YES to mall shopping! As someone who grew up in rural northeastern Pennsylvania whose only options for college were budget-friendly in-state schools, I chose my college based on its proximity to the King of Prussia mall. I loved it 20 years, and still, to this day, love a trip to the KOP mall.
If you need another fix try Short Hills on a weekday when it's cold. I grew up there and in the age of paper magazines, the mall and Vogue was very formative.
I also had in mind that excerpt Jess restacked about how when pants you thought were weird look normal it’s time to move on. It gave me the courage to try this silhouette. 🙃 Arriving tomorrow can’t wait!
- That quote from the in-house counsel is gold. Reminds me of when I'm trying to parent my toddler and I think to myself before stopping him from doing something: "Is this dangerous or just inconvenient?" Most of the time, it's just inconvenient. Feels like the same applies here.
- Re: The Row....... don't bite the hand that feeds you eek
- Mall shopping is so nostalgic, this made me emotional. Also Glow Recipe is fascinating to me. I feel like people either love the brand (Gen-Z and below) or really hate it (Millennials and above). Very polarizing!
i unearthed a silk shirt from elizabeth & james during a closet clean out recently and going forward im referring to it as my “pre-the row” piece. the quality has held up!
Can I just say, when you affiliate linked to quince over the dupe shoes I was like FUCK YEAH YOU SHOW THEM HOW ITS DONE because the reality is times are changing, media has evolved and commerce journeys follow a new direction. YES.
San Francisco didn’t really have a mall but we did have Union Square, and it was epic! I Magnin’s was dreamy, Joseph Magnin, Macy’s and City of Paris formed my shopping love early on. It has changed there now but is coming back. Chanel is going in where Williams Sonoma is right on the square, as is Gucci and Tory Burch are there and Grant Avenue a block away has Loro Piana, Brunello, Bottega and Hermes - among others. The new mayor is doing a mostly great job! Here’s to the renaissance of my hometown which is spectacularly beautiful and was 70 degrees as I flew in from Burbank yesterday…where it was warm but hazy.
Farther south, the Stanford Shopping Center is fabulous but that is my total mall experience! Managed a Gap there early 80’s and then over to Banana when Gap bought them feels like it was the Wild West now!
I still love the mall. I love trying things on in person and trying multiple sizes, the community and camaraderie of the fitting room (I love shopping alone but sometimes you need another opinion, u know?), and ability to touch and feel a garment before even deciding to try on. There's something soothing about a mall or really just shopping in person, but the mall definitely brings up that high school nostalgia. (I see you, Roosevelt Field mall. Lol)
It feels like The Row is trying (and failing) to do two things at once: emulate the exclusive mystique and inaccessibility of Hermes (have their cake) + reap the immediate financial benefit of influencer hauls and popular hype (eat it too). These are polar opposite business strategies, and it is illogical to pursue both at once. I’m presuming that it is because they are being pressured to meet certain revenue targets. But it is unfortunately short-sighted, and it’s backfiring by creating this tension that reeks of desperation. Uncool, as you say!
These are clothes people don't be so uncool! I love that line and this whole piece. Fashion shouldn't be so exclusive to the point where it makes people feel totally alienated. It's fashion and should be fun. This is all reminiscent of the end of 13 going on 30 where she makes the magazine happy again and includes everyone and I am loving it. Now I need to go to the mall...
lol I love this comment. I don't think the row will ever aim to include everyone, those prices do a lot of heavy lifting to ensure that. but i think the over-engineering of the you can't sit with us strategy isn't hitting the way they thought. anyway, to the mall!
Always here for a mall brand round up, but also glad to see people starting to call out the self-seriousness of The Row. It’s too much! Interested to see where they go from here.
Regarding the Row, it seems pretty clear to me that they understand it's chic to present as mysterious and niche. It's chic to look like you don't care about hype. But they're a fashion brand. They need to make money. The illusion of mystery wasn't part of some larger brand ethos. It was how they marketed themselves to the world. And when they started to suffer from diminishing returns, they had to pivot their strategy. Court influencers with more followers. I don't think it goes much deeper than that.
YES to mall shopping! As someone who grew up in rural northeastern Pennsylvania whose only options for college were budget-friendly in-state schools, I chose my college based on its proximity to the King of Prussia mall. I loved it 20 years, and still, to this day, love a trip to the KOP mall.
palm beach gardens mall raised me
Queue Chantal Kreviazuk’s “feels like home”
we love a mall
KOP mall is my favorite
Love me a mall! We have a goooood one here- it even has a Khaite! 👀
Wow! Where?
South Coast Plaza! Orange County, CA. Come visit! Xx
Years ago I had to live at the Westin right near there for 6 weeks while in the area for work and this mall was so fun to walk around! I loved it.
It’s not really great - so lucky to live so close to it!
