Categories: Shopping Men's Shopping

Men's Shopping: Michigan Avenue

Author: Danny McCullough

The Shops at North Bridge is the southernmost stop on the mile, containing department store mainstay Nordstrom Michigan Avenue, whose large male shoe and cologne collections are some of the best on the strip, and A|X Armani Exchange with inexpensive dress-down options to get you through the weekend.  On North Bridge's second floor is the male-themed section of Boss Hugo Boss, featuring five different color-coded clothing lines of slim-fitting suits and chic casual wear.  And, of course, for the boy in every man, stop by The Lego Store and admire the displays composed of thousands of those little plastic blocks you used to stick in your mouth.

A short walk away from North Bridge is Kenneth Cole New York, featuring a great balance of designer looks and sensible prices with male bags-galore.  If your shoes are a bit shoddy, dart across the street to Allen-Edmonds, which offers more than 104 shoe sizes, and will even custom-make different styles or colors depending on your needs.  Also for the foot-minded is Fratelli Rossetti Ltd., purveyor of shoes and other leather goods, with this being only their second store in the U.S. For the weekend warrior, Eddie Bauer offers outdoor wear for a rugged getaway and an array of gadgets for camping aficionados, while The North Face has polar fleeces and ski gear available at the bottom of the John Hancock Center.

One of the few male-only designer stores on the lane is luxurious Italian clothier Ermenegildo Zegna and those seeking designer raingear need to look no further than London weather experts Burberry, situated right next door. No need to spend your entire budget in one store, though: The male-only divisions of high-quality, low-price stores such as Swedish-born H&M and former-Structure label Express will leave both your closet and your wallet full.

For a quick bite, check out the Chicago Place food court, which offers a variety of restaurants to suit shopping partners who share similar taste in clothes, but not food.  If you're more the snacking type, have some of Chicago's famous Garrett Popcorn, available in flavors like "Pecan CaramelCrisp" and "CheeseCorn." Those with a little more time should try one of the sit-down restaurants in the area like Weber Grill Restaurant, where all food is cooked with charcoal on--of course--Weber Kettle Grills.

One-stop-shopping couldn't be easier with department store mega-brand Macy's having everthing from premium denim and t-shirts to suits and an impressive wallet display on their expansive men's floor. Of course, you can fill your dressers with  American classics like Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers, since they take care of casual from the stays in your collared shirts to the tips of your topsiders.

And lastly, what good is being able to fit into your clothes if you can't look good excercising as well? For yoga clothing and cutting-edge, comfortable garments, look into Lululemon Athletica, which offers flat-seam athletic shorts and shirts so you don't irritate your skin while engaging in chafe-inducing activities. Niketown contains a crowd of sports-related paraphernalia, from White Sox and Cubs gear to pocketed-gloves and even a treadmill, should you desire to test your new Nike running shoes in a mini-marathon.

Insider Tip: Ever bought a much-needed electronic device from a vending machine? If not, stop by the men's floor and Macy's and get your new iPod from the vending machine there. It carries Regular, Nano and Shuffle models, as well as headphones for your impulse electronics purchases.

 

 

Check out places of interest near Men's Shopping: Michigan Avenue:

Aria Restaurant
200 N. Columbus Dr., Chicago, IL 60601

A top Chicago restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine at The Fairmont Chicago hotel, Aria has proven that it's here to stay. Currently under the leadership of chef de cuisine Leon Gunn, the kitchen here serves a menu that's bursting with cultural influences from around the world.

Bloomingdale's
900 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Six floors of designer clothing, cosmetics, shoes and more.

Weber Grill Restaurant
539 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

For a relax atmosphere filled with the smells of a great barbeque, eat at Weber’s Grill. The open kitchen shows the chefs cooking your order over an open flame on actual Weber grills.

Wow Bao
835 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60610

Wow Bao serves up delectable steamed buns (bao) filled with a variety of savory meats and vegetables from around Asia. Connoisseurs of Asian food will appreciate this classic fast food traditionally served on the street in the first Asian bun shop in America.  

 

Bloomingdale's
4963 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, IL 60077

The high-end retail outlet brings its trends to Skokie, with name-brand products for men, women and kids.

 

Brooks Brothers
713 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Conservative men's and women's work and weekend wear.

Burberry
633 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

You know the plaid - this London-based company is a fashion icon.

Chicago Place
700 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, you'll also find Ann Taylor, Talbots and more than 40 other stores.

Ermenegildo Zegna
645 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

A luxury brand of fine menswear.

Garrett Popcorn Shop
670 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Since 1949, Chicagoans have been enjoying Garrett Popcorn, Carmel Corn, and Cheese Corn. The popcorn is hot-air popped using no oils or fats.

Hugo Boss
520 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Tailored clothing, sportswear and accessories for men.

Lord & Taylor
4 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Eas-coast department store specializing in designer brands.

 

Macy's
835 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Part of Water Tower Place, this is a second downtown location of this famed department store.

Niketown Chicago
669 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Making its claim-to-fame with Chicago’s own Michael Jordan, Niketown is one of the largest, single retailers along the Magnificent Mile. The whole family can appreciate the power of the Swoosh, with products from baby to adult.

Nordstrom
55 E. Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

This Pacific Northwest department store is know for its wide selection and unbeatable service.

Nordstrom
6 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Designer department store brand that's part of the Woodfield Mall complex.

 

Ralph Lauren
750 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

This four-story flagship carries nearly the entire collection.>

The LEGO Store
520 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Thousands of toys for kids of all ages.>

The North Face
875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Premier gear for conquering the elements.>

The Shops at North Bridge
520 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Anchored by Nordstrom, Westfield North Bridge shopping center—conveniently located along the Magnificent Mile—offers a variety of specialty shops. From A/X Armani Exchange and Kenneth Cole to The LEGO® Store and Sephora

John Hancock Center Observatory
875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60661

See Chicago from the top of the Hancock Building in the heart of downtown. The John Hancock Center Observatory offers Chicago views at their finest.

 

Untouchable Tours
600 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614

This two-hour guided bus tour of Prohibition-era gangster hot spots is a wild ride.  Visit notorious speakeasies, shoot-out locations and other haunts of the 1920s Chicago gangsters while tour guides provide all of the insider scoop about gangster history. 

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