Today I’m going to be a brave soldier, and you may think going to the mall alone is not brave at all. But if that’s how you feel, I wish I could just go to the mall and walk around like you. To me, that’s scary during this time of year.
The mall is truly an amusement park; there are so many people, everybody’s trying to find their gifts, and it is the most intense time of the year to go to the mall. I figured it would be fun if we could have a little girl’s day and go to the stores that the girlies love. Let’s see what they have on their displays, try stuff on, and buy holiday gifts.
Facing the Fear of Solo Shopping
I’m terrified because I have never been to the mall by myself. I don’t know why those settings just scare me. It feels awkward right now, like I don’t know what to say.
I’m like already questioning this entire experience. Is it weird to go to the mall alone? Maybe, but there is a way to do the mall right. I feel like the key is to go and don’t look at anyone. Close like these potentially even add a pair of sunglasses on if you really want to commit to the bit. Put your headphones in and walk around like an NPC—that’s the only way to survive the mall this holiday season.
I’m going to go out there on the front lines and do it so I can investigate what the stores have.
Getting Ready: The Confidence Boost
My tip if you are ever nervous to go somewhere: I will feel ten times worse going if I don’t feel confident in like what I’m wearing or my hair. So if you’re nervous, go all out—just boom—because then you feel better, I promise you guys.
Listen to some music. It’s too chaotic with the windows down, but listen to this bassline. I made it, and I’m so terrified, but let’s talk about the stores we want to hit. I’m thinking H&M, Urban Outfitters, American Eagle, and PacSun.
The Strategy: Headphones and Tunnel Vision
I think online shopping is great because you don’t have to leave your house or interact with the outside world. But it low-key sucks because since there are so many options online, and since you can see it all on your computer, it’s like overwhelming. Sometimes too many options leads to inaction.
Sometimes going to stores in person and seeing things IRL does give you a different perspective, and you can see if it’s cute or not. Then you have to go out there in the jungle, in the legit zoo that is American malls in December.
Let me just go before I convince myself out of this. Starting with Urban Outfitters, I have my podcast in; this is the best way to shop alone.
Urban Outfitters: A Magical Experience
The dress selection is amazing; anything white and long catches my eyes these days since I’m in my bridal era. I love this dress, but they don’t have it in my size, unfortunately. This one looks like it could be promising. This bag reminds me of those Limited Too ones from back in the day, and this top is everything—I love her, she’s giving me fairy princess.
I was so out of the loop on Urban Outfitters, but I thoroughly enjoyed shopping there. I had not gone to an Urban Outfitters in person in years, and that was such a wonderful magical experience. I had so much fun trying on the dresses and I loved it.
Fashion Finds and “Casual Sleigh”
This is a really cute dress; I’m obsessed with how she fits me. It’s giving me Columbia, it’s giving me Miami, it’s giving me casual sleigh because the material is not too intense. It’s a dress, but it feels like cottony material—not trying too hard. You could do it with like a colorful pump.
I found another dress that is everything, but it’s not perfect. I love her, but I think she’s only perfect for the holiday season. The bow in the back is what threw me off; I played with her and took the bow off and tucked it back. This is how I wish the dress was designed if I’m being honest.
And this is my favorite dress; I’m obsessed with it. It’s made out of like puffer jacket material. I’ve never seen a gown made out of this material honestly. Urban Outfitters did what they had to do. I like that this is a classy cut; it’s not revealing, it doesn’t show a lot of skin, but it somehow feels so sexy.
Nordstrom: Survival of the Fittest
We are at Nordstrom’s. Nordstrom’s this time of year is really intense—like so many people. Everyone is just like on a mission and not paying attention and walking into people. It really is survival of the fittest at Nordstrom’s in American malls in December. But I guess it’s like part of the fun or whatever.
These are the real brand of like those sparkly shoes that you know the vibes. The dupes of them are just so good that I’m not really incentivized to want to buy the original ones. I must say the display is Georgina and these shoes are gorgeous, but they’re all over a thousand dollars.
Shout out to the queens that buy the real ones—like you guys really go off. But in a world full of amazing dupes of these, I’m just not gonna do it. Sometimes when I see prices like that, I think i’m rich, but honestly, the dupes work just fine.
The Bistro Experience
I went to Nordstrom Bistro. I hadn’t gone in so long, but I saw something recently that was like Nordstrom Bistro is the most comforting place. So I’m here after years of not coming here, and the food slaps.
