It’s Eileen Fisher paper-doll time! And this year, I’m having the BEST time mixing all my Eileen Fisher picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale with other designer faves (also in the sale). Think edgy-ish AllSaints accessories and sweaters, classic Vince closet staples, and even some casual wear-on-repeat Zella basics to make outfit ideas for a night out dancing, the day-to-day schlep, travel, lounging and more. So.Much.Fun!
Although many people can pull off the head-to-toe Eileen Fisher look…I.just.can’t. Sometimes all the drape is just too much for my 5’2″ frame, and sometimes the monochromatic outfit looks or colorways just don’t fit with my personal style. That being said…Eileen Fisher pieces are some of my favorite and most-worn in my entire closet! I adore so many of her pieces individually and get TONS of use out of them. I have realized that for me, it’s just about finding the right style balance.
Mixing one or two of Eileen Fisher’s comfortable, versatile and timeless pieces with some edgier or more-playful or structured pieces from other designers (often AllSaints, rag & bone, Rebecca Minkoff, Vince and Zella), like I’ve done in the eight outfit ideas below, is the solution for me.
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2022 Outfit Ideas: Fall Looks Ft. EILEEN FISHER (+ More Designer Faves)
Most of us Eileen Fisher fans know that the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is a REALLY good time to score major deals. Eileen Fisher goes on sale other times of the year, but sizing is always limited, and you have to pick your way through various retailers to find the good deals. The NSale always has a great selection of Eileen Fisher pieces, and this year is no different.
A word of warning, though: Eileen Fisher pieces notoriously look awful on models online — I know…not usually the way these things work — but somehow look much MUCH better in person. The high-quality materials she uses, I imagine, are what make the difference. Her pieces all drape, move, breathe and hold up well. And the colors are often way prettier in person. You can read more about all the great things we love about Eileen Fisher’s values and the progress the brand is making in the fashion industry on the Eileen Fisher website.
And now…for the results of this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Eileen Fisher Paper Doll Play:
Outfit Idea 1: Night Out Dancing Or At The Corner Pub
There are SO many things that are exciting to me about this outfit! I kind of love the idea of wearing a deliciously drapey Eileen Fisher top but making it just a bit badass. Not my usual “thing,” but I’m into it for a night out, then combining the outfit pieces in other ways for the day-to-day. Now I’m not going to go all leather-moto-jacket on you…I’m still more of a Vince cotton top layer or high-sheen stretchy-comfy-jacket kind of gal. But with the Naturalizer heels (yep…they’re Naturalizer) or Ugg cool-gal boots and an edgy belt bag, you’re ready for a comfortable night on the town!
Top | Denim | Black Jacket | Bag | Heels | Tan Jacket | Boots | Earrings
Outfit Idea 2: Fresh & Light For Everyday Easy
Yep…you’ll definitely see me in this exact outfit or at least a VERY similar one this fall. Very relaxed and very easy. Can’t wait to see this Eileen Fisher organic cotton-blend corduroy jacket in person. I imagine it will be super-soft and, if it’s anything like last year’s Eileen Fisher NSale soft jacket, it will be a keeper. I own and love these Veronica Beard wide-leg jeans in a similar wash, and although they were snug in the hips in the beginning, I now call them my “magic jeans.” They make EVERYTHING I wear with them look great. I’ve also been seriously happy with my Aquatlalias I bought last year in the Nordstrom sale, so looking forward to seeing this year’s version in this beautiful tan — although on the day-to-day I will probably get more use out of the sneaks.
Jacket | Sweater | Denim | Earrings | Bag | Sneaks | Boots
Outfit Idea 3: Who’s Getting On A Plane?
When traveling, I’m always happiest when I make the good decision to wear soft stretchy clothes and a top layer that can double as something to cuddle. Years ago — maybe closer to a decade ago, actually — I used to own a similar pair of comfy wide-leg black pants (that could double as dressy) that I used a TON for travel. These Eileen Fisher pants look like they may be the perfect replacement. Worn with cool sneakers and a cozy AllSaints top-layer that could double as a blanket…you’ll be set on your next travel day. Tumi luggage is part of the sale too!
