It’s no secret that Shana and I both gravitate toward the pricier items in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. They sell out first and are a great way to save money on the designer brands we love.  

BUT…it’s the unexpectedly budget-friendly gems we sometimes get the MOST excited about. The pieces that we’re all… “Seriously!!!??? THIS is under $100?” It’s sooo deeply satisfying to discover these more-affordable finds.

A few shoutouts before we get started:

DANG, these under-$60 trousers are good! Like REALLY good! And a PERFECT way to try out the trouser thing if you (like me) are usually a jeans or joggers kind of gal and want to branch out a little.

I guess we’re into brown coats this year, because I’m very excited that I found this fuzzy oversized jacket for under $40, and Shana loved Topshop’s brown corduroy bomber, calling it one of her best buys of the sale.

Shana and I were laughing that we brought to the brainstorming table a few of the exact same outfits (I mean…you kind of can’t go wrong with these parachute pants and this totally unexpected, versatile top.

Budget-Friendly Finds We’re Most Excited About: A Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Try-On

Below we’ve collected 10 outfits (between Shana and I) that are made up of under-$100 items in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

P.S. The sellouts in the sale have been UBER-frustrating. There are always sellouts, but this year it feels especially fast. So…as of publish, these pieces have stock. However, if your size sells out by the time you’re reading this, there are always returns and occasionally restocks. It’s definitely worth bookmarking and checking back.

P.P.S. We have even more try-ons and top picks over in our Ultimate Guide to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. See ya there.

1. Cute White Tees + Designer Jeans (OK $114…But Close Enough)

Linzi: Tee (S) | Jeans (29) | Clogs

Shana: Tee (S) | Jeans (27) | Jacket (XS) | Boots

Hey guys, S here. We love a little white tee tucked into high-rise flares — especially a light wash or that amazing ’70s blue wash — it’s such a classic Jane Birkin look. Linz’s tee is an absolute steal for $13 (she’s been wearing Caslon tees for years), and my Re/Done tee is on sale for under $100. These Re/Done tees have so much personality, with a decidedly vintage look & feel. I LOVE mine.

The jeans are, annoyingly, SOLD OUT. That said, these freaking Madewell wide-legs are under $100 and look like Veronica Beard (finally!! Those details are NOT hard to copy!!), and the team loves Good American’s Good Waist high-rise Jeans — currently 40% off at Net-A-Porter.

2. One More Look At The Brown Corduroy Jacket

Jacket (XS) | Tank (S) | Skort (S)

S here again. I cannot say enough good things about this Topshop bomber jacket. It’s an oversized fit that somehow makes every outfit 1000 times cooler. It vibes almost like the oversized blazer trend…but is much more comfortable to wear.

3. Another Brown Jacket (Fuzzy & Under $40) + Flares (Under $70)

I’m so freaking excited about this fleece jacket from Thread & Supply! It’s UNDER $40! I brought this super-soft guy home and immediately played around with wearing it over workout clothes and casual denim + sneaks, but it surprisingly looks cute with big earrings, full-length wide-leg jeans, and high clogs as well. I think it’s the rich gorgeous brown and fun little details that makes it work.

Jacket (S) | Jeans (6) | Similar Jeans (last year’s BF pick) | Tee (S) | Sneaks | More Colors At adidas

4. A Cool, Seamed Top + Parachute Pants (Both Zella)

Linzi: Top (S) | Tank (XS) | Pants (M) | Sneaks | More Colors At adidas

Shana: Top (S) | Bottoms (S) | Shoes

Shana and I LOVE this little Zella activewear combo and are both tempted to buy this cool, super-soft, detailed tee in other colors. I’m wearing this Zella tank underneath with it peaking out at the bottom, and I like to wear my cinched parachute pants (can be worn as wide-legs too) a little lower on my waist. Shana has a sports bra under her tee and likes her pants a little higher on her true waist.

5. That Zella Top Again (Not Just For Workouts)

Linzi: Top (S) | Jeans (29 | Clogs
Shana: Top (S) | Bottoms (27)

Check out the exposed reverse seams on this long-sleeve Zella top. Definitely what makes it special…well, that and the super-soft stretchiness (recycled fibers & TENCEL Lyocell) and the perfect just-short-enough length that hits right at the top of my jeans.

6. Cashmere (Under $100) & Levi’s

Sweater (S) | Similar Levi’s (28) | Sneaks | More Colors At adidas

Nordstrom’s crewneck cashmere sweater doesn’t have the softness of Jenni Kayne or Nadaam cashmere, but for under $100, it’s definitely soft enough for me. It’s on the thinner side compared with other cashmere I have, but it makes it easier to do the little slight-tuck-in thing, and I like the way the lighter-weight cashmere drapes.

A solid budget-friendly pick especially when paired with Levi’s Ribcage jeans. The newer version of Levi’s in this year sale are less distressed than my old ones above, and I like this year’s version better. As always…Levi’s in the NSale are at GREAT price point.

7. A Zella L/S Tee + Leggings + Epic On Sneakers

Top (S) | Leggings (similar) | Shoes

Hi, it’s S again, and whoa, these On shoes. Seriously comfortable, legit running shoes yet…I actually think they look cool too. And the long-sleeve Zella tee I’ve owned for years — almost completely sold out of course — is still fully stocked in the white, which is the color I’m snapping up next! (P.S. Even full price, this tee is only $45, so put it on your radar — it’s such a good one and worth paying full price for the color you want.)

8. Zella Joggers Or Leggings + A Cute Tank

Joggers (M) | Leggings (M) | Tank (XS)

Oh yes! The Zella Live-In Joggers are SUCH a favorite of mine. I actually have three pairs that I wear on rotation to exercise classes, dance classes, walks on the trail, and as a nice-looking pair of joggers with “real clothes.” They’re so good. I recommend them to everyone.

This year, I branched out a bit to try Zella’s leggings too. The contrast stitching sold me…in addition to the fact that they’re super-soft and stretchy, and I don’t have to wrestle my body into them. Win!

9. A Nike Sweatshirt + Zella Skort

Sweatshirt (XS) | Skort (S) | Sneakers

Given how many years I’ve owned this little Nike sweatshirt + the number of times I wear it in a week (year-round)…this might be a contender for best NSale buy of all time. It’s oddly perfect. There are matching Nike shorts too, but I also love it over that ridiculously cute Zella skort.

10. Trousers (Under $60) + A Cotton FP Sweater

Trousers (6) | Sweater (S) | Top (S)

You guys, I sincerely apologize for these selfies. They’re atrocious (it was LATE!). AND I somehow didn’t make it home with the actual pants, so that I could do “proper selfies” instead of these “dungeon selfies.” I’m rectifying that as I type with a curbside pickup situation.

BUT!!!!! These are not-to-be-missed trousers. Stretchy and comfy with just enough slouch, and they’re available in regular and petite. I’m not typically a traditional-trouser kind of gal but THESE! These are so cute and JUST the thing I need to try out a trouser look. I haven’t wanted to spend a lot of $ on trousers, since I’m not positive the style is for me, so it’s perfect that these are under $60.

Also…I don’t think I’d actually wear that Free People sweater with the trousers, but dang it shows off the top of these pants really well.

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We’ll let you know on social as we find other budget-friendly gems, or when key items are back in stock, so follow us here if you’re not already.

P.S. Be sure to head over to our Ultimate Guide to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for even more NSale coverage (bookmark the page — we’re updating daily).

-Linzi