INDEPENDENCE

Great store with an amazing staff. They have a pretty good selection of Drake’s stuff which is hard to find in Chicago. Lots of other great brands. Staff were super helpful as well. Giving advice on fit and a lot of background on brands and how they wear. Highly recommended!

This shop brings a fresh edge to Chicago’s men’s fashion scene with its unique brand built around highly-curated pieces, design, craftsmanship, and quality.

I ordered a shirt from them that was on sale. Shipping from Chicago to Minneapolis was fast and they threw in a Minnesota Twins baseball card! Hope to visit the store someday

It's always a good experience at Independence. Really high-quality goods. I will say that as a tall guy, it can be challenging to find clothing that fits me correctly. But they have a few brands I really love, like Dehen 1920, which I actually discovered at this store. Prices are appropriate for what you get, and the sales are always excellent. I'm looking forward to coming back in November for their Black Friday sale and grabbing some Dehen sweaters!

I recently shopped at Independence Men Clothing and was thoroughly impressed! The selection of apparel is trendy and diverse, covering everything from casual wear to formal suits. The staff was friendly and attentive, helping me find the perfect fit without feeling rushed. What I appreciated most was the quality of their clothing—definitely worth the price. I will be returning for my future wardrobe needs!

First time shopping at Independence - the selection was outstanding, with a staff very knowledgeable about how to wear the pieces, washing/general care of the items, and fit. I purchased an Engineered Garments jacket after one of the staff went above and beyond to find a thick winter sweater in the backrooms so I could try it on with the jacket. Will be returning to shop again!

Sign says back in 15 minutes - we waited 25 and no one showed up. I guess that earns you a lost sale and a bad review

Went in there for a kapital bandana and ended up buying 2 more. The staff is very cool and helpful and extremely knowledgeable. They didn’t have what I wanted originally but I ended up getting helped out on where else to find the item. Very cool vibe in store

This store is absolutely perfect in every way for me. They carry such a wide variety of brands that are hard to get anywhere else, and their staff is very well-informed, so you can count on them to help you with any questions, problems, or other things that come up while you are shopping. They are quite kind and helpful, engaging in conversation with you in an open manner while still giving you space to look around. This wonderful boutique is expertly curated with only really trendy clothing and accessories for men, despite the fact that it can be a little challenging to locate So, all in all, the environment, the people working there, and the items for sale are all of the highest possible quality. If you haven't already try going here, then you must give it a shot. Cause its definitely good and worth your time and money.

This is the store I've been waiting for in Chicago, it fills a definite niche that I've been jealous of other cities for having. The brand list - Oak Street Bootmakers, Engineered Garments, Post Overalls, Gitman, Left Field NYC, LVC, Imogene + Willie, Batten Sportswear, and on... - is great and they've made excellent buys from the brands too. The staff is super friendly and helpful, both engaging in conversation openly and leaving you to browese. Not to mention the owner of Independence and Oak Street Bootmakers will answer e-mail inquiries. On the advice of the staff I picked up some of the venetian shoe cream and it has turned into my go to boot and dress shoe. Basically the layout, staff, and products are all top notch. You should do yourself a favor and go if you haven't.

Fantastic service and excellent stock. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly but non obtrusive. No snooty judgy bros here. Will be back.

Bought some OSB, Velva and some other things here. I literally could talk shop with the guy there. He also helped recommend other places that had items I was looking for. Above and beyond service but bottom line is they are a dope boutique with some unique items. Chicago needs more joints like this.

I'm an older dude (57) who still likes to stay slightly relevant but I got the bum's rush at this place.

Medium sized boutique in the Gold Coast. While it's in a strange location, they probably do pretty well here located above Jack Spade. If you're making the switch to buying all American/Canadian/Japanese made clothing that's sourced responsibly, this is going to be a staple for your retail adventures in Chicago. As far as I know, they're the only retail place in Chicago to host Kapital and Apolis. You can also score Oak Street bootmakers shoes here, as well as good print publications and outerwear from Battenwear. They're stocking some lady clothing now, too.

Independence just opened - it's a new store that specializes in American-made clothing (everything in the store is made in the USA). The store also exclusively features Oak Street Bootmakers' line of men's shoes, a locally owned company. Pretty convenient that they managed to get an address on Oak street! The store, located above Jack Spade, is laid out simply and elegantly, and many of the materials used in construction are reclaimed (or so I was told by the staff). The centerpiece is the shoes, which are featured atop every rack of clothing and scattered around the store. The shoes are of very high quality, thick leather and interesting, current styles. The employees let me know that there are several designs of the shoes exclusive to the store, so if you're a fan, you might find something that's not available anywhere else. I was particularly impressed with their selection of raw/selvedge denim. They carry a variety of brands, including LVC (which are particularly hard to find in the US! - ironic, considering they're made here). There's also little accessories (like a hand-made leather football I'm particularly fond of) to boot. The staff is very polite, helpful with fitting, and not overly attentive. I also appreciate the inclusion of a bathroom within the store. Highly recommended if you're into current styles, and American-made clothing & footwear.

