her passion and drive is constantly fueling her energy towards the brand and designs. Sometimes I get tired, just thinking about a day in her shoes.

This time, due to terribly stormy weather, the trip to Chicago was almost cancelled. Desperate to get there, Emily drove off into the storm. It was necessary in order to stay on schedule with our new product developments.

The rain was relentless on our way into the city, but Emily just knew not to rush and all would be good. Arriving safely, we ventured into the city to make our appointment with our fabric showroom. As we excitedly explored we found some amazing new fabrics to develop new designs with.

On this particular trip, there was no time for fueling our shopping habits with visits to our favorite Chicago boutiques, although we did get to stop to fill our bellies at an amazing vegan restaurant, The Chicago Diner (you’d never know it was vegan).

We won’t leave you hanging though, if we had the time to work and play, we definitely would have made a point to stop at a handful of our favorite Chicago boutiques.

WRITTEN Woman Approved Chicago Boutiques:

Tusk

Located in Logan Square, this store is one of the quirkiest among the Chicago boutique’s, while still keeping a minimalistic feel. It has created quite the buzz around town since opening. Here you’ll find a mix of cute and playful printed clothing, accessories, and a fabulous selection of handpicked vintage items.

Penelopes

Penelope’s is more laid back than most Chicago boutiques, stocking an edited selection of labels for men, women and kids from the U.S and Europe. It is a small and personal space, filled with accessible, everyday styles. The boutique places an emphasis on quality, great colors and fun prints. You’ll find this hip Chicago boutique in the Wicker Park neighborhood.

Ikram

Here you’ll find glamorous pieces from countless famous designers. Such as; Proenza Schouler, Narciso Rodriguez, Alexander McQueen, Comme des Garçons, Sacai, and Lanvin. The Ikram boutique also boasts an on-site gallery and cafe. The perfect spot for when window shopping of all the glamorous Chicago boutiques has worked up your appetite!

Moon Voyage

One of the Chicago boutiques that is always on trend is a store is packed with cult Korean beauty products, bohemian baby-doll dresses, raw crystal rings, acid wash denim crop tops, and plenty of slouchy jumpsuits. Brands on offer include Ace & Jig, Ilana Kohn, American Retro, and Mara Hoffman.

RSVP Gallery

A firm favorite with the likes of Kanye West, RSVP Gallery – located in Wicker Park – is heralded as Chicago’s answer to Paris’ Colette. As the name suggests, this boutique possesses a distinct gallery vibe and offers an assortment of luxury designer streetwear.

Felt

Felt is a high-end women’s Chicago boutique (the first one to grace Logan Square) home to both established and upcoming designers from around the world, as well as local Chicago based talents, including C/FAN and J. Markell.

Now, as the caring and concerned WRITTEN Woman that you are, I bet you’re wondering if we made it back home safe and sound? To pick up where our story left off:

The storm must’ve been saving its best for last, because as it rained harder and harder we could barely see the road, and the pitch black sky made navigating our way home even trickier. The windshield wipers literally couldn’t even keep up with the downpour.

Despite the storm’s efforts, it could not stop Emily from pressing forward and getting us closer and closer to home. We all breathed a sigh of relief as we passed through the last tollway and a kind old toll operator affirmed our safety by saying “It looks like the worst has passed.” I think the worry was written all over our faces.

We took a risk, but at the end of the day made it in and out of the Windy City in one piece. No rest for the wicked as they say. As a result, Emily was able to source some amazing new fabrics and product development stayed on schedule. What does that mean for you? New pencil skirts coming soon.

See you next time Chicago!

Which Chicago boutique do you want to see WRITTEN Apparel in?

The post The 6 Best Chicago Boutiques To Visit When In The Windy City appeared first on Written.