Street Scene: Chicago

While big department stores are great for one-stop shopping-especially helpful during the holidays-overlooking local boutiques is a mistake. Take it from Chicago-based personal shopper Julie Watson, a 16-year fashion industry veteran. Here, she takes us through some of her favorite shops on Damen Avenue in the hip Bucktown neighbornood.

1. PAVILLION: 2055 N. DAMEN AVE.
"Pavillion is a really unique 20th-century interior furnishings store, focusing on Mid-Century modern pieces." www.pavillionantiques.com

2. APARTMENT NUMBER 9: 1804 N. DAMEN AVE
"This is probably the best men’s boutique in the city. It’s a finely edited store and carries great pieces." www.apartmentnumber9.com

3. T-SHIRT DELI: 1739 N. DAMEN AVE
"This store can put any graphics you want (on a t-shirt). When you buy one, they wrap it up like a sandwich with a sticker on it, and then put it in a brown bag with a bag of chips. It’s just the coolest concept." www.tshirtdeli.com

4. STITCH: 1723 N.DAMEN AVE.
"This is a really cool non-apparel boutique. It sells everything from Missoni pillows to interesting handbags, It’s all over the place, but has a really great aesthetic." www.stitchchicago.com

5. P.45: 1643 N. DAMEN AVE.
"They pick up designers that no one else in Chicago carries, like Abigail Glaum-Lathbury, Jeffrey Monteiro, Joseph and Shyde." www.p45.com