New Dress Boutique in Wicker Park

Dress It Up

Who among us hasn’t waited until the last minute to find a dress to wear to an event or wedding, only to run to a department store and opt for the first black frock that fits? New Wicker Park boutique le Dress (1741 W. Division St.; 773-697-9899, ledresschicago.com) may not be able to cure the panic shop, but they do offer a boutique alternative, carrying more than 40 lines of dresses in every style, from day-appropriate to evening wear. Co-owners and sisters-in-law Eva and Robyn Anderson, who both have fashion degrees and have worked with…

A Taste of Brooklyn

A Store Grows in Wicker Park

Brooklyn Industries (1426 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-360-8182, brooklynindustries.com), recently opened its first store outside New York, offering T-shirts, totes, messenger bags, and other casual threads. The brand has a commitment to eco-friendly materials and limited edition, graphic print tees ($32) for men and women, made in runs of 200. Men’s selections include shorts and pants of the snug hipster variety, plaid short-sleeve shirts ($58), and comfy, everyday wear such as the…

New Shoes in Roscoe Village

Shoe Me the Way

Newly opened À Pied (2037 W. Roscoe St.; 773-281-2210), which means “on foot” or “by foot” in French, fills a sorely empty niche in Roscoe Village. Owner Trudy Robinson Foley, who also owns the maternity store Kickin’ (2142 W. Roscoe St.; 773-281-6577) down the street, is building her own little empire in the neighborhood. Styled after European boutiques, the space resembles a parlor with…

A Cut Above

We canvassed friends and associates in search of Chicago’s top stylists and then sent anonymous “clients” of every hair type to test their skills. The stylists profiled here earned the best ratings.

Furniture Sample Sale at the Mart

On the Hunt

Browse furniture, fabrics, rugs, lighting, and home accents, many that are usually available only to the trade, at the Treasure Hunt Luxury Sample Sale at the Merchandise Mart (222 Merchandise Mart plaza, 7th floor; 312-527-4141) on May 17th and 18th. The selection—including samples, one-of-a-kinds, and new merchandise—is up to 75 percent off at participating showrooms such as Betty M (which marked down a chair and ottoman from $7,295 to $3,500), Filsinger, and Oriental Carpet Gallery. You can also bring in floor plans or questions for free…