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Shopping in the Windy City
Chicago isn't the first place I think of when I think of the States, and I'd never really considered it as a shopping venue, but having just returned from a long weekend there, I'm already planning a return trip!
For me, there's something very special about cities built on water. They seem more relaxed somehow, not in a sleepy, land-that-time-forgot kind of way, but enjoying a tolerance and laissez-faire attitude that can get lost in landlocked places (think Barcelona or Brighton and you'll know what I mean). Although Chicago's water is Lake Michigan, this is so huge that it's almost like being by the sea.
There's a beach within walking distance of the city centre and Navy Pier has carousels, a 15-storey high Ferris wheel and even mini-golf if you need to get your seaside fix. Trivia buffs might also like to know that Chicago was home to George Ferris, who invented the Ferris wheel as part of the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. It stood 250 feet high and had 36 cars, each of which could carry 60 people.
Strong pound equals shopping!
But, as the exchange rate is so strong at the moment, I had come here to shop and I wasn't disappointed. In the downtown area there are the department stores, Macy's and Bloomingdale's, which somehow epitomise America. In a sign of the times, Chicago's old staple, Marshall Fields, home of the world famous Frango mints, has now been taken over by Macy's, but the building itself remains an architectural gem, most notably for its Tiffany-domed atrium.
One of the major differences about shopping in the States, as far as I can see, is the abundance of local boutiques which allow the shopper to explore their more individual tastes. True, the High Streets abound with all the usual suspects, Gap, Abercrombie and Fitch, Levi, Diesel, Urban Outfitters, Old Navy (Gap-style clothes but with a cheaper price tag), where you can pick up the same stuff as you can at home at a much more reasonable price, but there are many smaller shops stocking funky clothes and jewellery made by local designers. We were lucky enough to team up with Melissa Turner who showed us where to find these gems.
Ambassador of shopping
Melissa has a dream job. She's My Chicago's Shopping Ambassador, and apart from keeping her finger on the pulse of the hottest new trends from local designers, she co-ordinates the annual fashion fair, Fashion Focus Chicago, which takes place each autumn. This year's event is from 9-14 October and promises to link fashion, sculpture, architecture and nature (watch out for vertical runways, and moving sculptures in Millennium Park). Showcasing new designers and fashion students, you can expect to see some extreme fashion at this event.
We joined Melissa for a tour of the Bucktown and Wicker Park areas of Chicago. These up-and-coming areas are edgier and less gentrified than downtown and are home to many local artists and designers, lending the place a Bohemian feel. For me, one of the lovely things about the designer shops was the lack of pretension. In London, I can feel intimidated walking into a designer shop, knowing they will only stock clothes that look good on size zero pre-pubescent girls. Here, however, they are much friendlier and more realistic about body sizes!
A personal favourite was Malabar, at 1880 N Damen Avenue, where the funky clothes were all very wearable and stylish. Owner Claudia Kleiner is originally from Venuzuela and named the shop after her grandmother's favourite flower. She explained that she doesn't tend to restock items so that once they are gone, they're gone, virtually guaranteeing you an original look. Her bikinis and swimwear range were particularly popular, as was her jewellery which had caught the eye of Eva Longoria, among others.
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