Sale PSA: A cashmere henley dress from Theory, now 60% off, a very adorable ribbed cardigan from Sandro, now $164, a super cute leopard hair tie from J.Crew, now just $7 with code SALETIME (also for anyone that was after the cashmere cardigan I linked a few times in the winter – check back as there are sizes popping up, on sale!), and not on sale but for anyone looking for a pretty linen top for spring/summer – I love this one, via Etsy, which you can customize to your size/color and the price is very reasonable (and includes shipping).
This week I’ve been thinking about something I made passing mention of in last week’s Blog Talk – how much I miss shopping in person. Do you guys miss it? It’s fast rising to the top of my list, along with a haircut (I REALLY need this), and a massage (I’d REALLY like this one too). I have been dreaming about going to a mall, visiting store after store, trying things on, buying them, taking them home. I guess kind of what I did in high school, complete with a visit to Auntie Anne’s in the middle for a break.
Before Covid, I hadn’t gone to a mall in ages (except to eat at Din Tai Fung, for the locals). It was almost a point of pride of me that I had avoided the mall. I guess I thought it was a waste of time. An unimaginable luxury to just walk around and try things on that I didn’t even really need, and spend time deliberating over a color of lipstick, etc etc etc. The fact that I would happily bring my children there and let them browse Lego for an hour and then just breeze on by all the shops I used to love makes me sad now – there is so much fun I could have been having in Nordstrom or Sephora!
I’ve realized that prior to Covid, the way I shopped had become terrible clinical – browsing on my phone between errands, on an app, order, get it delivered, because I’m busy, and we are all busy, etc. But somewhere along the way I lost the pleasure in it. And even though time remains at a premium now, and honestly more of a premium, as the kids aren’t in school, I now look at the “before” times and think: why did I shop online all the time? Why didn’t I just even take ten minutes sometime, just to try something on?
It’s an experience I’d love to get it back, and my first step once things are back to “normal” will be to go to a mall, and just take some time to browse, shop, and enjoy. Even better: I’d like to go with a friend. And have lunch, and chat, and then shop some more, buy some chocolates to take home…
How do you all feel about this? Will you do some more in person shopping after Covid?
10 Comments
Christine
April 19, 2021 at 11:07 amI feel exactly the same way! I stayed away from malls. I didn’t like the concept, all of the people wandering aimlessly, buying items they didn’t need. Now, I have reconsidered my viewpoint. It sounds appealing to just stroll and browse.
Winnie
April 19, 2021 at 11:32 amI’ve stayed away from malls as well for the past few years. If I must go, I’ll go right when it opens or at night on a weekday to minimize the parking hassle and dealing with crowds.
That being said, I went to Valley Fair recently and was amazed at how the mall has been transformed. They’ve done a ton of construction and there’s tons of new stores and basically a whole new wing to the mall. It made me excited to come again post-pandemic.
Mod
April 19, 2021 at 3:47 pmWhat a romantic post! It made me feel nostalgic for the joy and adventures I had at malls in my teens after getting my first job.
My boyfriend always ask me why I insist on spending time waffling between items, sizes and colors (and stressing about printing out return labels) shopping online when I could just go to the store and leave with something I knew I was happy with. For me, I know a lot of it has to do with the sales and deals to be found online vs the risk of falling in love with something at the mall at full price (after years of sales training I feel annoyed at myself when I buy things at MSRP). But after spending time at home wearing sweats and not spending much on clothes, I do feel excited to go shopping again and allowing myself to buy things without convincing myself I can find it on sale later.
Christina
April 19, 2021 at 4:33 pmI miss not having to buy TONS of items to try on, just to find ONE that works….then have to repackage and go to the post office or UPS to return the rest. So exhausting! There’s something to be said for trying things on at a store, and deciding then and there what works and what doesn’t…and only bringing home what actually works!
S in the US
April 19, 2021 at 6:14 pmWhat a pleasure indeed to stroll! I find I really dislike the guesswork involved with buying online. Returning is such a hassle!
I’ve been able to sneak 20-30 minutes in a store myself and it’s been glorious!
I am jealous you are near a Din Tai Fung! How do they compare to the ones in Asia? DTF is my first stop when in Taipei, so addictive.
A
April 21, 2021 at 12:33 pmOn an unrelated note, did you know that Elizabeth Suzann offers pay-what-you-can sewing patterns, and fabrics for sale? It’s a great option to enjoy her designs despite her shop closing. https://elizabethsuzannstudio.com/collections/fabric-patterns-kits
Mila
April 21, 2021 at 4:55 pmI feel the same way. It would feel nice being able to walk at the mall. Not so much for buying things but just browsing, looking and touching clothes, shoes, bags. I still try to avoid malls at present because lines are just insanely long and somewhere in the back of my mind I am conscious of current situation.
I love that linen top you linked. What size did you order?
Petti
April 24, 2021 at 12:54 pmI miss shopping in person! To be honest I never really found shopping online enjoyable. Clothes look nice on picture doesn’t mean it looks good on me. And dealing with return is another hassle. Not to mention it’s making so much waste on packaging. And if I want to buy jo marlone’s new fragrance, of course I need to smell it first, so no, online doesn’t really work. But in Covid time I have to shop online most of the time. In addition, my favourite and closest shopping mall is shut down for redevelopment, how sad. So I haven’t been in mall for ages. Maybe in a clothing store for 3 times since Covid last year. I can’t wait to have my shopping life back to normal!
Jewls
April 27, 2021 at 4:00 amWith new variants popping up, and some folks not willing to get vaccinated, I think I’ll stay away from the mall for a while more. Perhaps I’ve been traumatized. Lock down one minute and prior to this I was at the mall twice a week – window shopping, eating out. Not really sure i miss it. I sure saved a lot of money. 😉 I do miss windows shopping at Cartier, Van Cleef, Hermes, and Niemans. Can’t order those online and return..mucho Dinero.
I have three Din Tai Fungs in my area. I can tell from experience, the food does not taste the same in all three. I can say I do like the one close to the Asian neighborhood the best.
Congrats on your upcoming book! It looks like a great summer read.
Kat
April 27, 2021 at 5:53 pmThank you so much!