I got into this whole blogging thing because, before I was a blogger, I was a voracious consumer of blogs. Food blogs, fashion blogs, home decor blogs. And when it came to fashion blogs, if there was one thing I loved more than the big ol’ haul posts, it was the posts that reported back on those hauls six months or even a year later.

If you’ve been reading here for any length of time, you know I’m…discerning about how I spend my dollars. And how many of them I spend in a shot. I do believe, wholly, in investing in pieces that last and building a forever closet, but I’m also a firm believer that some of those investment pieces can actually be found at a pretty reasonable price. And I’m well past the point of holding onto anything that I don’t genuinely see myself wearing in the very near future.

10 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Items That Are Seriously Worth It

So, all that said, this roundup was assembled to indulge my inner blog reader — the part of me that still desperately wants to know “but was it as good as you initially thought?” Or even, “but did you actually keep it…?” The 10 pieces below (I even chucked in a few beauty faves at the last minute) are all available in the 2021 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and they are all items that I still own, still love, have repeatedly found myself reaching for, and, as such, would highly recommend.

(Oh, and if you’re still curious what new things I’m eyeing in this year’s sale, take a peek at my 2021 #NSALE Wish List post.)

Note: Click through the image below to quick shop everything pictured.

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1. Levi’s Ex-Boyfriend Trucker Jacket

This Ex-Boyfriend Trucker Jacket is about as classic a piece as they come. As the name might suggest, it’s intentionally oversized, but…authentically so, in a borrowed way. Not just big for the sake of being, uhhh, big. When I first got mine, I wore it dang near every day for a month and threw it into almost every wash, and it’s now so lusciously broken in and made for my body. I don’t typically think of a jean jacket as “cozy,” but mine’s getting there. Under $100 full price, and just under $65 in the sale…not bad for what’s likely to be a forever piece. (Worth noting that Amazon also tends to have a few interesting washes, including past-seasons’, at great prices, too, and often with plus sizes available.) I’m wearing an XS.

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2. Daydreamer Graphic Tees

Graphic tees make up an embarrassing amount of my wardrobe, and Daydreamer tees always seem to stick around longer than others. They’re soft but substantial — it doesn’t feel like they’ll fall apart in the first wash. And while they’re not baby tees by any means, they’re also not comically oversized. On me, sizing up one ensures a slightly drapey but still feminine fit, close to how it looks on the model. The graphics are always really tasteful, too — muted and vintage-inspired. I’ve got this Daydreamer Queen tee at the top of my wishlist.

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3. Origins Ginger Scrub Smoothing Body Buffer

I’ve been a loyal fan of this Origins Ginger Scrub since the early 2000s. It smells amazing, is simultaneously relaxing and invigorating, and leaves your skin feeling positively pampered. I bought a tube for my mother-in-law our first Christmas together, and we both love it so much that we still gift it to one another every few years. Made with just the good stuff, too — no microplastic scrubbers. A joy to use.

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4. Karl Lagerfeld Paris Heels

These seem to be a perennial fave of the NSALE. Last year, they included a croc-embossed version, and this year’s is black or white patent. Both are gorgeous. I’ve worn these for graduations, garden parties, and — testament of all testaments — a handful of weddings, where these carried me through hours of dancing into the early morning, not once, not twice, but thrice. All while remaining as relatively comfortable as one can expect from an almost 4″ heel. They’re flattering on the foot, too, and the buckle hardware offers just enough flash. Highly considering adding the black to my closet this year. Fit is true to size.

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5. Levi’s 501 Original Crop

I know 501s can be a bit polarizing — you generally either love them, or you can’t understand why everyone else loves them. Or maybe you haven’t given them a chance yet? If you’re in the latter group, allow me to persuade you to get right on into a pair. I’ve been wearing 501s for 10+ years (one pair of them has been with me all that while, in fact), and they genuinely only get better with time. The cropped length included the sale is my favorite (there’s also a full-length pair), and yes, they start out snug — especially if you buy your true size in the 100% cotton composition. But with a little patience (or Julieta’s spray bottle shortcut), they contour to your body to the point that they fit — and move — like a second skin. If you’re not into the idea of that or you want something a little slouchier, buy them a size or two larger. They’ll still break in beautifully and will eventually have more of a borrowed look. Big bang for your buck here, too. Sustainable construction and lasting quality that only improves — for under $65.

