Walked through the mall yesterday - YouLookFab Forum

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Walked through the mall yesterday

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have never felt less interested in retail stores in a mall in my life. Even Macys for all its departments had very little of any interest at all.

Color wise, there are still lots of earth tones, dull pinks, and muddy colors here, which don’t call to me. I saw a smattering of jewel tones, including a couple in H&M, and a pretty color section in Zara. Those were nice to see, but a lot of the fabrics feel cheap and plasticy to me, which turned me off quickly. There was one thing I liked: a 100% cotton teal-green roomy poplin long-sleeved shirt at H&M that can be a nice transitioning-to-fall piece. I picked that up because it’s a color and cut that works for my life and style.

Styles on display were mostly still stuck in the realm of shredded denim, cropped and skimpy tops, and either shapeless oversized or bodycon items — all I suppose are much more appealing to the young trend-chasers even though it all looked very tired to me.

On the other end of the style spectrum, it looks like Soft Surroundings is having a big sale in preparation to move out, and they’re not my jam either. WH/BM is always kind of the same — “work wear” that is not of use to me and doesn’t speak to me stylewise. A smattering of cherry colored items in there amongst the black and white. Talbots is still there but holds next to zero interest for me. Lululemon and TNF were easy to pass by because I’m fully stocked on gear at the moment.

Williams Sonoma (my destination) is closing and moving to a nearby location in September. Their new location will be near the closest Anthro, which I also cruised through just out of curiosity. Again, not much appealing to me. Some cute wide-leg jeans, but I already have a similar pair. A nearby boutique had a cute polo-collar black and white striped sweater, but I wasn’t feeling a sweater try-on in 88 degree weather and I think I’m fully stocked on sweaters anyway.

Barring some unforeseen need or influx of new and exciting styles, it’s looking like a shop my closet fall for me. That’s ok, I have plenty, including my new marble print jacket which I am DYING for cool weather to wear!

Am I just super jaded, or is it like this everywhere?

Shopping

52 replies

Latest reply was from celia

RobinF

Veteran

I agree malls are pretty boring these days. A lot of the same things in all the stores and definitely trying to appeal to a younger market than I am. I prefer seeing and touching items before buying which makes online shopping difficult but there is so much more to choose from that I should probably accept that it is the way to go.

Staysfit

Veteran

I noted the same thing when I was in a mall back in July. Slim pickings and little of interest to me except for shoes….which I desperately needed and had success finding.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

SF, I thought that maybe an infusion of fall items might provide some new eye candy, but that wasn’t the case.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Idk. I’ve been in malls & disinterested several times this year, but that disconnect is not unusual for me. I did surprise myself in Target & Macy’s earlier this summer when I looked for bike shorts and got a handful of casual tops in pastel colors I don’t usually wear. Or at least didn’t usually wear. Now I wear them all the time.

Joy

Veteran

I feel the same. The last time I was shopping a bought a couple of summer shirts for DH, because much of his wardrobe will be edited out this fall as it has seen better days. I love to shop but already have more than enough of everything. The worst turn off is the quality and drab colors.

Indigoprint

Veteran

Not jaded--in a good place with your wardrobe..., I often feel a sense of relief if I am out and find nothing that is appealing to me. Partly cuz I apparently am not as disciplined as I should be and hopefully cuz I am happy with where my wardrobe is.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

IP, there is a certain satisfaction in leaving the stores without spending money, especially since our budget right now is primarily being spent on home renovations ($$$!). Honestly, I’m way more excited about new dishes for the new kitchen and new pillows for the den than I am about the clothes that are out now, so it’s all good. Yeah, I’m thankful my closet is in a good place!

LJP

Veteran

I haven't really shopped all summer - and I"m headed to the mall tomorrow only because I need to do an online return to the b&m store there. I hope to have enough time to do a quick tour of the usual stores : Anthro, BR, CM , Gap, Lulu etc but I'm really only interested in shoes /boots for fall at this point. Also looking for flared jeans I don't have to hem. I'd much rather be buying dishes and pillows too - way more fulfilling ! The constant barrage of oversize shirts, big jeans, cropped everything ,and ridiculously clompy sandals and boots is really tiresome visually, and not inspiring at all.

Btw - Angie, when are your Fall trend reports coming out?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Lisa, The last few Fall trend reports came out Sept 10, 2021, Sept 16, 2020, and Sept 11-13, 2019, so I bet it’ll be a couple more weeks.

