I Miss Malls!

Shopping Used To Be An Experience, Not Just A Transaction

The other day, I was watching one of Alexasunshine83’s videos on YouTube about unpopular fashion opinions, and one of the points she brought up really stuck with me. She said she wishes malls still existed as the main way people bought clothing. That got me thinking—she’s absolutely right. I miss malls. I miss shopping at them. And honestly, I miss what they used to represent so I figured I would write about it.

There’s something about malls that feels so nostalgic now, but at the time, they were just a part of life. Malls were a place to hang out with friends, try on clothes, and actually enjoy the process of shopping. It wasn’t just about buying stuff—it was the experience. The dressing rooms, the food court, walking into stores just to browse—it all felt special in a way that shopping online never will.

Online shopping has definitely changed the way we consume fashion, and not always for the better. It’s convenient, sure, but it also makes overconsumption so easy. Think about it—you can’t try things on beforehand, so people end up buying multiple sizes or ordering way more than they actually need just to see what works. That just encourages this cycle of buy, return, repeat. And let’s be honest, half the time, we don’t even return things. It’s wasteful, and it makes shopping feel… transactional. Like there’s no thought or excitement behind it anymore.

Malls, on the other hand, were about more than shopping. They were places where people came together. Whether you were wandering around with your friends, killing time before a movie, or just people-watching, it felt like an event. Now, shopping feels so isolated. You’re scrolling through websites alone, looking at models wearing clothes that may or may not even look like that in person. You’re not feeling the fabrics or seeing how something moves when you try it on. It’s just not the same.

Don’t get me wrong—I get why online shopping is the go-to now. It’s convenient, and you have access to so many brands you’d never find in one place. But I think we lost something important when malls started disappearing. Shopping used to be an experience, something to look forward to. Now it feels like a chore.

I really wish malls could make a comeback. Not just for the nostalgia, but because I think we need those shared spaces again—places where you can connect with people, explore without a plan, and just enjoy yourself. Shopping doesn’t have to be all about efficiency and speed. Sometimes it’s about the little things, like finding the perfect jacket on a clearance rack or splitting a pretzel with your best friend in the food court. Malls, I hope you know you’re missed. <3

XO,

𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