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Dovetail Chicago
Rating Details »
Categories: Used, Vintage & Consignment, Antiques
Neighborhood: Noble Square1452 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 243-3100
- Hours:
Wed. 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Thu-Fri. 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
9 reviews for Dovetail Chicago
A stunning store cared for by some really lovely people. I think the clothing (and reasonable price points) speak for itself; there's a reason why they've gotten so much reputable press coverage just in its first year of opening. I'm usually pretty picky and hard on these stores but Dovetail owners really know their stuff. Everything is well-curated with an ever-evolving collection.
But more importantly, these Dovetail girls really understand their consumers and relate to their customers not as "shop girls" but as friends. The advice and friendliness of the in store experience is unique and wonderful, in and of itself.
Save yourself time and make this your no. #1 priority when you are looking for vintage wear. It truly is one of a kind and is a testament to the wealth of talent we have in Chicago that enables our neighborhoods to flourish.
I'm a good shopper, but not really a vintage shopper. Every so often I give it a shot, but then end up back at my favorite local boutiques instead. And that's exactly what happened at Dovetail...
I took my brother here on Friday to see if I could find any accessories for my dress for the Yelp Retro Spring Fling. I definitely didn't pick the right shopping companion cause my bro was restless just minutes after admiring their old school record player.
If you are a vintage shopper they do have some cool accessories (purses, jewelry, etc) to choose from here. And even a few racks of clothes. I was a little surprised by the prices...they were higher than I'd expect, but what do I know about vintage shopping.
I ended up choosing a yellow flower for my hair, although when I went to pay for it the saleswoman told me that the flower was actually part of her window display. Oops. She was nice enough to let me have the flower for free.
Not sure if I'll go back since it's not really my thing, but some of my favorite hardcore vintage shoppers love it so check it out for yourself..
Dovetail has a small yet perfect selection of vintage goodies, including jewelry, handbags, home goods, and other course, clothes. They have a pretty ample selection of both men's and women's stuff, which is nice, given that a lot of stores offer a t-shirt or two in their men's collection. The wonderful thing is that I didn't see a single thing that was anywhere near overpriced--the sticker matched the quality of the products. I went in around Halloween seeking a cigarette holder for my Audrey costume, and although they had just sold their last one, I ended up walking out with the perfect wool winter skirt for like, 36 bucks.
Oh, and there is an adorable kitty hanging out from time to time, who is incredibly friendly. I'm going back next week to do some holiday shopping, and I'm looking forward to finding some beautiful, unique pieces for some lovely friends and family. For the not so lovely ones, I'm headed to Target.
Dovetail would be a fabulous addition to any Chicago neighborhood but that stretch of Chicago Ave. is certainly overdue for a boutique of this caliber. You can't help but wander in when you see its unique and quirky ever-changing window displays. The space is lovely and the fare is even better. Whether you are searching for women, men, jewelry, furniture, odd knickknacks, or one of a kind presents you will not be disappointed. The owners have impeccable taste and their excitement and love for vintage pieces is evident.
Go! Shop!
In the interest of saving time, I'm not going to beat around the bush about this place. It's fantastic and worth all five of the stars I'm attributing to it.
Under what criteria am I deciding them five star worthy you ask? I'm reviewing them on the basis of decor, selection, service, and price.
Dovetail inhabits a an open, airy space, with a big picture window, and carefully edited racks of clothing along the left and right walls and well preserved mid-century furniture and accessories bisecting the room. The decor is visually interesting and provides multiple anchor areas full of color and pattern that coincide with the arrangement of merchandise. That's a plus and a nuance that I've see in few boutiques in Chicago. And if it's neglected in high end boutiques to say it's been overlooked in most vintage stores is an understatement. Dovetail operates in a rarefied strata on their decor.
Onward. Dovetails is again rarefied in its careful attention to selecting pieces that won't be found just anywhere. In this respect, it's in the company of Silver Moon, which is another place where you just know, you have the only piece still extant and in good condition. Unlike Silver Moon, you have a larger selection of unique pieces that are actually wearable in different situations. Believe me I'm still wearing the cream knee length halter dress with gold embroidery that I bought from Dovetail, but not the periwinkle petticoat I got from SM.
