Public access has now begun for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and as a follow up to my rather extensive post last week, I wanted to narrow it down to my five favourites. Sales can be pretty overwhelming, and my general rule of thumb is to only buy what you need. Each season I put an emphasis on the same types of items. They’re always the classics; things I’ll be able to continue to wear on rotation year after year.
I’d apply the mantra buy less, choose well to this sale (and any other). Be shrewd about what you add to your cart, think about longevity, and ultimately, whether it’s a true reflection of your personal style.
With that out of the way, let’s run through those five favourites, and what exactly makes them a worthwhile wardrobe addition.
01 | Stuart Weitzman OTK boots
I thought I’d kick off with a winter staple I already have in my closet, and an undeniable classic. I doubt I’d be the only one to suggest that these boots are one to check out, especially if you have the budget. These tick a couple boxes for me; they’re a practical choice for the cold (perfect for layering), they’re comfortable to wear (especially this style with the chunky heel and tread on the sole), and they’re well made. I personally prefer to pair mine with skinny jeans, though if you’re long-limbed, they look chic worn with a little mini skirt or sweater dress.
02 | Nordstrom black croc leather shoulder bag
Mock croc leather seems to be having a serious fashion moment right now, and if you haven’t noticed, I’m all over it. I don’t tend to fall for trends too often but when I do, I fall hard. I love that this bag has a simple, classic design, that’s elevated with the addition of the croc texture. It makes it feel special, and is an easy way to add depth to an all black outfit. A good shoulder bag is an absolute must in my own wardrobe, and I loved the fact that this has a slightly longer shoulder drop – from first glance it appears to be a good one for wearing with bulky coats. For someone who likes to get versatility out of their wardrobe, this would be an appropriate choice for the office but also for the weekend too.
03 | Free People grey check oversized blazer
Top of my personal wishlist from the Nordstrom sale was yet another check blazer, this time from Free People. Check prints and plaid were huge in 2018, and while its popularity seems to have been replaced by neutrals in 2019, I still see it as being a wardrobe classic. It’s a fairly muted style of print, which has a few benefits. It makes it a style that is easy to mix and match (even with other patterned pieces!), it’s easily repeatable because it’s not ‘in your face’, and it won’t feel dated when you pull it back out of the closet 12 months from now. The silhouette of this style is more of a boyfriend fit, which I think looks great worn with everything from skinny jeans, to straight leg jeans and slip dresses.
04 | Halogen grey wool/cashmere mock neck sweater
The base of all of my winter outfits is a good sweater, and it’s one of the key pieces I think are worth investing in for the colder months. I prefer to opt for natural fibres because they feel nicer, have interesting texture, and wear better than their synthetic counterparts. I liked the look of this one from Halogen for a few reasons. The price point wasn’t sky high – surprising given the cashmere content – it’s a simple silhouette, and there’s a subtle patterned design element which again raises this up a notch. Depending on how you style a piece like this, you can easily make it work for both the office and the weekend. Pair it with smart trousers and pointed toe heels or a slip skirt and belt for the office, or with a relaxed jean and loafers for an easy weekend look.
05 | All Saints balfern leather jacket
My final favourite from this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is the balfern leather jacket from All Saints. I was pretty surprised to spot it in the sale, given it’s such a classic style. I actually own this jacket in the black leather, and it’s been a worthwhile investment. The leather is butter soft, and the fit is semi-cropped with a cut close to the body. Only the blush pink and the powder blue are available as part of the sale – so perhaps one to skip if you’d prefer it in black – but I think these can be a nice way to add a soft touch of colour to an autumn/winter wardrobe. This one seems to be out of stock right now so if you had your eye on it, you may need to keep checking back to see if it gets restocked. Otherwise, if you can hold out a few months, you should be able to purchase it with a 30% discount (or so) from All Saints during the Black Friday sales – it’s what I did last year and I can’t recommend doing so enough!