I always get a warm welcome when I walk into Independence. Love the service, selection, and the new location.

Stopped by the store at the suggestion of the guys at Haberdash. It's a small new store on the second floor above Jack Spade opened by the guys behind Oak Street Bootmakers. The focus is on all american made clothing so the number of brands they carry is smaller but definitely focuses on good quality stuff. I definitely had my eye on some Left Field NYC denim but unfortunately, they had just sold the last one in my size. They also have a great Ebbet Fields collaboration fitted cap. I definitely will be looking to buy a pair of their shoes when it's time to retire some shoes. Definitely will check this store out again when I'm back in Chicago. Also I will have to eat more hot dogs and pizza. Not relevant to the store. Just had to remind myself.

Unique brands, diverse clothing, and a knowledgeable staff. The owners were there and the guy who helped me knew where pieces were sourced, manufactured, and offered tasteful suggestions. With a generous sale on last season's items and winter wear, I came away with a unique piece for a reasonable price. I will definitely be coming back to this little boutique.

Although it's a bit difficult to find, this great little store is curated beautifully with only very hip clothing and accessories for men. It's catering to just exactly my demographic. Drew was very laid back and helpful. It is expensive but only carries well made items. They have good sales as well.

Such a great experience in the shop with Drew. I don't live in Chicago and he gave me all the recommendations for cool stuff to do. Great product, great staff. Definitely will be back.

This was my first time ordering from Independence after seeing there was a 20% off site wide sale. My item came within two days of ordering and I was very pleased of how fast I had received it. I was very happy with my purchase, but had to exchanged it for a bigger size. There was some problem with the delivery when I was returning my coat because of the carrier, but Timothy was very helpful in assisting me throughout the whole process. He even made sure the exchanged coat was put on the truck the very same day that the previous coat was received! Independence truly has excellent customer service! Everyone that I had spoken to about my questions were very nice and helpful! I would definitely buy from them again!

Great little boutique. They carry some Stanley & Sons. Cool place for a little knick knack gift. Awesome boots selection.

I ordered a pair of trench boots on 9/25/14. It's been nearly a year since I received them (11/24/14) & I thought it time to post a review. I had quite the experience (not good) with Oak Street/Independence, so I've broken my review into two parts: A brief review for those who want the short answer; & a detailed breakdown of my rating for those who want more information. Overall rating: 0 out of 5 Customer Service: 0 out of 5 Craftsmanship: 3 out of 5 Comment: I wouldn't wear another pair of Oak Street boots if they were given to me. The boots took 9+ weeks to arrive (I was told 6); they were damaged; and they're too small. This is the worst company I've ever had to deal with. I would suggest purchasing from a more reputable company. Detailed Explanation Ordering: I grew up on a farm, worked as a hiking guide, & served in the Peace Corps, so these weren't the first pair of boots I've purchased. At the store the clerk was pleasant and helpful. I wanted a simple cap toe rather than the decorative one they had in store at the time so I asked about ordering. I was told that it would take 6 weeks to receive them (11/6/14). I verified, asking if they'd be in by my birthday, (the 2nd wk of November). I wanted to make sure I'd have them before heavy snow. The clerk assured me I'd receive them by then. I almost bought the boots in-store but decided 6 wks wasn't too bad. These were going to be the most expensive boots I've ever owned, so I had the clerk measure my feet and tried on several pairs to verify the fit. I placed the order on 9/25/14. November 6th came & went. I figured a delay in shipping might have occurred but would have liked to receive a call from the store. On my birthday I called the store. They told me that I had been misinformed. Special orders take 8 wks (11/20/14). I told them that, had I known that, I would have purchased a pair in store on September 25th. I asked to cancel my order so I could purchase a pair of boots in time for a hike. The clerk told me he'd have to speak with the manager. I'll paraphrase the rest. Essentially, we went back & forth between myself, the clerk, & the manager. I was never able to speak with the manager directly. In the end, they told me that I couldn't get a refund or cancel my order. They offered to send me a package with shoe trees, boot cream, socks, and a shoe horn. I told them I would rather have my boots or my money. They said take it or leave it. November 20th arrived and I still didn't receive my boots or a call from the store. I called & asked why my boots hadn't arrived 8 weeks after my order? They told me they were stuck in a snow storm. If it weren't for the fact that I had waited two weeks longer than what I had been told, snow had started to fall in my area, & no one at the store had ever bothered to call me to keep me informed, I might have understood. Did I mention that they charged my credit card back in September? So now I was out the money and the boots. When will they arrive I asked? They said they had no idea. I told them I was headed home for Thanksgiving and my family & I would be heading out on a hike to pick our Christmas tree. What was I supposed to do without boots? Would they lend me some boots from the store? No. On my drive home, I called my credit card company & contested the charge. I then had them contact the store who quickly said I'd have the boots by the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 29) 9 weeks & two days after my order. I noticed that the day they arrived the price of the boots listed on their website dropped as a holiday promotion. So I waited an extra three weeks & paid more than I should have! Quality: The boots arrived but a nail in the heel hadn't been fully seated (it was protruding a good 1/8 to 1/4 inch). They were unwearable. I also noticed that the boots felt very tight. The clerk said they would stretch & at this point I was in no mood to deal anymore with the store. So I took the boots to a cobbler who set the nail & stretched the boots. They've been stretched 3x but they're too uncomfortable to wear. The size issue is disconcerting, as I had the clerk measure my feet & I've owned many boots before. I looked at the receipt from my order & no size was listed. The boots shipped are a 7 1/2, a whole size smaller than any shoe I own. One more note on quality. When I wore them out into the snow for the first time, the the deep red welt turned pale. Its never returned to the original color. The clerk had told me that sealing the boots wasn't necessary as the natural oils in the leather would protect them. In conclusion: I was furious throughout this situation but wanted to give them a fair shake. That's why I've waited to write my review (so a cooler head can prevail) & to give the boots time to stretch. I was complimented several times when I wore the boots out but I've always told people they were Wolverine's or Redwings to try and spare them the headache I've had to go through.

