Recently I went shopping at a very large upscale mall which has parking both outdoors and in parking garages. I parked in a garage on a level where I usually go because it has a direct entrance into Nordstroms. I was wearing a nice black & white fluffy summer-weight skirt that came to 3-4 inches above my knees, a silky sleeveless black v-neck top & black clogs.
After a full day of shopping and lunch it was time to leave. As I walked into Nordstroms, I noticed a guy leaving the store who gave me a long head-to-toe looking over. Late 40's, dressed casual. Half way through the store I got on an escalator to get to the floor with the exit to the garage and the same guy who was leaving the store now gets on the escalator some distance behind me. Okay maybe he just forgot something. Close to the exit door I glance around and he's walking in my direction. Maybe he's just heading to this particular area to buy something. Maybe not as my spidey sense now kicks into high gear! I exit, start walking down the aisle and hear footsteps in the same aisle. Maybe he's parked nearby? Maybe not, time to think about fight or flight just in case. I get in my car, watch in the mirror as he gives a long look into the car as he passes. Hopefully he's gone to his car. But I back out and now he's standing in the middle of the aisle about 5 cars away staring at me without moving. His being a lowlife is now confirmed. Decisions, decisions - do I run the lowlife over or go in the other direction to exit the garage. Sadly discretion was the better part of valor and I exited the other way.
In all likelihood nothing would have happened, it is a busy mall with busy parking areas. I am relating this story not to make others fearful of what may happen to them by going out en femme but to insure that everyone remains observant of their surroundings whenever and wherever they are out and about. As long as you are not in a bad part of town or out alone at night in a deserted area there really is no reason to be fearful. Being observant doesn't mean you have to be tensed up all the time either. Just relax, smile, go out and have a good time but be aware of what and who is around you. After a while it will become second nature.