Wrap | Tee | Pants | Luggage | Duffle | Belt Bag | Sneaks
Outfit Idea 4: Give Me All The Black & White (With Pops Of Green)
Gah! I’m such a sucker for black and white. Add in a pop of color (especially this beautiful rich-green crossbody) and I’m charmed. I personally don’t have THAT many places I need to wear pencil skirts, but I do keep an old Eileen Fisher one in my closet for such occasions. That’s what I adore about Eileen Fisher pieces…they’re the ones that survive almost every closet cleanout year after year. I imagine this year’s version of the Eileen Fisher pencil skirt and versatile black cap-sleeve top will make happy places for themselves in many folks’ closets as well.
Top | Skirt | Scarf | Sunnies | Wrap | Bag | Sandals
Outfit Idea 5: Pick Your Poncho
OK…I’m giving it to you straight here: These Rebecca Minkoff ponchos might end up being terrible in person, but they could ALSO end up being the “find” of the entire sale. I absolutely LOVE the vibe of both colors. With flare jeans, an edgy bag and cool sunglasses…could be an amazing wear-on-repeat fall look for sure! And a great way to showcase your comfy Eileen Fisher boots or Eileen Fisher wedges. Both shoes come in multiple colors.
Poncho | Sweater | Denim | Sunnies | Black Bag | White Bag | Boots | Wedges
Outfit Idea 6: EILEEN FISHER Does The Little Black Dress
Another Eileen Fisher versatile classic that has survived many a closet cleanout. I do hem my Eileen Fisher LBDs, unless they come in petite, because I like them on the shorter side and I’m only 5’2. I’ve even been known to wear them over jeans as a tunic. I’ve dressed them up for special occasions and worn them on hot days with flip-flops. As I said, VERY versatile. Also versatile: That AllSaints wrap that I put in the travel outfit as well…I think it will work with short dresses too! Hoping to wear my old Eileen Fisher black dress with these AllSaints boots this fall…fingers crossed they’ll be comfortable enough for my feet because they are so freaking perfect-looking…we’ll see.
Dress | Wrap | Boots | Bag | Bracelets | Sunnies
Outfit Idea 7: The Day-To-Day Schlep
As I mentioned in my previous outfit-ideas post, what I wear in fall the MOST are jeans, cardigans and comfortable shoes. So, here it is: Comfy, stretchy MOTHER wide-leg jeans, a gorgeous AllSaints asymmetrical sweater, chic sneakers from a new-to-me brand, and a cozy Eileen Fisher REVERSIBLE (yep…reversible!) wool-cashmere coat that has a total cardigan vibe.
Coat | Sweater | Denim | Bag | Sunnies | Sneaks
Outfit Idea 8: Lounge — In High-Quality Style
I got the Eileen Fisher boucle cardigan in last year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (same material as this year’s Eileen Fisher top), and it is ridiculously snuggly. I often wear it for travel, and it gets stolen immediately by my teenager for cuddly snoozes. So I imagine this bouclé top will be equally as snuggly and perfect if you want all-day comfy-cozy feels while out and about — or if you just want to lounge at the house in high-quality style. There are some great Zella pieces in the sale this year! I’m excited to try these wide-leg ankle pants that can snap at the bottom for a different shape, and you can see the Zella Sweatshirt wrap on me here. I’m also a HUGE Eberjey fan, so this wide-leg jumpsuit is definitely calling my name!
Sweater | Pants | Sweatshirt Wrap | Tee | Jumpsuit | Sneaks
Don’t forget to check out Our 2022 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale cheat sheet! It’s your one-stop shopping guide with all our best recs, so be sure to check it out or head over to our more in-depth Ultimate Guide To The NSale.
Look for my selfies with fitting/sizing notes soon!
-Linzi
This one’s for the Pinners…
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