Joy

Veteran

The stores I see at the mall are still
full of old summer things. They are late in switching to fall. Maybe in a couple more weeks.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Autumn is my favourite season but I'm not feeling it either for some reason... I thought maybe I would by now (*finally* out of inbound quarantine & recovered from my 4th jab), but I did enough preemptive online shopping back home (ordered it to the UK a few years back & *luckily* most of it fit when I tried it on this summer), so I'm not feeling the urge to shop out here anymore...

The earth tone selection here is much more washed out & paler, from what I can see in shop windows. Thankfully I stocked up on richly saturated tops, cream knitwear & deep purple, orange, brown & red trousers, so I'm desperately waiting until I can bust them all out at the end of October/ beginning of November. I'm most excited for my velvet floral jeans from Peruvian Connection though - they were pricey but I patiently stalked them for a deep discount!
https://www.peruvianconnection.....n+jeans.do

Sadly I couldn't get the teal ones in my size but the deep reddish brown ones are still gorgeous, with little flecks of teal throughout. Watch this space come November, YLF!

slim cat

Veteran

I have similar feelings about the mall shopping in general - too many things that are not working for me. Plus - you do have beautiful and functioning wardrobe. that would be envy for many customers!
I'm trying LOFT ( on line order ) since I could use couple tops in rayon and linen for our barely functioning AC at my store. I haven't been at the newly opened location but remember some tops were working for me a few years ago. They showed brightly colored printed sleeveless top in linen ( with some emerald green and blue colors ) that was like a breath of fresh air in the earth tone galore
https://www.loft.com/botanical.....Color=1269

SarahD8

Veteran

Yep, I'm with you. I am also an unrepentant fabric snob. With a very few exceptions, if it's synthetic I'm not interested. Your teal cotton shirt sounds lovely! Every once in a while, H&M knocks it out of the park with something well made.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I can’t even remember the last time I was in an indoor shopping mall. I do need to start thinking about fall work clothes, though.

Peri

Veteran

I'm not feeling it either. I know I'm hard to please but I think you've reinforced for me that the styles in stores are not at all interesting. I wonder if retailers/designers are just as lost as the rest of us, trying to figure out...or denying... the "new normal".

cat2

Veteran

I am pretty well stocked for Fall, and have been seeing mostly cool muddy colors that have not inspired me to crack open the wallet. We need a new roof, so shopping my closet for the foreseeable is smart anyway.

kkards

Veteran

i was in anthro recently and i was surprised that home is now a full 1/3 of the store, this store added bridal at some point (i think 2019) which is probably a 1/3 of the store. so the clothing portion is 1/3, that's very telling to me....LOL even they are not excited about the offerings

Cardiff girl

Veteran

August is a real low point in B and M retail here too.Just tail end dregs of summer sales.The autumn stock will start to filter through soon and prehaps be of more interest.

LaPed

Veteran

Haven't been in a proper mall in ages, but I did find myself in a town known for its outlet stores a few weeks ago, with my tween niece, who's just old enough to be excited about shopping. I looked at clothes, jewelry, makeup -- and saw not a single thing that sparked any desire. It was refreshing, honestly.

Pretty much all of my purchases this year have been to replace/upgrade gear, footwear, and basics. Those are the only categories that wear out on me these days! I guess I'm doing an inadvertent one-in/one-out policy now. I look at something new and if I can't figure out what specific item it would replace, I just don't buy it.

Like you, Janet, more of my budget is going into home improvements right now. A welcome distraction from "soft goods" like clothes, and probably a better use of funds in the long run!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's between seasons now, Janet - so always a bit of a low point at retail. Even online shopping is not at its best. Give it a few months. I'm sure you'll be more inspired then

Brick 'n mortar stores are still figuring out the effects of the pandemic, and what they need to stock and do to service their clientele. It's been VERY tough for fashion retail. I hope they find an effective way out. I feel sooooooo for them and their staff.

On that note, I'd like to share a story:

I was at the Nordies flagship to return bedding with a small quality issue last week. The SA apologized profusely in the typical Nordies way for the problem.

I responded by saying" "Thank you. It's okay. These things happen from time to time. Even at Nordstrom! Especially during pandemic production. What factories, manufacturers and retailers have had to deal with over the last 2.5 years is mind blowing. It's been soooo hard. Everyone needs to give everyone a bit of a break".

