The Haute Closet

Sofia on Oak

Sofia
^{Mens & Womens}

sofiavintage.com

Sofia is THE boutique on Oak Street.

Blending designer vintage with the best new labels, the store serves both men and women with a mix of cosmopolitan basics and on-the-cusp trends.

Owner Ashley Zisook and Buyer Lindsey Madigan really know how to edit a collection - custom Sofia jewelry, vintage CHANEL bags and super cute shoes find their spot amongst labels like House of Harlow and the best Chicago labels.

Personally, our favorite thing about Sofia is that you can pick up a complete outfit without breaking the bank (but you can if you like). Swimwear, jewels, dresses, vests, super-luxe furs, belts, hats, jackets - you name it, they've got it.

Hit it off with the friendly staff and you'll always never miss out on a must-have piece. Given the hip-factor of this place, you'll always leave with something fresh.

Gold Coast: 72 E Oak / 312.640.0878

Chalk

chalk
^{Women’s Clothing & Accessories}

chalkofevanston.com

One of the best-edited collections in Chicagoland. A Haute Closet in store form.

Sharon Watrous and Carrie Kane, co-owners and team buyers, are the yin to each other's yang, buying the most precious, most fabulous and classic, funky and - no arguing - eye-popping collection of the best of the best for the chic Chicago woman. These women have the fever and it feels so good: Chalk is new energy, raw passion, true love.

Cozy with the coolest designers, the ladies stock Ever jeans and Stella over-the-knees, jaw-dropping, intelligent jewelry and the Row for you AND for him (SO fun and SO smart).

You must go. You know we don't get like this very often.

Evanston:     2611 Prairie Ave / 847.424.0011     

Sarca

SARCA
^{Clothing & Accessories for Women}

shopsarca.com

Hello, jackpot. SARCA is for the woman who loves fashion, isn't afraid to wear color or splash out on the season's must haves.

Totally of the moment, the siren song of the store is super high heels with pulled together, uptown going downtown looks. 

Texture, volume, color and structure characterize the buy. Well-edited, you'll leave with something you'll love and wear a lot - but it isn't going to be basic. From t-shirts to bikinis, fur coats to formal wear, the store is dripping in the stuff to attach your confidence.

Gold Coast: 1710 N Wabash / 312.255.0900

barneys

Barneys New York
^{Anything Your Little Heart Desires} 

barneys.com

If you live in Chicago and have any modicum of style Barneys is a staple.

Don't think you're above it (or even below). Barneys - led courageously by the outrageous Simon Doonan - never loses sight of its sense of humor.

Seasonal sales are really good. And if your heart is set on something not stocked in the Chicago store the pros here can usually track it down for you.

Barneys is my resource for The Row, Rag & Bone, Alaia, and Miu Miu.

Nota Bene: Lee Goldenstein on the third floor is extraordinary. 

Image via: Chicago Mag

Rush & Oak: 25 E Oak St / 312.587.1700

ikram

Ikram
^{Women's Clothing & Accessories}

ikram.com

Simply walking by the window will get you inspired. Must I go on?

Who else in Chicago gets stockist detail in Vogue? I didn't think so.

Ikram is the highest of high-end fashion destinations in Chicago, outmerchandising everyone in town.

Gold Coast: 873 North Rush / 312.587.1000

blake

Blake
^{Women’s Clothing & Accessories}

In an austere white space next to Alan Koppel Gallery (Chicago art dealer extraordinare) don't expect a comfortable shopping experience unless you've got loads of cash.

With nothing in the window to give any hint as to the treasures inside, Blake offers a highly satisfying experience for the, shall we say, connoisseur. Dries van Noten and Balenciaga do not come cheap.

Selling full looks from the world's best designers, be prepared to fall in love. Just don't go into debt.

River North: 212 W Chicago Ave / 312.202.0047

helen yi

^{Helen Yi
Women’s Clothing & Accessories}

helenyi.com

Helen Yi is brilliant (her racks are filled with gems), beautiful (stunning and always well-dressed), and bold (she's running a high fashion, independent boutique in Chicago).

Carrying beloved labels and those you won't find elsewhere (Manish Arora? Yes.), the whole shop feels like a well-edited closet. And you'd be quite happy to make it yours when you discover her cache of drapey t-shirts, exclusive-to-her jewelry, and essential, beautiful coats to keep warm during Chicago's notorious winters. 

What you buy from Helen Yi you'll treasure forever and wear a whole heck of a lot. And don't forget: Helen holds generous sales a few times a year.

Bucktown: 1645 N. Damen / 773.252.3838

she boutique

SHE Boutique
^{Women’s Clothing & Accessories}

shopsheboutique.com

SHE stocks, hands down, the best, most accessible collection of fun party clothes, pretty lady finds and everyday basics at their brick and mortar in Highland Park.

It's definitely worth the hike because you're sure to find something if you're anywhere between 18-38 and searching for a rocking party look.

Owner Nicolette Prpa pulls out all the stops when buying, grabbing exclusives on the best of the best from today's chicest designers and, now, has not one but two of her very own clothing lines, slammin' N PRPA (designed with Samantha Sleeper, a McQueen alum) and Saturday Night Sunday Morning (a more relaxed line also designed with Ms. Sleeper).

Not to mention a line of breakthrough skin care products.

Warning: not everything makes it to the website. Read: SHE has a pack of ravenous fans that come in and buy out of the box. So make good friends with your SA. Or check in very often.

Highland Park:   483 Central / 847.926.0150