Thoughts on LOTS of Mall Shopping

I've done a LOT of mall shopping the last two weeks, here in the US.

2 weeks ago, a FAB and very stylish friend and I went to a huge mall in Seattle where we shopped from 10am to 5pm! We had an awesome day!!! We looked at EVERY store that tickled our fancy, talked up a storm about the offerings, and saw many trends unfold. We did a lot of dressing and trying on in the fitting rooms too. Spring and Summer collections are in full swing. It's an EXCELLENT mall in the burbs, which meant I had to drive my car across the bridge. That's a big thing for non-driving me The mall was buzzing and FAR from dead and lifeless.

Stores that were standouts in Seattle, WA:

COS - EVERY item is absolutely stunning.
Banana Republic - SO MUCH awesome newness! WOW! BRILLIANT. Best "comeback" store in the US.
Mango - very affordable on trend fabness! And outstanding service.
Zara - affordable spunky fashion forward fabness! Terrible service.
Uniqlo - lots of fab essentials and some fashion forward bottoms.
Nordstrom - very good jeans, petites, shoes, and Ralph Lauren items. Lots of way, way too expensive items - which was off putting.
Anthropologie - great petites, and all sorts of pretty flouncy looks. More affordable.
Levi's - truly, an incredible denim store. A gender-neutral and size diversity leader, AND affordable. Old school denim with no stretch. YES!! Great Japanese denim too. The SA's know their stuff

Last week I was in Arizona for 5 days with more FAB and very stylish friends. I had a ball, and lots of fun!!! It was AMAZING!!! We went to three EXCELLENT malls and they were buzzing too. We did LOTS of trying on of clothes and shoes together.

Stores that were standouts in Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ:

Ralph Lauren - THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STORE I've ever visited in the US. My heart was pounding. It took my breath away. Utterly gorgeous!!! Launched into orbit.
Dillards - MOST UNDERRATED DEPARTMENT STORE IN THE US. It was my first time in Dillards, and what a treat! I was blown away by the incredible variety of the assortments, and their affordability. It blew Nordstrom and Bloomies out the water as far as value, variation and affordability goes.
J. McLaughlin - great looking items for a very niche market. Works well on petites. Fab quality, and not overly pricey.
Banana Republic - AGAIN! Outstanding!! And a very different feel to the BR in Seattle. We learned that every new BR is custom built to suit the mood and environment of the city. In Seattle - urban and more minimal. In Scottsdale - more southwestern and maximal. Both beautiful stores! Albeit very different.
Vineyard Vines - my first time in the store, and it's "a look". Very niche, and one for the family (lots of matching across departments). Fun to see.

When I was in Los Angeles in December with yet another FAB and very stylish friend!! - (I'm lucky to have lots of those) - Bloomingdales and Nordstrom were the standouts too. We also had an awesome shopping day!!

I did a lot of shopping in BRICK 'n MORTAR stores for a change. Spring shopping is my favourite! I enjoyed every moment. I got essentials and statement pieces. Fashion forward items, and of course - classics (my sugar eye). Neutrals and non-neutrals.

Some pics just for fun. All in Arizona:

Ralph Lauren Store, Musical Instrument Museum, Arabian Horse Show, and me in the dressing room trying on a PINK rugby shirt at Vineyard Vines, which I loved and followed me home.

I'll reveal what else I bought in the next few weeks! xo

ETA: The friends that I shopped with ALL got KILLER items too!

4 hours ago

LJP

Veteran

Wow ! I got goosebumps just reading this ! That sounds like a lot of fun and you’re so lucky to have access to these great stores . Can’t wait to see what you bought

Firecracker (Sharan)

It's so great that some malls aren't dead yet, and even far from it! Love your pink striped rugby shirt, Angie. I'm going to be in Arizona this spring, bicycling. Maybe I should plan a mall visit while I'm there.

aloha emily

Active Member

So fun!! We have a great mall in my city, which really does make shopping and returns easier. I’m glad you enjoyed dillards. I’ve been in some of their locations that were very upscale and others that felt like Kohls. We have a j Mcloughlin and I love to browse there, though I’ve never found anything to buy.

