eBay Mobile Boutique: Chicago Street Style
The eBay Mobile Boutique is spreading holiday cheer by bringing a one-stop shopping destination to shoppers in a dozen cities across the country. The Mobile Boutique will showcase the most popular items on eBay in a variety of different categories—from “Eco-Excellence” to “Savvy Splurging”—and will have computers set up so that shoppers can check off their holiday gift lists by making a purchase on the spot.
There’s plenty of information on the Mobile Boutique, including schedule and hours, at www.ebayholiday.com. But we thought we’d add our own spin to the roving style bandwagon with a series of articles focused on street fashion and things to do during the holiday season in each city.
The cross-country trek kicks off in Chicago this week at the Wrigley Building, and eBay couldn’t have picked a better spot to start the retail revelry. In honor of the occasion, we strolled the city streets, from the Loop to the Magnificent Mile to Wicker Park, profiling fashionable locals and talking to them about their uniquely Windy City style. Take a look at what we found. (Hint: lots of layers and even more black!)
Sheri Vaughan, business development manager, FCm Travel Solutions, a global travel services company, recently relocated from Miami, 39
Where: On a quick coffee break near her Loop office building
Her Personal Style: “Colorful and comfy”
What She's Wearing: Rebecca Taylor gray pinstriped dress, gray Calvin Klein tights, hot pink suede platforms from Poetic License
Favorite Stores: “Ananas boutique and Nora’s Shoe Shop in Oak Park for things you won’t see on everyone else, and Nordstrom for staples”
Can’t Live Without Items: “A good pair of sunglasses and a stylish and versatile sweater to wear in my freezing office. Can you tell I just moved back from Miami?”
Holiday Wish List: “Brown suede boots and a new winter coat—I really need new winter wear this season. Oh, and a designer handbag, preferably Louis Vuitton.”
Michele Kravetz, Chicago coordinator for The Crave Company, a network for women entrepreneurs, 28
Where: Shopping on Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park
Personal Style: “I’ve never thought about that! I guess my style could be described as fairly classic Jackie O. with a bit of Carrie Bradshaw thrown in. But, really, I believe everyone should be her own style icon.”
What She's Wearing: Iisli sweater, Majestic Paris top, Pi leggings, Charles Gray coat, Dolce Vita boots, Gucci bag
Favorite Stores: “For fashion, I love Tangerine, Mulberry & Me, GAVIN and Tribeca. I also can’t deny a periodic trip to the Nordstrom Via C department.”
Can't Live Without Items: “I can’t live without my Hudson and Rock & Republic jeans, and my beloved Christian Louboutins!”
Holiday Wish List: “Holiday, what? Oh, dear. I’m not expecting any gifts, but I’d really love something sparkly … and a vacation. Definitely a vacation.”
Aleksandra Stamenkovich, concierge-at-large, 47
Where: On her way to a networking event in River North
Personal Style: “Classic vintage. I’m inspired by the 1920s through the ‘50s, and, right now, because of Mad Men, the early 1960s.”
What She's Wearing: Lace dress and crushed velvet coat from Newport News, fingerless fishnet gloves and flower hairpiece from Forever 21, Akira pumps, Hanes fishnets, Lulu Guinness handbag from Neiman Marcus and a secondhand fur stole borrowed from a Hollywood stylist friend
Favorite Stores: “I buy a lot of clothing online from Spiegel and Newport News, which is a really great resource for vintage-inspired fashion. I shop on the Home Shopping Network, and of course, eBay! I buy a lot of accessories at H&M and Forever 21. I also source thrift stores, such as the White Elephant Resale Shop and Hidden Treasures.”
Can't Live Without Items: “Fishnet stockings and pearls.”
Holiday Wish List: “Anything Chanel.”
Christian Van Brimmer, Shu Uemura business manager at Saks Fifth Avenue, 35
Where: On a work break near the Magnificent Mile
Personal Style: “It’s now punk-preppy, but it has evolved over the years. I was goth in high school. I also went through a rockabilly phase. But, now that I have to wear all-black at work, I stick to preppy basics like bow ties and cardigans, but I punk them up with accessories like my studded bracelet.”
What He's Wearing: Vintage leather motorcycle jacket, H&M sweater, Ted Baker shirt and shoes, Armani bow tie, Theory pants, Marc Jacobs bag and watch, and Dita glasses
Favorite Stores: “Marc by Marc Jacobs, Barneys and Saks, of course. But, I also like Zara, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel and Untitled. And, thrift stores like Ragstock, Unique and Village Discount.”
Can't Live Without Items: “Anything black and my glasses. I am loving this motorcycle jacket right now. I love a good black cardigan. I am living in sweaters this season.”
Holiday Wish List: “My Gucci wallet was recently stolen, so a new wallet. And I’m finally upgrading myself to an iPhone.”
Erin McDougald, jazz vocalist, 20-something
Where: Walking to one of her weekly performances at the Allerton Hotel on the Mag Mile
Personal Style: “Steeped in vintage with a modern flair.”
What She's Wearing: Express turtleneck; vintage dress from a boutique in Grandview, Ohio; thigh-high black leather boots, blue beaded earrings and bracelet from Aldo; Tulle coat; Coach bag; BCBG by Max Azria sunglasses
Favorite Stores: “Anthropologie, Victoria’s Secret and Stuart Weitzman, but my best resource is T Jenese Thompson, a local fashion designer. She calls me her muse.”
Can't Live Without Items: “Hats, which I have more than 40 of, several of them custom. Heels, but only over four inches. Scarves and wraps to go over my gowns and dresses that I wear while performing. And, L’Oreal Voluminous mascara, which I’ve been wearing since I was 15.”
Holiday Wish List: “A vintage vinyl record player. And for everyone to be more supportive of Chicago jazz.”
Wendy Wollenberg is a Chicago-based writer who has covered who has covered fashion, dining and cultural events for a variety of local media outlets, including Metromix, NBC Chicago and Style Chicago.