Chicago’s Southport Corridor Shines as a Shopping Destination for Spring and Summer Fashion

Southport Corridor, minutes from downtown and in the heart of the northside of the city, is a shopping destination with several locally-owned boutiques with the latest design, fashion and trends for the spring and summer season. 

Creating a vibrant and dynamic shopping experience, Southport is home to over 20 boutique shops selling everything from handbags and clothing, to one-of-a-kind jewelry, perfect for a gift or to treat yourself. 

“The Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce is lucky to have so many unique shops for our residents to enjoy everyday,”  said Carisa Marconet, Events & Marketing Director of Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce. “The stores along the Southport Corridor provide an exceptional level of service to all their customers in order to help them find exactly what they are looking for that’s right on par with the latest trends of the season.”

As more customers are choosing to go in-store for their shopping needs as the COVID-19 ordinances relax, the boutiques on Southport are preparing for a busy spring and summer season and filling their stores with trending products to share with their customers.

“The biggest trend in our opinion is to get in your closet and mix and match your accessories and your clothes to discover a new favorite way to rock your key pieces,” said Emily Vaughn Janson, Co-Owner of The Guild Boutique.  “Reworking old pieces (with the help of a good seamstress or tailor) is also very on trend- and very sustainable!”

“We are seeing tons fun colors for Spring, including lots of pastels, tie dye and fun prints. People are being very playful with their color choices! Denim everything is huge for Spring too,” shares Paula Eisen, owner of Click Shoes & More.

Retailers on Southport are seeing the following fashion trends as we emerge from the pandemic:

  • Casual and comfortable attire still remaining important for people 

  • Timeless and classic prints such as navy & white stripes and polka dots

  • More structured styles typically worn in the office are transitioning to more casual silhouettes to remain comfy but still look put together

  • Pretty pastels and bright tie-dye still remain popular for people 

  • Fun, chunky jewelry can be styled for a more casual look all the way to something more professional

  • More people are looking for bright, pops of color to celebrate spring and life after the pandemic

  • A sleek fashion trend making a comeback is headscarves. Silky designs that you can wrap or tie in a loose knot or have it around your neck or hanging off your bag.

  • Belts  are making a comeback to “cinch” pants, dresses, a blazer, sweaters and more

“We’ve seen a huge shift in trends with everyone staying and working from home.  It’s all about comfort but still being able to look put together on your zoom call. Matching sweat suits have taken over with tie dye being at the forefront of this trend,” said Mel Nelson, Owner of M2 Boutique. “Everyone from mid-tier designers to lower end stores like Target got on the bandwagon.  At some point though people are going back to the office but trends are shifting from those structured styles with clean lines to more casual and relaxed silhouettes. Think slouchy blazers, untucked shirts and flowy trousers. Anything to be put together yet comfy!”

“Short tops are a big deal this year, especially with flowy skirts for a bohemian look” says Vanessa Rodriguez, owner of BabyDolls Boutique. “For kids, florals, pastels and bow ties with suspenders are popular styles and the big color this year is definitely yellow!”

To view a directory of the retailers in the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce, go to https://members.lakeviewroscoevillage.org/list/ql/shopping-23.