So, what’s in STORE?

Abercrombie & Fitch

OUR IMPRESSION: Rumpled clothes and huge black-and-white photos of buff models barely wearing them. Abercrombie & Fitch has an infamous image that at once appeals to dudes and dudettes and infuriates their parents. No doubt, it’s working for them. This store is the coolest kid in the class — or rather, it’s the closet of the coolest kid in the class.

WHO SHOPS THERE: High school guys and girls of the hard-body-wannabe variety make up the shopping crowd. An occasional adult shopper is there looking for a pair of pants to make him or her look like a teenager.

WHAT THEY HAVE: Pants, tops, swimwear, accessories. The clothes are casual, youthful and outdoorsy; the look is Camp Low Rise meets high school track team. Almost nothing has escaped the aesthetic of the prewash; a preripped pair of jeans advertises itself as “destroyed denim.”

Forget a look for spring, A&F heads straight for summer. Shorts and T-shirts dominate the front of the store, not an Easter outfit to be found. The color palette is khaki and faded primary colors.

TIP: Gotta admit, A&F has the best cargo pants and shorts in the business — nobody else has the whole military surplus thing quite as perfected.

American Eagle Outfitters

OUR IMPRESSION: This store has reinvented itself over the years, shedding a faintly nautical, straight-laced image for something more Abercrombie-ish. Where A&F is north woods, however, AE is all about Southern California. Surf shorts, sandals and 1960s-era graphics T-shirts show the way here. The Woodfield Mall store is a long, narrow procession of blond woodwork and light-colored surfaces, with loud music and a flat-screen TV display of teenage antics announcing to whom they’re selling. With lower prices — cargo pants are in the $30 range — AE draws a crowd.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Male and female high schoolers and younger — during a recent visit, not a single adult shopping for themselves was to be found.

WHAT THEY HAVE: A decidedly casual look, and a lot of retro preworn and prewash. Some of the guys’ stuff goes paramilitary camouflage or Hawaiian tropical. Pants, tops, swimwear, accessories. A misstep — trucker hats? No one was going to tell them?

TIP: AE is more SoCal summer than spring, but for guys there’s a line of hooded sweatshirts, for girls also hoodies plus a ’50s malt shop-inspired sun dress. A colorful patchwork miniskirt is a cool standout.

Ann Taylor

OUR IMPRESSION: Well-lit and organized, the store is easy to navigate and efficient, designed for customers with no time to waste and no interest in rummaging.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Women from mid-20s on up who are ready to invest money in their wardrobes. They want professional, polished looks, not fashion fads.

WHAT THEY HAVE: Collections of career clothes in quality fabrics, generally sold as separates, which helps with fit and sizing issues. More slacks than skirts or dresses. Sweaters and knit tops are form-fitting but not skimpy. Casual clothes are crisp and coordinated. Don’t overlook the shoes, bags and jewelry.

TIP: If you blinked, you missed Ann Taylor’s investment in pinks, which ranged from blush to orange tones like papaya. Sweaters and other items in those early-spring shades are already on the sale racks; now featured are blues and soft mint greens.

Anthropologie

OUR IMPRESSION: Imagine all the boutiques on Damen Avenue under one, big, happy roof — an eclectic mix of clothing, accessories and home decor. Anthropologie is set up like a gorgeous flea market, with sweaters and skirts displayed on antique tables with stationery, jeweled picture frames and martini glasses.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Women in their mid-20s to mid-40s looking for fun, fresh additions to their closets and home decor. Seems to attract shoppers who find the likes of Banana Republic a little too mainstream and the Gold Coast boutiques a little too pretentious.

WHAT THEY HAVE: Everything. A huge assortment of trendy, eclectic clothes with slightly looser cuts to accommodate shoppers with more mature bodies. A floral theme permeates much of the clothing, with tops, skirts and even shoes sprinkled with colorful prints. You can also find everything from bedding to an actual bed here. Plenty of accessories as well, from jewelry to hair ornaments to ribbon belts.

TIP: If you need a gift for a gal who has everything, this is your place. You can’t leave without finding something she’ll love, be it a resin petunia pin or a cherry-print blouse.

Banana Republic

OUR IMPRESSION: The fashion cognoscenti describe Banana Republic as a store for basics — a stock-up store for the workhorse wool pants in your wardrobe. To which we say, “Who are you people? A hundred and twenty bucks for pants, basic?” Never mind. Visit a store and you’ll get the picture. Yes, many of the clothes have an interchangeable, outfit-building appeal. If you’re a professional and the need for a sharp-looking wardrobe comes with your paycheck, chances are you’re a regular. For the rest of us, our BR garments tend to be a few, carefully selected pieces.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Men and women from college age on up, although you can be forgiven for thinking just twentysomething women with hair highlights are customers. Men’s clothes have been relegated to just one wall or a back corner in many Banana Republic stores.

