Best Places For Summer Accessories In Chicago
Whether you want to rock summer's hot looks like printed skinny jeans, cropped jackets or geometric print tops, you'll need a bold necklace, coral bag, cats' eye sunglasses, statement earrings or studded shoes to make the whole thing pop. Make a summer outfit complete with accessories from these Chicago finds.
Photo Gallery: Unique Sunglasses For Summer
Sofia
100 E. Walton St.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 640-0878
www.sofialivelovely.com
Sofia, an independent boutique launched in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast (and now with a second pop-up location in Malibu, California), offers an eclectic, hand-picked collection of cool accessories (along with clothing and shoes). Expect items from the nation's hottest designers as well as up-and-coming talent. Pick up a pair of Waviators floating sunglasses, a pyramid bubble ring, a cobalt buckled bag or even an unusual iPhone case. Celebrity fans who shop at Sofia when in Chicago include Rachel Zoe, Nicole Richie, Faith Hill, Maria Menounos, Jamie Lynn Sigler, LeAnn Rimes and Kristin Chenoweth, among others.
space519
The Shops at 900 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 751-1519
www.space519.com
Founded in May of 2011, space519 has already been lauded on "Best" lists in The New York Times, Allure, Lucky Magazine and Chicago Magazine. The concept store on Chicago's Magnificent Mile is curated by noted retailers Lance Lawson and Jim Wetzel who specialize in hard-to-find, covetable items across a broad range of categories, including accessories. Snag a bauble by uber hot jewelery collection Sannijo, one of Ellen Truijena's edgy leather bags, John Robshaw scarves or a pair of the chicest new sunglasses from Italy. Current brand favorites include Tome, illesteva, R13, Eddie Borgo, JINSoon, Rodin, RMS Beauty and Tata Harper.
Randolph St. Market
Beaux Arts Plumber's Hall
1340 W. Washington Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 666-1200
www.randolphstreetmarket.com
The European-flavored indoor and outdoor Randolph St. Market offers unusual items from more than 200 dealers as well as the onsite Indie Designer Market for Chicago-designed fashion, art and accessories and Modern Vintage (held in autumn) for vintage accessories by style icons such as Halston, Balenciaga and Chanel. Accessoristas will want to peruse J&M Antiques from Royal Oak, MI for designer sunglasses; women's belts and bags at Chicago's Shop NOV; and Hello Good Buys for great sun hats. The Market is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Check the website for summer dates. There's a price involved to get close to all of this fabulousness: discounted $8 tickets are available in advance online; general admission $10; students with ID $3 or $5 at the gate; children 12 and under free. There's free parking or a seasonal trolley that makes trips from the Water Tower Pumping Station to the Market.
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LuLu's at the Belle Kay
3862 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 404-5858
www.lulusbellekay.com
If your eyes widened at the art deco accessories splashed all over the new film version of "The Great Gatsby," get your flapper self to LuLu's at the Belle Kay. Lulu's is a vintage clothing shop that's heavy on jewelry, bags and hats. Expect baubles by designers such as Larry Vrba (Beyoncé's a devotee), custom handbags by Laudi Vidni and an exceptional hat collection. A vintage burgundy python clutch, anyone?
Embellish Boutique Chicago
4161 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 525-4400
www.embellishchicago.com
Accessories are all you'll find at this North Center shop that's spilling with pieces from inspired artists. Choose a beautiful pendant or cuff made from fused metal and glass, fair trade items, neat pieces made from recycled materials like seat belts and inner tubes and fashionable as well as utilitarian handbags, hats and scarves. The owner is usually there to help you make your decisions imparting a personal, friendly and long-forgotten shopping experience.
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Jacky Runice has been a columnist with the Daily Herald Chicago since grunge music and flannel was the new black. Her fingers and gray matter have been busy as travel editor of Reunions Magazine; penning a column that was syndicated around the nation via Tribune Media Services. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.