AllSaints
We've been loving this Mag Mile beauty ever since the saints came marching in last fall. The 11,000-square-foot store boasts fashion-forward women, men, and children's apparel, shoes, and accessories that don't require the salary of a supermodel. Tops and tees are around $100 to $200, jeans and pants are around $100 (unless you're going for leather), and most dresses are usually under $300 (but we've seen a few that hover in the $400 to $550 arena, too.) Be on the lookout for fall pieces like dresses that take influence from vintage Parisian garments.
AllSaints, 700 North Michigan Avenue (between Superior and Huron Streets), 312-283-0400.
Topshop/Topman
This Brit import is another relatively new retailer coming up on its one-year anniversary in September. The 30,000-square-foot Topshop/Topman is one of only two flagships in the U.S. — which is pretty darn impressive considering there are 400 stores worldwide. From smart suits to sexy dresses, the Chicago shop gets more than 150 new pieces in every single week. Here's a fun fact: There's a high-tech system that tracks every purchase made, so that new merchandise can fill the gaps and build on popular items. So, if everyone is loving leather jackets this fall, the store will get more of them in different cuts and colors. How cool is that?
Topshop/Topman, 830 North Michigan Avenue (at Pearson Street), 312-280-6834.
Ted Baker
British clothing brand Ted Baker originally opened as a men's specialty shop selling dress shirts, but 20 years later, the brand has more than 100 locations and sells everything from men's accessories to women's clothing (thanks, Ted!). You know you're good when the only publicity you need is word of mouth. The Chicago location opened last December and often times has some seriously creative and enticing window displays. We can't wait for the temps to dip so we can start wearing the new Sylar Cinched Waist Coat.
Ted Baker, 1009-1011 North Rush Street (at Oak Street), 312-255-0290.
Karen Millen
We love a good success story. Karen Millen was founded with a loan of just 100 Euros back in 1981, and has since morphed into a worldwide biz producing 12 new collections for work and play each season. All of the pieces are meticulously designed in house by a team of experts who thrive on flattering the female figure, imagine that? There are some really amazing shoes and accessories, too. We're already thinking about where we are going to show off our new Snake Platform Peeps.
Karen Millen, 900 North Michigan Avenue (between Walton and Delaware Streets), Third Floor, 312-867-1760.
L.K. Bennett
This Brit brand opened up right around the Royal Wedding, and ironically enough, it's a favorite of Kate and Pippa Middleton, who are regularly spotted wearing the Annina bag, Idina peep-toe shoes, and Maddox espadrille wedges. We should consider ourselves lucky as this is the only L.K. Bennett store in the U.S.! You don't have to live like royalty to afford the goods in this well-appointed shop. Footwear ranges from $250 to $380, dresses are around $350 to $400, and handbags are $275 to $495.
L.K. Bennett, 900 North Michigan Avenue, (between Walton and Delaware Streets), Third Floor, 312-374-0958.
Photo courtesy of Ted Baker