Written by Peregrine on 17 Nov, 2000
Those of you who live in the big cities might not understand this, but being from a fashion-challenged area, getting to a Big mall like this is one of the highlights of my year. I flip through magazines and catalogues. I see something…Read More
Those of you who live in the big cities might not understand this, but being from a fashion-challenged area, getting to a Big mall like this is one of the highlights of my year. I flip through magazines and catalogues. I see something I like. I check out the list of store locations. Is there one in New Mexico? No. Is there one at South Coast Plaza? Of course. So, I save up pennies and nickels and put together my list of “Things I Can’t Find at Home” and head out to LA, the shopping capital of the West. Besides visiting Katie, Boomer and their people, I make a pilgrimage to two centers: Fashion Island in Newport Beach and South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. I have been doing this since I left La La Land eons ago. At first, it was such a thrill to see catalogue merchandize in person. To touch, feel, and try on, so if it doesn’t fit I don’t have to pay postage to send it back. The catalogue stores are still there, but the designers have moved in. Nitsy little boutiques with five dresses on the rack which you know probably cost half your annual salary. Fortunately, if you time it right, the department store sales are great. Wear your walking shoes, the Plaza sprawls. The location map covers three double pages (and they even have a website). Besides the shops, there are art galleries and restaurants. Thirty-three restaurants to be exact, ranging from McDonald’s to Wolfgang Puck Café. Close