Starting out as a sneaker consignment shop in 2007 on the north side of Chicago, Solemates was the place to go if you wanted a pair of Heiny’s or Lucky’s without venturing into the dangerous waters of Ebay. Granted, the prices were Flight Club high, but the store stayed alive thanks to sneakerheads and high school kids who liked the pretty colors of the shoes.
Flash forward 4 years, and we have Sir & Madame. The store moved (now at 938 N. Damen), the Nikes left, but a new brand emerged.
Spawned from the husband and wife team of Brian and Autumn Merritt, Sir & Madame has quickly became one of Chicago’s most talked about boutiques. Carrying an incredible selection of classic apparel, with an industrial, almost preppy feel, the store 
is the place to go if you are looking to look good, yet do it with an edge. In addition to brands such as The Brooklyn Circus (only account in the midwest), Cheap Monday, 3 Sixteen, and Tanner Goods, Sir & Madame offers outstanding customer service. Whether you go into the store knowing what you want, or simply looking around, Brian and Autumn, along with Najee Redd, are there to make the shopping experience as easy as possible. I’ve gone in countless times and gotten fashion advice from Najee, who each time gives me something new and different to look into purchasing.
The Sir & Madame brand is what sets this place apart from the others. At the old store, you got the feeling that the owners knew what they were doing, but if you weren’t especially close with them, you didn’t know what was going on behind the scenes. Quietly, Brian and Autumn were creating their own clothing line, and the result was fantastic. Previously focused just on vintage-inspired tees, the brand has become much more. Tailored shirts, letterman jackets, sweatshirts, scarves, candles, and even a lap top case have been made by the SMC brand to date, and expectations for the future are sky high.
So go online or go to the store, and get yourself some Sir & Madame gear. And if you can’t afford that, just swing by the shop and talk to whoever is there, they’ll be willing to talk.
Chi Side of Chambana 
