Shopping with a teenage girl

My 16 yr old %26amp; I will be spending the day in downtown (no date set yet). In the past we%26#39;ve shopped State Street, but this year I wanted to try something different. We don%26#39;t have a big budget, so spending $200 on a single shirt or pair of earrings is out. My daughter likes eclectic, bohemian, unique items. I%26#39;ve thought of Wicker Park, but what I%26#39;ve seen online shows pretty expensive boutiques. I%26#39;m also considering Lincoln Square. Any advice?

Shopping with a teenage girl

Lincoln Square is a good option. Also consider H%26amp;M.

Shopping with a teenage girl

Your daughter might like Urban Outfitters. There are several locations in Chicago, so if you go to their website (www.urbanoutfitters.com) you can see which location would work for you. I recall there being a Ragstock (www.ragstock.com) and some other funky stores near the Clark St. location, but it%26#39;s been several years since I%26#39;ve shopped around there. Both of these stores that I%26#39;ve mentioned are eclectic/bohemian and not too pricey.

I like to shop on Southport Ave., which is north of downtown. There is an Anthropologie store that your daughter might like. It is more pricey than the others listed above, but not as expensive as many of the independent boutiques. There are a number of boutiques on this stretch of Southport as well. They will tend to be more pricey, but I have found deals too. This area is accessible via the Brown Line.

Lincoln Square really only has one clothing store and one shoe store that would appeal to your 16 year daughter. I like both but they are also on the pricey side. There is funky thrift store next to the Grind (coffee place). I live in Lincoln Square and it would be a really fun place to visit. Just be aware that the clothing, etc stores aren%26#39;t that plentiful.

http://www.lincolnsquare.org/

An area that I would recommend over Lincoln Square is Andersonville. Prescence is a cute shop right on Clark. Also Kopi coffee shop has a little store in the back with some super cute, eclectic, unique stuff. In fact, I just inspired myself to go there this weekend. You can get on the Clark Street #22 bus from Downtown and take it all the way to Andersonville. That way, you%26#39;ll pass Wrigleyville -which also has some neat shops.

http://www.andersonville.org/

H%26amp;M and Forever 21 downtown are both possibilities. But even better, I think, would be to take the red line to the belmont stop (about 5 stops from downtown). Get off the el, turn right and there%26#39;s Pink Frog, Tragically Hip, Belmont Army Surplus (don%26#39;t be put off by the name, it%26#39;s almost all regular clothes and funky shoes), a Ragstock (across Clark Street) and more I%26#39;m forgetting. If she%26#39;s goth (and you%26#39;re very open minded), The Alley might also be a possibility, but probably too old for her. If you go early, have breakfast and cinnamon roles at Anne Sather%26#39;s. There are a ton of good restaurants around there, if you decide to stay for lunch/dinner. If you%26#39;re trying to fit pizza in, there%26#39;s a Girodano%26#39;s just west (go left instead of right)...also in that direction a great bakery, Bittersweet and Uncle Fun, which is an eclectic collectibles store, very cheap, some vintage collectibles/toys, some new stuff too. 6 blocks west or so.

ChristyC nailed it. That is an excellent suggestion. I used to love going to Belmont and Clark area when I was that age.

Thanks everyone! Great ideas! I%26#39;m sure we%26#39;ll be able to fill our day with your suggestions and find some great bargains. Thanks also for including help on transportation.