seConDHAnD style

out&AboutChicago
CONTACT Editor Kendra L.Williams at
kendra.williams@meredith.com
seConDHAnD st yle
How can the
price tag on
those pretty
Prada pumps say
just $75? Come
on. Clearly,
they’re mismarked. Have
we died and
gone to fashion
heaven? no. We
just discovered
Chicago resale
shopping.
A sales associate at
Selections in Lincoln
Park fusses over
big-name labels in
the store’s bright,
organized displays.
WRITTEN BY KIT BERNARDI • PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOHN NOLTNER
Midwest living February 2009 CHiCAgo
1
chicago/Style
Can you believe
what $150 will
buy? Seriously!
We’re not sure what took us so long.
Maybe it’s because we suddenly went from being fashionistas to recessionistas. But resale
shopping in Chicago genuinely surprised us:
Prices are generally a third of retail, and plenty
of pieces are new, or like new. Chicago’s top
consignment stores sell in-season, excellentcondition, designer-label merchandise. In one
afternoon, it’s easy to find clothes and accessories made by top designers at “can-you-believethis?” prices. Want in on the action? Read on.
A slave to labels
When Chicago hairstylist Fannie Villasenor
steps out of the dressing room in a sexy, flamestitch Missoni skirt and Prada belt, the women
in the shop whistle. Fannie stops at Selections in
Lincoln Park once a week—and has been for the
past seven years. “By shopping resale, I can
afford the designers I love and look like the
millionaire I’m not,” she says.
Customers frequent Selections for great
choices in designer clothing sizes 0 to 18, plus
killer handbags, scarves and jewelry deftly
displayed in this well-lit, organized boutique.
All skirts, blouses and jackets are sold as separates, some starting at $25. You’ll also find a
strong selection of seasonal coats (so get out
there!), casual tops and jeans. For spring, we
found a fetching, flowy Cynthia Rowley frock
for $80 and Cole Haan strappy sandals for $50.
Kona Hatcher, manager of the 17-year-old
Lincoln Park store, shares Selections’ secret:
“We wouldn’t send someone out looking silly in
an outfit too tight or the wrong color. We are
honest, and that is why clients return.”
cashmere sweaters, pencil skirts, peplum suits,
beaded blouses, alligator handbags, Eisenberg
rhinestone jewelry, winter coats with fur collars
and naughty lacy lingerie await shoppers here.
Owner David Ginople says buying vintage
has gotten popular because shoppers can create
their own unique style for good value. “Classic
vintage apparel is as close to one-of-a-kind as decades and geography permit, so the chances of
seeing yourself coming and going are virtually
nonexistent,” David says.
Store B sells pieces from the 1940s to 1960s,
acquired from estate sales, auctions and private
referrals. An oh-so-sophisticated wool gabardine
suit starts at $165. A genuine white patent leather
handbag with Lucite chain handle runs $95. A
flowered, Mary Tyler Moore-style shift is perky
perfect for a patio party at $75. Or you can deck
out your daddy in a Jack Lord-style Hawaiian
shirt or a Humphrey Bogart fedora.
Store B’s vintage, kitschy home decor can spice
up dinner parties with a kind of Rat Pack charm.
Want an example? We found a sleek chrome
martini shaker with six stemmed glasses for $85.
Way to go, baby
Kids grow so fast, the money you spend on
clothes doesn’t go very far. The Second Child in
Lincoln Park has helped families stretch their
dollars in style for 21 years.
At a season’s start, Second Child carries up to
4,000 outfits for newborns to age 14. Neat, full
racks are marked by age and sex. You won’t find
any Old Navy, Target or Carter’s labels—just top
designers, including Oilily, Baby Lulu, Catimini,
Petunia Pickle Bottom, Ralph Lauren and some
Gap. The adorable baby clothes, twirly little-girl
Classy vintage style
Wicker Park’s Store B tops the A list for women party dresses and boys’ little-man blazers almost
who love the Jackie O look. Fabulous vintage make you want to have another. Almost.
(Opposite) Secondhand accessories translate into affordable shopping trips. And if you love to shop, consignment stores are great repeat destinations because their merchandise often turns over weekly. Bring a friend
and make a day out of it with nearby restaurants we love (for details, turn to page Chicago 8).
2
Midwest Living February 2009 CHICAGO
For expecting
moms at
Second Child
$20 Vera Bradley
diaper bag
$20 Sweet Pea maternity
top
$60 Maternity Theory jeans
$10 Ralph Lauren infant
jumpsuit
$30 Big sister toddler
Oilily pink ruffle dress
$6 Baby Style onesies
$1 Goodnight Moon book
$3 What to Expect the
First Year book
A Selections
night out
$68 Nicole Miller little
black dress
$32 Kate Spade black,
peau de soie sequined
mules
$50 Helen Welsh plum
purple shoulder wrap
Crowded
Closet: a day at
the office
$75 Prada pumps
$46 Max Mara linen
blazer
$24 Tessuto silk skirt
$5 Liz Claiborne scarf
Store B: day-tonight vintage
$65 Carol Brent cocktail
dress
$35 pair of pink patent
leather toe-cleavage
pumps
$12 clip-on vintage
button earrings
$38 patent leather
clutch purse
‘‘
Classic vintage
apparel is as close to
one-of-a-kind as
decades and
geography permit,
so the chances of
seeing yourself
coming and going are
virtually nonexistent.
