OK, Gang: I’ve spent the last 15-ish hours trying on, testing out, debating, and ultimately narrowing down to a solid selection of items worth considering from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2022. Per usual, I have thoughts.
First of all, this year’s sale strikes me as being very piece-driven. In years past, I was almost always able to pull together a set of items that would become the foundation of a fall capsule wardrobe. This year, however…there didn’t seem to be that overall theme, that cohesive arc. That said, there are some individual pieces worth being excited about.
Not worth the excitement? The Clare V. bags in this year’s sale. It was my biggest disappointment, so I’ve gotta get that out of the way. The quality of the materials was so much lower than Clare V.’s norm that I recommend saving up for one not in the NSale. If you were hoping for a discounted option, I suggest snapping up last year’s Clare V. at Nordstrom Rack…or try eBay — they also have a great Clare V. selection.
Gorg Coats, Epic Blazers, Exciting Jeans & More Fall Outfit Pieces To Snap Up In NSale 2022
This year’s Nordstrom Sale marked a return to real clothes. The coats were gorgeous, and the blazer selection was epic. For the purposes of this post, I narrowed things down to feature only my very favorite blazer, but I tried on several in the sneak peek we published this morning.
The biggest surprise of the sale? FRAME’s Le Croyden Bootie — a boot I had almost overlooked. It looks like it should be a heavy, Doc Martin-esque boot, but instead it is shockingly comfortable and ultra-lightweight. It’s a joy to wear (and that platform adds such nice height). The description (and box) claims that the upper is real leather, but I remain unconvinced. But here’s the thing: it’s so good, I don’t care.
Let’s get into it.
1. Fall’s New Uniform: Wide-Leg Denim + Walkable Boots
AllSaints sweater (s) | Veronica Beard jeans (26) | Vince booties
If you do nothing else, swap out those skinnies for denim with volume: wide-leg jeans, flares, bootcuts — this is the fall silhouette I’m most excited about. Add in some booties with a walkable heel, and voila! A seriously chic upgrade for the jeans-and-a-sweater set.
Also, you can see (photo below, left) how shiny that Clare V. bag is.
AllSaints sweater (s) | Veronica Beard jeans (26)| Vince booties
These Veronica Beard flares are pretty dang amazing — they’re easily my favorite jeans in the sale. The fit is mostly TTS, and while they’re snug through the hips, they do give with wear. I’m actually in a size 26 (and I’ve been more of a 27 these days).
The Vince boots are everything I hoped they’d be: neutral, pretty, walkable, done. Highly recommend. That AllSaints cashmere sweater is ridiculously soft and cozy, and note the raw-hem detail.
AllSaints sweater (s) | Veronica Beard jeans (26)| Vince booties
2. Pick A Coat (To Fit Your Life)
As I mentioned already, the coat selection in this sale is epic. Whether or not you need a coat for rain, snow, work, play, warm temps, cool temps, cold temps or just for funsies…there’s likely something great. Here are the coats that caught my eye, in order of price (starting with the most expensive).
A. Worth The Splurge: Max Mara Arona Belted Double Face Virgin Wool Wrap Coat ($1,047)
coat (4)* | sweater (s) | jeans (26) | booties (tts)
This coat is almost completely sold out*, so I won’t go too much into it. But suffice to say, Max Mara’s Arona coat is the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever put on my body. If you are looking for one splurge item, it would be hard to beat this one.
*Update, 7/7: This coat is completely sold out, but Max Mara is having a sale on the same style in a really pretty sage green, or tan. I also found a similar light blue wool coat on sale, by Cole Haan. Lastly, I found a beautiful Theory coat in a cashmere-wool blend, on sale at Saks OFF.
B. Reiss Elise Wool Blend Longline Coat ($394.99)
coat* (2) | sweater (s) | jeans (26) | booties (tts)
This coat is a fraction of the cost of the Max Mara coat, but it drapes just as well. This one is truly a forever piece — and it elevates literally any outfit (even sweatpants).