WHAT THEY HAVE: Slim, sophisticated workplace outfits for women, including terrific pinstriped wool pants and blazers. Suit-sans-tie arrangements for men, plus a few racks of athletic-looking clothes and fleece. Out-in-the-evening casual clothes, and a small selection of shoes and accessories. For spring, pinks and limes are the big colors for women. For men, argyle — didn’t they try this last year?

TIP: The Michigan Avenue store sells petite sizes, otherwise only available at bananarepublic.com.

Benetton

OUR IMPRESSION: The Italian equivalent of the Gap, Benetton stores seek to outfit men, women, kids and teens for practically everything. Brands are United Colors of Benetton, the higher-fashion Sisley and two lines of sports/casual clothing, Playlife and Killer Loop (skateboard/snowboard/surfboard-in-spired). The European styling is obvious; clothing tends to be shape-conscious, form-fitting and aimed at a young customer. Be warned: These cuts and sizes take getting used to.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Benetton sells clothing all over the world, but in the Chicago area the stores tend to attract women in their 20s and early 30s looking for work outfits and casual clothes with a European flair.

WHAT THEY HAVE: Benetton shows how to turn conservative-looking career separates of, say, gray pinstripe, into something striking and fashion-forward — ruching on a shirt, color or fabric of a T-shirt, the darts on a jacket or the width of a waistband. Miniskirts and midriff-baring tops remain in abundance; it must be a young European thing.

TIP: Put outfits together and try them on; Benetton’s sizing and unusual fashion details aren’t easy to gauge on the hanger.

Casual Corner

OUR IMPRESSION: Think affordable wardrobe building blocks. This chain from the ’50s is determined to keep up with its customers through all their ages, shapes, sizes and activities. Casual Corner owns Petite Sophisticates as well as August Max Woman, which has been revamped to offer unstructured clothing in a new size group that translates to misses’ 8 through 20. Some Casual Corner locations include a combination of two or all three stores.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Fashion- and price-conscious women age 35 and up who want to look up-to-date without wasting money on fads.

WHAT THEY HAVE: Casual Corner shoppers can find plenty of work and play basics that won’t blow the budget, along with the “Collectibles” line of black and navy separates in seasonless fabrics for mixing and matching. Displays are full of tailored career clothes in navy or tan, softened with soft green, thistle and pink sweaters and T-shirts. Floral skirts are knee-length, and the stores offer an unusually wide selection of dresses.

TIP: Stylish shoes and handbags; don’t overlook them. Sales associates say the store’s new line of easy-care, long-sleeve cotton dress shirts are truly no-iron.

Chico’s

OUR IMPRESSION: Chico’s doesn’t rely on a seasonal calendar; the stores bring in new merchandise every month. Fabrics, colors, prints are mostly seasonless. We suspect the store banks on repeat business from women who stop in regularly to see what’s new. The stores are inviting, the music is fun and everyone’s in a good mood. If you didn’t bring a shopping buddy, you’ll find one there.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Typical Chico’s customers are women ages 35 and up through the Baby Boomers. The retailer offers them comfortable clothing and distinctive accessories designed in-house to wear to work, for traveling and leisure time.

WHAT THEY HAVE: In one word, the philosophy here is easy. Chico’s mix-and-match clothes have a distinctive look and feel, featuring easy-care fabrics such as linen blends fashioned into colorful, easy-fit garments — unconstructed jackets, elastic waistbands; a deliberately inexact 0-1-2-3 sizing system. (Hint: The numbers stand for extra small through large; you choose the fit that works for you). These clothes look best with the ethnic or folkloric-inspired jewelry Chico’s designs for them. The company also offers a Travelers collection of easy-packing, easy-wearing staples such as black slacks and colorful tops. They swear these items are wrinkle-free.

TIP: Wonderful assortment of bracelet and bangle watches for less than $50.

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Eddie Bauer

OUR IMPRESSION: Eddie Bauer has gone back to its outdoor roots. Gone are the dressier men’s shirts, vests and jackets, replaced by tables full of sweaters with elbow pads and cargo pants for grown-ups.

