After months of hard work at my 9-to-5, I’m so happy to say that we’re a week into what has shaped up to be an exceptionally good #NSale. Since I write copy for the Nordstrom website, I’ve been scoping out things to add to my Wish List for awhile now, and it was so fun to pop over to a dressing room and finally try some of them on. This time of year, I always get a lot of requests from friends and family to share my picks, so I’ve gathered my own personal highlights below, along with a few tips on sizing.
Don’t forget to scroll all the way down to see all of my 2018 picks (hello pearl drop earrings and cowboy-inspired booties)!
The hat, t-shirt, blazer and jeans in this look are all part of the Anniversary sale. I’m wearing a size medium in the hat, but I plan on purchasing a small (and I have a really big head, so if you have a small-to-average-sized head, I’d opt for the extra small. I know baker boy hats are a very polarizing look, but I’ve decided that I’m firmly in favor of them. This white tee is supersoft and drapey, but it is a little see through, so it’s best used for layering. And speaking of layering—I’m obsessed with this check-print blazer. I’m wearing a medium here (my normal size) and it fit perfectly. It’s lightweight but not flimsy and woven with a good amount of stretch, so it’s super comfortable. I anticipate getting a lot of use out of it this fall.
To backtrack a little: let’s talk about the striped sweater at the top of the post. It’s definitely been featured in a lot of pre-sale hype, and for that reason, it’s already sold out online. The store only had a size 12 in stock (I’m usually an 8), but I actually liked how slouchy and cozy it was, so I’d recommend sizing up if you can find this style in your local store. And if there’s a sold-out piece you really had your heart set on, keep checking the website every day as returns will be added back to available stock as the sale goes on.
Here, I’m wearing that same Caslon tee with a really cute wrap midi skirt. You can’t really tell in the photo, but it’s cut from a satin-y jacquard with really pretty tonal flowers woven into it. It also comes in a pale emerald color and I really can’t decide which one I want.
A note on sizing: I’m wearing and 8 here and it fit but was a little snug, so I’d definitely try your normal size plus one size up.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: outerwear is always a great buy during the Anniversary sale. This year, there were a handful of cool camel coats (try saying that five times fast), but this one caught my eye because of its super-plush, teddy bear-like texture. Plus, it’s under $70, which is pretty goshdarn hard to beat.
And now to talk about the jeans (which I’m wearing in a few of these looks). I’d been wanting to try a pair of Good American jeans ever since we started carrying them, and this was the first time I had gotten around to it. I took my normal size and they were definitely snug—but jeans always stretch out after wear. They weren’t as stretchy as I was expecting them to be, which I think is part of what makes them sleek and slimming. I do wish they were a little more high waisted on me, but they’re definitely worth trying on to see how they fit your body.
All I’ve been wanting to wear lately are breezy midi dresses—and I can’t wait to style them with leather jackets and cool sneakers or a pair of leather loafers in the fall. This one has major potential but it runs super big (I was wearing a medium here and it was very baggy in the waist), so definitely size down at least one size. Bonus: it comes in a really pretty red colorway.
I’ve been on a major monochromatic suit kick, and I can’t wait to add to my collection with this garnet-hued, wide-leg suit from Topshop. It’s lightweight, comfy, super flattering and work friendly! I took my normal size in the pants and sized down in the blazer (Topshop jackets always seem to run large).
And that concludes the try-on portion of this post—I hope it was helpful! Below is the complete selection of my favorite styles from this year’s sale, so take a gander. If you’re in the market for something specific (a dress for an upcoming wedding or a go-to interview look, for example) leave me a comment and I’ll help you find something cool.
Just remember: if you want to shop during Early Access, you need to be a Nordstrom card member. It’s super easy to sign up—and then you’ll get two points for every dollar spent so you can start earning those Nordstrom Notes. If another credit card isn’t your jam, just wait until Friday when the sale opens to the public. Happy shopping!
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