From the suburbs of Minnesota to big coastal cities, the mall was a special place.“Was” is the operative word because, of course, what once captivated the hearts and weekends of teenagers around the country is now a shell of its former self—sometimes literally. Even with a reported 9.7% surge in visits this year, the magic that used to live within those giant concrete walls is probably gone forever.
And you know what we’re talking about. The smell of Auntie Anne’s cinnamon pretzels mixed with movie popcorn and old pizza that had been sitting under the lights a little too long. The rush of walking through the food court after a dizzying amount of shopping, stopping at every sampler until you were full. Checking out new music, trying on clothes, and seeing friends in a random store only to stand at the racks and talk for an hour. That terrible retail job you had working at Abercrombie Kids, folding the same shirt over and over just to look busy (oh, wait, that one was just me?).
For people in fashion especially, the mall seems to kick up a particular nostalgia pang—especially around the holidays when so many formative memories were created, and clothing was the indisputable backdrop. In the 80s, 90s, and early aughts, the mall was about discovery and community, something modern shopping seems to lack.
To celebrate what once was (and perhaps wish for some sort of return), we asked six fashion insiders to tell us their favorite mall memories.
Cortne Bonilla, Senior Commerce Writer, Vogue
"When I picture my childhood, the mall pops up often. Maybe more than often. My mom is a fashion lover, and growing up on Long Island meant weekends were spent piling into the family car for a trip to Green Acres Mall. I'd pick out my outfit with delight, picturing the salt flakes hitting my tongue from an Auntie Anne's pretzel (dipped in mustard). Browsing through Bloomingdale's felt like a sumptuous hallucination. I'd play under the racks while my mom searched for Norma Kamali, Donna Karan, and Dior kids—for me and my sister, thankfully. Then, we'd go to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Garden City with our Little Brown Bags. My mom always says I would constantly wonder, "Where's my Little Brown Bag? I need one!"
Henry Zankov, Designer and CFDA Emerging Designer of the Year Winner
“My first time seeing an American mall was in the 90s when we immigrated to the US from Russia. We were living in the suburbs outside of NYC, and I had never seen anything like it. I was impressed and overwhelmed as I was only 10 years old at the time. There was nothing like this back in Russia then.”
Derek Lam, Fashion Designer and Creative Director of Câllas Milano
“Malls, when I grew up in California in the 70s and 80s, were open-air malls with lots of planting and trees, pavilions with outdoor benches, and almost a park-like atmosphere. They reflected the outdoor sensibility of California living. See’s Candies, which was then just a local candy store, was a favorite. Bricks of chocolate-covered almonds were my go-to. I also got my Members Only jacket at the Stanford Mall; shark grey, so cool—well, for the ’80s!”
Tchesmeni Leonard, Senior Fashion Editor, Allure, Glamour and Teen Vogue
“Going to the mall felt like a rite of passage into growing up. I remember watching my older sister and her friends return from their trips, trying on hauls from Wet Seal and Contempo Casuals, and dreaming of the day I'd be old enough to join them. When that time finally came, it felt like a major milestone. Some of my best mall memories were with friends, where our first stops would be Limited Too, The Gap, and Victoria's Secret. We'd spend hours trying to recreate looks from iconic 90's and early 2000's movies that inspired us like She's All That, Bring It On, and Save the Last Dance. Mall life was not only fun, but it shaped my love for fashion.”
Peyton Dix, Host of Lemme Say This
“RIP to one of the greatest malls in Los Angeles, the Westside Pavilion. It had everything: hot topic, hot dog on a stick, hot people (I think… I don’t know… I was 13, and all my crushes lived on the west side). My favorite memory was in Nordstrom; my brother went up to the mall classical pianist (bring this back!!!! I don’t wanna hear kissFM!!!!) to ask if he takes requests and if he could play… the Space Jam theme song.”