**Update, 7/7: This coat is completely sold out. While it’s always worth checking back (sometimes these things bounce in-out of stock), there’s a similar Rag & Bone wool belted trench at Saks OFF, or another belted wrap coat by Sofia Cashmere, also at Saks OFF. I also think Nanushka’s long, cashmere wool maxi coat (also in the NSale) is a beautiful investment piece.
C. Veronica Beard Farley Stand Collar Blazer ($389.99)
blazer (4) | sweater (s) | jeans (26) | booties (tts)
This Veronica Beard blazer was my favorite of the bunch (and if you want to see all of the blazers I tried on, they’re in the NSale Sneak Peek Try-On post). Fit is TTS.
D. Theory Wool & Cashmere Utility Coat ($379.99)
coat (s) | sweater (s) | jeans (26) | booties (tts)
I love Theory’s soft wool coats. They’re cozy and elegant, without being stuffy. The color of this one is gorgeous (and my photos are more true-to-life than Nordstrom’s), and I love that it alllllmost gives shirt-jacket vibes.
E. Vince Oversized Sweater Knit Blazer ($319.99)
blazer (s) | sweater (s) | jeans (26) | booties (tts)
Linzi has been calling this sweater-knit blazer a “cardigan,” and while I get it (the fabric is very snuggly), there’s just enough structure in the lapel to give it jacket vibes. Plus, it has a lapel.
Also, I am going to try to refrain from using “vibes” anywhere else in this article. But we’ve been at it for 16 hours straight — so NO PROMISES.
F. Vince Lightweight Cotton & Linen Crop Blazer ($319.99)
coat (s) | sweater (s) | jeans (26) | booties (tts)
If you’re just looking for a lightweight little jacket that can do double duty…this bad boy. This jacket is slightly cropped, so it would work with dresses, trousers, denim — everything. And I love that it could easily double as a work blazer too.
G. Save The Duck Dorothy Longline Recycled Nylon Puffer Jacket ($249.99)
jacket (s) | sweater (s) | jeans (26) | booties (tts)
THIS. I have been stalking this Save the Duck puffer for a YEAR, and it is just as good as I’d hoped!! It’s made from non-animal down filling (where my vegans at?), I love the collar and matte finish, and…it’s stretchy. Like, honestly there’s so much arm movement, I just can’t even. A friend of mine claims that she likes this coat better than her Moncler, so there’s that.
H. Barbour Henrietta Raincoat ($229.99)
coat (6) | sweater (s) | jeans (26) | booties (tts)
I love Barbour raincoats, and this one, while boring on the hanger, works really well in real life. I suspect it’s because of the….ummm….trenchcoat-like…styling? Trenchcoat-like details? Trenchcoat….GAH! It’s the vibes, you guys. It works so well IRL because of the trenchcoat vibes. (I tried.)
So anyway, this coat has the same sort of feeling as those French-girl, throw-on-the-trench and voila! You are chic situations. I was surprised by how much I liked it.
I. BlankNYC Reversible Quilted Jacket ($79.90)
coat (s) | sweater (s) | jeans (26) | booties (tts)
BlankNYC surprised me by sending over a care package of goodies in time for the sale, and this was included. It feels like wearing a comforter, and I’m not mad about it. It’s reversible too, but that sweet floral print is what makes it special. I kinda…love it.
J. BlankNYC Crop Plaid Shacket ($59.99)
coat (s) | sweater (s) | jeans (26) | booties (tts)
I dedicate this oufit to Abby. This was another piece that BlankNYC sent over, and it’s just…fun. The color, the shape — it’s great. It does fit a little bulky, but I like it anyway. (P.S. I’m under zero obligation to mention this stuff…I just genuinely liked it.)
3. City Mom Outfits: Straight Leg Jeans + Practical Jackets
Now we are entering very familiar territory: prepare to be bored, it’s a lot of black. On the upside, these are definitely the outfits I wear the most, so.
There’s really not much more to say. If you are a city mom, you’ll prob love these.
A. Longline Puffer + Chunky, Lug-Sole Boots
puffer (s) | sweater (s) | black jeans (27) | blue jeans (27) | boots | bag
You can see I keep trying with that Clare V. bag. Still no. But here are the two outfits I wear most often in the winter.
