Florodora

Carlos J. Ortiz

Florodora

330 S. Dearborn, 312-212-8860

May 25, 2007

When I walked into this new South Loop boutique and saw the displays of soap, candy, and wrapping paper, I figured it was going to be one of those places that can’t decide if it’s a clothing store or a gift shop. But a spin around the floor quickly put the question to rest. Florodora is definitely majoring in things you can wear, with a minor in home accents. Owner Michael Blossom named the store for a popular turn-of-the-century Broadway musical and also for his grandmother Florence, who worked as an office girl in the Monadnock Building, where the store is located. The historic setting influences his selections, which have a vintage feel—lots of ruffles and lace. But the sweetness is cut with enough clean design that you won’t feel compelled to throw on a wife beater and jeans upon exiting. Blossom describes pieces like Tom K. Nguyen’s pencil skirt of black lace over a white fabric ($185) as “classic with a contemporary edge,” but there’s plenty for the fashion forward here as well, including a short black jacket with a wide, folded collar in a waffle-texture fabric ($310) by local designer Michelle Tan. “Her clothes are edgy, but they also have a romantic feel,” says Blossom. Shorts by Twinkle with pleats below the front pockets ($235) look like they could be part of a hipper Girl Scout uniform. A beige jacket with a gorgeous pattern of blue embroidery and eyelet lace by the “quirky and adventurous” Chan Luu is a steep $300, but her celery V-neck top with little cutouts around the collar can be had for just $59. The store also carries handbags by Chicago designer Joelle Nadine, including a dark blue leather clutch accented with an irregular stone at the clasp ($425). Vintage hats sell for between $29 and $45. Blossom notes that Florodora has a few other vintage items, including handbags and fabrics, but all the clothing is new. —Heather Kenny

Belmont Army Lakeview 855 W. Belmont	Phaiz West Town 673 N. Milwaukee	Andersonville Galleria Andersonville 5247 N. Clark	2 Sisters West Loop 1167 W. Madison
Golden Age Pilsen 1500 W. 17th	Pivot West Town 1101 W. Fulton	Charlotte Russe Loop 10 S. State	Renegade Handmade Wicker Park 1924 W. Division
Gray Old Town 1361 N. Wells	Florodora South Loop 330 S. Dearborn	A.Okay Official Lakeview 3720 N. Clark	Intermix Gold Coast 40 E. Delaware
Bess & Loie West Loop 1015 W. Lake	Gamma Player Wicker Park 2035 W. Division	Malabar Bucktown 1880 N. Damen	Mia Mora Logan Square 2639 W. Fullerton
Roslyn Bucktown 2035 N. Damen	Ouest West Loop 1063 W. Madison	Kaveri Lincoln Park 1211 W. Webster	Lissa on Maxwell University Village 729 W. Maxwell
TK Men Bucktown 1909 W. North	MNG by Mango Downtown Water Tower Place	Doggy Style Pet Shop Wicker Park 2023 W. Division	Sweden Shop Albany Park 3304 W. Foster
Permanent Records Ukranian Village 1914 W. Chicago	Michelle Tan Wicker Park 1872 N. Damen	Akira Bucktown 1814 W. North

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