Oh I *know* a fab and busy mall would revive my fashion spirit. Sigh.

If you were in the Dillards at Scottsdale Fashion Square--it is one of the best Dillards in the country. And that Ralph Lauren is a indeed a showplace. Glad to hear you enjoyed mall shopping.

Gosh I wish my trip to the local “best mall was that inspiring. Our Nordstroms is underwhelming and seems unsure of who and what it wants to be. We have a Gucci and an H&M almost next to each other and that generally tells you everything you need to know. The Ann Taylor, Talbots closed years ago. The BR is ok, but definitely gets a middle of the road assortment. The Gap is about the same. The Jcrew is a a d level assortment and the customer service is even worse. Aritzia opened this fall and the assortment is pretty good but the customer service is awful- well I think is good if you’re a 20 something shopping with your mom otherwise nope. But if your looking for athletic wear/athlesure we’ve got that covered—there’s an Alo, lululemon, Athleta, a free people movement stand alone store, Fabletics, offline by airie, Dick’s sporting goods, and about 1/4 of the Aritzia, and about 1/8 of the Nordstrom

And Brandy Melville opened in my neighborhood this weekend.

Yup it’s pretty bleak for irl shopping.

A week ago I posted about stopping by the Big Mall (CF Eaton Centre) in downtown Toronto on a Sunday, before heading to the airport - and how the mall was hopping!

Looks like a great shopping experience. I’m so interested in your spring refresh!

Fascinating report! I can't even remember the last time I browsed stores in a mall...maybe like 5-7 years ago, doing back-to-school shopping with my younger kid? Your shopping expeditions sound like such fun!

Sounds like you had a great time, I look forward to seeing what you bought! Your outfits on #1 and #7 are fabulous!
We have a very large mall nearby with a large BR store inside, and I agree BR is really hitting it out of the park. Their sales associates are both knowledgeable and friendly, too.

K.Period, excited to see you in Seattle soon! It was SOOO different to see a WESTERN Arabian horse show. Loved it! There were all sorts of Arabs, and some much more refined and delicate than the pretty beauty here. Your childhood pony sounds magical

Lots of joy in the photos, lovely horses.
I drive an hour to the Dillards, totally worth it. The Macy’s next door there is tragic. The rest of the mall is kind of dead…
Just bought some rigid jeans from Levis, same as it ever was, which is darn nice.
Love the rugby shirt!

Sounds like fun! And looks like fun! Nothing like a few good old shopping excursions!

My area is pretty large (1million) but our malls are kind of sad. The "new mall" is about 30 years old and I have been there to return some items recently and it is half empty with even the Macy's closing. Our "old mall" seems a little healthier. The nicest store in there is Von Maur which doesn't really excite me and is pricey.

We do have a beautiful mall in Detroit which is a couple of hours away from me and is a fun wander. It is really nice to be able to touch and try on clothes in person. It is pricey too and I don't have any really good shopping buddies so not worth the trip.

I have never been to Dillards but now maybe I need to search it out!

Ha! You finally found Dillards! It's definitely my favorite - and I'm in the Neiman's backyard! Easily my favorite department store to just browse, and I buy not just clothes but also home goods there. And I fell in love with Patricia Nash handbags there.

This post has revived my long dormant interest in mall shopping, which I haven't done in about 7 or 8 years. I'm happy to see that BR has found its way from a design perspective. Some of the dresses are very tempting, and I am happy to see a more colorful palette. Time to give the neutrals a rest. Love, love, love Mango and I'm so happy there is a b & m Mango store in Bellevue Square.

One of these days I'll leave the confines of West Seattle and make the trip to Bellevue Square and University Village. On the one hand, it will be fun to have a shopping excursion. On the other hand, my need for clothing and footwear, outside of basics, has decreased significantly. Stay tuned.

Angie this is great and exciting news. I can’t wait for Seattle.

We have Dillards here and I shop it near as much as I should. Shopping in Chicago last week I noticed that the stores are well stocked and have such interesting items. We were downtown so not much mall shopping. Uniglo was a great experience.

I envy your energy Angie! This makes me feel tired just reading it .
Now I am curious to see what you got.

This thread is making me wish we had a DIllard's here. I've shopped there online and I'd love to visit a store.

I actually looked and there are Dillards in El Centro, Stockton and Palmdale.

