Anonymous wrote:Finally growing up and filling out enough that I could wear size 5 shoes and the smallest "teenage" size of the time, size 3. Later shopping at The 5-7-9 store.
I miss the sheer variety of stores; Kinney, Thom McAn, Hahn for shoes. Jean Nicole, Cedar Post, Gunny Sax, Susie's Casuals, Limited, Brooks, misc., Britches for Women, Casual Corner, privately-owned dress boutiques, Garfinckels, Frugal Fannies, Raleighs, Woodward and Lothrop...
Visiting my grandmother's small-town mall 200 miles away and knowing that I would find unique stores with merchandise entirely different from what I'd find in Northern Virginia.
Going to lunch at the department store cafes - and loving how fancy they were.
Getting all dressed up to go shopping. It was quite an occasion and usually you'd be lucky to come home with one special item, like an Easter dress and shoes.
Attending department store fashion shows and as a teenager, being selected to model
OMG, I could have written your post! Right down to the modeling in department store shows while in high school! I was a model for Woodies "Fashion Advisory Board"

- cheesy fashion shows held in different malls all over the area. I'm mortified when I think back on some of the outfits they put us in.
And Cedar Post - that place was the bomb! So fashion-forward (for the 80's, anyhow). Garfinckel's was where my mom took me to buy prom dresses, and we'd go to Britches (for men) for my oversized rugby shirts. Limited for the hideous, oversized V-neck Forenza sweaters and stirrup pants. Oh my, such memories!