B. Rain Jacket/Trench + Black Jeans
coat (6) | sweater (s) | jeans (27) | boots (tts) | bag
One more note about that Clare V. bag: I do love how it just wraps around the hip. That’s something.
But this whole trench/rain-jacket series is basically my everyday for running errands, getting kids to school, etc. Also, I love an all-black outfit with lighter shoes. Makes it more interesting, somehow.
coat (6) | jeans (27) | top (s) | sneakers (size up half) | boots (tts)
C. Vince’s Cozy, Oversized Sweater Coat
blazer (s) | black jeans (27) | blue jeans (27) | boots (tts) | bag
Know what’s better than one sweater in the fall? Layers of sweaters. This Vince cardigan-jacket is going to be such a hero piece just for the fact that it layers so beautifully over other sweaters.
D. BlankNYC’s Big Quilted Jacket
coat (s) | jeans (27) | boots (tts)
Ahhhh, this is SO CUTE I DIE. That’s all.
E. Reiss Longline Wool Coat in Tan
coat (2) | top (s) | jeans (27) | boots (tts) | bag
I’m telling ya — this coat looks good with freaking everything. Even chunky, tough, lug-sole boots.
4. This Jumpsuit, Tho
jumpsuit (2) | belt bag | backpack* | sneaker | boots
Now THIS was a fun surprise!! Jess first turned me onto Good American’s denim jumpsuit, and the sale one is juuuust as good as the original. Maybe even better if you love green as much as I do. This is a great piece to dress up and down.
* I was really excited to see that TUMI had a backpack in the NSale. Sadly, after bringing it home, I realized that it’s not actually big enough to fit my laptop, and even the main compartment is hard to get into. Boooo. It’s going back.
5. Outfits To Wear Now
A. La Ligne Striped Sweaters + AGOLDE Shorts
sweater (s, left) | shorts (26) | sandals (tts) | bag | sweater (s) | white shorts (26) | heels (tts) | bag
Cotton sweaters are my jam, and cotton striped sweaters? BE STILL MY HEART. Honestly, La Ligne does them the best, and I couldn’t be happier with both of these sweaters. They’re the kind of pieces I’ll wear to the beach, even, over a bikini, and still be wearing in the winter months too. Highly, highly recommend.
P.S. The shorts aren’t in the sale, but they’re my fav.
B. ALC Silk Tank + Denim
tank (2) | white shorts (26) | tank (2) | similar jeans | heels (tts)
This ALC tank top is a pricy one, but it’s 100% silk and the kind of classic piece I’ll have for years. The outfit on the left (white shorts) is a pretty standard date-night look for me in summer.
C. Frank & Eileen’s L/S Tee + Shorts
top (s) | bag | shorts (26) | sneakers (tts)
I’m a HUGE Frank & Eileen fan, and I was not disappointed by this long-sleeve popover tee. It has rugby-shirt styling, and I do love when preppy comes with a dose of sporty. (And Vans. Always Vans.)
D. Vince’s Maxi Dress
Vince makes a version this dress every year, but this year’s might be my favorite. I adore the square neckline and the slit that was added to the bottom. The tie-waist belt is a normal one too; I know some people didn’t like the asymmetric tie of years past. That said, the fabric is thinner this year (albeit still 100% pima cotton), and the top is very, um, low (yup, that’s my bra peeking out). But I like it like that.
6. Dress Down: Outfits To Play In
A. Zella Wide-Leg Pants vs. Zella Joggers
shirt (2) | pants (s) | joggers (s) | sneakers (size up half)
Zella joggers were easily the most-loved item in last year’s NSale, so I’m not surprised to see them back. AND! There’s a new version: Zella’s wide-leg pants. These I found very intriguing. Are they as good as our old favorite?
The wide-leg pants are definitely a lighter weight, and they don’t have that same brushed-soft feeling inside as the classic Zella joggers. But both work great with two of my most-worn pieces: Vans and that Nike sweatshirt.
sweatshirt (xs) | pants (s) | sneakers (tts)
So one fun thing about these new wide-leg pants is that they have snaps at the cuffs. So you can make them joggers?
