It’s the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2017!! I spent a day trying on hundreds of items (no really – did you catch my IG story?) so you don’t have to. Year after year, we use the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale to stock up on cozy cashmere sweaters, Fall boots, coats, bags, and denim. And the women’s fashion pieces we pick up at this sale are often the most-worn pieces in our closet, year after year.
On the off chance someone doesn’t know why we’re so excited about this particular sale, here’s the thing:
Most sales discount old merchandise. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale? Is a discount on new Fall merchandise.
Now before we dive too deep into my World Of Selfies, I have three public service announcements:
1. Shop all of our top picks from the 2017 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in our NORDSTROM SALE SHOP
and
2. Stuart Weitzman Over-The-Knee boots are part of the Sale!!
It’s not the Lowlands (flat), it’s not the Highlands (high), it’s a middle-ground boot that looks exactly like the low/highlands, but has a chunky, not-too-high, super-walkable heel. In short: it’s the best Weitzman YET. So if you’ve been drooling after Weitzmans, GO BUY THEM. Right now. For real – we’ll wait.
3. Three Most-Loved Pieces From Last Years Sale Have Returned. Online Only.
If the words James Perse sweatshirt blazer makes your heart beat fast, you’re in luck. Also? My Vince sneaker-boots and my pretty green North Face raincoat……allll back. You can see how I wore them in our Top 15 Things To Buy From the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
Now. Let’s get serious. I just spent 12+ hours at Nordstrom – which was even longer than the 2016 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale selfies – and, true to form, I gots some things to SAY. So get comfy, pour yourself some coffee, and promise you won’t make fun of my mad, mad hair. It was a long day.
Start With a Leather Jacket
I tried on a bunch of leather jackets, and I have two favorites that you will see again, mixed with other pieces:
Mackage leather jacket (xs) | Joie Navy Leather Jacket (xs)
However, there are a ton of leather jackets to choose from, so here are few additional ones worth checking out:
TOP ROW
1. Topshop Moon Suede Biker Jacket – surprisingly soft, pretty color, only smelled a tiny bit like cow. Size 2 US.
2. Halogen Leather Jacket – I’m wearing an XXS petite in this jacket. I’d say size down so it’s not too boxy.
3. Ted Baker London Lizia Leather Biker Jacket – the rose gold zippers are very ladylike.
BOTTOM ROW
4. BLANKNYC Suede Moto Jacket – this one is a reader and team fav, and I can see why. Comes in a bunch of colors.
5. Trouvé Raw Edge Leather Jacket – I didn’t love the collar on this one. If you look closely, you can see that it doesn’t lay well. This Andrew Marc New York ‘Felix’ Stand Collar Leather Jacket, however, is a much better choice.
6. Belstaff Carrack Leather Jacket. Gorgous, but SO expensive. Halogen Zip Detail Leather Moto Jacket is similar.
Consider This Shoe + Bag Combo
This color combo is perfect for Fall, yet feels completely fresh and unique. And YES: that is the TME favorite, wear-everywhere, Rebecca Minkoff Julian backpack! I’m pairing it with a super comfy (and CUTE) Kate Spade fringed sneaker.
Outfit 1: sweater (s) | jeans (24) | bag | shoes
Outfit 2: sweatshirt (xs) | jeans (24) | bag | shoes
Outfit 3: sweater (xs) | jeans (24) | bag | shoes
If You Must, Get A Cardigan
Longtime readers know that my relationship with cardigans is best described as complicated. The cozy, comfy, voluminous cardigans I’m drawn to rarely look good on my 5’2″ self. And can ya guess what the Anni Sale had in spades this year? YUP.
This ones for you, tall friends. #everyone
Outfit 1: cardigan (FAV!!!) | top (xs) | jeans (24) | boots
Outfit 2: cardigan | top (xs) | jeans (24) | boots
Outfit 3: cardigan | top (xs) | jeans (24) | boots
Outfit 4: cardigan | top (xs) | jeans (24) | shoes (size down)
That striped cardi is my hands-down fav. I’m tempted to get it, even though it looks a little silly.
