Shopping in Niles

Strange Cargo's cache of logos and designs runs the gamut from hometown homages to celebrity salutes. Wear love for the Windy City with Chicago-centric shirts boasting designs such as the city's seal ($20) and the "Sausage King of Chicago" logo ($20), or showcase on which end of the Red Line your allegiances lie with Cubs and White Sox gear. Iconic and cult celebrities come to life on Strange Cargo's T-shirts, with Hunter S. Thompson ($20) and Marilyn Monroe ($20) rubbing elbows with singers such as Albert Einstein ($20) and theoretical physicists such as Janis Joplin ($20). Other T-shirt categories include animals, Irish, music, and cities & states. For customers set on shirts but desiring shoes, Strange Cargo also carries a large selection of Converse Chuck Taylors, classic Vans footwear, women's clothing, and other goods.

Nestled between antique stores and brunch meccas on Andersonville’s length of Clark Street, Turley Road propagates the thread of the neighborhood’s whimsical yet elegant boutiques with its cache of locally designed women’s apparel. Owner Angela honed her keen eye for fashion as a clothing designer for Bucktown’s Studio 90 label, and champions flowing, elegant silhouettes, playful patterns, and vibrant hues. Pieces by Neesh by D.A.R. display ruched and layered fabrics, while the Comfy collection’s low hemlines and relaxed fits prove more cozy and relaxed than a kitten in a track suit. Many sizes go up to XL, making Turley Road a coveted destination for fuller-figured femmes. Accompaniments to fine wardrobes await as well, with attachés and luggage to belts and necklaces that highlight ensembles with underscored elegance.

Each season, the trend watchers at Click Shoes scrutinize the latest footwear, adopting only the most fashion-forward styles into the boutique's collection of both casual and outlandish kicks. Designed to resemble a walk-in closet or armoire portal to Narnia, the store's shelves rise with designer shoes, including pumps, flats, and boots. Lining the walls, accessories and handbags sidle up to racks of apparel from brands such as Bailey 44, Jeffrey Campbell, Wooden Ships, and Sam Edelman. Chic pairs of booties hug ankles like affectionate bunnies while hats and scarves complete the latest ensembles.

The staff at Genesis Art Supplies stocks its shelves with picture frames and art materials geared toward arts students and teachers. Its vast supply of tools for artistic creations, available both online and in the retail store, includes drafting tables, foam boards, children's activity kits, and a fountain of imagination fuel. Genesis Art also partners with educators to place school-supplies lists online, so parents and students can order online at ease, with no embarrassing in-store dance battles over the last pair of safety scissors.

Londo Mondo's activewear outfits women with designer swimsuits, workout apparel, and an array of fitness accessories. Chicago magazine attests that the shop stocks "all the big names in active apparel in sizes extra small to large."

From within the elegant vintage brownstone it calls home, Tula revivifies wardrobes with its curated collection of clothes and accessories from more than 60 designers. Owner Laura Westage doles out personalized styling advice and Crockpot recipes, and the chic yet diverse selection encompasses looks appropriate for nights on the town or days at the office. Tula frequently rotates new pieces into its collection when seasons and trends change.