Shoppers can go small on Saturday

Shoppers who shudder at the mere mention of Black Friday but still want to score a bargain this weekend should check out Small Business Saturday. Sandwiched in between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is a nationally driven initiative developed by American Express …

Fashion Night Out Chicago treats shoppers to deals

Fashionistas can sip cocktails, see the latest looks and get a makeover at Our Town’s events for the sartorial celebration Thursday — and they’re all free. Here are some of the hottest.

J. Crew launches local designer capsule collection

Find Shane Gabier and Chris Peters’ Chicago-based Creatures of the Wind at J. Crew today. The 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund runners-up took their sartorial cred and designed a smaller, more affordable, three-piece collection for the fashion-forward retailer. Keep an eye out for the design duo’s …

Bucktown girl dresses celebrity pups

No matter what side of the “dressing pets” debate you fall, you have to give Michelle Cleek O’Hollaren some credit. The 33-year-old Bucktown resident turned her love of dressing her pug Penny into a business — which immediately caught on with celebrities such as Tori …

Made in Chicago shop offers local fashion for every shape, size

As I walk the Made in Chicago shop — a space reminiscent of the doctor’s office it once was — busy designers hide in small “examination rooms,” working tirelessly to turn their spaces into mini boutiques.

The finished shop opens Saturday at 44 E. Grand …

Air Yeezy 2 drops in Chicago Saturday

If you’re into sneakers, then you know the line is short for Kanye West’s Air Yeezy 2.

That’s because camping out is no longer the way to get your feet into a pair of these hotly-anticipated kicks from Nike. If you’re in Chicago and looking …

5 cool Father’s Day gift ideas for Chicago dads

1. FOR THE ARTISTIC DAD

It all started with dancing in the streets of Chicago.

In 2005, Brandon Breaux, a DePaul graphic design student at the time, made extra cash dancing in front of Water Tower Place. During a break, Breaux struck up a conversation …

This season, cuffs are bigger and bolder than ever

This spring you’ve gotta be sporting a cuff, bold in design and bright — orange, blue and green — in color.

Vote: Yes or no for TOMS?

I’m sure you’ve seen them: They’re a curious hybrid of the boat shoe and slipper. They look quite comfortable, yet I question their suitability for the streets (a friend of mine referred to them as “pajamas for the feet”).

They’re called TOMS, a brand for …

Sweet deals at Krista K’s anniversary event

The only thing sweeter than a discount is one with a side of cupcake. This weekend, Krista K, 3458 N. Southport, will celebrate its 10-year anniversary with a party that includes a 20 percent discount on everything in the store, along with complimentary cupcakes from …

Build your own Chucks

OK crimefighters, take a break from saving the world and go to Converse.com to design your own Batman-themed Chuck Taylors. Choose from four Batman character patterns (Batman, Joker, Catwoman and the Riddler) and also pick the color of everything from the stitching to the lining. …

Six summer shoe styles to help re-energize your wardrobe

Sparkle. Prints. Color-blocking. And — dare I say — comfort. These are the biggest themes you’ll see popping up in fabulous footwear collections this summer — all a welcome change after a long season of boots, boots and more boots.

Vote: Do you like the flatform shoe?

One style I’m not quite sure about is the flatform — a curious hybrid of the flat shoe and platform heel. Which begs the question: Why? Isn’t the point of flats to be, well, flat on the ground? Let us know what you think by …

Carry a cause with a Workshop/CoOp bag

Store your daily essentials in one of these gorgeous, hand-loomed Workshop/CoOp bags (just featured in O Magazine); $45-$95 at theworkshopcoop.com. With every handbag sold, a 6- or 12-month supply of hygiene products will be given to a woman or girl who has been displaced from …

How to create recent celebrity red carpet looks

Need a little red carpet-worthy fashion in your life? Since you won’t find many of these ensembles  sold in stores, here are pieces to help create your own Hollywood style.