Independence strikes the perfect balance of assortment -- american heritage, contemporary, cutting edge, statement pieces, accessories, etc. Service (Iicky and Drew) are fountains of knowledge and insight. Their is nothing like this in Chicago and you would have to search high and low in NYC or LA to get access to many of these brands. Keep it up

My gripe is NOT with Independence which receives consistently high marks but with the Oak Street footware they sell. Just like another reviewer I have been waiting over four months to have a pair re-soled and the stiching repaired. The response to my monthly emails is that they have no information when my shoes will repaired. Based on my experience, it is my opinion Independence customers should not buy Oak Street products expecting they can be recrafted in any reasonable length of time.

I like boots and I have no qualms with plunking down good money for a pair of Trench boots because, 1) the quality is great, 2) the boots are made in the US, and 3) you end up talking to very knowledgeable sales folks that are about their products. Independence is a great store and I bought my first captoe trench boots from there. I now own 6 pairs of OSBs including a custom pair. Only gripe I have is not with Independence, it is with the custom trench boots I ordered direct form OSB because I had it revised twice because they got the order wrong, adding more time and the final boot ended up with some puckering of the leather from the lasting process. Now, I don't know if this is because of type of leather or a workmanship issue but I let it go, paid my money and wore the shoes because at the time I had waited almost 4 months to get these boots when I was quoted a shorter time. Moving forward, I will think twice about ordering another custom pair given my experience. Off the shelf boots have been great because they probably wouldn't market boots with the puckering and creasing that I have on my custom pair.

Just picked up one of a kind sunglasses, frames from the 1960's w new lenses, amazing find! Oh, and Independence has the greatest socks in the world...yes, the entire world!

Oak Street Bootmakers make the best shoe you will find anywhere in Chicago. Until now, however, it was really tough to find a pair. I was first in line when their flagship store - Independence - opened, and it did not disappoint. Although the store had just opened, they had full size runs of most of their shoes. In the few cases where they did not, they had a sample on the floor, along with a promise of easy and efficient delivery of any size. On to the shoes. Oh, the shoes. The leather comes from the Horween leather factory, only a couple of miles away from the store. Handcrafted in the U.S. (Maine?), their quality is unmatched. This was my first time dealing with Chromexcel leather, but it will definitely not be the last. It is a very good blend of shine, finish, comfort, and toughness. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but, in my opinion, OSB make a great-looking shoe. Although they only have a few different styles, they offer great variety through different colors, soles, and finishes. Make sure to try out as many styles as you can, you may be surprised. I walked out with a pair of Loden (green) Vibram sole oxfords, even though that was not on my initial list to try on. Everything I tried on looked great, but I had to make a decision at some point. I will definitely be going back in the fall for a pair of lace-up boots. Besides shoes, Independence also sells other menswear. Gitman Bros. shirts, vintage Levi's, that kind of stuff. Not quite the selection of Haberdash or Penelope's, for example, but definitely not bad. The prices are reasonable. $300 is quite a bit of money, but for a pair of good, durable, American-made leather shoes, you should not expect to spend much less. The service was great. Shout outs to Timothy for putting up with me while I tried on every pair of shoes they had. He was very knowledgeable, despite the store being so new. A+ on the staff training process. As a side note, this block of Oak Street is becoming the go-to place for menswear. Not the most wallet-friendly destination, but with Independence, Paul Stuart, George Greene, etc. this street has it all.

Walked in after checking out the website and ended up hanging around for an hour trying on clothes and talking to Icky. (Though I'm not sure how to spell his name.) Very knowledgeable dude, super friendly, no pressure to buy, and he had some really great food recommendations to check out while I was visiting Chicago, too. I had a wonderful visit to the shop and walked out with a dope floral Engineered Garments shirt.

The best menswear store in Chicago. Great service, great selection. The place I come to buy my Engineered Garments. It's so nice being able to try it on in person instead of having to guess my size online.

A solid Chicago boutique. They not only always have a handsome selection, but I haven't found a place in town with as much taste and genuine interest in fashion/footwear. Many thanks!

iicky was a great resource and fun to talk to. He made us feel at home and we loved the U.S.A. made clothing we left with.