However! There were two cardigans that would actually fit us shorter gals….both are cashmere. Because drape is our friend.
Halogen Cashmere Cardigan
This one is thin, drapey, and not overwhelming. As a bonus, it can be tied at the waist for a different look.
cardigan | top (xs) | jeans (24) | boots
Nordstrom Signature Cashmere Cardigan
This one is thicker, ribbed, and slightly flecked. It’s delicious. And expensive.
cardigan (xs) | top (xs) | jeans (24) | boots
Get These Gray-Velvet Cargo Pants
One of my very favorite surprises from the Anni Sale were these Joie cargo pants. They’re a soft gray, velvet and cargo. I styled them up a bunch of different ways:
Gray Cargos + Soft Neutrals – Day
sweater (s, but needed an xs) | pants (size 25) | shoes
Gray Cargos + Soft Neutrals – Night
sweater (xs) | pants (size 25) | shoes | bag
Gray Cargos + Black – Day
This Vince cashmere sweater has a slight peek-a-boo shoulder, but not so big you can’t wear a regular bra. Very easy to wear.
Vince cashmere sweater (xs) | pants (size 25) | shoes | bag
Gray Cargos + Black – Night
Vince cashmere sweater (xs) | pants (size 25) | shoes
Gray Cargos + More Gray
Monochromatic for the win, with a cheap little tie-waist sweatshirt.
sweatshirt (xs) | pants (size 25) | shoes
Update A Daily Uniform (Sweaters + Boots + Jackets)
Sweaters, jeans, jacket, done. (And comfy shoes. ALWAYS.)
My Favorite Sweater + My Favorite Jacket
Sweater: It’s cashmere, has an asymmetrical hem, and is a gorgeous color.
Jacket: It’s navy, buttery soft, and manages to go with everything (even black).
Joie Navy Leather Jacket (xs) | sweater (xs) | jeans (24) | boots* | bag
*these Weiztman booties are not as comfortable as I would’ve liked. I recommended a couple of other pairs in the SHOP.
Stripes, Obviously
Equipment’s cashmere sweaters are always a win. I especially love the little buttons on the side. And this pair of Rag and Bone denim is SO soft, they feel like pajamas.
Also of note? These Vince loafers might be the softest, most comfortable thing I’ve ever put on my feet. But size down a full size – they run really big.
sweater (s) | jeans (25) | shoes (size down) | bag
Vince Sweaters and Leather Jackets – Totally My Jam
If I didn’t already have a black leather jacket, this one would’ve come home with me. The leather is butter soft, not shiny, and the XS fits perfectly for layering over a sweater. This outfit is basically what I wear all Fall/Winter long.
(oh hey – this leather jacket comes in a pretty caramel color too…hmmm….)
sweater (xs) | jeans (24) | boots
Mackage leather jacket (xs) | sweater (xs) | jeans (24) | boots
sweater (xs) | jeans (24) | boots
Plaid Is Rad (And My 2nd Fav Sweater)
Remember that gorgeous, caramel Theory jacket I bought around the holidays? This plaid Theory topper is the same cut. It’s not a big, warm winter coat, it’s more like a blazer/wool-coat hybrid. And layers beautifully.
Also, I over-exposed the 2nd pic so you can see the detail in the sweater. Basically, I’m all about the BIG CUFFS.
jacket | sweater (xs) | jeans (25) | shoes
sweater (s) | jeans (25) | shoes (size down)
The Coolest Scarf + Walkable Booties
This Missoni scarf adds such a cool pop of color. And these Sam Edelman booties are made of insanely soft leather – the back is designed to fold down, so you can wear them like mules, or keep it up. Both ways work – I tested it.
Mackage leather jacket (xs) | scarf | sweatshirt (says ‘super loved’ in gold) (0) | jeans (25) | booties | bag
Try a Poncho Instead
That Missoni scarf from above? Yeah, it comes in PONCHO form. Truly the kind of piece that will never go out of style. (Missoni is ALWAY fabulous). No brainer.
poncho | sweater (xs) | jeans (24) | boots | bag
Bombs Away!
