Schwartz Intimate Apparel & Sunset Bay

If you want to simply try on a bra, please don’t come here! This is a full service store — you have to take a number to use a dressing room. The clerk then insists on coming into the dressing room with you to «check the fit». If you need a lot of help with your bras, then this is the place to visit. However, if you know what you want and want to get in and out quickly, I would highly recommend going somewhere else.

Great products — but the customer service is some of the worst out there. Example — I walked into the store, and there was a woman at the desk having a conversation about a personal matter. For 10 minutes, she never looked up at me, never acknowledged me, never asked the person she was speaking with (her father) to hold on a minute to acknowledge me and say, «I’ll be with you in just one moment», nothing. Then, when she finally hung up her personal call (apparently her car window was broken, which must have been life or death for her), she looked at me and snidely said, «can I help you». LOL! No apology, nothing. It was like I was doing her a favor for being in the store.

I was so disappointed with my visit today, I don’t no where to begin. First off, this place boosts about how they are a 100 year old business serving the Chicagoland area with great personal customer service. I walked in and waited to be helped but was not addressed by anyone. After about 15 minuets, I went to the checkout desk and stood until a woman came out from the back. She didn’t say hello, how can I help you. I addressed her and told her I was looking for bras. She said, «I’m with customers, you’ll have to wait.» So I waited until she came back about 10 minutes later and then she never introduced herself to me and just very abruptly asked what I was looking for. I explained what I wanted and what I didn’t want. I asked if she would measure me since I’m not sure of my size and that was the purpose of coming to a «professional.» She pretty much wasn’t listening to anything I said and she started showing me bras all of the kind I said I wasn’t interested in. Then she asked me to come back to the fitting room so I could start trying on these bras that I wasn’t interested in. She finally measured me and then wouldn’t tell me what size she thought I was. She left to bring in more styles for me to try on. She was so unpleasant, no smile, not friendly and just acted like my business was not important at all. I wish I could tell her name, but as I said, she never introduced herself to me and I didn’t ask. This is their personalized service, mind you! All of the bras she brought to me were awful. They didn’t fit properly and she didn’t even take the time to look at the problem or listen to why I didn’t like them. She was too busy helping another customer, along with two other sales associates, that was trying on bathing suits. SO they had three people waiting on this woman and really could care less what was going on with me. The last straw was when she brought in a mastectomy bra for me to try on since nothing else was working. I was so disgusted, I put my own bra on, got dressed and walked out and handed her the bras, and said «this in not working.» She didn’t say anything until I was almost out the door and then I heard, «give us a try another time.» That will NEVER be happening. I can do much better at Nordstrom’s where they take pride in the customer. I would suggest not visiting this place at all. Terrible service and staff!

Thank you so very much for the wonderful way you helped my Mom! Cindy you are terrific. We will all be customers for life.

Drove all the way from the city just to shop at Schwartz. I’d never been there before and I was nervous about the expertise and customer service.
Alas, nothing to fear at Schwartz! I was helped by Doris who was absolutely delightful to work with. She took excellent care and helped me to find a low back strapless bra for my wedding gown. I’m hoping my wedding seamstress approves it, but either way — it was worth going to Schwartz to find it. While there, I was fit for a few everyday bras and was properly sized. Doris was excellent every step of the way and I left with 3 beautiful pieces.
When I lived in Minneapolis, Nordstrom’s was the place to go for incredible customer service and finding my odd-​sized bras. I learned that for those of us who fit odd sizes (not the standard 34 or 36 A/B/C)…you get what you pay for — and if you want to keep your girls lifted up and looking good, then you need to wear a properly fitting bra. Good bras are worth every penny and an expert sizer is necessary — you won’t find either at Victoria’s Secret. I’m happy to finally have found an intimate apparel store in the Chicagoland area with exceptional customer service and look forward to future purchases from Schwartz.
Note: they do not carry band sizes below a 32, but they do carry larger cup sizes for 32. Also, all the bra sizes they carry are also available in their bikini and specialty swimsuit area — so no more unsupportive swimwear (awesome!).
Lastly, I noticed that they have a wonderfully friendly area for customers with breast cancer, stocked with not only mastectomy/​reconstruction-​friendly bras, but also stylish head wraps and other items one might want during treatment and recovery. I was happy to see the store considered this often ignored, but incredibly important, customer base.

Stay far away from sales associate Sandy! She treats customers like criminals!!!
When my mother tried to return a bra she bought at their store, Sandy accused her of fraud by claiming the bra she is trying to return was not the same one she bought, even though the receipt clearly indicated that it was. She was rude and treated my mother, a loyal customer, like a criminal. She was so rude she made my mom cry! When I called to complain, she said that she will investigate and IF we are right, she will call and apologize. Newsflash: that’s what you should do BEFORE accusing a customer of fraud with no proof whatsoever! Now I check my voicemail, and I received a half-​hearted message from Sandy, basically saying that she investigated, and we are right, and «I’m sorry, but we have to do this because customers try to defraud us». Guess what? That’s not an apology. An apology is admitting you did something wrong and attempting to fix it. I have no doubt that Sandy will keep on treating customers like burglars and driving away good business from this store. Keep up the good work, Sandy!

