Question for Chicago-ites

[Sloan1874]

I'm heading to your good city next month. Can anyone recommend the best - ie cheapest - outlets for Red Wing boots?

 

[Tomasso]

That's Chicagoan.

 

[Sloan1874]

Aha, see I'm learning something already - would hate to make that faux pas when I get there!

 

[Boyo]

Never been there but the 2 places I would check out are, a clothing store called "independence" http://independence-chicago.com
and of course the Horween tannery/factory ( if they let you in.. I don't know if they do a tour)

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Are you into vintage, Sloan? Been to Chicago before?

 

[Sloan1874]

@BK No, this is my first time to Chicago. I'd certainly be interested in doing some vintage shopping while I'm there - I've got five days and I'll be based at the Radisson Blu, which I'm told is pretty central, so plenty of time to burn.

@Boyo: I'm working on that just now. I tried to explain to the PRs who are organising the trip the significance of Horween, and I think the only thing they took away from it was 'He's into leather...' :eeek:

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Chicago will never be the same!

AUGUST 14, 2013

Night And Day Vintage, after 15 years in the heart of Antique Row as Chicago’s premier retailer of 20th Century fashion and furnishings Is CLOSED.
http://www.nightanddayvintage.com/

I guess antique row's still there though. Far out north on the brown line, I think.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

p.s. I think you'll like Chicago. My favourite American city, by a very long way.

 

[Sloan1874]

Darn, I'd read about that as well - I'm carrying my Fromer's guide around with me just pencilling in stuff to do - but I'm sure we'll get out to its further reaches. Have you been there in late November, BK? How cold does it get?

 

[Schtum]

Ask Plumbline - I believe he knows Chicago well and since he is by his own admission "very tight", I'm sure he'll point you in the direction of good value for money....

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Brass balls. Take a warm jacket, and pray you don't get an Alberta Clipper.

Have you been there in late November, BK? How cold does it get?

 

[Sloan1874]

The Irvin will be packed!

 

[winterland1]

I don't know specifically any place to get Red Wings there. Take a look at their website and you can search for stores that carry the Heritage line.
Chicago can feel very cold. Right next to Lake Michigan, so if there is a breeze it feels cold. Bring your winter gear, leather of course, with layers, hat, gloves. Check weather.com for the week you will be going. The midwest has cooled recently but can change quickly and warm up. End of November though can bring full on winter, lots of snow and cold to warmer a little above freezing temps.
The nice thing is you can get around on the train cheap.
Too bad you can't go a little further and hit the Red Wing outlet store right where they are made in Red Wing MN. I have been trying to get there myself. I only live an hour away so no excuse. I'm tight too.

Here did a search for you. Wow lots of stores.
http://www.redwingheritage.com/locator#&l=chicago, IL

 

[Sloan1874]

Blimey, you're right. This may not be the chore I anticipated. While I'm here, any other recommendations on classic clothing shops I should keep an eye out for?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I'm sure the vintage scene'll be much bigger than when I was last there in 2007. It was pretty limited then, mostly to the street that held the recently defunct Night & Day, and some bits and pieces further out from the centre. A google maps search for vintage clothing chicago reveals many more hits than it did back then.

 

[HorseHide]

Let's start with the obvious - it will be cold. Possibly very cold. Also, another thing to consider in "late November" is Thanksgiving, which is the 28th of November. Very little will be open on that day if you end up in town. I am not a vintage buyer so I can't offer personal experience on that subject but I understand that Chicago is not a "vintage town" (compared to LA or NY for instance) but send me a PM with your email and I'll share some "must-do" things.