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6. Adidas Swift Run Sneakers

Clearly I have a thing for Adidas running shoes, and these Swift Runs were actually the pair I wore most for running before Chris gifted me the Ultraboosts, above. I still wear them more or less interchangeably, but I also wear these for in-home workouts and find them to offer more than enough shock absorption for HIIT workouts on concrete garage floors. What I love best about these, though, is how stinking cute the leopard pattern looks with just leggings or sweats. (The light leopard colorway in this year’s sale would have the same effect.) I do have to wear these with socks because there are some noticeable seams, but if you’re looking for a running sneaker for under $60, or an easy, all-around great street sneaker that can double-duty for workouts, these are awesome. (Note that the site says they run true to size, but I still had to exchange my usual 8 for a 7.5.)

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7. Nécessaire The Body Wash + The Lotion

I saw a lot of Nécessaire products in my social feeds last year, and for that reason alone, I was skeptical. Lots of paid placement, so how many of the reviews were authentic? And then I had the opportunity to try it (in a sponsored post with Nordstrom, ha — the irony) and got the hype for myself. And now, no one is paying me for my opinion when I say: The Body Wash in the Eucalyptus scent is subtle and evocative of a spa, and even though I consider it be borderline too expensive for an everyday body wash, a little goes a long way. (I used to dispense it straight into my hand, no pouf, but have since taken to using this inexpensive little towel, and now I can use a dime-sized amount for my whole body with suds to spare.) I haven’t yet used The Lotion, but Amy has raved about it, and this little duo in the sale seems like the perfect time to give it a try. Plus the minimal packaging is just so chic.

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8. Caslon White Rounded V-Neck Tee

I’m gonna come right out and say that, fashionably speaking, this Caslon White Rounded V-Neck Tee is possibly the best way you could spend 12 bucks. Hell, I might even go as far to say it’s the best way you could spend a whole $19, which is its non-sale price. The rounded v-neck shows just enough skin, the fabric is just shy of opaque (but works just dandy with a standard nude bra), the pocket styling gives it a classic look, and it’s long enough to tuck, half-tuck or knot. (Note that I’m slightly long-torso-ed; some of the shorter-waisted folks on the team have said it feels a little too long for a successful half-tuck.) Even the sleeves are short enough to flatter while still staying firmly in T-shirt territory. I just can’t say enough good things. Fit is true to size.

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9. NARS Blush in Orgasm

This NARS Orgasm Blush is another beauty item that I’ve been using for as long as I can recall. It even survived the Great Product Overhaul of 2016 when I ditched most of my makeup for cleaner versions. (It’s just too good.) The coral-y pink hue is super flattering year-round (I wear a little bronzer more or less all the time, so this complements that warmth nicely), and as the name suggests, it goes on as a subtle, buildable flush. Super pretty. The deal in the sale is for two, which means one can live in my makeup set and one can live in my travel bag.

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10. rag & bone Dre Slim Boyfriend Jeans

I was hoping that Nordstrom would include at least one pair of rag & bone Dre Slim Boyfriend jeans in the sale, and the buyers must be going along with the whole “low rise is back” thing, because there are actually quite a few. If you’re new here, I’m a big fan of the Dre style. Yes, it’s low-rise, but not obscenely so. They’re tastefully hip-slung, with that ideal borrowed look. Roomy in the seat and thigh but not sloppy….easily my most-worn purchase of last year’s sale, and I’ve bought several more washes since. All of the washes feel really high-end, and the denim is super soft — almost thrifted feeling. My current favorite washes in the sale are the Pismo (love the raw hem and medium hue) or the Ida, which is a full-length version that can easily be cuffed.

Sizing wise, I wear mine true to size and, yes, they’re slouchy. In fact, I have sized down in one pair, and while the fit is closer through the legs and booty, they also feel closer across the hips, which makes them feel more like a traditional low-rise style. Just depends on what you’re after.

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Feel free to shoot me a comment or a DM if you have any questions about these pieces or any of my other picks from this year’s NSALE. And be sure to check back to our Ultimate Guide to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, where you’ll find all our current sale coverage, selfies, deep-dives, the good stuff. If you want the quickie, check out our #NSale cheat sheet.

Cheers, pals.
Em

p.s. There’s no hiding that we make a commission off the links in these posts, so thank you in advance for supporting the business that is blogging. Never seems real that this is my day job, but happily, that’s exactly what it is. Appreciate it so much!

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