Fashion in the food aisles
"Nice leather jacket. Where'd ya get it?"
"Jewel."
Such conversations are not unusual lately, as fashion is now sold in the most unlikely of places, like grocery stores.
Our busy lifestyles are driving demand for basic clothing items in our always-open suburban grocery stores. Representatives from Jewel-Osco, Dominick's and Whole Foods all report strong clothing sales.
At Whole Foods, the demand is also attributed to the growing desire for organic cotton goods, spokeswoman Kate Klotz said. Their new south Loop store dedicates an entire aisle to organic clothing. It even has a fitting room.
Dominick's "lifestyle stores," such as those in Lake Zurich, Buffalo Grove and Naperville, also carry organic clothing like socks, camisole T-shirts and baby tights.
Jewel-Osco carries more of the basics -- cheap gloves, hats, slippers, socks, underwear and T-shirts. This winter, some stores sold $9.99 leather jackets. (The store's size dictates the amount of clothing it carries.)
Jewel-Osco stores also carry Bears clothing items.
Macy's bridal event
Marshall Fields used to be the place to register and buy a wedding dress.
Macy's is hoping to keep that trend going -- with its special Ever After Bridal Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 26.
The free event will include bridal fashion presentations from Macy's Bridal Salon, registry seminars, product presentations from companies like Wedgwood and numerous wedding-related vendors on hand representing everything from flowers to videographers.
The bridal event will be on the fourth and sixth floors of Macy's, 111 N. State St., Chicago.
To make an appointment in the bridal salon on the day of the event, call (312) 781-3545.
Stick it
Wheaton-based Magnet Street Weddings is now selling new Save-the-Date magnets to accompany its already popular magnetic wedding invitations.
Given that these things usually end up on the refrigerator anyway, it makes sense.
The company also offers wedding packages that include "Just Married" car door magnets, wedding favors and more. See www.magnetstreetweddings.com or call (800) 788-0611 for details.
Project Runway fans
Drink wine in Downers Grove, and end up in New York wearing a designer dress in the audience of the Project Runway finale?
It's possible.
Rioja Wines is hosting free wine-tasting events this weekend in the Chicago area featuring "Project Runway" designer Steven Rosengard. The events will include a contest to win the above mentioned prize.
Events are from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Sam's Wine & Spirits, 1720 N. Marcey St., Chicago; 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Sam's Wine & Spirits, 2010 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove; and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Wolfbait & B-Girls Boutique, 3131 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago.
-- Jamie Sotonoff