When I was young, my mother would often surprise me with something new from the mall: a new shirt, a bright skirt, or lotion samples. In her spare time, she’d go shopping and be thinking of me. Even up until high school, I still appreciated these gifts from her. I didn’t have a strong sense of style, even as a teenager; I’d be a typical jeans-and-tshirt kind of girl. I didn’t do a lot of shopping for myself back then, and my mother was more than happy to help. I liked the things she picked for me, proof that she knew me best, and I trusted her to not let me look lame. They weren’t expensive things, so no name brands for me, but it didn’t matter. My peers would compliment me on the stuff I’d wear from my mother.

When I got older, could drive, and had a paycheck, my mother took me out on my first shopping trip with her. It was like seeing the mall with new eyes. Sure, before I’d go with my girlfriends and we’d have fun, but it wasn’t like shopping with my mother. We woke up at nine-thirty in the morning, so we could be at the mall by eleven. Even now, I like to get up early in order to get my shopping on. I remember spending the day following my mother. I watched her look through the clothing racks, touching fabrics, and talking to me, always talking. We’d go to the dressing room where I learned that trying things on is free, so it’s a good way to try-try-try before you buy-buy-buy. It’s a good way to try on that one cardigan and find that the teal you thought you didn’t like actually complimented your skin really well. She taught me to be a smart, patient shopper. Usually, you can wait until the season is half over and things will go on sale. Keeping your eyes open: you never know what you may find on sale or not. And if it’s not on sale and it’s worth it, get it! It’s okay to splurge once in a while and especially on the good classic stuff that you can keep in your closet forever. Get fabrics that you like, in cuts that flatter, and colors that make you happy. Even now, while I love Kaboodling and shopping, nothing beats being there in the store with my hands between the racks, feeling the fabrics. I have sensitive skin, and I like being in clothes that I can wear all day no matter the occasion.

I found myself looking forward to these shopping trips more than I did with my girlfriends. We’d usually go on the weekend, start in the morning, and in the car, we’d catch up with each other, talk about the past week. I had started to build the foundation of my closet then, buying things based on my mother’s advice and my own inspiration. I was happy discovering the things I’d like to wear. I didn’t stop there, I continued to read and study fashion, watching out for trends, and slowly stocking my closet with more clothes that I could wear. By lunchtime, we’d treat ourselves out, celebrating a good shopping done and our happy time together.

It was more than just a mall trip. It was an intimate time where a mother imparts her wisdom and advice about fashion, style, and love. It was more than just the clothes. Looking good in the clothes I wear empowers me and makes my mother smile whenever I do a little twirl in the newest maxi dress I bought in front of her. The shopping trips are what helped my mother bridge that gap between us and enabled us to talk woman to woman, mother to daughter. I don’t think I could have gotten to where I am today without her. Moving away to a different city three hundred miles away and starting out on a new life that I want to build with my boyfriend isn’t easy, especially when I don’t get to look forward to my mother’s home cooking now, but I’m not so easily intimidated! I’ll face life head on with my favorite heels and a great outfit because—come on, ladies—you know there is nothing better than when you dress up!