March 29, 2005

Simon Says

Shopping Barneys New York Co-op with Simon Doonan

The rumor mill’s been churning for years. And at long last, the mother ship has landed. Chicago, you’ve got yourself a Barneys New York Co-op.

Don’t stoop to elbowing Trixies to get to the goods you want. Use DailyCandy’s handy cheat sheet — full of fashion insights, courtesy of Barneys New York creative director and all-round hepcat Simon Doonan.

DO buy straight-leg jeans. (Doonan recommends Antik Denim.) They’re making a comeback.

DON’T get caught up in the Capri-inspired espadrille look if you’re unattached. (“Single girls do NOT want to mess with their future that way.”)

DO make pals with a sales associate. It’s the best way to hear about new merch first. Even Barneys corporate types have someone on the inside, always at the ready to pull items and give them a ring.

DON’T try haggling. This ain’t Pick ‘n Save. You want a deal? Get a job and use the employee discount.

DO let your personality show. Doonan credits our hometown honey Oprah with single-handedly making self-expression this year’s biggest trend.

DON’T let your butt crack show. Slutty is out.

DO look for Doonan’s favorite items on Barneys’s racks this season: a sequined bolero jacket and a full skirt from Wyeth.

DON’T strain your neck looking for his infamous windows on Halsted (gasp!). No real place to do it, Doonan says. But that’s okay, he sees the whole store as one big display.

Ah, the perks of being a creative director …

Barneys New York Co-op, 2209-11 North Halsted Street between West Webster and West Belden Avenues (773-248-0426).