I have to admit that I have a love/​hate relationship with this place.
I first came here after a lactation consultant recommended that they might be able to assist in locating a near-​impossible underwire nursing bra in my size. I’ll echo the other review that says this is the BEST PLACE TO COME FOR NURSING BRAS! As it turns out — they were not able to find anything in my size (I was dead-​set on underwire — who in their right mind is walking around with ginormous «girls» and no underwire?!?) but instead, they took one of my favorite every day bras and had their seamstress convert it to a nursing bra. FAB-​U-​LOUS!
In case you can’t already tell — I LOVE — LOVE — LOVE their bra selection! They have the biggest and best selection of larger, hard to find bra sizes (I’m currently wearing a 36I). I see a lot of people complaining about the price — but the bras I bought here were the same price as I’ve bought in stores and online. No higher. They also have a great selection of bathing suits in hard to find sizes (these, I will admit, run a little pricey — but it’s rare I find a top in my size that’s not designed to be worn by a 90 yr old lady so I’m certainly willing to pay!!) Also, as a side note, it’s not the store that’s pricing them higher. I wrote down the suit style and tried to find it online cheaper but could not. Schwartz’s prices were in line with everyone else.
The «hate» in our relationship comes from the fact that their customer service is sometimes hit or miss. I’ve had really good days with them, for sure (like the day that Meryle did a fitting and helped me find a good nursing bra.) But I’ve also had my share of bad days there, too. Last time I was there they were severely understaffed. I was simply picking up a bra that was being held for me and it took over an hour before I was helped at the counter. They had one of those «deli type pick a number» things on their counter that I didn’t first see when I walked in. Despite standing at the counter for close to 15 minutes, nobody felt it necessary to inform me I needed to take a number. I only realized when they called the «next available number» and by then, several people who came in behind me had already grabbed a number. No biggie — but frustrating since they obviously saw me standing there waiting! While I was waiting, I overheard Marissa bad-​mouthing the other side of the Scwartz family that apparently used to have a similar store and have since closed up?!? I don’t know the story — and don’t really care — just thought the «gossip» at the front counter was kind of unprofessional. And, she was a bit «snippy» with me when it was finally my turn — which I didn’t really appreciate after waiting an hour to pay for a bra.
All and all — my good experiences far outweigh the bad so I’ll continue to go here. And, as I said — HIGHLY recommend them for those hard to find bra sizes!

I’ve been going to Schwartz’s since it was located in Wilmette. I went to the Highland Park location today for the first time. I recognized Merle at once and knew I’d walk out with the perfect fitting bra. I was right. Once again worth the 45 minute trip to get fitted by the best and most knowledgable foundations sales person in Chicagoland!

I buy all my swimsuits here. I need bra-​sized swimwear, and this is the place for it. They know how to fit, and what styles work best. On my first visit, I was wonderfully fitted in not 1 but 2 suits that were fabulous. Oh, and it took 15 minutes because they know what they are doing. How many women can buy 2 great looking great fitting swimsuits in 15 minutes? I won’t shop anywhere else now.

If you want to get the RIGHT size bra & be fitted the RIGHT way, go here! Prices are very high, but these ladies know what they are doing in terms of what you should be wearing. Oprah would approve

I came here to look for bridal lingerie– a corset to go under my dress. This was near the beginning of a very disappointing all-​day wedding shopping trip in which this was our only successful stop. They had a corset that fit really well, especially when their seamstress added some padding that will be sewn in.
They also counseled that they only have a 14-​day return policy, so I might like to wait until a week before my first fitting… Unfortunately I don’t have the luxury of waiting that long since I’ll only be in town a short time when my first fitting rolls around, but if someone else is searching for the same reason it’s worth thinking about.
Their bathing suit selection is also really great, lots of cool and different (though expensive) suits!

Just went here for the first time after years of driving past and thinking I should stop. I was helped by a very patient and kind woman, I think named Dora, and was entirely pleased with her service. I like to buy undergarments in an adult setting — no pink fluorescent lights or adolescent males roving through, like you might have at the mall, and this place is great. I got attentive service, and Dora was willing to bring me the whole store if needed to make sure I got the right fit. I see that other people are commenting on price. I find this cheaper or similar in price to other boutiques I have been to (like one that used to be in Libertyville), and much better service, more private setting and better selection than a department store. The fitting service is much better than I’ve ever had in a department store. The people here actually know how a bra is supposed to fit, and take the time to understand that different brands and styles will fit differently within the same size, etc. I will definitely be going back.

Kinda pricey, but quick and accurate service and a fairly wide collection. I was able to come in, get fitted, and check out pretty quickly. I needed a last minute strapless bra for my wedding two days later.

