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 major designers, here combine style with affordability and plan to unveil their own line of bridesmaid and special occasion dresses next year. Dresses range from $40 to $500 and sizes 0 through 12. “We wanted to have a dress for every occasion, where you could stop in the same store for dresses for the day, a Friday night, or a wedding,” Robyn says. Brands include Betsey Johnson, ABS by Allen Schwartz, Eva Franco. Our favorites included a patterned strapless green number from Shoshanna with pockets that has an updated Jackie O. feel ($352); a stunning gray Nina Austin Grecian-style dress ($342); and the white-and-blue cummerbund top dress from Lia Keys ($264). The store’s private label dresses, such as a black bubble dress ($88), are very affordable. You’ll also find a nice selection of accessories to complete the look, such as bags, jackets, sweaters, jewelry, and Spanx control-top pantyhose. The shop also has an in-house seamstress and gives out to first-time customers a “l’emergency kit,” which contains safety pins, a mini-nail file, mints, and double-stick tape.

Top Sales This Week

The shelter magazine Domino holds a weekend-long festival, Domino Design District, on June 7th and 8th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Lincoln Park boutiques. More than 30 stores will offer discounts of at least 20 percent or more off regular prices. For instance, Jayson Home & Garden (1885 N. Clybourn Ave.; 773-248-8180) offers 20 percent off non-sale items, and Lori’s Shoes (824 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-281-5655) and SHE (1024 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-880-8061) offer 20 percent off any purchase. In addition to discounts, get one-on-one decorating and organizing advice from Chicago’s interior designers—just bring in photos, blueprints, or videos to ask for advice. Free; visit dominodesigndistrict.com for a full schedule.

The 24th annual Printers Row Book Fair runs along Dearborn Street between Congress Parkway and Polk Street with rows of selling peddling new, used, and antiquarian books. The sale runs June 7th and 8th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 312-222-3986 for more information.

The Best of the Rest

  • The local necktie designer Lee Allison (1820 W. Webster Ave.; 773-276-7172) hosts its annual Father’s Day open house on June 7th and June 8th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, with discounts on ties, bowties, and shirts.
  • The 57th Street Art Fair (57th St. and Kenwood Ave.; 773-493-3247), the oldest juried art fair in the Midwest, runs June 7th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and June 8th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 250 artists showcasing paintings, sculpture, and photography.
  • The new Gold Coast outpost of Juicy Couture (101 E. Oak St.; 312-280-1637) celebrates its opening by donating 10 percent of profits from sales from June 5th through 7th to benefit Common Threads, a non-profit that teaches children the importance of nutrition. The location has two floors of women’s and children’s apparel, accessories, high-end couture, and, of course, a track suit bar. The line has also opened a location in Northbrook Court.
  • Robin Richman (2108 N. Damen Ave.; 773-278-6150) holds its 10th annual sidewalk sale, featuring vintage buttons and hangers, hardware, fixtures, and clothes, jewelry, and shoes from past seasons. In-store items are also 15 percent off. The sale runs June 6th and 7th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and June 8th from noon to 3 p.m., rain or shine.
  • Celebrate the second anniversary of the Roscoe Village branch of The Denim Lounge (2004 W. Roscoe St.; 773-935-2820) on June 5th from 5 to 9 p.m. with snacks, cocktails, and 35 percent off all merchandise.
  • Ciao Bella (3829 N. Southport Ave.; 773-388-2201) hosts a men’s sale throughout the month of June, with 30 percent off the entire men’s collection including brands Tommy Bahama, James Perse, Generra, and J Brand.
  • Forest Park shop Two Fish Art Glass (7401 Madison St., Forest Park; 708-366-6800) holds a “Cash and Carry Cracked” sale on June 7th, starting at noon until items sell out, featuring one-of-a-kind items, slightly cracked and dented merchandise, and discontinued items.
  • Mark Shale (900 N. Michigan Ave., 312-440-0720; Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, 630-571-9440; Northbrook Court, Northbrook, 847-272-3860) kicks off its men’s sale on June 5th with spring and summer clothing including suits, sport coats, dress pants, and shoes marked up to 30 percent off.
  • Receive a free pair of sunglasses with the purchase of a sundress from June 5th through 12th at Hubba Hubba (3309 N. Clark St.; 773-477-1414).
  • His Stuff (5314 N. Clark St.; 3162 N. Broadway) now carries TOMS Shoes, the line founded by former “Amazing Race” contestant Blake Mycoskie that matches each pair of shoes purchased with another supplied to a needy child.
  • Take 15 percent off new items and 25 to 75 percent off everything else in the store at Gray (1362 N. Wells St.; 312-573-0750), a women’s boutique in Old Town.
  • Exhale Spa (945 State St.; 312-753-6500) offers a Sex and the City package through June 15th. For $160 per person, receive a Mindbody class (core fusion, energy flow, or yoga), a facial or deep flow massage, a catered lunch, and a gift bag. Available only for parties of four or more.
  • During the month of June, brides who make an appointment to try on gowns at White Chicago (222 W. Huron St.; 312-397-1571) receive 20 percent off any custom suit, tuxedo, or accessories for their groom at Montopoli Custom Clothiers (714 S. Dearborn St.; 312-987-0987).
  • The Treasure Chest (1853 Second St., Highland Park; 847-681-1860) hosts a trunk show of vintage costume jewelry, including signed and unsigned costume jewelry and bakelite, from June 4th through 7th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Kids’ stores Be By Baby (1654 W. Roscoe St.; 773-404-2229), Little Threads (2033 W. Roscoe St.; 773-327-9310), LMNOP (2570 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-975-4055), Psycho Baby (1630 N. Damen Ave.; 773-772-2815), and Stinky Pants (844 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-281-4002) offer a promotion with the “Sew Golden” line of baby leg warmers, BabyLegs. Through July 15th, winning tickets will be placed in selected pairs of warmers for prizes such as clothes, bibs, blankets, and a Seattle vacation.
  • Stationery store TT Patton has moved from the Ice House Mall in Barrington to a new location at 123 East Station Street (847-277-0073).
  • Macy’s (111 N. State St.; 312-781-1000) hosts R&B artist Chrisette Michele, who records on the Def Jam label, on June 3rd at noon to perform and sign autographs on first floor handbags. Attendees can register to win gift cards and tickets to the Macy’s Music Festival in Ohio.