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[title]Cerato Boutique You’d be hard-pressed to find an outfit here that conjures the stereotypical notion of conservative, oversize-sweatshirt-clad Chicagoans. Instead, former ad and marketing rep turned store owner Tracey Glibowski stocks her shop with flirty, feminine looks by designers such as Anna Fong, C/Fan, Ali Ro and Avery Layne. Stay warm this fall with Fong’s white fitted turtleneck dress or turn to Ro’s sleeveless, plaid front-ruffled dress fastened with a military belt. 3451 N Southport Ave (773-248-8604, ceratoboutique.com). Mon–Fri 10am–7pm; Sat 10am–6pm; Sun 11am–5pm.
The Dressing Room Lucky for this Lincoln Square shop, denims never go out of fashion. That said, an interesting ensemble requires a little more effort and accessorizing. Check out Deana Rose’s Grace Graph necklace featuring an alternating pattern of opaque and crystal beading, Squasht’s reversible Stella hats, Blue Platypus’s funky graphic tees and Jlee Silver’s subtly tie-dyed black blazer. 4653 N Lincoln Ave (773-728-0088, thedressingroomchicago.com/product.html). Mon, Fri, Sat 10am–6pm; Tue–Thu 10am–7pm; Sun 11am–5pm.
Local Lookbook Much like a mom proud of her progeny, the Local Lookbook nurtures burgeoning Chicago designers by showcasing their first steps into the fashion world. Go clean-cut and sophisticated with Nora Del Busto’s come-hither backless Hector dress or channel your inner wild child with Evil Kitty’s teal, lace, ’60s-inspired mini. Even if you’re not one step ahead of the fashion curve, with a little help, you can always pretend. 1211 W Webster Ave (773-525-7421, locallookbook.com/index.html. Tue–Sat 10am–6pm; Sun noon–5pm.
p.45 Clearly, owner Tricia Tunstall has a vision. She set up shop in Bucktown 13 years ago before the bodegas made way for Marc Jacobs, and from the get-go, she’s carried up-and-coming designers, such as Lara Miller, before they hit it big. Expect anything from a silk crepe de chine, red sequined raglan dress by Falls to an exaggerated collared jacket by local great Abigail Glaum-Lathbury. 1643 N Damen Ave (773-862-4523, p45.com) Mon–Sat 11am–7pm; Sun noon–5pm.
Wolfbait & B-girls Between the mishmash of clothing and accessories by more than 150 local designers (Squasht by Les, Siren Betty, Megan Lee, to name a few), you might need more than a moment to take in everything this Logan Square store offers. From vintage-inspired pencil sharpeners to floral A-line skirts, there’s more than enough material to rummage for hours. Feeling inspired? Sign up for a one-day craft workshop on knitting or bookbinding on your way out. In the spirit of spicing things up, this store adds alcoholic beverages to get your creative juices flowing. 3131 W Logan Blvd (312-698-8685, wolfbaitchicago.com). Tue–Sat 10am–7pm; Sun 10am–4pm.—Heather Youkhana