Something I notice about Miss Nordstrom Bistro is everybody in there has a glass of wine. Hello, it’s 3:30 p.m. and they’re walking around with trays of wine for everyone. Looking around and seeing those ladies with their shopping bags and their glass of white wine and Rosé, I saw some ladies sipping champagne and I’m like, yo, this is definitely what the experience is all about.
Free People: Expensive But Safe
I’m going to Miss Free People. Growing up, it would just be one of those stores that I would walk by and look inside and be like, “Okay, like that’s cute but I’m not going to shop there because she is an expensive store.”
I love the vibes in there and it does give me a very safe space when you go in because everything is like so cute. I really like this bag; I didn’t even check the price tag because it was giving me Free People energy—like probably gonna be expensive. But this color and like their displays are so cute in there, like the white dress with the little harness—sleigh boots down the house.
I bought this bodysuit because I’m in the process of getting top-rated athleisure pieces. I’m glad that I got the skin-colored one because every workout outfit that I’ve bought this month has all been black and I need to switch it up a teensy bit.
PacSun and The Awkward Moment
I went to PacSun for like 10 seconds because I walked in and there’s like a ton of girls my age. I felt like not aged in that moment, so I was like, “Nope.” That was awkward.
I love this store, but sometimes you just walk in and it’s too chaotic. I didn’t stay there long.
Bath & Body Works: The Fall Feeling
Guys, I just went into my favorite store of all time, Bath and Body Works. You already know the pumpkin candles are in. I’m so excited. I went into Bath and Body Works just to smell the fall candles; it was delightful. Also, another thing I have to mention is that I am very much ready for fall.
The Solo Shopping Verdict
Is it weird to go to the mall alone? There were a few times when I was like, “What am I doing here by myself?” I think it’s definitely like a more maybe like fun experience when you go with other people, but it’s kind of like a more—not necessarily calming—but just like it’s a different experience going to the mall or anywhere by yourself.
I think what I’m going to do is literally go to Barnes and Noble, like bring a book. We have like a Starbucks in our Barnes and Noble—get a little chai in the morning.
Actually, I don’t know why I was like so scared to go. I think that the key with going to the mall by yourself is that it’s actually pretty nice and it’s a relaxing thing to do. Sometimes you do just need to take some time for yourself and do things by yourself.
Personally speaking, since I work from home, it’s easy for me to not do things by myself. Also because I’m in such a deep relationship, it’s easy for me to rely on my honey being with me for everything. Sometimes it’s nice to put myself out of my comfort zone even if it sounds silly and it’s just going to the mall by myself. Sometimes I do have to push myself to do those things and it felt nice.
The key was really listening to podcasts the entire time with my headphones in, and you really kind of get into your own little zone. It was so fun to hang out with myself today.
Mall Shopping Solo: A Pros & Cons List
| Feature | Going With Friends | Going Alone |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Slow, lots of waiting | Fast, efficient mission |
| Opinions | Helpful feedback instantly | Trust your own gut |
| Vibe | Social event, chaotic | “NPC mode,” podcast zone |
| Food | Sit-down meals, chatting | Quick bites or solo wine |
| Anxiety | Low (safety in numbers) | High initially, then relaxing |
The Haul: Secure the Bag
I got three items. I got these black pants; I liked the fit of these pants. I don’t really—I actually do not own black pants at the moment, so very glad that I snagged those. Next, I just got this Phoenix tee—what up? I don’t know, I like the color and I like it with these jeans. Boom.
Last but not least, got this sweater vest—very fun, very fall, very amazing. I’ve actually never had a sweater vest before so I’m thinking of wearing it with like a white turtleneck on the bottom.
I also got this super cute PJ set and I got these leg warmers which I’m a little late to the leg warmer trend obviously, but it has gotten really cold where I live so I’m like down for them now.
Final Thoughts: Be Brave
Secure the bag, American Eagle, here we go. Guys, look at me go—I’m loving this.
Going to the mall alone might seem daunting, especially if you think it’s weird. But honestly, putting on your headphones, listening to your favorite music or podcast, and just being in your own world is a vibe. You don’t have to wait for anyone, you don’t have to compromise on which stores to visit, and you can spend as much time as you want in the fitting room.
So, be a brave soldier. Go out there on the front lines. You might find that hanging out with yourself is the best company you can have. Peace out.