The city of Chicago is known for a variety of things — culinary expertise, immense architecture, and world-class theatre. Chicago, in addition, should not be forgotten as a city with amazing shopping.

The Magnificent Mile and State Street are bustling downtown areas that undoubtedly have something for everyone. For those looking for luxury and upscale options, we’ve got that too. Check out these boutique shopping guides for the next time you’re in one of our neighborhoods.

Hidden gem shopping experiencesNotreSVRNGoody VaultFord GeneralThe Silver RoomShady RestRound 2My friends and I spend a lot of time at these places. We can thank these stores for filling up our closets and giving us a place to hang out, walk around, and appreciate the city. The stores we hold closest to our hearts, though, are the ones off the beaten path.

We gravitate toward the locally owned, singular boutiques that can only be found in Chicago. As we’ve become regulars, talked to store owners, and invested in these places, we unraveled an extremely tight-knit community of people who care about elevating Chicago as a fashion city. If you also find yourself gravitating off the beaten path, here’s your guide to the best hidden gems in the city to go shopping.

Notre

Notre Chicago

Notre Chicago My journey to finding underground stores started around four years ago when I was visiting Chicago with a group of friends. I was doing research for the trip and stumbled upon a GQ article that listed the 100 best clothing stores in the world. Notre really struck a chord with me, and to this day, it is still my favorite place in Chicago.

Notre is a masterclass in beautiful architecture. Before opening, the brand collaborated with architecture firm Norman Kelley to renovate the interior of a 100-year-old building in Chicago’s Fulton Market. Before even seeing any product in the store, the entrance to the building is an experience in and of itself.

Notre is a leader in collaborating and giving back to its community. They recently hosted events surrounding the release of the Jordan 1 OG x Virgil Abloh Archive, including a community collage workshop with a local artist and an art supplies donation drive.

I could go on about how amazing the store is, but I’d rather let the space speak for itself in this lookbook.

SVRNClose to Notre in proximity but far from it in tonality — SVRN is proudly and boldly brutalist.

What you will find on the shelves is not much different than what you will find on the patrons. Other than my brother and I, the only other customer in the store was a man wearing entirely Rick Owens.

I want people to visit SVRN because it truly feels like you’re entering a different world when you step through the doors — think the Oakley headquarters or the mansion in Ex Machina.

The space was created by WGNB, a South Korean-based firm, who bring a unique design perspective: “While the western perspective looks at the object itself, the eastern perspective rather focuses on the surrounding relationship of the object.”

It’s about the experience of shopping, rather than the act of shopping. SVRN has truly curated a place for lovers of art and artists… and those who love Rick Owens.

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Goody Vault

Goody Vault Chicago

Goody Vault Chicago Goody Vault curates vintage the way vintage is supposed to be curated. In my conversations with Manny, the owner of the studio and workshop, he emphasized the importance of authenticity.

At the intersection of North, Damen, and Milwaukee Avenues is a bustling area of Wicker Park known as the Six Corners. This is where you’ll find the Flat Iron Arts Building, a long-standing community hub where the independent art scene thrives. It’s a beautiful juxtaposition of a historic building providing a space for current artists to affordably occupy a studio.

Manny occupies one of these studios to sell his vintage collection. He lines the walls with his most prized possessions and fills up racks with other unique pieces. His collection is full of clothes dating back to the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s — varsity knit sweaters from high schools, softball jerseys from God-knows-what beer league, and even real military garments.

I was drawn to Manny’s confidence in his own taste and passion for promoting authenticity. He truly believes in curating a collection of clothes that are unique, not just what he knows are going to sell.

Ford General

Ford GeneralFord General is the perfect example of why the people who operate these businesses make them so special. Located in the Old Town neighborhood, Ford General is run by Patrick Ford, who has an overwhelming passion for luxury menswear.

Ford General

Ford General The passion extends to everyone who works at the store — they’re experts in their field and they love educating you on it. My roommates and I live within walking distance of the store, and we frequently saunter over on Friday evenings after work. It’s cozy inside, and every once in a while, you might catch Patrick wearing some luxury Italian denim.

The Silver Room

The Silver Room in Chicagos Hyde Park neighborhood; photo by Kathleen HinkelThe Silver Room was founded by Eric Williams nearly 20 years ago. It was originally created to be a space for local artists and vendors to sell their products in a storefront. It has since grown to be a community that hosts events for all kinds of different artists. You can find a schedule of events on their social channels, including open mic nights, wellness classes, and concerts.

The Silver Room has become a cornerstone of the Hyde Park neighborhood on the city’s South Side and is looking forward to hosting its annual block party this summer. What started as a small gathering of family and friends and has turned into one of Chicago’s largest celebrations of Black culture. This year, the party will be held at The Salt Shed on July 18.

Shady Rest

Shady Rest in Chicagos Pilsen neighborhoodShady Rest is a small store in the historic Pilsen neighborhood carrying the torch for lovers of physical media. In Pilsen, 18th Street is known as a hub for local shops and vintage stores. Among the many storefronts in the neighborhood, Shady Rest really stuck out to me.

Shady Rest in Chicagos Pilsen neighborhood

Shady Rest in Chicagos Pilsen neighborhood This place celebrates anything and everything vintage. To go along with your records, you could also purchase a record player and speakers. There’s also a shelf dedicated to old clocks and radios. On your way out, don’t forget to check out the camcorders and film rolls in the glass cabinet. Shady Rest has a little bit of everything. I’d encourage anyone who likes records, books, and old household items to check out Shady Rest.

Round 2Looking back on the hypebeast era gives me profound feelings about my teenage years. It is equally nostalgic as it was chaotic. For as meteoric as the hypebeast culture rise was, the fall was even more dramatic. Streetwear is still very much alive, but not like it was in the mid 2010s. The people we can thank for pioneering and accelerating the movement are still operating today, but in a much more limited capacity.

Round 2 was originally a storefront in Richmond, Virginia, where they bought, sold, and curated streetwear. Around the mid 2010’s, this was the gold standard for streetwear/resale culture. They gained a cult following on YouTube. My good friend, who was born and raised in Scotland, used to watch the Round 2 videos back in Glasgow. That’s how far the Round 2 influence reached at its peak.

Over the next half-decade, replica stores popped up all over the country, and the resale market grew oversaturated. The original store has closed its doors, but the last remaining Round 2 is still open in Chicago, operated by one of the original founders. I still enjoy shopping at Round 2 and basking in the nostalgic feelings of the hypebeast-era golden days.