The mall is pretty much the last place that I expect to find inspiration, which I feel a little guilty for saying since I was a child of the 80’s and going to a mall was a highlight of my youth. But these days we demand more from our shopping, don’t we?… If we even bother going somewhere to do it… because let’s be honest. Half of us would never have frequented malls in yesteryears if the internet and free shipping had existed.
These days many of our malls are kind of taking a beating while many of us ditch them for newer developments with outdoor venues and a more European style shopping experience. (I’m seriously struggling with feeling as though I am betraying my youth! I remember the first time my parents dropped me off and I got to shop with my friends. alone. AT the MALL. In my scrunchy and parachute pants.) It was everything 80’s movies make it out to be. And More.
Whether you are a mall shopper or not, I’ve got at least three reasons to head directly to the mall. (Cinnabon or Auntie Anne’s are vying for first place… obviously.)
Ralph Lauren… An oasis in the middle of a congested Friday night shopping trip (Who goes to malls on Friday nights you are asking? Crazy people… like me.) that was full of frustration due to the fact that almost no stores carry petites, which can now be… you guessed it… ordered online from the comfort of my own home in my pj’s…
But I was so taken with the decor at Ralph Lauren that I immediately forgot my grudge against them for not catering more to us shorties.
I was so inspired. All I wanted to do was sit and absorb. First the mens’ department, which is my personal favorite, was dark and lux… and then there was the women’s department which was light and elegant. Darkness vs light… with a magical stairwell in between that had more than a few pulling out their cameras.
Ralph Lauren is proof that there is still good left in the mall. You might even be convinced to snap a few photos so you can run home, dissect each room, and analyze what aspects of the store you loved and which were better left with the cinnamon pretzel nugget induced coma.
See what you think…
My biggest regret of the day? That I didn’t take more photos, of course. Thankfully there is plenty of inspiration online… without the crowds… whether you want decor advise or closet recommendations!
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