Chicago Style
Between FX’s The Bear and the viral song “End of Beginings” by Djo, Chicago’s popularity is on the rise. The quiet influence of this major city often goes unnoticed by others, but the inhabitants of the city know how to dress.
The powerhouses of US fashion reside on the coasts in Los Angeles and New York, but one other city has cultivated a particular vibe while under the radar: Chicago. With the city finally getting some love, I visited this past week and kept my eye out for the styles and silhouettes worn by her locals. This is the place where function meets form. The city rests on the shores of Lake Michigan, resulting in intense storms, whether it be snow or rain, throughout the year. And while the Windy City isn’t any breezier than others, the winds off the lake funnel through the tower-lined streets, which can intensify the effects. So, the average Chicagoan has to dress for weather without sacrificing expression. I found key pieces that inspire my own style and perhaps yours as well.
Outerwear
Because it protects you from the cold and it’s the first thing people see, outerwear is essential to Chicago fashion. Even as spring inches closer, cold snaps and lakeshore temperatures require some coverage, and the go-to I saw was the puffer jacket. It is lightweight while keeping you warm, perfect for waiting for the next train or braving a walk on a cold spring day. Black is the standard color, but I noticed many wearing bright red coats. I was enthralled by one woman wearing a red latex puffer, and only after did I realize the practicality of latex to act as a windbreaker. It captures the balance between practicality and signaling personal style.
Photo by Acielle, Paris, 2022
Bonnets and Balaclavas
While I was in Chicago, I saw everyone wearing hats. Of course, it’s cold, it’s windy, and you want to protect your hair while you’re out. But, the unknown icons of the city caught my eye. While I was in a café in Boystown, I saw a girl with a knit red bonnet that tied just below her chin, and I became obsessed. Putting aside my clear love for red, she was not the only one I saw wearing bonnets and balaclavas. Being from a ski-centric area, I never got the balaclava trend since I so often associated it with ski bums and my college friends. But the most fashion-forward people I saw had knitted, detached hoods, and now I’m asking my friend to crochet me one as well. I have been influenced, and I am not mad.
By Topshop
Street and Sportswear
On the warmer days of my trip, I got a better look at the streetwear of the city. Whatever people wore, the main silhouette is baggy all over. Oversized shirts paired with baggy jeans or strategically slouchy sweats, finished off with sleek sneakers, like a classic Adidas. Incorporated into this was sportswear. Sports are the lifeblood of Chicago, so it manifested in varying degrees. For a subtle look, people opted for a letterman-style jacket paired with those aforementioned sneakers. Different levels of jersey mania bled in, from Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey to baseball caps sporting the Cubs. The overall impression was that Chicagoans aim for comfort and authenticity in their styles, whether you are going out for drinks or groceries. A style philosophy I live by, but to see comfort be so well incorporated with fashion, it may be time to reevaluate our closets.
