Shopping Girl
Habit
What I like about Habit even more than its out-of-the-ordinary clothing is its out-of-the-ordinary concept: the store is dedicated entirely to showcasing the work of new and emerging designers. Habit’s creator and owner, Lindsey Boland, is a successful designer in her own right (her label is superficial inc.) meaning that she knows first hand the struggles young fashion artists face. She opened Habit to give these designers a place to present their creations to the public. And what a great space it is! Slightly industrial with clean lines and stark walls, the store has the feel of very hip gallery. At Habit clothes are displayed like art, which is no surprise since Lindsey Boland genuinely appreciates the creative designs and quality craftsmanship found in the pieces she chooses for her shop. Women who take delight in such things as the way a bias-cut dress hangs elegantly on its hanger or in discovering a vivid floral lining inside the pocket of a dark wool jacket will understand exactly what Lindsey means when she says, “For some people it’s music. For some people it’s painting. For me it’s fashion.” Oh yes! It is fabrics and seams and hemlines and pleats and bustles and buttons and zippers and ribbons and fit and shape and cut that stir the souls of those for whom clothing-creation and clothing-admiration is high art.
I always enjoy my visits to Habit. The store is filled with high-quality, inventive, really cool clothing. My current favorites include a burgundy, knit shrug by DI-O, a pleated tweed skirt by design student Abigail Glaum-Lathbury, a small red purse adorned with golden buttons, and everything by Brooklyn-based Naturevsfuture. Some of the designers you will find here already have production teams while others work from their homes sewing each item individually. This is my favorite part about Habit: imagining a young designer in her apartment working into the early hours of the morning to create a one-of-kind item for the store. When Lindsey Boland opened Habit she also opened her heart, giving undiscovered talent the chance to be discovered and build their own fashion following.
Habit
1951 W Division St
(773) 342-0093
Area: Wicker Park Categories
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