Visiting Chicago-- where do I shop!

[Honey Doll]

Hi ladies-- I am being sent to Chicago for work at the end of the month. If anyone is familiar with the scene, would you mind directing me to any of the not-to-be-missed joints for shopping, music or anything just fun!


Thanks,
Honey Doll

 

[cherry_bomb]

vintage fashion directory

Hi Honey!

I've never actually been to Chicago, but I do have a book called "The Vintage Fashion Directory: Th national sourcebook of vintage fashion retailers." I picked out a few of the better ones. they write:

Chicago
*Note: Great vintage shopping along North Halsted street, north clark street, and west belmont avenuel.

Arrow
1452 west chicago ave
chicago, il 60622
(312) 738-2755
moderne furniture, collectables and clothing. the vintage clothing that they have is generally for women and spans the 1930's-1970's. their vintage fashions tend to be either high end or unusual.
$$-$$$
t,f 1-6
sat, sun 11-6
or by appt.

Beatnix
3400 north halsted street
chicago, il 60657
(773) 281-6933
vintage clothing and accessories from the 1930's - 1970's. large sizes available.
$-$$
call for hours

Chicago Recycle Shop
5308 north clark st
chicago, il 60640
(773) 878-8525
This is the infamous "george's Basement." they've been selling quality vintage clothing in the same location for the past 30 years. they specialize in men's and women's vintage clothing from the 1940's-1970's. a treasure trove of vintage goodies.
$$-$$$
daily 11-6

Lost Eras Antiques
1511 west howard
chicago, il
(773)764-7400
costume/ vintage clothing store. an enormous basement full of vintage apparel.

Silver Moon
3337 halsted street
chicago, il 60657-2626
(773) 883-0222
great selection of vintage clothing at reasonable prices. they stock a nice selection of vintage wedding gowns.
$$$
t-sun noon-6

Wacky Cats
3109 north lincoln avenue
chicago, il 60657
(773) 929-6701
www.wackycats.com
wackycats@hotmail.com
mostly 1950's vintage clothing
$$-$$$


That's really only a sampling, but it should get you started. Hope this helps!!

 

[Honey Doll]

Thanks Cherry Bomb! You're a doll for looking all that up for me!

Honey Doll

 

[Vanessa]

Hi there. . .PM me when you're in town, maybe we can go shopping together.

Beatnix tends to have a lot of novelty items (since it's in Boystown) and their basement is vintage - but it definitely leans more towards the 60's & 70's.

Silver Moon has moved - they are a great store, but are not reasonable in their prices. They have pretty things to look at (like a large selection of Vivienne Westwood), but that's about it unless you have deep pockets. Silver Moon page

 

[Tomasso]

Silver Moon has moved

Vanessa, what happened to Flashy Trash?

 

[Honey Doll]

Thanks Vanessa

Hi there. . .PM me when you're in town, maybe we can go shopping together.

Beatnix tends to have a lot of novelty items (since it's in Boystown) and their basement is vintage - but it definitely leans more towards the 60's & 70's.

Silver Moon has moved - they are a great store, but are not reasonable in their prices. They have pretty things to look at (like a large selection of Vivienne Westwood), but that's about it unless you have deep pockets. Silver Moon page

You are very kind to offer! Silver Moon I think is high on my list even if its only "window" shopping!

Honey Doll

 

[Vanessa]

Vanessa, what happened to Flashy Trash?

The Flashy Trash located on Halsted closed down a few years back. Towards the end it was mostly 60's & 70's vintage & modern 2nd hand with a few 50's gems thrown in so I stopped browsing. Not sure if they relocated or just closed permanently.

 

[Vanessa]

You are very kind to offer! Silver Moon I think is high on my list even if its only "window" shopping!

Honey Doll

Browse their website first. When they had a shop on Halsted, their employees were rather touchy about anyone handling items. I, being the fabric-aholic that I am, neeeeeeed to 'pet' things before I buy them. . .and that was a definite no-no. But that said, they did have some wonderful pieces - especially early 1900's.

 

[BettyValentine]

The Flashy Trash located on Halsted closed down a few years back. Towards the end it was mostly 60's & 70's vintage & modern 2nd hand with a few 50's gems thrown in so I stopped browsing. Not sure if they relocated or just closed permanently.

I think they closed up for real.

Beatniks is supposed to be vintage? Honestly, they're one of my favorite shops, but I never parsed that it was a "vintage" shop. They stock a lot of vinyl. They were a pretty good source for Halloween costumes and wigs, but there are better prices on wigs at Heads & Threads on Milwaukee. The place next door has *killer* shoes.

There's a place on Clark & Belmont ... Mojo Jojo's? They had a couple good vintage pieces not in my size, and a bunch of old cowboy shirts for my fiance. Jive Monkey! That's it. Not Mojo Jojo's. It's a lot like the Hollywood Mirror. (Also at Clark & Belmont).

There are a lot of places where you might find something great if you are a good digger and get really lucky, but I don't know of any places to consistently find good quality vintage that aren't boutique places like Silver Moon, where they find the really exquisite gems and display them nicely for you. You really pay out the ears for those places, but they're really wonderful.

BV