Shopping is a borderline necessity.

Strengthened by the growing masses of influencers and the sheer will of teenagers antsy to get their hands on the newest trending product, shopping holds the power to express oneself with the simple click of a button or swipe of a credit card.

Across America, shopping is a getaway to the world of self expression. Whether perusing through the catalogues of the newest Vogue issue, living out every teen’s Gossip Girl fantasy, sauntering through Houston’s extensive Galleria or meandering through New York City’s Fifth Avenue, there is no feeling like the release of dopamine while clutching a paper shopping bag containing a trendy new cardigan or perfume. After all, there’s a reason they call it retail therapy.

There’s no better place for a shopaholic than Charleston’s historic King Street. On the main shopping street called King Street, avid shoppers will feel at home while sandwiched between trendy stores, towering over them on both sides.

King Street was named after English King Charles II and was originally the main highway of the town. After becoming the main shipping district around the mid 1800s, it underwent a major architectural transformation from a simple thoroughfare for horses and carriages to the bustling shopping street it is today. Now it is equipped with three districts: Lower King, which is known for its antiques; Middle King, known for its hot and trendy fashion; and Upper King, which is home to more shops and restaurants.

Aside from being one of the primary sets for Season 1, Episode 4 of the hit teen drama Outer Banks, Charleston is the home to the College of Charleston, whose students populate the bustling stores and restaurants that run up and down King Street.

With the large majority of students at the University of Charleston being between the age of 18 and 22, they are consistently on top of trends and decked out in the most popular garments. The trendiest stores for this age group are what King Street particularly caters to. King Street caters to the students of the university, providing them easy access to exceedingly popular stores.

With stores such as Sephora, Urban Outfitters and Brandy Melville, King Street is fundamentally a copy and paste of a Gen Z’s Tik Tok page. With the younger generations’ newfound obsession with makeup, skin care, jewelry and trendy clothes due to the wide implications of social media nowadays, younger teens are drawn to what they see on the internet.

If a popular youtuber is seen using the Ilia Mascara, then Gen Z will follow like blind mice, hoping to emulate their favorite stars. There is a reason the people call them influencers, because they do exactly that — influence.

The impulsivity that comes with being a lifelong shopaholic is relentless; it pulls and tugs until I find myself waltzing into Urban or Sephora, uncontrolled, like a mindless zombie. If shopaholics were in fact zombies, King Street would be the brains.

One of the most notable examples of this is the absolutely massive, three-story Brandy Melville, notorious for its one-size clothing, teeming with adorable babydoll tops, tanks and shorts. If clothes were candy, then call me obsessed. I ran through the store grabbing top after top, running my fingers through ribbed fabrics, silky satin and soft cardigans. If only I had infinite arms, I would have scooped up the entire store.

Although, there was one discrepancy in this seeming shopaholic heaven. Where were all the pants? This was not my first encounter with Brandy Melville, and I am well aware they make pants, even owning multiple pairs myself. However, this store seemed to be lacking in the pants department. Brandy sweats have been an internet sensation for the past months for their effortlessly put together vibe and softness, with influencers and students raving about how comfortable they are, but this store seemed to be 90% tops and 10% pants.

Additionally, King Street has more niche boutiques such as Oops, which was essentially word vomit with clothes and accessories. It had the most random collection of dresses, athleisure, jeans, bags and virtually anything that can be put on the body, in the best way possible. Although some items can lean on the pricier side, it feels like thrifting, in the way that Oops is the epitome of beautiful chaos.

Permanent jewelry is exceedingly popular in the bustling shopping district of King Street. Permanent jewelry is an internet sensation, symbolizing eternal bonds between friends, or in my case, mothers and daughters. The bracelets are soldered together, making them impossible to remove without cutting the chain.

Walking up and down King Street, I saw nearly five shops in less than ten minutes advertising permanent jewelry popups and could not resist the temptation, getting matching single strand gold chains with my mother.

Whether you’re looking for a skincare product to spice up your night time routine, or an outfit for a night out, King Street puts every shopaholic’s wants and needs within arms reach.

Should you ever find yourself in Charleston, throw down your suitcases, grab a stylish purse and set out on the stores. With a coffee in hand and sunglasses atop your head, you will be an unrelenting force. Just remember to leave some stock for the rest of us. After only a few short days scouring the shelves, the streets won’t know what hit them.