‘‘
–D a v i d Gin o p l e ,
o w n e r of S t o re B
chicago/Style
Shopping at Store B
in Chicago’s Wicker
Park will amaze
first-timers: The
vintage clothes here
look brand new.
What to
know
before
you go
Expecting moms find designer maternity clothing by Michael Stars, Chip & Pepper, Nom,
Theory and 7 for All Mankind starting at $18, plus
chic diaper bags and Baby Bjorn carriers. Strollers, high chairs, kids’ room decor, toys and books
round out the offerings, and owner Amy Helgren
regularly monitors safety recalls and inspects all
equipment. (She also donates merchandise that
doesn’t sell to family charity organizations.)
Must-have accessories
As the youngest of five girls, Mickie Donohue
grew up wearing hand-me-downs, and she still
does. She shops at her own store, The Crowded
Closet Inc. in Evanston, which she co-owns with
Cindy Caldwell. The shop is known for its more
4
Midwest Living February 2009 CHICAGO
than 200 pairs of shoes and 250 designer handbags
for sale. Designer-label, tailored, casual and
special-occasion clothing hang by type, color and
size, from petite to size 24. Racks teem with reliable style: Eileen Fisher, Dana Buchman, Gucci,
Tod’s, St. John, Ralph Lauren, Jil Sander, Armani,
Chanel, Ferragamo and more.
Jean Murray, a sorority-house mother at Northwestern University in Evanston, has shopped at
The Crowded Closet with her daughter for years.
Though she has found lots of gorgeous designer
goods at fractions of their retail prices, the store’s
atmosphere is what brings her back.
“It’s easy, it’s social, it’s a pleasant experience,”
Jean says. “It’s my time for me.”
To plan your trip, turn to page Chicago 8.
SHOP EARLY The best
choices of garments in
your size and seasonal
accessories are available
early in the season. All
sales are final.
SHOP OFTEN Savvy
resale shoppers stop into
consignment stores
frequently to see what’s
new. Some stores call
loyal customers to inform
them of new merchandise received from their
customers’ favorite
consigners.
JUST BUY IT If you love
it, make it yours now.
Designer merchandise
sells fast—especially
accessories and
handbags, because size
doesn’t matter. Some top
consignment stores will
even offer merchandise
layaway with a down
payment.
LOOK FOR BARGAINS
With new merchandise
arriving daily, resale shops
can’t afford to keep items
on the sales floor too
long. Generally prices get
slashed after 30 days,
starting at 20 percent off
the resale price. It never
hurts to ask if you can get
discounts on full-priced
items, because they may
be planned for markdown soon.
REMEMBER END-OFSEASON SALES Like
their retail counterparts,
resale boutiques hold
clearance sales to make
room for next season’s
merchandise.
CHICAGO/Style
TRIP GUIDE
To plan your Chicago visit, call 877/244-2246
or check out explorechicago.org. We’ve listed
contact info for the stores mentioned in the
story, plus a few more we like. Take a break
from bargain hunting at nearby restaurants!
Shopping (featured in the story)
Selections 2152 N. Clybourn Avenue (773/
296-4014; selectionsconsignments.com).
Store B 1472 N. Milwaukee Avenue
(773/772-4296).
The Second Child 954 W. Armitage Avenue
(773/883-0880; 2ndchild.com).
The Crowded Closet Inc. 824 Dempster
Street, Evanston (847/475-1135).
More Chicago-area resale shops
Cynthia’s Consignments Get Vera Wang
bridal gowns, Chanel suits and Marc Jacobs
handbags, plus designer jeans, jewelry, shoes
and sunglasses. 2218 N. Clybourn Avenue
(773/248-7714; cynthiasconsignments.com).
Hand Me Downs Generations of Chicagoans
have come here for 28 years in search of
designer kid clothing, baby duds, bat mitzvah
attire, child bedding, furniture and equipment, plus books and toys. 614 Dempster
Street, Evanston (847/475-0803; hand
medownsevanston.com).
Lulu’s at the Belle Kay Shop here for
show-stopper black-tie, party and prom
dresses. This classy vintage shop also has
formal jewelry, hats, gloves, shoes and
handbags. 3862 N. Lincoln Avenue
(773/404-5858; lulusbellekay.com).
Dining
Filippo’s Ristorante This comfy Mediterranean bistro near Selections serves tasty
salads, pastas and sandwiches. 2211
N. Clybourn Avenue (773/528-2211;
filipposristorante.com).
Bongo Room Funky Wicker Park cafe near
Store B dishes fist-thick breakfast burritos and
pumpkin-carrot flapjacks. For lunch, try the
beef-tenderloin portobello sandwich. 1470
N. Milwaukee Avenue (773/489-0690).
Argo Tea Cafe Light lunches and savory
snacks in Lincoln Park include 30 teas, fruit
parfaits and soups—plus fresh croissants,
scones, brownies and tarts. 958 W. Armitage
Avenue (773/649-9644; argotea.com).
Blind Faith Cafe This inventive vegetarian
restaurant near The Crowded Closet makes
tasty baked goods and great green cuisine.
525 Dempster Street, Evanston
(847/328-6875; blindfaithcafe.com). n
8
Midwest Living February 2009 CHICAGO