I’m all about supporting local boutiques in Chicago and I’m even more thrilled to support those that are doing something different. Lincoln Park’s Thread Lounge is not your ordinary designer boutique and a must-visit destination in Chicago.

Thread Lounge Designer Sample Sales is a concept by Colleen Schmidt, who spent years in the high-end loungewear and sleepwear industry. After she realized the market was becoming saturated with this kind of fashion, she knew she had to do something different. This is when Thread Lounge was born…

Colleen created a sample sale that travels the country and sells merchandise at a quarter of the retail price. This resulted in 2 great things…1) being able to serve her customers desires to have high-end clothing at a fraction of the cost, and 2) support small independent designers with selling their samples and excess stock.

With 300 lines in the ‘shops,’ there is something for everyone. It’s great to have a boutique that carries known designers as well as smaller independent designers as well…gives you the brands you love while exposing you to new designs at the same time.

Some designers Thread Lounge carries that you may recognize include James Jeans, Rag & Bone, Theory, and Tory Burch. Looking to try a new brand? Try Raj, Signum, Vintage Revolution, or Yanuk.

Visit Thread Lounge in Lincoln Park at 918 W. Armitage and visit www.threadlounge.com for more information.

Photos taken by Sapan Ahuja