Heyyyyy Gang! It’s that NSale time of year again, and here I am, your Friendly Neighborhood Shopping Enabler (unlicensed, opinionated, and, uh, free) back with my usual report on the absolute best bets – the true gems – of the 2026 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
Per usual, the team and I have spent the last several days elbow-deep in this year’s Preview, squinting at product photos like only the truly unhinged can (our team attracts, shall we say, a type) and now we have alllllll sorts of thoughts. My high-level takeaway, though? This year’s sale looks…really…darn…good?
Nordstrom has been pretty tight-lipped about this year’s sale, which surprised me after last-year’s star-studded bash. Plus it’s Nordstrom’s 125 year anniversary, so I was expecting a whole huge thing. Instead, Nordstrom announced the Anni sale dates much later than they usually do, gave us little-to-no insight in terms of what to expect, and then dropped all of this shizz like a…IDK – a glitter bomb? If the glitter is coats and jeans…maybe? UGH my analogy isn’t working but I’ve been staring at this screen TOO LONG NOW, PEOPLE so we’re going with it: The 2026 NSale is a denim and/or coats glitter bomb.
Gimme Gimme The True Gems: The 14 Best (Pretty, Practical, Well-Made) Pieces In The 2026 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
In case you’re new here, I’ve been reporting on the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for well over a decade now (and shopping it for longer). The thing all these years buys you (besides a truly concerning number of coats, haha) is some sort of NSale pattern recognition. Over the years I’ve learned (often the hard way) which brands show up in the NSale only to phone it in with some weird, Nsale-only fabric blend that’s a far cry from their norm (Frame – in recent years, it’s always Frame), and which kinds of brands take advantage of a wider customer base to show off their best stuff (hint: usually smaller ones). Some brands have come out with very thoughtfully made exclusives just for the NSale (La Ligne was the best at this, so sad they never returned) and some brands just use this sale to hit a $79 price point, but will cut every possible corner to get there. And then some brands just show up, faithfully, year after year, with truly GREAT pieces, on sale.
So. If you are shopping for something specific – black pants for work, for example, or a way to upgrade your guy’s date-night look – go check out our Cheat Sheet. That’s where all of our top picks live (and yes – we apply our lessons learned over the years to the Cheat Sheet, too). But if you’d like some insight into what I personally think are the true finds of this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale – the absolute best pieces that are practical, pretty, and incredibly well-made (bonus points for 100% natural fibers – cashmere, cotton, silk, wool, linen) – then this is my take.
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1. Wool Coats
LAMARQUE ANCA Wool Scarf Jacket
My very best buys in the NSale, year after year, are coats. And this one, LAMARQUE’s 100% wool scarf coat, is my top pick. The wool is super soft, and the fit of the coat is roomy – will definitely fit over bulky sweaters – yet the fabric is so deliciously drapey it doesn’t overwhelm. Also available in a gorgeous ivory, as well as a surprisingly pretty brown. (I have the ivory and brown scarf coats styled up in my NSale try-on post, if interested!)
Other wool coats worth checking out? Reiss always has solid option or two in the NSale, and this year, their classic wrap coat comes in the most stunning peacock blue (highly recommend), as well as this menswear-inspired topcoat in brown houndstooth – gorgeous!
If you were hoping for a classic camel wool coat, the NSale has that, too: Theory’s Double Breasted Longline Trench Coat is made from a wool/cashmere blend, and Theory is one of those reliable NSale brands – they really deliver exciting, yet incredibly well-made coats year after year.
2. Barbour Jackets
Barbour Arla Waterproof Hooded Jacket
Thanks to Barbour’s strong showing in the NSale, year after year, I am now a HUGE Barbour coat fan. These are the most hardworking (yet chic!) coats that I own. These are the coats (or jackets, really) that I end up keeping forever, packing in every suitcase, and getting tons of compliments on. In fact, I literally just created a video about how I regret buying my old Burberry trench coat all of those years ago…and Barbour is one of the reasons why. I can’t recommend Barbour rain jackets enough.
If you want to see the Barbour I bought last year (it’s back!) on an actual person (me, haha)…go check out our article, The Best (and Worst!) Coats in The 2026 NSale. We’ll be updating that article as we try on more – including the good, the bad and the meh ones – so it’s a good one to bookmark.
3. Cool Leather Jackets
LAMARQUE THEIA Leather Bomber Jacket
Guys, this is the sale that is going to get me back into a leather jacket this fall. It’s this NSale, right here. There are so many freaking good leather jackets this year (and, to be clear, I’m not talking about tired moto jackets)…I honestly can’t decide! Because there is seriously no better jacket silhouette than a bomber that’s where I started my search.
UPDATE, 7/13: I just tried on LAMARQUE’S Theia Leather Bomber Jacket and it is HUGE. Like…so overwhelming on my 5’4″ self that it looks like I’m playing dress-up (you can see the photos in our Guide To NSale Coats). On the upside, it’s completely lined, great for winter, and looked amazing on Syd (she’s 5’7″). My personal favorite right now is AllSaints’ Clay Suede Jacket in the coolest khaki green – you can also see photos of it on me in our Guide To The Best (And Worst!) Coats in The 2026 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale).
