Category: What Are You Wearing?

Monika Bukowska, 25, moved to Chicago’s west side from Poland when she was eight years old. She lives in Wicker Park, works in retail, and fronts the band Brilliant Pebbles. Tell me about your outfit. It’s stretchy fitness pants and a Speedo swimsuit, which balance out the dress. I like gem details [holds up ringed […]

John Paul Weier, 25, wants to be the official Cubs mascot, but when he dresses as “Billy Cub” he’s not even allowed into Wrigley Field, which has a no-costumes policy. Undeterred, he’s greeted fans outside the stadium at every home game this season. Weier is the author of a football novel, 4th & Inches; his […]

Jack Flash, 30, is the singer and lead guitarist of the local new-wave band Bang! Bang! About three weeks ago he started selling lightning-bolt shaped ties like the ones he wears onstage. They’re available in three colors at the band’s shows, through a MySpace page (myspace.com/bangbangties), at Strange Cargo, and at the John Fluevog store, […]

Detroit native Robert Mitchell, aka Cyon Flare, moved here from Ann Arbor almost a year ago. He lip-synchs and dances at Circuit and is working with a producer to record original songs. During the day, he assists the staff at a suburban hospice. What are you wearing? I am wearing, in short, a lamp shade, […]

Hudson Black, 56, is a retired CTA bus operator and security officer who now works for a private company patrolling O’Hare’s parking lots on horseback. He is a member of the Rockin’ Horse Social Club, a private club in East Chicago that has line dancing on Friday nights. Tell me about your outfit. The bone […]

Curi Valentine, 26, is a student in DePaul’s Japanese studies program. She sings and plays keyboards in the “gothic Lolita industrial jazz” duo Curiosity Valentine. Tell me about what you’re wearing. I’m wearing my favorite dress by Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, which is a Japanese label, which I got at their store in Tokyo. […]

Goddess Glory, 22, is a dominatrix who works primarily online. Her Web site is goddessglory.blogspot.com. What made you decide on this outfit? I wanted to put an ad in a dominatrix magazine, but I don’t wear black or red–it’s cliche. I went with something white and skintight because it shows off my body, my black […]

Lindsey Delahanty, 25, helps coordinate grants for local artists at the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. Tell me about what you’re wearing. These are my signature vintage Ferragamos, I got them off eBay for $27; they still make them in this style, but they are like $375 in the store. I really love vintage fur–which […]

The Masked Dancer

Dano (“everybody just knows me as Dano”) tends bar twice a week at the Skylark in Pilsen. You’re known for dressing up in a vest and tie when you work on Friday nights. How did that start? I met a bartender at Club Lucky named Rick. Quite honestly, I stole his style. He was a […]

Morgan Thoryk, 23, spent seven months in Marrakech last year teaching English to children. Tell me about your outfit. I am wearing what is the perfect winter cocktail dress. I am really into wool and brightly colored tights. I got the shoes in Morocco last year, I bought them in the Marrakech medina for about […]

Jeremy Lemos, 30, co-owns the Ukrainian Village recording studio Semaphore and does sound for Sonic Youth on tour. Gwen Lemos, 28, is a wedding DJ. They got married in July. Describe your style. Jeremy: “Roadie chic,” according to Gwen. I’m not sure if I like the term. Gwen: I am usually trying for “woman in […]

Scott Urban, 24, fashions eyeglass frames out of wood and old records. They’re available through his Web site, urbanspectacles.com. Basic designs are $400; custom work starts at $500. You started out just making frames for yourself. Why? Optical shops have always been really stuffy to me; I can’t stand the way there’s a salesman right […]

This Is Not a Kimono

Zoe Weisman and Natasha Newman-Thomas are seniors at the School of the Art Institute. Liz Armstrong: What made you want to get a grill? Zoe: I always wanted braces. I never had them and I think they’re really hot. Liz Armstrong: How much did those cost? Natasha: Between $400 and $500. My mom has wanted […]