Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
apparel lines, plus a trendy housewares department, to appeal to the moneyed
crowd that works in the Loop. On the seventh floor you'll find children's cloth-
ing and stuffed animals.
1 S. State St. (at Madison St.).
&
312/641-7000.
Subway/El: Red
Line to Monroe.
Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor, one of two large department stores in Water
Tower Place (see also Marshall Field's, below), carries about what you'd expect:
cosmetics, accessories, and women's, men's, and children's clothing. Head for the
second floor for children's apparel. The formerly crowded first floor has gotten
an upscale makeover, but its offerings remain fairly affordable. The store's star
department is most definitely shoes; the selection is fairly broad, and some-
thing's usually on sale.
Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave.
&
312/787-7400.
Subway/
El: Red Line to Chicago.
Marshall Field's
Although it's been sold more than once to out-of-towners,
Chicagoans still consider Marshall Field's their “hometown” department store.
The flagship store, which covers an entire block on State Street, is second in size
only to Macy's in New York City. A number of exclusive “miniboutiques” are
scattered throughout the overwhelming space, including the first Yves Saint Lau-
rent Rive Gauche accessories department in the U.S., beauty stations where you
can get a manicure and pick up products made exclusively for Field's, the first
American boutique from German sportswear designer Olsen Europe, and a
gourmet-food department developed by celebrity chef Charlie Trotter. Field's is
the only U.S. department store to carry the full Designers Guild home collec-
tion, an eye-catching line of linens and accessories from British color maven Tri-
cia Guild. The enormous shoe department is another highlight, with everything
from killer high heels (at killer prices) to slippers and casual sandals. For chil-
dren, head to the fifth floor for toys and clothing.
The breadth is what makes this store impressive; shoppers can find a rainbow
of shirts for under $20, a floor or so away from the 28 Shop, the Field's homage
to designer fashion. For a sophisticated take on the latest trends at a more afford-
able price, look for clothes from Field's own label, 111 State.
The Water Tower store—the Water Tower Place mall's primary anchor—is a
scaled-down but respectable version of the State Street store. Its eight floors are
actually much more manageable than the enormous flagship, and its merchandise
selection is still vast (although this branch tends to focus on the more expensive
brands). Look for children's wear on the eighth floor. The mall location is at
835 N. Michigan Ave., at Pearson St. (
&
312/335-7700
); take the Red Line to
Chicago Avenue.
111 N. State St. (at Randolph St.).
&
312/781-1000.
www.marshallfields.com.
Subway/El: Red Line to Washington.
Neiman Marcus
Yes, you'll pay top dollar for designer names here—after all,
the store must live up to its “Needless Mark-ups” moniker—but Neiman's has a
broader price range than many of its critics care to admit. It also has some
mighty good sales. The four-story store, a beautiful environment in its own
right, also sells cosmetics, shoes, furs, fine and fashion jewelry, and menswear
and children's wear. On the top floor is the children's department, plus a fun
gourmet-food department and a pretty home-accessories area. Neiman's has two
restaurants: one relaxed, the other a little more formal.
737 N. Michigan Ave. (between
Superior St. and Chicago Ave.).
&
312/642-5900.
Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago Ave.
Nordstrom
The most recent arrival on the Chicago department store scene,
Nordstrom has upped the stakes with its spacious, airy design and trendy
touches (wheatgrass growing by the escalators, funky music playing on the stereo