Now I have to admit here, that I'm not the hippest, coolest, super tiny hipster to ever to exist. In fact, I'm a documented non hipster; I mock mercilessly. I've never been to Pitchfork. I don't wear odd pieces layered on one another and no I've never lived in Wicker Park. I hold down a job in Internet Sales, am a solid size 8, and know I have some of the lamest, friends around since we drink non ironic labels of beer, host dinner parties, garden, and watch baseball games. The reason you must know all of this, is not that I'm missing out on my therapy sessions, but because the people I've encountered at Dovetail have been some of the nicest shopkeepers I've encountered anywhere (and I travel a bit). I love vintage clothing and always have. What I've become accustomed to is going into a vintage store, where I wander aimlessly throughout, pulling out one by one to discern sizing and price, and pretty much not being spoken to until I make it to the counter three hours later with one item to buy. At Dovetail, I was immediately greeted, allowed to wander for a few minutes, then asked if I needed help or had "anything specific in mind I was looking for" (and yes that's a direct quote I remembered since it was the first time anyone in a vintage store or boutique ever asked it to me), then when I answered I needed help I received it. Simple as that. Because surviving vintage pieces always tend to be skinny minnie size, the owner?/sales associate, looked me over, walked to a rack (color arranged), sifted instinctively passed all the colors that with suck with my mocha choca latte skin tone and brought out the aforementioned cream and gold halter dress and a fabulous peachy sheath that makes me want to shake my booty just thinking about it. I tried on both, the halter was an off label and only $30 and the peachy sheath w/ hand stitching was a label and $165; the owner/sales associate looked me over in them both and said the cream halter was a better fit from my skin tone and body build and would be more versatile and gently weened me away from the too snug sheath . That girl (what a cutie) saved me $130 and the embarrassment of looking like a mottled sausage or going on that diet. Because I paid with cash, she even gave me a discount. Seriously.
As for price, Dovetail is the most fairly priced vintage I've encountered in Chicago. Somehow non serious vintage shoppers have gotten it into their heads that vintage should always mean cheap and it's my belief (handed down from my grandmother and great aunts) that if you want cheap old clothes then you can head to the resale shops or Am Vets or the Salvation Army (all of which I do) and when you want quality vintage pieces that will anchor your wardrobe or be your statement piece for years to come, you pay for it. I have a vintage dress I bought five years ago at $185, it needs some work but I plan on wearing it on my wedding day. Vintage is about commitment not some cheap score (though it's nice when it happens). It's possible to find both a cheap score and a piece for years to come at Dovetail. For that I'm appreciative.
I totally dig this place. It's a vintage-lifestyle joint with totally reasonable prices. I love the vibe here and the selection of clothes, accessories and furnishings was really great and you can tell it was picked with great taste. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the neighborhood.
Dovetail has one of the greatest vintage selection in Chicago. Love this place!!!
Sorry, I haven't done a good yelp for a long while and have a lot of backed up reviews to do, plus it's 2:00 am in the morning and I'm watching To Catch a Predator, and am pretty bored and in a lot of pain, foot problems, so I decided to do some long over do reviews, first of which is Chicago's new vintage shop, Dovetail Chicago.
After, trying to figure out the hours of this freaking place, it was tricky and it's Wed thru Sun 12pm-8pm, I believe, I walked in and was cheered up and smiled at the pretty and avant backdrop of Dovetail. Dovetail's interior is mostly white giving it a hip, mod feel but with the warmness of the past with it's vintage goodies and array of vintage radios and furniture.
As the far as the merchandise goes, I was hoping for some more goodies, but that's the thing about vintage, some days are fulled with great things, other days are not. Not saying they didn't have nice things there, just some things were not for me. I did spot a few things I really liked: A hip looking travel bag that was in top shape, vintage eyewear, and a beautiful vintage pink, gold, and lavender dress that I fell in love with, it's plus-sized too, yes!!! It's probably the best looking plus-sized vintage dress I've ever seen, I either can't find decent plus-sized vintage clothes or if I do, they look very ugly. That reason alone is enough to keep me flying away to Dovetail!!
Cute little boutique caught my eye. The interior is nicely put together and some of the items were fun. Ok so here it is...I saw these awesome copper belts, Vintage Renoir belts i guess from the 1950's. They were unique indeed, i'd never seen anything like it. The girl julia who was doing the sales pitch said they were extremely rare. I took a stab at purchasing it, even though i tried finagling a lower price but she was pretty adamant it was worth $175.00 excluding tax. so i believed her, thought since she is running a vintage shop she knows the worth of vintage. Boy was i suckered!!! So i started to google the maker, i'd never heard of nor seen these belts and lo'and behold, 3 of the same belts that i purchased were on sale ...online. $42.99, which i just finished purchasing online; had the exact same markings, looked identical...and other styles were on ebay $34.99 up to $100.00. Yep, pretty much felt like a lolly pop. So i called the store and complained, told Jenny i felt completely stooped and suckered and cheated. But guess what? she said, "well we mark it up half the price of what we bought it for and we only give store credit...You are lucky that you found one at that price.". Geez. I mean, for a new shop to not want to satisfy a new shopper, and possibly a recurring one (which i spend thousands of dollars on clothing each year) this is not a swift move. I've never had this problem, but i'm pretty sure that most places would want to offer me a full refund this one time only and would try to be apologetic. I've never ever felt stooped before and I am a professional shopper!!! oh well, live and learn. So i'm going to go in there and exchange. Whatever happened to the 30 day return policy? Ok, i know it doesnt work that way for a resale shop. so buyers before you buy on something pretty and shiny...get the make and style and do some research before purchasing a brand or vintage if you are not familiar.
Comment from Julie G. of
Dovetail Chicago
7/24/2009
Hi Alma. Nice fake name. Looking forward to seeing you…
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