WIW…for a day at the mall! - YouLookFab Forum

Lists in hand, DH and I made our annual November pilgrimage to the Yorkdale Mall. It is as much a ‘destination’ as a shopping venue! Many of the stores are upscale and it is anchored by Nordstroms, Holt Renfrew, and HBC/Saks. The mall and all the stores were blinged out with Christmas decor, and there weren’t any empty storefronts that we could see!

I returned some Liverpool items to Nordstroms (kept the pants and jacket that fit) easy peasy, whilst DH perused the men’s department and had success with finding a HEWI. Shout out to the gracious staff who helped us!

After visiting Lululemon to pick up some things for DH, we did reconnaissance of the perimeter shops - stopping in several to browse the merch. I could have wept for joy when I scored a lovely ‘vacation’ bikini at Bikini Village. (We are going somewhere warm in February )

We found a quiet cafe with a view, and took a break for lunch and people watching, before resuming shopping. I tried on a bazillion wool coats, including the Aritzia/Babaton slouch, once again. Alas, the cut of this coat just doesn’t work for me! Next!

I checked out the Uniqlo cashmere sweaters, but ended up more impressed with the light weight merino ones. A red one came home with me!

What I saw on a Wednesday afternoon…

Shoppers at Yorkdale ‘Dress Up’ for their trip to the mall. Stompy, lug soled, platform boots were everywhere! Round toed Chelsea boot with side elastics or combat boot versions. If not boots, it was ‘dad sneakers’ with the expanded foam soles in white, or multicolours. Lots of black - leggings (still!) and glossy puffers. Also, wide leg mottled acid wash jeans (full length or cropped) with black jackets. Men wearing ‘elevated’ athleisure. Instead of cotton sweats, bottoms were elastic cuffed scuba fabric with a bit of sheen, and satin bomber jackets or refined hoodies under leather jackets. Whereas women wore acid wash jeans, men seemed to have adopted black jeans. Beanies - not ball caps. Fanny packs worn bandolier style by the guys. I saw one (young) woman with a midriff baring crop top and baggy (acid wash) jeans, with a cream shacket, and one woman (my age?) in a red plaid mini kilt, black tights, black turtleneck, jean jacket and red stompy boots. They stood out against a sea of black with gold hardware!

However, the stores had lots of yummy rich colour combinations on the mannequins - especially warm colours like golden topaz, orange, crimson, and plum - but also Barbie pink, light sky blue, and hunter green. The merch seemed to contrast with all the black, black,black that I saw. I wonder if it sells?

WIW…the new Liverpool pants and NAS peacoat, cream sweater, burgundy accessories, etc. My outfit was true to my style, but I felt like I belonged in a different mall! LOL!

#1 Nordstroms - waiting for DH to model!
#2 home with the loot…

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2 years ago

slim cat

Veteran

Great trip and perfect new pieces! You look put together and comfy-polished - the ideal look for mall shopping.

Sally

Lovely classic style… you wear it well

Star

What Slimcat said. Love your smile in pic 2.

Katerina

Sounds like a fun shopping expedition. Thanks for the interesting report. You look wonderful in the new pants combined with the pea coat and the perfect classic colour palette. One of my favorite outfits of yours so far!

Dee

Oh fun report, and a great photo of you smiling with your purchases.
Your outfit looks polished and comfortable for mall perusing.
Black still dominates in the real world despite all the colour options the retailers make available.
I visited Toronto recently as well, and yep, there was a lot of black and denim on people. I’m guilty of wearing the combo myself but I do change it up sometimes by wearing navy, burgundy, or taupe options as well.

Helena

Hahahaha Carla, you've captured the essence of Yorkdale so well - I find the style is so different too depending on which bit of the mall you're in ... I definitely feel out of place down the luxury boutique section! I will forever admire your bravery going during the black friday sales It is a sea of black and gold and Gucci for sure

You look fab, classic and comfortable. Sounds like great purchases too and can't wait to see them in action!

lyn67

Happy for your aquisitions, and I too often wonder about the contrast between the colorful window settings and the all dark merch and people around...like it's fantasy vs real life...(?)