In practice, tho, they don’t really work. While the snaps look good initially (below, left)…
shirt (2) | pants (s) | sneakers (size up half)
…after walking around, the fabric flips around itself, bringing us to…the look on the right.
SIGH.
D. SPANX Tennis Skort
tee (2) | skort (s) | sneakers
I play tennis now (badly), so when SPANX sent over a box of goodies, this skort was the first thing I put on. It’s super-comfortable, and fits better than the Vuori skirt I had just tried on. Know why? Because SPANX has a few extra pleats over the bum, so it…actually…fits…over a bum.
Also, don’t sleep on this super cute Zella tee. I’m in love.
shirt (2) | skorts (s) | sneakers (size up half)
7. Suit Up: For Work (or Werk)
Aaaaand now, my favorite blazer (and a random pair of plaid pants because, Weezer.)
A. Veronica Beard’s Merlot Suit
blazer (4) | bag | pants (4) | heels
Attention! In the photo above, I am not wearing a shirt. I am wearing this strapless bra aaaaand…that’s it. I’ve always wanted to rock that sexy power-suit-thing at a party, and the cut of this particular blazer means that I can. Love, love, love.
blazer (4) | similar tee | pants (4) | booties (tts)
When I had to wear suits to the office, if I could, I’d try to throw it on with a graphic tee. Love the juxtaposition.
sweater (xs) | blazer (4) | pants (4) | jeans (26) | booties (tts)
B. Topshop’s Plaid Flare Pants
sweater (xs) | pants (6) | booties (tts)
There was something about these plaid flare pants…and Weezer. As I mentioned, it was the Weezer vibes. I’m in.
If these pants look a little schlumpy around the ankles, it’s only because, in my haste, I “hemmed” these split-hem pants using…clear packing tape. 0/10, do not recommend.
The pants though…with a proper hem? Pretty darn good for under $50. Note that these pants are unlined, and while I didn’t find them itchy, they are not super smooth or soft, either.
blazer (s)| sweater (s) | pants (6) | booties (tts)
Well, that’s a wrap!! As always, I’d love to hear what you guys are loving from this year’s sale, and — more importantly — what the heck are you looking forward to for fall?
And don’t forget! Our 2022 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale cheat sheet is updated daily. It’s your one-stop shopping guide with all our best recs, so check it out, or head over to our more in-depth Ultimate Guide To The NSale.
xo,
S
ps. Hey Paige – you asked for a close-up of those Vince boots…
And please remember, if you want to to support us throughout the sale, be sure to click a link from one of our posts before you shop and check-out. We realllly appreciate it. Happy shopping!
I am loving the Reiss coat and so many beautiful Vince pieces. I really want those Vince boots and would love to get a close up of what they look like. Is that possible?
You bet. I’ll try and upload a photo in the morning!
Done! Check out the photo at the very end of the post.
Is the hood removable on the Save the Duck puffer? No info on Nordstrom either. Thanks so much!!!
Yes! It’s fully removable – zippers right off.
The good American jumpsuit-does the crotch ride low normally, or was that just me?
It does ride a liiiitle low – but I’m pretty short, so. 🙂
Do the black Veronica Beard jeans run true to size?
Yes!
How tall are you for reference? I am short and it’s always so helpful to know height/size of those who are trying on the items. I will be doing all my shopping online and would love to compare. Thank you!
I’m juuuuust under 5’3″. 🙂
Everything looks adorable but 20% of what I put in my cart is already sold out and I’m not eligible to shop “early” until Saturday. This isn’t even fun anymore!
Thank you so much! Fingers crossed they will have them in my size when I can shop on Saturday
Thank you so much! Fingers crossed my size is in stock on Saturday when I can shop
How warm is the BlankNYC reversible quilted jacket?
It’s more like a cozy sweatshirt!
Any idea the difference between the “nordstrom” cashmere crewneck sweater ($79) and the “nordstrom signature” cashmere crewneck sweater? They look so similar.