WHO SHOPS THERE: At Woodfield Mall, a refreshingly low-key, non-hip shopping crowd. Older folks in a wide range of sizes and shapes. This is a place for women who want to dress comfortably and men who don’t have a “look.”

WHAT THEY HAVE: Emphasis on men’s clothes, and from there, emphasis on cotton. A weekend wardrobe in earth tones, from the bottoms of your cuffed-and-pleated khakis to the tops of your double-pocketed button-down shirts. Plus outerwear, leather goods, accessories, watches, luggage.

TIP: If you are looking for a size that’s only carried in the catalog, call in your order using the special red phone in the store. Eddie Bauer will ship the goods to your house for free.

Express

OUR IMPRESSION: Women, if you love your body, this is your store. If you appreciate your body but prefer to de-emphasize a couple of areas, take a pass. Men, this store is Structure with a new name — clothes for hanging with pals or hitting the clubs. Express now offers men’s and women’s styles under one roof, often separated by a denim department. Sexiness and coupling is the overarching theme.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Men and women in their late teens to early 30s looking for clothes to go out in, or wear to work if their jobs aren’t too corporate.

WHAT THEY HAVE: For women, tight sexy tops in bright colors and stripes or subtle prints. Low-rise dress pants, chinos and jeans, all with a slight flare at the ankle. Short tennis-style skirts. For men, myriad polo shirts and oxfords in solids, stripes, beach prints and everything in between. Tailored and casual chinos, wool dress pants and casual shorts.

TIP: The $58 Editor Pant claims to be “the best fitting pant in America,” and it actually is quite comfortable. A blend of rayon, nylon and spandex, it lies nicely without wrinkling and is cut generously enough to not show off too much.

Forever 21

OUR IMPRESSION: Liz Phair was blaring from the speakers on one of our visits, leading us to feel a strange kinship with the 36-year-old rocker who has been styling herself after Avril Lavigne of late. Which is to say, those even slightly older than 21 look hopelessly out of place in this store full of super-low-rise jeans and skimpy T-shirts. Fake flowers in funky vases and an occasional animal print ottoman decorate the store. Some of the stores have billowy white curtains separating the dressing rooms, rather than doors — better for girlfriend bonding.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Not-quite-21-year-old women looking for fun, going-out fashions and items they might get away with at school.

WHAT THEY HAVE: Designed to feel like an all-day destination, the store packs a huge selection of clothing, jewelry, purses, undergarments and outerwear. The skirts are short, the tops are tight. Many of the cuffs, collars and hems are torn, a nod to the Madonna-crazed ’80s, when most of the shoppers were born.

TIP: Those super-short tennis-style skirts that are all the rage are plentiful here, starting at $14.80 — significantly less than local boutiques are asking.

Gap

OUR IMPRESSION: What started in 1969 as a jeans store in San Francisco has become an international conglomerate with thousands of stores and three brands — Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. Gap mostly offers casual clothing and accessories, but many pieces can be dressed up or down, so you’ll see shoppers looking for everything from flip-flops to a dress shirt for work. It’s always worth checking out sale racks; merchandise tends to be cycled quickly.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Style-conscious men and women ages 18-35.

WHAT THEY HAVE: Basics such as jeans/khakis and T-shirts to more fashionable items that Gap calls “right on trend” for men and women. Women’s outfits in fresh, pretty ice-cream and sherbet colors have a ’50s-’60s vibe. Short trench jackets are a signature item for the season; also cropped pants in various fits and fabrics. For men, there’s a new line of “performancewear” in bright or saturated colors and wicking fabrics. Don’t miss the array of great-looking men’s button-down shirts in gorgeous green stripes or checks.

TIP: Got a fashion emergency on your way to work? The Gap store at 70 W. Madison St. in the Loop opens at 8 a.m.

OUR IMPRESSION: These clothes want to party. You’re not going to wear anything from the Michigan Avenue store to church or the grocery store — or if you do, people are going to whisper and point. Every inch of every garment is elaborately stitched, zippered or adorned with a pocket.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Kudos to Guess in this category; the store draws the widest range of shoppers we’ve seen. Alternative-looking high schoolers, hot party girls, urban trendsetters, everyday folks looking slightly wide-eyed. Customers of almost every age, race and creed.

WHAT THEY HAVE: Trendy women’s clothes, many cut to reveal. Close-fitting skirts, dresses and tops. Loads of watches, jewelry and accessories. Men’s clothes are out of the way, on the second floor here, but can be worth the trip — styles fall somewhere between metrosexual and outright androgynous.