Runcarla

@ Helena - we usually go earlier in the month, but not this time. However, it was midweek and the morning. It was pretty quiet until the afternoon around 2 pm when things got busy. Lululemon and Crate and Barrel were packed, but other shops were easy to navigate.

@ lyn67 - I know, right? Do colours lure shoppers in, but then people choose the neutrals? Interestingly, when I commented on the lone green Slouch coat (amongst a sea of neutrals) the SA said the green version was flying out of the store this year!

nemosmom

Well it sounds like a super fun time! I love people watching!!! Bummer about the coat - the right one will come along, I know it.

I love your outfit! And I love the Uniqlo merino for you, too. That color is stunning.

Black is everywhere here, too, it seems. Leggings, coats, boots are all black, black, black. I am craving more color than before, but never really wore all black. It’s funny, I resonate more with the guys’ outfits in your description than the women’s acid wash jeans!

Suz

(website)

Wow, you went to Yorkdale at sale time! Impressive indeed! Sounds like you did really well with the shopping, returning, and people-watching.

It's too bad about the Aritzia coat. What is it about the cut that doesn't work, do you think? And did you find any contenders in the wool coat department?

If black is the only thing selling now, then maybe those of us who like colour will be lucky in the post-holiday sales, LOL.

Cardiff girl

Sounds like a wonderful trip and great that you found a bikini in November!

Irina

Nice outfit, Carla, looks sharp!
I haven’t been to the Yorkdale mall for a couple of years and I live in the city! Will go soon, there is only one Massimo Dutti store left and it’s located there.

rachylou

I have seen not-teens looking killer in mini skirt’s lately… are we ready ladies for this kind of age divide?

@ Suz - it’s a shoulders/arms thing. To get the shoulders/arms to fit, the body size is too big and hangs funny. Though my limbs (arms/legs) can rate as tall due to length, my height and shorter torso does not carry off a tall - the stance hangs low, the pockets are in the wrong place, and the length is overall too long. Tailored (wait for it - ‘classic’ lady cuts, and those with a tie belt(!)) look better - and I may have found one.

Jaime

Great report! You look fab and I love your happy smile once home with the loot! Interesting about the contrast between the shoppers and the merchandise too.

BlueJay

Good you went midweek and early to Yorkdale! When the stores aren't open yet and it's empty I have the urge to rollerblade through the expansive space and smooooth floors! I imagine it would be amazing! Haha!

Lovely pants and I like how your belt and purse work together.

I will have to investigate the Uniqlo red merino sweater!

Anonymous

I for one CanNot get on board with acid wash jeans- still scarred from last time they were in style- lol!
YLF though- glad the pants worked out and your shopping trip was a success!

Joy

I am seeing a lot of khaki being worn now and way too many men wearing shorts and looking seasonally confused. There is snow on the ground. It is cold. I assume that someone forgot to do laundry and they are wearing what is clean.

You look wonderful and happy with your trip. I love your smile. Stay well

1 year ago

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Super cute! And you held your own at the mall. Stylish, trendy classic, pretty

Btw, may I suggest this long coat? I have it in navy and it's KILLER and an instant workhorse! Plenty of room, and good on your broad shoulders.

Wearing it here:

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....rroundings

Nordstrom

Bernardo Tailored Longline Coat

Top Pick

kkards

I love your fashion “what i saw” reports.
Sounds like the trip to the mall was a success. And so jealous about your planned February trip.
you will find your coat…its waiting for you somewhere.

Jenn

Your people-watching reports are always so fun and informative. I'm glad you chose to wear something true to your own style. I always find that helps me when shopping, because I have something solid to compare with anything new.

When I bought my yellow Eileen Fisher dress, the SA told me that it had been "very popular." I wonder sometimes if people see bright color in the store and purchase it and then it sits unworn in closets.

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