Do vintage styles leave you weak at the knees? Do you prefer independent boutiques to chain shops? While in Wicker Park, get lost searching and exploring these unique and inspiring shops owned by locals. Whether you’re excited about a vintage necklace from the 1980’s or are dropping some cash on a dress from the Eskell spring line, you’re sure to find a special item to add to your growing fashionable clothing and accessory collection. Be warned, Una Mae’s Freak Boutique, Eskell, Penelope’s and Kokorokoko may entice you to spend more than you have in your wallet.
1. Una Mae’s Freak Boutique
With an assortment of stock that ranges from dirt cheap to extremely expensive, Una Mae’s Freak Boutique is a great place to wander and find new accessories. Many shoppers claim that the tailoring of their items is exquisite and the prices can be steep but are worth every cent. With both men and women’s clothing and accessories, you can bring your significant other and get lost in this alternative boutique. Founded in 1997, the shop has been famous for it’s vintage duds but more recently has expanded to house items such as gifts, household wares, and even lifestyle products. In addition to visiting the store on North Milwaukee Avenue, you can also shop online from their comprehensive site. Some of the iconic and interesting items sold here include the Pendleton woolen towels, QSW dresses, and Baxter men’s facial care sets.
2. Eskell
Owned and operated by two best friends-now fashion designers, Eskell in Wicker Park offers Kelly Whitesell and Elizabeth Del Castillo’s designs as well as a wide assortment of vintage and hard-to-find labeled items. Opened in 2005 by the girls who grew up shopping through thrift stores and exploring their individual styles together, the shop is a well-rounded boutique that offers something for any lady. Some of the favorite items featured include the Uzi Striped tee for $75 or the Little Bow Charm Necklace for $50 from the Eskell Lucky Charms Collection. L’Artisan Parfumeur can be purchased here in numerous scents and currently the Eskell line is being showcased in shops all over the country.
With the aim to bring some of their favorite young and underrepresented designers to Wicker Park, Penelope’s opened in 2002. Claiming to have a sophisticated yet fun array of clothing for men and women as well as housewares and gifts, the shop is well known among locals and always has hard-to-find designer clothing. Located on West Division Street, the shop is bright and colorful and invites you in. Men’s sweaters from designers such as La Paz run about $178 and women’s coats from Pendleton will cost about $174. In addition to women’s and men’s clothes, Penelope now carries baby clothing and showcases designers like Petit Bateau. Along with the other shops mentioned, Penelope offers an online store so that you can shop from anywhere in the world.
4. Kokorokoko
Considered a true gem in the Wicker Park neighborhood, Kokorokoko is a women and men’s boutique which offers some of the best vintage finds in all of the country. With a quirky and welcoming atmosphere, the shop will have you browsing for hours and noticing new odds and ends to add to your bag. Vintage geometric-styled sweaters range from $40 to $45 and a pair of 1980’s earrings will be about $14. Designed for the true vintage collector, these fashions are intricate and exciting to go through. Any shoe lover will fall in love with Kokorokoko’s huge assortment of vintage heels and flats. A jewelry fanatic will spend hours looking through the boutiques wide array of unique necklaces and rings. Located on North Milwaukee Avenue, Kokorokoko is one of the shops that puts Wicker Park on the map for vintage and hip finds.