The SA gazed silently at me for a few seconds. She handed over a beautiful box of chocolates for free and said. "THANK YOU SO MUCH for not shouting at me, and for being very understanding. This is the first time. Customers get very angry and shout and scream daily at me, and this was so welcome. WOW. Thank you!!"

We chatted a little more, and there was a lot of empathy between us. It hit home even harder how the pandemic has been tough for everyone in some big or small way - and that includes SA's who have to bear the brunt of angry, unreasonable, and rude people in stores. I got a new set of bedding, and was sorted!

(Btw, I usually don't shop in August and December).

rachylou

Veteran

I was trying to get out yesterday without going too far, and it was a real struggle as to where to go. The outdoor mall closest is down to H&M and Uniqlo. Uniqlo to me is for basics and I have no needs there. The H&M outpost is a little tragic. Wasn’t looking to spend hundreds, so skipped the neighborhood boutiques.

I decided on the closest indoor mall. Once upon a time it was a destination. Not so long ago you could still get at least a towel and a toaster at Macy’s. Anyways, drove up there and could not even get in! ALL the little shops inside are apparently gone! The only thing there is Walmart with the inside access doors sealed off. And the Sears… apparently that is now an Amazon truck hub of some sort. I circled the mall and drove away.

I ended up at Big Lots, Ross and Marshall’s again to stretch my legs. Lol. I would have bought a Morton’s salt at Big Lots but the line was too long. *Crying Laughing* A total bust.

Sal

Veteran

I do think sons are struggling between reproducing what has sold in the past with trying something new.

One of my favourite NZ labels launches today their spring collection and I am eagerly awaiting this.

Angie - retail in the most part is struggling here too. We have one specialist kitchen shop locally selling quality pans, cutlery, knives etc I have shopped there four times over the last year and each time it’s obvious that it’s quiet - stock sitting on the shelves, almost as if she’s slowly running the stock down. Yesterday was wet and I was on foot so she offered me a plastic bag to put my purchase in. I accepted and we chatted. Plastic bags are banned here now but she is saving money not buying paper bags and running down old supplies. Practically they may as well be used rather than straight to landfill. That’s how tough it is though.

That’s so sad for the Nordstrom asst - it can’t make you love your job.

Runcarla

Veteran

Yup! I’m back from another two days in the Big City, during which I spent my free time trolling the shops, studying the windows and displays, and people watching. A couple of times I walked around the stores with items in my arms, but after try-ons and more time thinking about the items and asking myself if they were better replacements for what I currently owned, filed a hole, or would be something I could see myself reaching for a lot - I put everything back. Some things were so bad (footwear! bags!) that I wondered why they were even made! The quality was so poor!

The one interesting window display was in Massimo Dutti - 3 outfits that combined brown with acid green - all very elegant looking and wearable, despite the unusual colour combination.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, Sal. That's just so sad. Really hope the specialist kitchen shop survives.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Angie, a little empathy always seems to be much appreciated these days.

Sal

Veteran

It is really sad - I think it's cheaper to buy online (and there is a better selection too).

The higher end restaurants in town are busy, but lots of hospitality is quiet. To be honest it's a fickle industry so there are always winners and losers.

It's a weird time all right!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

LPJ, hopefully some time in September.

Stag, so true.

Sal, YES. It's the online assortment that cannot be beat here in the US. That said, that is NOT the case in other parts of the world where online shopping is not a thing because packages are stolen from doorsteps. Full stop. Brick 'n mortar stores are where it's at in these countries.

As far restaurants - some can't keep up with the demand, and others are struggling to stay in business. As you say, VERY fickle!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I was touched by your story Angie. Having had my first experience facing customers over the last 9 or so months, I can agree that it is not easy.
Anyway, sorry for the diversion Janet. I have been in two malls in the last 6 months or so, one in Florida and one yesterday near me and I have to say they were both sad. The one in Florida was ghostly and the clothes in the stores were really tailored mostly for my 17 year old daughters (who were delighted, although we barely bought anything). Yesterday I made the mistake of going into a mall the last week of summer vacation when all the day care and camps are closed and it was anything but empty, I was practically tripping over toddlers. Can't say anything about the clothes as I was out of there fast!

Anonymous

I've been jaded about most of what's at retail for a long time, but I always check cause hope springs eternal Haven't checked the outlets yet, but will report back! Last time I was in there was spring, and nearly all was cottagecore and not my colors at all.

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