If you lived near this upscale mall...

April

I very rarely frequent actual stores, being mostly an online shopper. As such, I have never paid much attention to the real-life shopping that is available to me. I know there is a mall nearby that sends people into rhapsodies, and I have decided that I should probably at least venture there and have a look around.

This place is so large and overwhelming that I know I will give up and come home if I don't structure my visit in some way. I would like to go with perhaps five stores in mind to explore. So here is my question: if you lived near a mall with these stores http://www.kingofprussiamall.c.....rue#search which five would be top on your list?

The list is a little overwhelming, I know, sorry about that (you can see why I need to identify priorities!) Oh, and it's not on the list, but I do know that right alongside this mall, Nordstrom has one of their Rack stores.

So, where would you go?

17 years ago

General

23 replies

Latest reply was from chewyspaghetti

April

Veteran

Here's a better list (women's apparel only -- no need to wade through all the food court locations!) http://www.kingofprussiamall.c.....D=5#search

17 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

April - are you looking for mid-range stores like Ann Taylor, or do you want a more upscale experience?

17 years ago

April

Veteran

Let's pretend that money is no object. That's not actually the case, and I hope I will be really be buying something, but this trip is as much about training my eye and overcoming some of my reluctance about real-life shopping as it is about seeking a particular piece.

Also, they're not on the shorter list of shops, but the anchors at this mall are Bloomingdales, Macy's, Nordstrom, Neiman-Marcus, and Lord & Taylor. Can I make a rule that only one anchor store can appear on anyone's list of five?

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Hm, this is really hard to answer. If your main goal is to train the eye and get used to shopping, I might just go to one of the four anchor stores and leave it at that for your first expedition.

If you're, however, hoping to find specific items, then it becomes really important to know what you're looking for (jeans? business clothes? smart casual capsule items? accessories) before picking the 5 stores. Also, I don't know enough about your preferences and personal style. E.g., if someone gave me some money for spring shopping right now, I'd probably put Express on the list since I like the store and have almost always found things there that I like. But that's just my preference, and I know many other stylish ladies here make Banana Republic their first destination instead.

I'm coming back to the anchor stores again And going to one or two of them can sure keep you occupied for the majority of a shopping day. It's a great way to see different brands, designers, price points etc.

17 years ago

Kari

Veteran

April, I'm the reverse because I hate paying for something unless I know in advance how it's going to fit me, quality of fabric, what size to buy, etc. so I hardly ever shop online. That's changing a bit now that so many stores have "online only" inventory.

Like Antje said, it's hard to come up with a list for you, but these are the stores I would probably hit if I was just going on a general shopping expedition:
Nordstrom and/or Macy's: Great variety of departments/styles
Banana Republic, Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft, and Express: the stores that most often suit my style and come close to my budget, so if I'm in a mall I'll usually walk through to see what's new & what's on sale
Bloomingdale's: I've never been in one and would be curious to check it out
Ann Fontaine: So far out of my price range that I definitely wouldn't buy anything, but after hearing so many raves about these blouses, I'd love to see them in person.

I'd hit up stores that I don't get to very often because they are in farther away shopping malls such as Fossil, H&M, New York & Company, The Limited, and Forever 21 (for cheap trendy accessories). I'd also stop at White House/Black Market to take a look.

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I just want to go on record as saying I *love* Lord and Taylor. Nordstrom is a wonderful store with unmatched costumer service, but I often find it too high end and expensive for me (and also too far away). L&T always has coupons and sales going on and has lots of great brands at many price points, including their own brand Context. Unfortunately their website stinks, but that makes it one of the few stores I prefer to actually visit. It also seems to carry a lot of styles that I can never find anywhere else. For example I could not find my LC boots ANYWHERE but L&T. No brick and mortar stores carried them, nor could I find them online. I wish more people here who had access to this amazing store would take advantage of it.

OK with that rant over, I agree with Antje. It's kind of hard to say where to go with absolutely NO criteria. We need some limitations. That's part of the reason why you would get so overwhelmed; when you go to a huge shopping outlet like this, you have to have some kind of goal in mind. Have you ever watched What Not To Wear? The contestants get so overwhelmed just walking into small boutiques!

17 years ago

April

Veteran

Okay, I see I have not explained myself well. You are all wanting to be so helpful in guiding me as to where I should go, but what I'm asking is -- where would *you* go?

Maya, your comment about L&T was very helpful because I doubt I would ever have thought of it as a likely choice. I have never even been inside an L&T, and there is one (another one, not the mall one) three miles from my house! Kari, not wanting to pay for something without seeing it in person is very sensible and is a great reason for me to do more actual shopping and less online ordering. And Antje, all the anchor stores? I might never be heard from again!

Here are some guidelines: how about one anchor, one or two "fantasy" (i.e., expensive) stores, and the rest places where you actually have a history of finding good things?

So tell me -- where would YOU go?

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I used to live near this mall! My first job was in spitting distance of it. Lots of long lunch breaks, shopping with my boss, who was a true fashionista. That was before they expanded it though and it was more manageable. It is overwhelming in size.

