Michigan Avenue Q&A

After learning the style ropes with positions at Neiman Marcus and Armani, Midwest native Heidy Best struck out on her own with BECLOTHESMINDED, a local fashion consulting business that offers personal styling and shopping, style seminars, and closet organization services.

But Best’s favorite part of the job is dressing women for galas and other major events. With Chicago in the midst of party season, we turned to the stylist to talk fashion and favorites in her Wicker Park neighborhood.

How would you describe the style of Wicker Park residents? Which neighborhood is the most fashionable?
HEIDY BEST: The style in my neighborhood ranges between hipster-casual, hipster-chic, and preppy. I love how playful fashion is in Wicker Park but I lean more toward Gold Coast as the leader in Chicago fashion. It is a more clean and finished look that always seems very natural.

What Wicker Park shops do you frequent for yourself or for clients?
HB: I am known for mixing high and low pieces when creating an outfit, and Wicker Park offers that: Damen Avenue offers amazing high-end designers, whereas Milwaukee Avenue has some of the best vintage resale shops in the city. Some of my favorite boutiques include Tangerine (1719 N. Damen Ave., 773-772-0505) and Nanette Lepore (1623 N. Damen Ave., 773-489-4500). For some interesting vintage or gently worn add-ons, I like Crossroads Trading Company (1519 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-227-5300).

Where is your favorite local lunch spot, and what’s your go-to order?
HB: I like Antique Taco (1360 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-687-8697) for the food and the atmosphere. My favorite menu items are the pork carnitas tacos and the crispy fish tempura tacos.

What about for a special-occasion dinner?
HB: If you can get a table at Schwa (1466 N. Ashland Ave., 773-252-1466), it will be one of the most unique experiences you will ever have. Arami (1829 W. Chicago Ave., 312-243-1535) is another go-to.

Do you have any other neighborhood favorites?
HB: I recently went to Urban Source (1429 W. Chicago Ave., 312-455-0505) and loved its wallpaper and window treatments. It is a small space so clients won’t get overwhelmed. [And] I make weekly trips to Plenty (2036 W. Division St., 773-270-1509). They have a lot of unique food items and the staff is always in a good mood.

What can always lure you out of Wicker Park?
HB: I have never stuck with a workout regimen before Shred415 (230 W. Division St., 312-291-8722). Owners Bonnie Micheli and Tracy Roemer have changed the way I look at group fitness classes. They now have three different locations in the Chicagoland area to get me out of bed early and into their studios.