Sugar Magnolia

Sugar Magnolia is closing for good on Nov.15, 08 after 35 years in business. Get in there for deals while you can!

This is a great place for basics — t-​shirts, tanks, sweaters, jeans and pants, LBDs, etc. Most of the stuff is high quality fabrics, simple, solid colors, and clean shapes — the kind of clothes that aren’t super exciting to buy, but which you become obsessed with because they’re so comfortable and versatile. If you get your «basics» at a place like this, you avoid showing up wearing the same Banana Republic cocktail dress as 7 other people.
It’s not a discount store, obvs, but if you shop smart, you can get some un-​trendy pieces that are worth investing in. Plus, this same merchandise would be marked up even further at places like Intermix or Scoop in Soho.
As for the staff, maybe the owner/​manager/​sales girls got wind of the Unilocal reviews and changed their tune, or maybe they do discriminate when deciding who to be nice to and I happen to be the type of person who benefits from that approach to business, but the girl (s) who helped me were nothing short of wonderful — friendly, helpful, etc.

If i could give this place 0 stars, I would. I used to love this store. Then, they pulled the racist bulls*(% on me and it’s over. I know this is a common accusation of this store. I’ve heard it in the past, never knew what to think, until a friend witnessed it 1^st hand.
Basically, it comes down to this, if you are any one other than a caucasian, then beware if you come in with bags from another store or a large purse. They are very open about following you around in the store, looking in your bag/​purse, and being very rude.
I have also had to deal with the completely inept customer service. I had a pair of jeans put on hold, called to confirm that they were set aside, was assured I was, and then when I went in they told me that they were put on the floor and sold…2 hours after the confirmation call!
Not only that, they just couldn’t be bothered. With anything. Seriously, if you are cute trixie, they will treat you like you exist. If you are not, move on. Don’t give a place like this any business.

I really want to like this store as much as I did the first time I shopped here 4 years ago. But I don’t. Since the competition is steep in this neighborhood (Barney’s, Jake, etc), I expected service to set the store apart.
No one greeted me when I walked in. No one smiled at me as I walked by them. No one came to help me when I looked through piles of shirts. Finally, when I got to the jeans, a blond woman made eye contact with me. And she was unbelievably curt and rude. Like I was interrupting her folding technique. So I left, and I won’t be back.

OK… will someone PLEASE PLEASE explain this whole Mrs. Roper colorful 70’s dress fad??? I just don’t get it!
We were walking down Oak Street after brunch and ran in to this sweet little boutique. At first I was turned off by the colorful dresses in the window, but read about it so much on Unilocal that I had to go in.
I was relieved they had much more inside. Great designers (not the best, but still pretty good), fun clothes for casual weekends or vacation! Cute (non 70’s) dresses, clean lines and a good mix of trendiness and classic Chicago preppy styles.
Unlike other reviewers, I thought the associates were pretty nice. Maybe it was because I was wearing the Chanel? We were immediately greeted and were asked by several people of we needed help. We’ll see if I get the same treatment when I go in jeans and a tee. The one thing I did notice was that two associates were gabbing very loudly with each other in the back. So much so I wasn’t sure if they worked there or of they were two girlfriends shopping. They saw me looking around and asked if I needed assistance… um, not from you.
Sugar Magnolia is a fun boutique, but not for me… there’s something lacking. A little too cutesy. I’d rather go to Barneys.

Cute boutique with a lot of my favorite designers. There’s a great selection of clothes here, the usual trendy stuff, especially the jeans and t-​shirts. Love the shirts here.
Though the store itself is fantastic, I can’t say the same about the staff. For that I take away a star. I found a shirt I loved, and was about to buy it, but when I approached a sales associate to help me find a size, she was super pompous and hardly any help. In the end, I decided to not buy the shirt. I did find it online a few days later and bought it then. Totally worth the extra $ 8.00 shipping.

If you’ve got the money, they’ll give you the time of day. I used to work for a wealthy family that practically bought everything and anything from this store.
But if you actually take the time and look around, it’s all plain «trendy» tees, soon to be outdated printed tees, Ella Moss overpriced stuff and BeDazzled bags, shirts, jeans and flip flops.
Sugar Magnolia: It’s every rich 14 year olds dream store and any boob job 40 year old’s «I need to look like a M.I.L.F.» place to shop.
No, I’m not bitter. I just know how to dress.
Redeeming quality: Their jeans. But you can walk over to Macy’s or Nordstrom or Barney’s to find some on a sale rack. Don’t expect ANYTHING GREAT on sale here.

I’m normally turned off but the not-​so-​super-​friendly staff here, but this past weekend one of the sales girls was actually very friendly and helpful. She helped me pick out a great pair of skinny jeans and didn’t hesitate to answer my 20 questions or find me the right sizes and washes. I love their clothing, and while it’s a bit out of my spending budget, I couldn’t resist a new pair of fabulous super cool jeans. I guess the service can be hit or miss, but it is a very cool hip little boutique with some great brands and always up to date with current trends and styles. (Not everything is out outrageously priced– the tees, tanks, etc are average– but they do carry some amazing stuff that I’d love to rock but would probably cost me half a month’s rent… upstairs sale stuff can be semi-​good too.)

I’ve been shopping at Sugar Magnolia for years now and they always have a great selction of trendy clothing. They carry clothing lines from some of my favorite designers and I always find fun accessories such as belts to buy here as well. The sales people are very nice and they even remember my name now, which makes me want to shop there even more!

I’ve bought some of my favorite clothing in Sugar Magnolia. Yes, it’s very expensive. It’s so worth it though! Everything is adorable and they always have the latest trends. I’ve found some pretty unique shirts here that the rest of Chicago doesn’t seem to have, which is what I’m always looking for.

If you are seeking an overly pretentious staff and overpriced clothing, this is the place. I, like most, am drawn in by the beautiful clothes in the windows but my excitement always dies down by the rude salespeople. I, too, work in a boutique in the neighborhood and try to always be as friendly as possible. The way the staff here treats anyone that walks through their doors blows my mind.

The window display often lures me into Sugar Magnolia, but I rarely end up buying anything here. They carry all my favorite brands and there is always something that catches my eye. However, the sales associates tend to be pretty unfriendly and the prices are pretty expensive. They definitely have cute stuff, but I’d rather spend my money at another boutique where the staff is friendlier.

After drooling over the Prada clothes next door, the prices here do not seem so bad. I always find something fun and unique here. They have a great selection of jeans. Also, if you have a T-​shirt addiction like I do, this is your place. There are also cute dresses and sweaters, basically everything from completely casual to something to wear for a fun night out.

I agree with the other Unilocalers most definitely. Very cute and wearable clothes at expensive prices. What’s a girl to do aside from save her $$?!?

Well, Yep it’s expensive and the clothes are very glamorous.

They’ve got tons of cute stuff here which i would totally buy… if i was rich! this store is super expensive so its not for your crazy night out. save it if you need something classy that will really last.