TIP: Sexy shoes. Only Guess has managed to pull off that sneaker-as-high-heels thing, and in glossy colors yet.

J. Crew

OUR IMPRESSION: Young Republicans meet the drama club, with clothing and stores that are clean and sober, but with a cheeky twist (e.g. in the catalog, male models wear suits, but stand barefoot with the pant legs rolled up). The store’s decor is simple, with light hardwood flooring, white walls and bright track lighting. Stores are uncluttered, with clothes neatly hung and folded, and large, airy aisles.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Men and women in their early 20s and older, looking to score classic, tailored clothing for work or play.

WHAT THEY HAVE: Basics with a few seasonal touches, but rarely overtly trendy. “We don’t call it preppy, we call it cool,” a J. Crew spokeswoman says. You’ll see various styles of silk and wool twill suiting, and oxford-style shirts. For off-hours, comfortable chinos, shorts and weathered sweatshirts and T-shirts, and a good selection of jeans available in regular, petite and tall. The catalog and most stores offer a small selection of shoes and handbags.

TIP: Known for basics, J. Crew is actually a great place for special-occasion dresses. The catalog carries a wide selection of silk, lace and cotton dresses in A-line, empire waist, sleeveless and strapless styles.

New York & Company

OUR IMPRESSION: Customers are made to feel like they’re shopping in New York City, with giant black-and-white Manhattan streetscape photos on the walls, loud pop music filling the air and, in the State Street store, a full-scale New York City cab perched on a platform in the middle of the first floor.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Career women in their late 20s and older looking for affordable clothes for work and sportswear that are modern but not skimpy.

WHAT THEY HAVE: Many of the items are made of spandex, acrylic, nylon and polyester, which likely keeps the prices down (most clothes go for $19.50 to $34.50) and helps the clothes last more than one or two seasons. The prints are bright and bold, with lots of stripes, floral and abstract patterns. Used to be Lerner, which was known for duplicating Express and Limited’s looks and offering them at much cheaper prices. This still holds true.

TIP: Great deals on trendy jewelry, such as two pairs of earrings for $10, with a full assortment of hoops, chandeliers and beaded styles.

Old Navy

OUR IMPRESSION: The store features an industrial look with concrete floors, particleboard walls and shelves and lots of brushed aluminum. Many of the display racks and shelves are on wheels, as if to say, “Buy quickly! This stuff could be whisked away on a moment’s notice!” Upbeat ’70s and ’80s tunes keep the perky staff bouncing in the aisles.

WHO SHOPS THERE: Think Nick Lachey for guys, Drew Barrymore for gals. The very casual, mostly under-30 set who are most comfortable in T-shirts and trendy track pants can find most of their gear here. But the store carries clothing for all ages, from infants to “to grandma and grandpa,” according to the store’s public-relations department.

WHAT THEY HAVE: You’ve heard of the four C’s in diamond shopping? The Old Navy four C’s are comfortable, casual, compartments and cheap. Most of the tops and bottoms are soft and loose-fitting, with numerous pockets, zippers, pouches and drawstrings. The look is informal, and even the dressier items work best in a business-casual setting. Counterparts of most Old Navy basics can be found elsewhere at much higher prices — the ultramini denim skirts selling for upward of $100 in several Bucktown boutiques are $16.50 at Old Navy.

TIP: A refreshing variety of sizes for all styles, from 1 to 20 for women and waist sizes 29 to 50 for men. All the sizes are displayed together, which keeps shopping enjoyable for people of all shapes and sizes.

Talbots

OUR IMPRESSION: Talbots says it carries classics for women, and that’s a risky modern fashion philosophy. A misstep can offend loyal customers who expect to find the same sorts of things they’ve always worn, or it can scare away women who fear “traditional” is code for “frumpy.”

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WHO SHOPS THERE: Talbots targets women over 30 and describes its regular customers as well educated, professionally employed, active in the community, and socially and culturally aware. The store aims to outfit her for all occasions.

WHAT THEY HAVE: Classic colors, classic cuts, classic fabrics. Navy pleated pants? Check. Holiday-themed sweaters? Yep. Ladylike suits and dresses? Certainly. A Talbots customer lives a confident life; her clothing is tasteful and appropriate. But she also isn’t shopping in a time warp. The trend-conscious can find flat-front, flared slacks, cargo pants and shorts, skirts that fall above the knee and hoodies.

TIP: Check out the sportswear for a deep range of good-looking separates. Among them: skinny-ribbed T-shirts with three-quarter sleeves and johnny collars in assorted pretty, fresh colors; $34.