If you need another fix try Short Hills on a weekday when it's cold. I grew up there and in the age of paper magazines, the mall and Vogue was very formative.
https://shopshorthills.com/stores/
noted!
{adds super cool Zara pants to cart}
same
I bought those! [Using Jess’s link of course.]
I also had in mind that excerpt Jess restacked about how when pants you thought were weird look normal it’s time to move on. It gave me the courage to try this silhouette. 🙃 Arriving tomorrow can’t wait!
Super insightful, well articulated piece on the Row. Thank you! (Also into the mall recs, obviously!)
Thanks! Long live the mall
SO many thoughts. Loved reading this!
- That quote from the in-house counsel is gold. Reminds me of when I'm trying to parent my toddler and I think to myself before stopping him from doing something: "Is this dangerous or just inconvenient?" Most of the time, it's just inconvenient. Feels like the same applies here.
- Re: The Row....... don't bite the hand that feeds you eek
- Mall shopping is so nostalgic, this made me emotional. Also Glow Recipe is fascinating to me. I feel like people either love the brand (Gen-Z and below) or really hate it (Millennials and above). Very polarizing!
agreed on all counts
i unearthed a silk shirt from elizabeth & james during a closet clean out recently and going forward im referring to it as my “pre-the row” piece. the quality has held up!
I miss that brand
Can I just say, when you affiliate linked to quince over the dupe shoes I was like FUCK YEAH YOU SHOW THEM HOW ITS DONE because the reality is times are changing, media has evolved and commerce journeys follow a new direction. YES.
hahahaha
Speaking of mall things, this bag from J Crew is pretty cute!
https://www.jcrew.com/m/womens/categories/accessories/bags/bordeaux/bordeaux-bag-in-calf-hair/ME608
the ultimate iconic mall brand
San Francisco didn’t really have a mall but we did have Union Square, and it was epic! I Magnin’s was dreamy, Joseph Magnin, Macy’s and City of Paris formed my shopping love early on. It has changed there now but is coming back. Chanel is going in where Williams Sonoma is right on the square, as is Gucci and Tory Burch are there and Grant Avenue a block away has Loro Piana, Brunello, Bottega and Hermes - among others. The new mayor is doing a mostly great job! Here’s to the renaissance of my hometown which is spectacularly beautiful and was 70 degrees as I flew in from Burbank yesterday…where it was warm but hazy.
I love the Neimans in SF!
Farther south, the Stanford Shopping Center is fabulous but that is my total mall experience! Managed a Gap there early 80’s and then over to Banana when Gap bought them feels like it was the Wild West now!
I still love the mall. I love trying things on in person and trying multiple sizes, the community and camaraderie of the fitting room (I love shopping alone but sometimes you need another opinion, u know?), and ability to touch and feel a garment before even deciding to try on. There's something soothing about a mall or really just shopping in person, but the mall definitely brings up that high school nostalgia. (I see you, Roosevelt Field mall. Lol)
It feels like The Row is trying (and failing) to do two things at once: emulate the exclusive mystique and inaccessibility of Hermes (have their cake) + reap the immediate financial benefit of influencer hauls and popular hype (eat it too). These are polar opposite business strategies, and it is illogical to pursue both at once. I’m presuming that it is because they are being pressured to meet certain revenue targets. But it is unfortunately short-sighted, and it’s backfiring by creating this tension that reeks of desperation. Uncool, as you say!
These are clothes people don't be so uncool! I love that line and this whole piece. Fashion shouldn't be so exclusive to the point where it makes people feel totally alienated. It's fashion and should be fun. This is all reminiscent of the end of 13 going on 30 where she makes the magazine happy again and includes everyone and I am loving it. Now I need to go to the mall...
lol I love this comment. I don't think the row will ever aim to include everyone, those prices do a lot of heavy lifting to ensure that. but i think the over-engineering of the you can't sit with us strategy isn't hitting the way they thought. anyway, to the mall!
Always here for a mall brand round up, but also glad to see people starting to call out the self-seriousness of The Row. It’s too much! Interested to see where they go from here.
They just need to tone it down a little and chill.
Ann Taylor = Hallmark movies yes! so on point. There's something very therapeutic about wondering around the mall.
yaaa like what is it about that energy? It's sort of like Megan Markle and Capri Blue candles. Can't explain it.
Regarding the Row, it seems pretty clear to me that they understand it's chic to present as mysterious and niche. It's chic to look like you don't care about hype. But they're a fashion brand. They need to make money. The illusion of mystery wasn't part of some larger brand ethos. It was how they marketed themselves to the world. And when they started to suffer from diminishing returns, they had to pivot their strategy. Court influencers with more followers. I don't think it goes much deeper than that.
One more thing: I never understand the concept of trying to look effortless. Just don't try...
I don't understand "effortless" nor do I understand "polished."