Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, and the shopping district surrounding it, has long been the go to spot for luxury retailers and fashion savvy shoppers, so it only makes sense that the Ugg Australia Chicago store joined the mix. Late last year, the Australian retailer decided to open it second and largest store in Chicago, bringing the city its famous sheepskin products.
Being the shopping addicted female that I am, I decided it was about time I stopped listening to the mixed reviews from friends and went to check out the store for myself. Seasoned Michigan Avenue shoppers will love the intimate boutique feel and service in the new Ugg store, given its proximity to the Mile’s luxury retail warehouses. Visitors to Chicago, who converge on the Downtown area for its shopping, can enjoy another Chicago exclusive.
The selection of Ugg merchandise at the Chicago location is extremely large, but not more than the location can handle. On a busy day, the seemingly spacious shop is filled to capacity with shoppers having to negotiate their way around tables and racks of sheepskin boots, slippers, and accessories. Before I visited the store I shopped the website and made a quick phone call to check on the availability of a coat I liked. Not only was my coat available, but the store carried a very large amount of the online catalog.
True to the brand, a large portion of the retail space is dedicated to Ugg boots, the not so one-time fashion craze. But since winter does come and go in Chicago, and because a girl needs more than boots, there are other shoe styles lining the walls. Sheepskin ballet flats, tall boots, short boots, slippers, and now that spring is coming espadrilles, wedges and flip flops all have their spot in the store.
Not everyone is a fan of the Ugg outerwear and purse collections, but the trendy styles and designs find plenty of takers in Chicago. Chicago winters call for warm layers, and once you wrap yourself into an Ugg coat you know that walking around town will at least be bearable. The collection of handbags changes with the seasons just like the rest of the collection, and is made up of classy purses with clean lines.
If you have bought a pair of Ugg boots from a local department store in the past, you know what the prices are going to look like. Ugg Australia is considered a luxury brand, and that is reflected in its prices, but also the quality.
On my last trip to the Ugg store not everything I wanted was in stock anymore, but even with that and the crowd I look forward to shopping there again. The service I received was probably the best in all my years of shopping in Chicago, and definitely in the busy area in and around Michigan Avenue. The sales associates all knew the brand very well and were able to recommend alternate items when what I wanted was unavailable.
The Ugg Australia Chicago store is located at 909 North Rush Street, just one block west of Michigan Avenue, in Chicago. Visit www.uggaustralia.com for a map and seasonal collections.
