You’ll need to be buzzed in to this vast, minimal store, which inhabits the historic Chicago Avenue Post Office. Owners Marilyn Blaszka and Dominic Marcheschi began showcasing their pricey, edgy womenswear here in 1984, and still stand out in Chicago for their cream-of-the-crop designer picks and exclusive finds. In addition to an avant-garde selection of clothing by Dries van Noten, Marni, Mr. Self Portrait et. al, expect to find bags, shoes, belts and other accessories from top European designers.

Who says children’s furniture has to be cutesy? Plenty of the stylish pieces at Galt Baby, which opened in 2007, will fit gracefully into sophisticated homes: sublimely minimalist Oeuf cribs, sleek Monte glider chairs and Bloom Baby loungers, which fold down to a mere 4.5 inches. I love the vivid Lumen mobiles; artist Joel Hotchkiss designed them to hang from the ceiling rather than the crib, so you needn’t take them down when the baby can stand. (They were once on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art.) You’ll also find eco-friendly brands, like Mustela, which makes almost completely natural skin products for designed newborns and their moms.

Galt Baby is the second offshoot of Galt Toys, a few stores down, which carries the hottest strollers (Stokke, Quinny, Valco Baby) in lemon yellow, magenta and other delicious colors, as well as Corolla dolls and a wonderful selection of toys.

Shopping fanatics visiting Chicago should make this venerable boutique their first stop. Often referred to as Chicago’s “first lady of fashion,” Ikram Goldman’s namesake store is a great source for top labels like Proenza Schouler, Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, Lanvin, Yohji Yamamoto and Miu Miu. In addition, the 16,5000-square-foot space features an art gallery and a lovely café on the second floor perfect for some post-purchasing refueling. The bright red flagship carries chic finds you won’t find anywhere else, which is why her clients include Michelle Obama and well-dressed folk who come to Chicago from around the world to shop at the storied boutique.

This petite boutique on Wicker Park’s main strip, which opened in late 2015, features a collection of carefully selected Scandinavian and Japanese items. Browse unique finds such as delicate white ceramics, heavy Samuji striped tees and organic cotton Aiayu linens. Owner Catherine Becker spent nearly two years traveling to destinations like Finland and Japan in search of housewares, accessories, clothing and books to fill the store’s shelves, and she also designed the space, which reflects a clean, Nordic aesthetic.

One of the first high-end shops to open in Wicker Park, in 1997, this excellent boutique carries a well-edited range of women’s fashion including lightweight cotton cashmere tops and slinky Mason frocks in vivid red silk. “We like our clothes to be comfortable and wearable but full of individual style,” says store manager Judy Yin. Mixed among well-known brands are up-and-coming designers, including Chicagoan Sarah McGuire, who uses recycled materials to create modern, handmade jewelry.

Owner Betsy Nathan used to live in China and travels there three or four times a year to scout for her spacious gallery, which specializes in 18th- and 19th-century Asian pieces. On a recent visit, some particularly striking items were a pair of honeycomb cabinets ($42,000) and an opium bed made of southern Chinese elm with intricate lotus-like carvings, from Suzhou ($24,800). Other discoveries: decorative terra-cotta horse tiles, Deco pieces from Shanghai, pretty lanterns, lacquered tables, burled cabinets and colorful boulders that would make interesting garden accents.

This spare yet high-end boutique in Bucktown offers 20th-century designs and decorative arts from France, Italy and Scandinavia, including chunky vases, shapely lamps, minimalist tables and sleek chairs.

This intimate shop carries distinctive fine jewelry by such international artisans as Lina Fanourakis and Mattia Cielo. There are dinosaur bone bracelets by Elizabeth Martin; turquoise necklaces by Mariani, a 5th generation Italian company; and Alex Sepkus’s finely crafted gold pieces.

Don’t be put off by Space519’s unlikely location on the top floor of a mall (sorry—a luxury shopping complex) on the Magnificent Mile. Though the offerings can change week-to-week, the ultra chic boutique is an absolute gem whether you’re shopping for yourself or seeking a gift to bring home. Plus, there is a casual restaurant onsite—The Lunchroom—that serves daily specials for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

This upscale complex houses over 70 shops, including Gucci, MaxMara, Church’s and Bloomingdale’s. Top stops for those with tots are Galt Toys and Galt Baby, located on level 5. Of course, you may have to drop into Teuscher chocolates, across the way, to treat yourself to some heavenly Champagne truffles. Also on level 5 you will find some only-in-Chicago boutiques such as elegant stationer Jane Weber, Ink! and carefully curated concept shop Space519.

The proprietors of this shop, Doug Van Tress and Chauwarin Tuntisak, stock their River North gold mine with hand-selected Asian and European antiques. Though the 18,000-square-foot space can seem daunting, the layout of curated vignettes make the wide selection of lighting, furnishings and art pieces much more accessible. Shoppers can pick up anything from gorgeous mocha-colored silk velvet throw pillows to a Chinese walnut wood altar table from the early Qing Dynasty.

For cute clothes for kids, you can’t go wrong at the Red Balloon. It stocks organic cotton onesies and Zen kimono sets with chocolate piping for newborns, preppy monogrammed roll-neck sweaters for toddlers, personalized striped sweaters, blue-and-white-checked p.j.’s from London and embroidered skirts. Head to the back of the shop for classic picture books, traditional wooden toys and furniture, including a decoupage toy chest and other unusual items. The website is lots of fun to peruse for gift ideas, like birthday-party goody bags shaped like butterflies.

In the market for diamonds? This jewelry shop has tasteful designs, as well as watches by such brands as Cartier and Bedat & Co.

This charming lifestyle boutique sells an eclectic selection of gifts including letterpress stationery, ceramics, paper products, textiles and even spices.