Jaime

(website)

Well aren't you just the breath of fresh air we all need Angie! Thank you for your delightful report and charming photos! I have to admit I am quite jaded about retail shopping (and probably incredibly spoiled by thrift store prices), but you make me want to go to a beautiful mall. I have recently been in a COS store (DH is addicted to their t-shirts) and we do have Zaras and Mangos, but my experience of the rest is second hand (literally). Looking forward to seeing your shopping spoils!

Lisa

You had me with Arabian horse show.

*plonk*

That's so fabulous.

All in the in person shopping sounds delightful as well. It's so nice to hear that some areas have malls that are still stocked well and fun to shop. I hope this spreads around the US. I prefer in store shopping.

I look forward to the reveal of new items as we move into spring. The pink rugby shirt is lovely on you!

Kyle

Fun and uplifting summary, Angie. Your Seattle foray sounds really great. I don’t think I’ve ever been to that mall. It’s fun to travel and see what different cities have to offer shopping-wise, and explore stores that you don’t have at home. The first time I went to NYC I was bowled over by the Macy’s shoe department. It occupied an entire floor of the very large store, if I remember correctly.

I’m truly hoping malls don’t go the way of the dinosaur. We definitely have some good ones here, although the one closest to me is really struggling (and it wasn’t stellar to begin with). The Macy’s closed, and the JC Penney is closing, but the Dillard’s somehow is hanging on. I feel like a cranky senior when I say that I still enjoy the mall experience and value being able to try things on without having to guess about colors, sizes, or quality, and then deal with the hassle of returns.

BTW, you are very pretty in your pink stripes!

3 hours ago

MsMary

There is nothing like a day at the mall with a good friend!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

LJP, I suspect you'd have much enjoyed the retail experiences across the malls! Your fashion background would be rekindled, and you'd have loved the vibe. Brick 'n mortar shopping is much alive and awesome

Sharan, you know the Seattle mall well! It was HUMMING by the afternoon. And thanks for the compliment. Go to Fashion Square in Scottsdale, if you can!

Emily, I went to a particularly fabulous Dillards, I believe. As Kyle mentioned too, the one close to here is less good than the one in Scottsdale. I encourage everyone to give Dillards a bash. They are absolutely on my radar now!

Indigoprint

I grew up with mall shopping.
It is hard for me to comprehend that brick-and-mortar stores have lost favor as a way to shop with the sensory experience one gets in real life.
Will be fun to see your purchases!

Jaime, we went to a fab little consignment store in Scottsdale. One of my friends got a gorgeous new gold bag, and pretty dress! She was able to bargain too. As for firsthand retail, it's been underrated post covid, and I want to change the perception. It's far from all doom and gloom. Thanks for the kind words as always

Lisa, I thought of you at the Arab horse show! Although VERY different to British riding and showing which is what I'm familiar with - I loved every moment of it! You would too. Long live the buzzing and outstanding mall! And thanks for the kind words too

Kyle, I've been to that same Macy's shoe floor in NYC - with Laura! It was mind blowing. And you're far from a grumpy senior! The younger generations from learn from you. In store shopping can be soooo much more fun, especially when you're in excellent company with dear
friends!

MsMary, you said it, sister

Indigoprint, I know, right? So fun to see the stuff IN STORES. I enjoy brick 'n mortar shopping as much as online shopping. I'm benched.

2 hours ago

Laura

Long live the shopping mall! They’ve morphed and shifted with the times but if they’re still standing, they can be a fantastically fun and effective shopping experience. I see lots of Gen Zers at our malls and that gives me hope for the future of malls. Plus, trotting from store to store in malls is great exercise! I’ve had success lately at Nordstrom (shoes), Anthro (jeans) and Dillard’s (handbags). Loved every word and enjoyed reading about all your travel adventures! 2026 is starting off strong!

JAileen

I was introduced to Dillards when we lived in Houston. We actually have one here, in N Nevada. It’s at the mall that I never go to because it’s so far away (8 miles). The one here seems nicer, as if the store has gone more upscale. I just never shop in person anymore. I guess I should!

Coming back to say I'm trying to do more of my shopping in person rather than online. There's just no substitute for trying things on in real life. Also I love to see how the different stores style their pieces.

jAileen - you can’t drive 8 miles to go shopping ? Smacks forehead . We walk 8 miles each way uphill in the snow with no boots or mitts just to go shopping

59 minutes ago

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