In Las Vegas, shopping for spring and summer clothing means, because of the weather, we purchase clothing we can wear year-round. So where do we shop? Most of us go to mid-range malls or we shop online or on TV. Some of us, however, have the means to pick up a summer wardrobe at a store featuring a designer name.

Where are those luxury designer stores? They are in several spots around town, but most conveniently concentrated in the 40 “Shops at Crystals”, part of the CityCenter resort on Las Vegas Boulevard. For visitors, the most convenient hotel to Crystals is the Aria Resort & Casino Las Vegas though a tram will also take visitors to and from the Bellagio Las Vegas. For drivers of electric cars, there is a large sign in the valet parking for Crystals: “Electric Vehicle Charging Station Open 24/7, Free to Use”.

The three-story Crystals shopping venue opened four-and-a-half years ago. In a visit shortly after Crystals opened, I noted a number of vacant storefronts, a lack of seating for weary shoppers, no place to buy a postcard or even a candy bar and sparse crowds.

Last week, on a return visit, I saw a mall with few un-rented stores and a number of lovely benches (thank you). A convenience store called “The News” sells snacks and candy bars… and a few post cards.

About the crowds? They were still sparse last Wednesday morning, but I was told traffic picks up after 1 p.m. and on weekends. Even then, lookers outnumber shoppers, but remember, this is a luxury mall. As one store employee said, “When we have a customer, it’s a good customer.” Translation: a good customer arrives with a high-limit credit card (including China’s UnionPay Card).

As the attached video points out, prices at most Crystals shops are high. For that, the sales people are impeccably dressed and many have wonderful European accents. Every store decor is lovely. The windows have no fingerprints, and many of the stores have a uniformed security guard (or two) helping to protect the merchandise. However, finding a price tag is difficult. This isn’t WalMart with labels and prices in plain view. These price tags are hidden deep inside an item or are in a log book where “we look up the prices”.

Designer items are also exclusive to the store. When I entered the Bally of Switzerland leather goods store, I was told that I couldn’t take pictures inside the store. So my video camera missed recording a leather man-bag that had an $895 price tag, but was on sale at 30 percent off. My husband loves a bargain, but like many men we know, a rubber band around important cards will never be replaced by a man bag.

The store hours at Crystals are typically from 10 a.m. to 11 or 12 p.m., so the days are long for the store employees.

I have to admit that although I don’t shop at luxury shops, I certainly admired the merchandise, and I was grateful for the nice treatment I received in each store — in spite of my non-designer personal wardrobe. I know I mispronounce designer names, and I give away my status by calling “designer handbags” “purses”…but that’s just me.

One thing for sure: If I purchase a pur…handbag… online from QVC and spend $200, I’m a bit guilty — knowing I already have perfectly good pur….handbags… I could use. But after visiting The Shops at Crystals where handbags typically “start” at $1000 or more, my guilt has all but disappeared.

Who can shop at these stores? The Kardashians and some hip-hop artists, I guess, a few CEOs and their wives, financial whiz-kids and anyone who hits a Megabucks jackpot. All the rest of us can look…and looking is great fun. Incidentally, the aisles at Crystals are filled with artwork and fountains worthy of photos. If you visit Crystals, bring a camera.