PRICES — They are high and you can even get some items for less at a department store.
SELECTION — You can get the same selection and measurements done at Macy’s, Bloomingdales, etc…
CUSTOMER SERVICE — Well… Now for the customer service… more like customer abuse. The women who work here are the rudest, most unprofessional, snobs in the world. One would think that someone who works as a cashier at a bra shop would realize that they really are not the most accomplished and important «movers and shakers» in a community and, as such, would realize that they really have no license to look down at anyone else on the planet, but alas, they do not. That sure does not stop these unaccomplished and irrelevant women, who contribute virtually nothing to the planet, from being complete and total snobs. Perhaps their miserable husbands bring home so much money that they actually claim their miserable husbands’ accomplishments as their own and, as a result, think they are better than other people because their husbands bring in substantial paychecks while they bring home a whopping $ 8.95 an hour. I mean, give me a break! What a joke! (You ever notice how snobs never really have a basis for thinking they are better than anyone, but that doesn’t stop them from thinking it anyways? Typical.) Who knows what prompts their delusions of grandeur, but the constant eye rolling and whispering about the customers, and the attitude they exhibit directly to customers’ faces, is so unprofessional.
I have gone there a few times and returned only because I really just assumed it was probably just the one or two cashiers who I had the unfortunate experience of being «assisted» by who were rude, but that was not the case. I was treated so rudely and unprofessionally each time I was there (probably about three different times in total). The last time I was there I was, yet again, being treated pretty poorly, but after spending about an hour trying on various bras and picking out a few items I intended to purchase, I didn’t want to just walk out and have the hour of my efforts be done in vein. Well, as I was about to go up to the counter to make my purchase, the two women working the counter (one of whom had rudely assisted me) were CLEARLY whispering and complaining about me. I assume it was because I was the last customer in the store and they were trying to leave for the day and I took longer than they wanted me to take. I really don’t know or care what the reason is, it’s unacceptable. I simply put the items on the counter right in front of these two bitter and unhappy women, and walked out. I then went to Macy’s. I bought three bras from Macy’s and was assisted by a lovely associate. When I described to her the experience that I just had at Schwartz, and the experiences that I had the other couple of times I shopped at Schwartz, she informed me that she has heard that same complaint about Schwartz from quite a few other women as well. That was interesting to hear. Obviously I am not alone in feeling this way. I definitely would never again step foot in that joke of an establishment, which offers NOTHING special by way of product and prices, and has the rudest, most unprofessional, associates working there. No thanks, good bye and good riddance Schwartz.

There are very few places like this left – small lingerie stores with staff that will fit you personally and who can tell at a glance what works, or doesn’t work, about a bra. They even have a seamstress who comes in on Thursdays – when my bra stretched out from overuse (something that happened because I didn’t rotate it enough, not because it was poor quality), they recommended that I wash it and bring it in to be fixed. Really old school.

If you’re tired of spending hours in department stores trying on bras (that often end up not fitting right anyway) try Schwartz’s in Wilmette. The sales ladies will take the time to fit you properly and bring a selection to the fitting room for you to try on — no more wasted time and effort on your part!
One of the bras I recently purchased ended up being uncomfortable after I wore it the first time. I was able to return it without a problem (you have 14 days for returns). Also bought 2 bathing suits that were suggested by my saleslady. She was able to simply look at me and pull them off the rack. I thought «This will NEVER work…» Amazingly, they both looked great on — color and fit!!! No more feeling bad about myself trying on dozens of suits that usually look terrible. Must add a word of warning — I was NOT at all happy with the service at the Schwartz’s in Buffalo Grove when I went there for wedding lingerie 7 years ago. I believe that it was the owner (a man) who waited on me. Have heard the same comments from others. Will NEVER go back to the Buffalo Grove location!!!

The only place to go for nursing bras. No more expensive than department stores and they have every size in the universe. Also — alterations at no cost! You’ll never find that in a department store. Fantastic service.

This is THE place to go to if you are a hard to fit gal. The ladies are extremely knowledgeable and helpful and will save you tons of time in searching for the right bra. They will measure you and bring you lots of options. The bras may not be the cheapest, but they are quality bras and are worth the money. They also sell bathing suits in separates so you can always get the right size top and bottom. I rarely find bras in regular stores that are sized in bra cup sizes. I’m a 36 DD, not super huge, but most bathing suits stop at a C cup. Maybe a D cup if you’re lucky!
I was recently at Schwartz’s to buy some nursing bras and the experience was so positive. I found 4 great bras that were so comfy and I was in and out within 25 minutes.
Definitely go there if you need any intimate apparel without all the headache.

After visiting Betty Schwartz’s (not sure if these are related) in Highland Park looking for the perfect underthings for my wedding dress and having a frustrating experience — a friend of a friends said I would have more luck here. What a difference! I walked in and took a number and fitter was with me within seconds. I told her what I was looking for and immediately by looking at me she new the right bra and the perfect size. Both options were great and when she didn’t have the right color in stock she wrote down the style numbers for me and gave me other suggestions where I might be able to find it if I was in a pinch for time. GO! GO! go here and I promise you will be well taken care of in a shopping venture that most people — me included — find stressful and overwhelming. Ask for Merle — we loved her!!!