I've walked past Altar'd State at The Empire Mall more times than I can count — always when I'm cutting through from Scheels to the food court, always noticing the window displays that somehow manage to look beachy and boho even when there's three feet of snow piled up in the parking lot outside. It's in that corner past Dillard's where the mall gets quieter, which feels right for a store that trades in flowy sundresses and delicate jewelry that would get lost in the chaos near the main entrance.
The vibe is California transplant meets Midwest practicality. Racks of gauze tops and printed rompers that would work perfectly for a summer concert at Levitt or honestly just Saturday errands down Minnesota Ave when you want to feel like you tried. I've seen the price tags hover in that middle zone — not Forever 21, not Nordstrom — where you have to decide if the embroidered kimono is special enough to justify skipping your usual Target run.
What I appreciate is the curation. They're not trying to be everything to everyone, which in a mall setting takes actual discipline. Straw hats, anklets, those canvas tote bags that say something vaguely inspirational — it's a whole aesthetic commitment. The 4.5 rating makes sense when you consider they're delivering exactly what they promise, no bait and switch.
The honest truth? Sometimes the boho look can feel like costume rather than closet, especially in a place where functional winter wear dominates nine months of the year. But there's something to be said for a store that commits fully to its vision and doesn't apologize for selling you a little coastal escapism in the middle of the prairie — even if that maxi dress will spend most of its life under a parka.
Still, when July hits and the humidity makes everything stick, I know exactly where to find something that breathes.
— Grace
Still, when July hits and the humidity makes everything stick, I know exactly where to find something that breathes.