If you’re from Philly, you say, “KOP”
Although The Mall of America claims to be the biggest mall in America, The King of Prussia Mall states that it is “the largest shopping mall in the United States in terms of gross leasable area, with a gross leasable area of 2,900,000 square feet.” Okay. Why is it called “King of Prussia”? Because it’s in King of Prussia, PA. Why is the town called that? Because it was named after a 18th century inn of the same name, which is named after Frederick the Great.
Anyway.
This is THE mall. Where I live, there’s a little mall, a “big” mall and then there’s KOP which has practically every store there is. Drive time is 15 minutes, 30 minutes and 60 minutes respectively. If I want, I could drive into NYC in about an hour and 45.
So, we are in a place and time where we can buy almost anything online. And I do. But so often I think, I want to see it all, touch it, try it on. I only really like to order online if I get free shipping both ways. I know, I’m spoiled. This is what led me to drive an hour to Philly. I had ordered some things from J. Crew and didn’t want to spend money to ship them back. No, instead I’d spend money to drive really far to return them at what is now the closest J. Crew. We used to have a J. Crew up here but it closed. But, I’d also get to look at some other brands we don’t have here like Madewell. And it was an excuse to get out of the house.
To say that place is overwhelming is an understatement. I logged over 12,000 steps that day! I went into a few places I’d heard about from other bloggers and always wanted to experience in real life but in the end I really didn’t get excited by much that I saw. I was prepared to be a little bit “bad” and spend more money than I should and I actually left empty handed.
Here’s a list of all the stores at King of Prussia (skipping food, men’s and sportswear), divided up by where I’ve shopped, where I want to shop someday and where I’ll pass:
BEEN THERE, BOUGHT THAT
Aerie – used to be my fave for underthings, now it’s GAP
Ann Taylor – A little too “office” for me
Anthropologie – I’m over it
Athleta – All the time
Banana Republic – Sadly, my go-to
Clark’s – I’ve had some luck here
Coach – A couple splurges
DSW – I live here
GAP – All the basics please
H&M – Fun times!
J. Crew – So much. Closest is KOP
LOFT – Too much
Lucky – Less these days
Madewell – Pretty in love. Closest is KOP
Nordstrom – Dangerous. Closest is KOP
Old Navy – Just for the kids, and PJs
Steve Madden – Many shoes have I owned
Urban Outfitters – A bit young, but still good. Closest is KOP
Vans – Sk8rgrl
Zara – Once or twice. Closest is KOP
IN MY DREAMS
Bloomingdale’s
Burberry
Cartier
Carolina Herrera
COS – This was my fave part of my recent visit to KOP!
Diane Von Furstenberg
GUCCI
Hermes
Jimmy Choo
Kate Spade
Longchamp
Lord & Taylor – THE department store when I was growing up in DC
Neiman Marcus
Rag & Bone – Want!
Saint Laurent
Tiffany & Co.
Tory Burch
Vince – bought a jacket from a thrift store in NYC
THANKS, I’LL PASS
Abercrombie & Fitch
Aéropostale
American Eagle
BCBGMAXAZRIA
Bottega Venetta
Brooks Brothers – I bought one pair of used chinos that I love
BVLGARI
Calvin Klein Underwear
Chico’s
Club Monaco
David Yurman
Diesel
Ecco
Eddie Bauer
Eileen Fisher
Everything But Water
Express – not since the 90s
Fendi
Forever 21
Francesca’s
Free People – kind of cool
G-Star RAW
Garage
Guess
Hanna Andersen
Hollister
Icing
Intimissi
J. Jill
Johnny Was
Johnston & Murphy
Joie – I did take a look…
L.L Bean
Lane Bryant
Lily Pulitzer
Loro Piana
Louis Vuitton
Lululemon
Macy’s
Michael Kors
New York & Co.
Nick + Zoe – I checked it out this trip
Omega
PacSun
Pink
Ralph Lauren
Salvatore Ferragamo
Soma
Spanx
Talbots
Ted Baker
Timberland
Tommy Bahama
True Religion
UGG
Untuckit
Vera Bradley
Victoria Secret
Vineyard Vines
White House Black Market
HONESTLY, NO CLUE
AAO
Altar’d State
Brighton
Calzedonia
Ermenegildo Zegna
Dynamite
Henig Furs
Henri Bendal
Marc Cain
Marmot
MCM
Paula Hian
Philipp Plein
Primark
Rigby & Peller
Robert Grant
South Moon Under
St John
Superdry
Tadashi Shoji
Thomas Pink
Torrid
Tumi
Villa
Wolford
Zuminez
That’s it. Let me know if there are any brands you know and love. Do you think I should I rethink any of these? The great thing is I realized I am not missing out. Also, I now know what they have at KOP and that it’s not that far. I might have to go again soon for the Shake Shack alone!
