With the brisk Fall weather beginning to settle in, there’s nothing more we want to do than stay inside to cozy up with our favorite blanket and ever-so-long queue of NetFlix movies. However, I’ve found four reasons why rolling out of the bed to brave the cold and shop The 900 Shops this season is not such a bad idea.
Purely Pop-Up Shop (11/15 – 12/24)
Launched this year by a local entrepreneur, Purely is an iPhone app that allows users to connect with emerging designers and brands like Clover Canyon, Kahlo and Chicago’s own Creatures of the Wind and Samantha Sleeper. The Purely Pop-Up Shop, slated to open this month on Level 4, will give consumers a chance to shop, in person, from the many sought-after designers on their roster. The merchandise will include high-end cocktail dresses, ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, jewelry and men’s accessories. Some of the designers will even make personal appearances and host trunk shows on the weekends. With the final day being Christmas Eve, your last-minute holiday shopping can now include one-of-a-kind designs, instead of the picked over merchandise you typically encounter in the eleventh hour.
Bloomingdale’s
The anchor and retail head honcho of the 900 Shops underwent some major renovations recently. When you enter at the mall entrance on Level 1, you will immediately notice the iconic black and white tiled aisle and the newly updated cosmetics department, which now includes brands such as NARS, Illamasqua and the highly-anticipated Space NK. Make sure you also set aside time to visit the CHANEL spa room. Once you’re done stocking up on beauty products, stop by the fine jewelry department that has now added TAG Heuer watches and Chicago’s own Dana Rebecca Designs to its roster.
Other highlights include the new women’s shoe department (Level 3) that boasts 14,000 square feet of footwear at a variety of price points and the Visitors Center (Level 3) where travelers can view store directories in seven languages and shoppers have access to iPads programmed with the latest tourism and shopping apps.
And speaking of travelers, there’s also a British invasion taking place at Bloomingdale’s. You can now be transported to the UK in an instant, whether you shop the exclusives from iconic British brands like Allsaints, Karen Millen and Burberry or just take in the essence of the Beatles pop-up shop where you can view photos and video footage as well as purchase merchandise and collectibles inspired by the band. World and time travel at your disposal.
J.TOOR
Bespoke menswear in the comfort of your own living room. Well, not quite. But that’s how it will feel when you enter the newly opened, and locally owned, J.TOOR store on Level 5. The layout is similar to that of a living room (and word on the street is that private consultations start with a glass of whiskey), making it one of the most inviting stores in the building. From business attire to wedding attire, classic styles to modern cuts, sportscoats to jeans, J.TOOR will design and tailor it all for its discerning customers, using fabrics from Italy and England. This shop is all about the personalized experience, so booking an appointment is highly recommended. J.TOOR is customization for the modern man, at its finest.
Kate Spade
Contrary to the Oak Street location, this shop is all about accessories from the brand we all know and love. The queen of classic shapes and most recently, tech accessories, has setup shop on Level 1 to bring you the ideal store for a quick fix. Impulse shopping is quite possibly the theme here, as every shelf, nook and cranny showcases something you will swear you can’t live without. Although the focus is accessories, there are quite a few clothing items. The space is relatively small, which means the merchandise is carefully curated to provide you the best of what Kate Spade has to offer. The holiday season will be much easier if you shop here for all the women on your gift list. Guaranteed.
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and commenters and do not reflect the views of Choose Chicago.