I remember going to Nordstrom's back then, and they would serve you wine while you tried on shoes. They had someone playing jazz on a piano. Of course I ended up buying my first pair of shoes over $100 (I was only 22 so that was quite a chunk of change back then - but I still have those shoes, believe it or not!). If they still do this, I would make shoe shopping your last stop. Let the shoe salespeople fetch and cater to you while you relax in a chair.

Okay if it were ME, I would definetly hit Nordstrom's since I don't have one very close to my house. (We only have a Bloomie's and a Filene's basement and a rather upscale but small macy's). I would focus in on the petite areas of Nordstrom's. I'd hit the coats for trenches. I'd check out the jewelry because I love the variety a department store offers. Then I'd hit the shoes last.

Then I'd hit H&M, because once again, there is not one very close to my house. I would avoid weekends though because H&M is often a madhouse with very long lines on the weekends. No patience for that!

Then I'd hit my usual shops that offer petites (these are all close to my house so I hit them fairly regularly):

- Banana Republic (if this one has petites; not all do)
- Ann Taylor Loft
- Ann Taylor

If I still had anytime left, I might give a quick swirl through Jcrew and BCBG.

I might give Ann Fontaine one last try (none of their shirts fit me because I am too short).

I'd take a bottled water with me - I get dehydrated easily when shopping. I'd wear flat, comfortable shoes (probably my Me-Too's since they are easy-on/easy-off). I'd be sure to wear a cami because it really helps when trying on clothes. And a top without buttons because that's a pain. If there is an item I'm trying to find clothes to go with, I'd wear it. I'd take my black patent shopper but I'd be sure to empty out all the change and umbrella etc so that it was as lightweight as possible. And I'd leave my coat in the car.

Oh - and I'd be sure to have eaten something substantial beforehand so I didn't have to break for food!! I hate mall food. But I get all swoony if I haven't eaten enough.

I would NOT take my DH. No-sirree. I might bring my teens, but we'd bring cells and split up, since they would hit Forever21, Delia's, Express, Hot Topic, and the food court for ice cream.

Oooh... I might hit the Stuart Weitzman store too.....

17 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I would go to Ann Taylor, Anne Fontaine, BCBG Max Azria, Bloomingdale's, Diesel (depending on their window display), DKNY, H&M, Michael Kors, Nordstrom. I'm not sure if those places would be your style, though.

17 years ago

ChristineB

Active Member

OK, I live in a very small city & rarely get to do much shopping at *real* stores. Not to mention I live in Canada, where not all of these stores are available. My list would be:

H&M - I've been to this store twice when visiting my bro & sil & have always found things to love here
Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft - I've always wanted to go here after seeing some wonderful pieces you ladies have from here
Express - same as AT
Old Navy - I love their ballet flats, and again, rarely get to this store
Forever 21 - Only been to this store once, and didn't find anything, but the whole concept is very intriguing to me.

Sounds like a great mall!! Have fun!

17 years ago

shana

Veteran

I'm a total mall rat and loving checking out malls when I am driving around new cities. I had a meeting a couple of years ago in Philadelphia and while I was there, I sent my husband to this mall because it was one of the few in the country that still had a Franklin Covey store. Anyway, he was raving about how great (and huge) this mall was so I've been wanting to go ever since.

Anyway, I hate ordering online because I have lots of fit issues and I don't like the whole buying, waiting, returning process! I usually order things online which I have already tried on in the store (and am buying online to take advantage of a sale or find the right size). I am much more likely to drive a little out of my way so that I can go and try things on in person. Since you live nearby, I would think that you could take a few trips to kind of explore what's available and then figure out which shops suit you best. It really depends on your own personal style & needs.

For me, stores that carry a petite section is really important so those stores that do are the top of my priority list. At my local mall, I always park at Nordstroms so I always hit it as well as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, the Gap, Martin & Osa, AT loft and J Crew. My mall recently added a H&M so I have been going there as well. I usually can do a quick browse of new items/sale racks in these stores once a month in a couple of hours or so (a couple of exhausting hours no doubt). My preference is to go alone but that never seems to happen so I always have an urchin or two with me which slows me down significantly.

17 years ago

April

Veteran

Wow -- you all are introducing me to some new places! I don't know anything about Martin & Osa, or Diesel. When I go, I will post my adventures...

Anyone care to place a bet as to Angie's five shops?

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

One anchor: Lord and Taylor, obviously. Or Nordstrom. I guess i really depends on your budget. There IS a lot of overlap but you're a lot more likely to score a good deal at L&T in my opinion.

Two "fantasy" stores: I do not go into these stores. They just make me uncomfortable. For one thing, I am not their demographic. They also just make me depressed because I know I'll probably never be able to shop in them. I guess if I were swimming in money, I would choose Ann Fontaine and...something else. I am just so unfamiliar with this world. To me, Anthropologie is as high-end as my brain can process.

Stores where I have varying degrees of success:

H&M
Forever 21--I don't really care for their clothes, but I love their accessories
Banana Republic (only the sale section though)
Free People (sale section again)
Urban Outfitters
NY & Co.
The Limited
Express

Places I would probably have success at if they were in my price range:
BCBG
Deisel
Neiman Marcus
Bloomies
Nordies

And of course I would have to swing by the Apple store. I hate shopping for clothes but I love shopping for gadgets. They always fit and flatter!

