Patch Picks: Boutiques

Welcome to Patch Picks, which highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more. 

This week's Patch Picks installment is Boutiques.

If you're ready to escape the chain stores for a little while, most boutiques have a very personal atmosphere where the owners are eager to please.

Walking into this boutique in Niles' Oak Mill Mall, which features a collection of specialty shops, feels a little like walking into a shop in Europe. The women's clothing, accessories and jewelry is not what you'd find in the typical shopping center.  Also check out next door, a boutique of European shoes. Boutique Unique, 7900 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles. (837) 965-7740.

Fox's

This Skokie store sells designer women's clothing and accessories at less-than-full-retail prices. It's on Skokie Boulevard just a little south of Old Orchard, so you can combine your visit with a shopping trip there. 9444 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL 60077. (847) 673-8516.

Body Accessory

This Morton Grove shop, on Dempster just west of the Edens Expressway, carries a wide selection of jewelry and accessories that's fun to browse through. There's also a shop next door which sells leather coats and jackets. 5638 W. Dempster, Morton Grove. (847) 583-0244.

Sheepskin Depot

This family-owned Niles shop has been keeping locals warm and stylish through the winter for years. It offers sheepskin boots, including a wide selection of Uggs, and imported sheepskin coats, jackets, hats, gloves and accessories. 7507 North Waukegan Road, Niles. (847) 663-9900.

New Prospects

One look at the stylish window displays, and you'll find your feet automatically walking into this smart boutique, which offers artisan jewelry, trendy shoes with an eye to comfort and casual to dressy women's clothing that goes way beyond the basic. 110 South Prospect Avenue,Park Ridge. (847) 823-2793.

Camp Willow 

Possibly the trendiest boutique in the area, Camp Willow just got its facade renovated and has a whole new look. This is the place to find fun clothes, so that you won't look like every other fashionista on your block. It sells gift-worthy accessories, too. 27 South Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge. (847) 384-9900.