Shopping in Chicago

Chicago has long been a premier shopping and fashion destination. From major department stores to chic designer boutiques, the city boasts a vibrant retail scene that caters to the needs of every shopper. Today, the city is home to more than 250 Chicago-based fashion designers and 400 independently owned boutiques.

To learn more about Chicago designers and boutiques, view suggested shopping itineraries, and find out about upcoming runway shows and fashion events, visit www.chicagofashionresource.com.

Magnificent Mile

A Chicago shopping spree must include a visit to the famed "Magnificent Mile" along Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Oak Street. Located on the Mile are department store giants Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's alongside hundreds of specialty shops and boutiques such as Crate & Barrel, the Apple Store, the Disney Store, American Girl Place, Niketown, Tiffany & Co. and Ralph Lauren.

Oak Street

On nearby Oak Street, apparel from Paris, Milan, Chicago and New York resides comfortably within Chicago's chic Gold Coast neighborhood. The result is an international street lined with intimate buildings and shops whose employees are dedicated to personal service. Prada, Kate Spade, Ultimo, Nicole Miller and Tory Burch are just a few of the boutiques that line Oak Street.

State Street

Chicago shopping began on State Street, often called “That Great Street,” in the heart of the Loop. One of the city’s first major retail outlets, the flagship Marshall Field's State Street store (now Macy’s) has been a Chicago icon and world-class shopping destination for more than 150 years. The store is an architectural and historical marvel, offering ten selling floors of premier ready-to-wear clothes, collections by Chicago-based designers and the finest home lines..

Neighborhood Shopping

Division Street and the Southport Corridor are home to specialty shops that carry the work of independent and Chicago-based designers. In the Lincoln Park neighborhood, shop along Lincoln Avenue, Clark Street, Armitage Avenue or Halsted Street, or venture further north to the Lakeview neighborhood (along Clark Street, Belmont Avenue or Broadway) for a wide variety of shopping alternatives. In recent years, cutting-edge national stores like Anthropologie, Marc Jacobs and Cynthia Rowley have opened shops in these neighborhoods.

Chicago’s Fashion Industry

In 2006, Mayor Richard M. Daley created Chicago’s Fashion Advisory Council, appointing a Director of Fashion Arts and Events to lead the effort in supporting and promoting Chicago designers. Fashion Focus Chicago is a city-sponsored fashion week held each year, which showcases more than 100 local designers through runway shows, shopping experiences, and industry events. Many of the events throughout the week are open to the public. 

Chicago Memorabilia and Gifts

Unique shopping stops for Chicago gifts include the Illinois Artisans Shop in the Thompson Center at 100 W. Randolph St., the Shop at the Cultural Center at 77 E. Randolph St., and the After School Matters Gallery 37 Store at 66 E. Randolph St.