This is the highest end mall I know of, and it's about a half an hour away from me:

http://www.shopshorthills.com/IM/index.html

How often I close my eyes and daydream about where I would go if I could shop there.

17 years ago

April

Veteran

Shiny -- it is too funny that you used to live near this mall, since I actually grew up outside of Boston. We have switched places! Also, thanks for the great advice about leaving my coat in the car. That would not have occurred to me.

Maya -- yes, I find the sizing in the Apple store much more regular than in clothing stores.

I am definitely including Nordstrom Rack, because I love bargains and have never been there. (No one mentioned that one -- is there something about it I should avoid?) Also H&M, which doesn't let you shop online in the USA, and where I also have never been. I thought I might try to stick with places that are new to me, as a learning experience.

16 years ago

marianne

Active Member

I would definitely go to Nordstrom Rack. I think their stock varies quite a bit, but you can often find good deals on bags, shoes and also some unexpected and unique items. Also check out their lingerie section for bras - they often have good prices, too.
My other stores would be Nordstrom, H&M, BR, Diesel (or maybe BCBG). I think you are petite though, right? So it may not be the best target set.

16 years ago

April

Veteran

Welllll... you'd think I would be a petite at 5'2", but sometimes I am and sometimes I'm not. Now that I am more aware of Perfect Pants Length, I am also aware that many petites do not achieve this on me, even though I do not have long legs by any stretch of the imagination. Also, some petites are too short in the sleeve. AT's petites are usually pretty good on me, and BR's as well. But I reconciled to the fact that most things will need to be tailored since I am apparently hard to fit.

16 years ago

shana

Veteran

Maya, I so want to go to that Short Hills Mall now!!! Hey, haven't you ever heard of window shopping????

We don't have a Nordstrom Rack locally but I used to go to one all the time when I was growing up. The shoe section is usually fabulous and there can be a good selection of high end jeans as well.

16 years ago

jam

Active Member

I just wrote a huge reply and something happened...it didn't post. That's frustrating! Trying again…here goes…

April, I also live really close to King of Prussia! This is what I do when I visit....

I usually park at Nordstrom because I always want to visit Nordstrom, and if I park there I get to visit twice If I don't have a ton of time, I stick to the Plaza's lower level and visit J. Crew, Lord & Taylor, the Limited, AT, and Puma. Also, I usually stop at Williams-Sonoma although that is not clothing (and neither is Crate & Barrel, which is a separate structure but I almost always go there). I peek in Thomas Pink because I would love their men's clothes for my husband, but have never bought anything (expensive). If you look at the mall directory, those stores are all in the “purple” loop and on the lower level, so it is a very manageable trip.

I don't always go to the Court, which is the older and smaller mall. The reason is because my main destination there is Banana Republic, and there is one at the mall that is closer to my house. BUT the one at King of Prussia is much bigger and has more stuff, so it’s often worth it to walk over to the court. I sometimes go to Bloomingdale’s too. The Macy’s at the Court is terrible in my opinion—it’s dark and closed in, and the ceiling seems really low. So I only walk through there because it is how you get from the Plaza to the Court.

For the most part, I skip stores that I can visit in other locations near me, unless I have a lot of time. With so much to choose from I have to be picky! So I usually skip Loft, DSW, and Express

I am sorry to get off the subject a little, but April, have you ever been to Glen Eagle Square and the shops at Brinton Lake? I don’t know how far you live from me, but those are both small, “outdoor” type shopping centers that are very nice to visit when a mall seems like too much. They are less than 2 miles apart and between them they have AT, AT Loft, Anthropologie, J. Crew, the Gap, Banana Republic, Williams-Sonoma, and a few other stores that don’t interest me as much. I often choose to go there when I want to go to those stores but don’t want to deal with the hugeness of King of Prussia.

16 years ago

jam

Active Member

Oh, and Shiny said that she would leave her coat in the car. Great advice Shiny-- Definitely leave your coat in the car! This is the warmest mall ever.

16 years ago

April

Veteran

Jam -- I love all that detailed advice! In what towns are Glen Eagle Square and Brinton Lake to be found? I don't know them, but I have been to the Anthropologie on Lancaster Ave. in Wayne numerous times. Is that the Anthro store that's between those two shopping centers?

16 years ago

jam

Active Member

The Anthropologie I mentioned is a different one. It's a newer store--probably opened 18-24 months ago. I used to go to the one in Wayne sometimes, but since the new one opened I haven't been back.

Glen Eagle Square and the Shoppes at Brinton Lake are in Delaware County, near the border of PA and DE.
Glen Eagle Square:
http://www.gleneaglesquare.com/
951 Baltimore Pike
Glen Mills/Concordville

Is it OK for us to post where we live? I have no idea...I live in Downingtown, which is in Chester County.

16 years ago

Steffi

Active Member

BCBG, Nordstroms, coach, anthropologie and pottery barn.

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I would just pick one wing and explore that, raher than going from store to store all over the place.

16 years ago

Category