These pieces are unsuspecting workhorses. This silk tee can go from office to party, be dressed down, dressed, up, or make a va-va-voom dress more conservative. (See it in action with the Alexander Wang dress).
bomber (xs) | silk tee (xs) | jeans (25) | shoes
Try An Updated Plaid Shirt
If there was one trend I didn’t see coming, it was the plaid shirt resurgence. These plaid shirts are long – tunic-like, in fact – and are the most perfect thing with either cropped jeans + booties or with over-the-knee boots. It’s the long-short, having a plaid moment.
B.P. Makes My Favorite Plaids
Look at how well these extra-long plaid shirts layer….
Mackage leather jacket (xs) | plaid shirt (xxs) | t-shirt (xs) | jeans (24) | boots
B.P. Red Plaid
Mackage leather jacket (xs) | red plaid shirt (xxs) | black plaid sweater (xs) | jeans (24) | boots
Sleeveless Plaids – Perfect For Layering
This cute little number has an interesting back. (Also note the CUFFS on this cashmere sweater.)
sweater (s) | plaid shirt (m) | jeans (24) | shoes (size down) | bag
Oversized Plaid (from Paige Denim)….
This Paige denim plaid shirt is more expensive than the B.P. ones, but it’s also thicker (still drapy, tho), and has longer sleeves and a longer length in general. Overall, it was just too big for me, but it’s so pretty and soft, I had to include.
jacket (p) | plaid shirt (xs) | jeans (24) | boots | bag
Do Double Denim
Check out the back.
Joie Navy Leather Jacket (xs) | shirt (s) | jeans (24) | shoes | bag
Consider The Kimono Trend
There’s always one unexpected piece in the sale. Something that I didn’t know I needed, yet is just the thing I’ve been searching for.
And, two years running, it’s from Treasure and Bond.
Last year it was a leather vest, this year? This floral kimono. Slight crazy-cat-lady, but in the best possible way.
Also note the DVF silk blouse. When putting outfits together, there’s often a ton of tweaking and swapping out of items. I found this blouse to be a savior item. Meaning it worked with literally everything I paired it with. First time. So easy.
kimono (xs/s) | silk blouse (0) | jeans (25) | boots
kimono (xs/s) | sweater (xs) | jeans (24) | boots | bag
Slip On a Suede Skirt
This one is a keeper.
Outfit 1 – MONOCHROME: top (we couldn’t find this Current/Elliott tee online..we’ll keep looking but this Hinge blouse is similar) | skirt (25) | boots | bag
Outfit 2 – Tweedy Topper: jacket (p) | silk blouse (0) | skirt (25) | boots
Outfit 3 – Hint of Skin (the high-neck top offsets): top (xs) | skirt (25) | boots
Snap Up This Dress
So…..this T by Alexander Wang dress is really, really good. It’s soft, sucks you in (but not too much), and is thick enough to cover lumps and bumps. I was actually shocked by how good this one is.
It’s so comfy that I wanted to play around with warming it up for Fall/Winter. Here’s what I liked:
Outfit 1 – With A Leather Jacket: jacket (xs) | dress (xs) | boots
Outfit 2 – Make it conservative with a silk tee: silk tee (xs) | dress (xs) | boots
Outfit 3 – Sweater + Sneakers (the asymmetic hem helps): sweater (xs) | dress (xs) | sneakers
…Or This One
My long-time love affair with Milly lives on. This is little number would be perfect for shows, date-night, or dressed up for a wedding. Look closely, the lines on this are AMAZING.
jacket (xs) | dress (P) | boots | bag
Shop My Sale Edit
Ok Gang, that’s my Nordstrom Sale edit! At least….that’s my edit based on the pieces I could find in store. For a list of all of my favs from the sale, see The SHOP.
xo!
S