Olive Green, thanks for the kind words! A big Dillards and Levi’s high five

Nuancedream, I highly recommend you drive over the West Seattle bridge! Both U-Village and Belle Square are excellent shopping destinations.

RobinF, I’ve been to that INCREDIBLE mall in Detroit. The size of it - two parts that are separated by a highway - blew my mind a bit I think it was called Somerset?

Ginger, it only took 22 years to step foot in a Dillards! I can sooo see why you love it.

Sisi, you crack me up

Mary, Dillards is very much based in the middle and southern part of the US. There isn’t much representation on the West Coast where we live. Although cat2 found some CA options!

Debbie! Can’t wait to see you, and shop with you in Seattle too

Wow, that sounds wonderful! And what great photos!

I haven’t been in malls much in the past year. The one closest to me is not exactly thriving, and my brief visits to others that are 30-60 minutes away have been less than inspiring. But it’s been months. I thought about visiting the mall when I flew in and out of Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago (visiting Joshua Tree), but wasn’t really in the mood. Weird to say I’ve not been in a shopping mood!

I was holding off on any further shopping until our trip to Japan, which may now be postponed. I feel like I’m pretty set for spring anyway, so have been avoiding thinking about anything much new, other than replacing my hiking boots, which are strictly gear anyway.

Beautiful photos. I have never stopped shopping in malls, I use online shopping more for research, only ordering for delivery items from Australia mainly, shoes from Styletread or Midas. My last attempt at buying pants online in 2021 was such a bust I decided to not do it, I really hate packaging items up to return. Obviously it limits me but since I am trying not to buy very much, it seems to be working. In my area my favourite small mall seems to have become “the” fashion mall of the wider area- eg 7 different shoe stores between the small mall and the main street. This means that the other nearby mall, my second favourite, only about 2-3 km away, is looking sad because stores are moving to the more fashionable one. 3 stores at least have done that. I still go to the second one occasionally as they have a Farmers there, one of NZ’s few remaining department store chains which I like to visit here and there.
I don’t think one could overall say that retail in NZ is doing well, just in pockets. I am lucky to live quite near a fashionable area. It feels almost by chance as we have lived here since 1991 and that mall was only built in 1995, so we were already here.

Janet, I suspect you'd probably enjoy a fun and buzzing mall experience And hope you get to Japan soon too!

Jenni, I'm so with you on enjoying the brick 'n mortar shop! Glad you have good mall options close-by. Milk it

I grew up with malls and I’m just so thrilled to hear they’re still thriving and full of goodness!!

An Arabian Show! OH MY!! I am so jealous in the best possible way! I learned to ride on Arabians. My childhood best friend’s family owned Arabians. Her grandfather owned a prestigious pedigree sire, which they later pastured and loved. They hold a special place in my heart.

And then… DILLARD’S! Yay! I am so happy to see you mention them. I grew up with Dillard’s and it’s sister store, Herberger’s. Agree that they very underrated and a hidden gem. I’ve found and purchased several lovely shoes, clothes, and scarves from both stores over the years. I shop Dillard’s online often, specially for summer sandals.

Your post has me smiling, Angie <3

Oh Angie! You must've had a blast on all your shopping trips!!! Your joy will last you a long time especially bc you have the warm memories with your friends.

I much prefer Brick and Mortar shopping...although I feel like the really good stuff is online.

Something that occurs to me is that when I'm in person, I'll try on brands that are new to me and potentially out of my price range. For example, a few years ago I was shopping and tried on a Cinq a Sept blazer. I fell in love with it! And it's become a favorite brand. I would NEVER spend the that much money by just seeing something online. Being able to touch it and try it on makes all the difference.

Ket, your comment made me smile too! I'll be looking into Herberger's, and LOVED hearing about your Arabian horse adventures

Dana, YES! I relate to what you said. It's sooo much easier to try on a pricey brand in person. In-person shopping, FTW! While I LOVE online shopping, mall shopping is a lot more fun and exhilarating - especially with fun fashion friends.

I would have paid to see Angie dressed in Doc Holliday garb in a bar in Tombstone uttering the immortal words, " Yew know, Ed... If ah thought yew weren't muh friend, ah just don't think ah could bear it... "

** Munches on a Dutch biscuit casino chip **