4. Eileen Fisher Wool Cardigan (Jacket?)
Eileen Fisher Classic Collar Wool Jacket
If there’s one thing to remember about Eileen Fisher it’s this: these pieces ALWAYS look better on, in real life, than they do on the models. I don’t know why this is, but it has been true literally 100% of the time. And Eileen Fisher is another brand that really, really delivers high quality NSale products, year after year.
I have high hopes about this 100% wool piece – I think it’ll look especially cute all buttoned-up, like a shirt (and that green is gorgeous).
5. Margaux Woven Ballet Flats
UPDATE 7/15: Magraux Paz’s flats are completely sold out, but I just tried these woven flats from Vionic and was totally blown away. They have the most comfortable footbed I’ve tried in a LONG time, yet they’re still seriously cool on (see them styled, here).
If you’re interested in shoes, specifically, check out our Guide To The Best (And Worst!) Shoes in the 2026 NSale.
Margaux’s woven leather flats are made from the softest, highest-quality woven leather out of any ballet flats I’ve tried. These guys beat out rag&bone, they beat out Chloe, they are so fantastic that their Demi-Jane style flat was one of our top picks in our Guide To the Best Mesh and Woven Ballet Flats. This Paz flat is made from that same woven leather upper and cushy, flexible sole…just in a slightly different style. I’ve found, however, that this shoe runs pretty big. Size down a half-size for the best fit, or maybe even a full size if you tend to waffle between sizes.
6. Bags
Vince Vivian Small Woven Leather Hobo
This stunning bag is available in two sizes (here’s the bigger version) as well as raffia. Raffia’s cool, but it’s the tightly woven leather that is calling my name. Click through to zoom in to really see that gorgeous texture. Love it.
7. adidas Sprinter Shorts
adidas Originals 3S Sprinter Shorts
These darn things have been sold out at Adidas for months, and then they just casually pop up HERE? In my favorite color??? HOW DARE THEY. I plan on wearing these bad boys as actual real clothes, rather than workout shorts.
8. Frank & Eileen ‘Eileen’ Button-Up
Frank & Eileen Eileen Relaxed Button-Up Shirt
Frank & Eileen is another brand whose quality is freaking ah-mazing, NSale or no NSale. They’re also B-Corp certified, women-owned, and make everything in the US. This is a brand that is really easy to get behind, especially once you try on one of their Eileen shirts – IMO, there is literally no better button-down.
There’s a ton of Frank & Eileen in the NSale this year, and you really can’t go wrong with any of it. A few other standouts (according to me, haha) are their Eileen shirt in denim, Linzi’s favorite sweater (in 100% cotton), and this sweatshirt-peacoat made from their incredible terry material (I swear by their sweatsuits for overnight airplane travel – it’s cozy, yet you arrive looking completely unwrinkled).
9. Nordstrom Brand Leather Pants
Each year, Nordstrom makes a few truly standout pieces for the NSale and I have really high hopes for this one: full-length leather pants, with a classic straight-leg. I cannot WAIT to try these on.
I’m also excited about this lace midi skirt (also Nordstrom brand) if that’s more your speed. (UPDATE 7/15: It’s fantastic. See the lace midi skirt styled up, here.)
10. 100% Cashmere Sweaters
Joe’s Tipped Cashmere Polo Sweater
This year, the NSale has a few(!!) cashmere sweaters worth checking out, which was a nice surprise. This bright red polo from Joe’s is easily my top pick (size up for the best slouch), and I swear by this Nordstrom Brand cashmere – I always pick one in a fun color, then size up 2 sizes. Lastly, this seriously pretty cardigan could be kiiiiiind of amazing for holiday parties.
Also, feel free to check out our Guide To NSale Sweaters for more (and we’ll be updating it with fit notes once we start trying them on).
11. Jeans!!!
AG Adria Low Rise Wide Leg Jeans
Sooooo many good pairs of jeans in this year’s sale!!! SOOOOO many! The first ones I’m ordering – at midnight – are these AG’s, followed by these rag&bone’s. And if you happen to be hoping for something fun and amazing, under $100…I am blown. away. by these carpenter barrel jeans – they’re so comfortable and stupidly cool. I’m happy in the size 29.
12. Away Luggage
I’ve been testing all different luggage brands for an upcoming YouTube video, and spoiler: Away wins. Not only that, but Away’s size medium flex suitcase is the best. This suitcase can get packed full and still never be overweight at the airport (it’ll be close, tho!). For chronic overpackers, this holds everything you could possibly need, without the overweight baggage charge. I love mine with the passion of ten thousand suns.
13. Hanky Panky Underwear
Hanky Panky Signature Lace Boyshorts
I swear by these under all my summery mini dresses. They’re full coverage, plus breathability, plus cuuuuuuuute. I’ve been trying to find something better, but nothing has even come close.
14. TUMI Backpacks
There’s no doubt that big ‘ol totes fit soooo much more, but man they’re uncomfortable to carry!! For a mobile office situation that truly does travel easily…TUMI backpacks are still the best. I LOVE mine, and it has lasted basically forever. I am so rough on mine, and it still somehow looks…well, not brand new, but really darn good. These things are indestructible, and machine wash really well, too (if you also plop yours down at your feet in the car during Vermont’s mud season – same, Girl, SAME).
xo,
S
