My closet has thirty pieces in it, and I’ve never once had nothing to wear. That’s not luck — it’s editing. Which means when the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens, I’m not scrolling for fun. I’m hunting for a handful of workhorses: pieces I can wear three ways, at a price that makes the math work in my favour.
Cardholders got in first — I start shopping at midnight, the lowest tier, no glamour about it. If you’re a non-cardholder, you can shop from the 18th. A few of my favourites were already sold out in the size or colour I wanted, so I’ll be watching for restocks. And once everything lands, I’ll be back with sizing notes and what I actually kept. Posts on Chic Style may contain affiliate links.
Twenty items made my shortlist, and I’m listing them in the order I’d shop them: the pieces I’m most likely to buy, first. Here’s how I think about each one.
These wide-leg Paige jeans are the piece I’m most likely to grab on day one — and here’s what the full sale haul looks like:
1. Paige Anessa High Waist Wide Leg Jeans
Sale: $172.99 · After sale: $259
I bought the cropped version of these this summer and they turned me into a believer in “designer” jeans — I’d never spent more than $100 on a pair before, and they were still worth it. The full length is what I want, and it comes in a petite length, which I’ll be snagging. My size is sold out in petite right now, so I’ll probably go regular length.
2. Varley Milano Half-Zip Sweatshirt
Sale: $85.99 · After sale: $128
I’ve been wanting a Varley piece for a while, and this half-zip is the one. I’m leaning olive green. This is the kind of layer that goes over everything in a fall capsule.
3. Moonlight Eco Knit Pajamas
Sale: $55.99 · After sale: $85
My first pair came from last year’s sale and they’ve survived a hundred washes. That’s the cost-per-wear test, passed. I’m still deciding between the blue stripe and the pink.
4. Free People Torres Turtleneck Sweater
Sale: $98.99 · After sale: $148
I always grab a Free People sweater at this sale. Army green or cream — I love the blue too, but I already have plenty of blue. I’ll size down one; FP runs big. This one sells out.
5. On Cloud 6 Sneaker
Sale: $109.99 · After sale: $160
I own these in more colours than I can count, and every pair gets worn to death — which is the highest compliment I can give a sneaker. This pastel is new to me. The bungee laces slip on in one second, and that’s worth real money over a year of mornings.
6. Peter Millar Comfort Interlock Quarter Zip Pullover
Sale: $99.99 · After sale: $158
I buy my husband a Peter Millar shirt each year during this sale — these last. He gets another colour in this one.
7. Varley Bea Freesoft Racerback Bralette
Sale: $58.99 · After sale: $88
This low-impact sports bra is the closest thing to a former favourite of mine that got discontinued — but higher quality. I’m grabbing two colours, on purpose, in case I love it.
8. Zella Soft Luxe Utility Jacket
Sale: $65.99 · After sale: $99
The cinched waist is what sold me. It comes in three colours, and it pairs straight with the wide-leg Zella pants further down this list. One purchase, two outfits.
9. Madewell Suede Shopper Tote
Sale: $158.99 · After sale: $238
Lost count of how many times I raved about this tote last year — I have it in blue and dark brown. It did my fall and winter commute, and I’ll be picking it straight back up.
10. Free People Frankie Cable Cotton Sweater
Sale: $65.99 · After sale: $98
I didn’t stop at one Free People sweater. The chunky cable knit goes in the basket too, in light pink — and the green is a close second. Based on reviews I’ll order this one in my regular size.
11. Zella Atlas Wide Leg Pants
Sale: $54.99 · After sale: $79
A good-quality wide-leg athleisure pant is a building block, and these look like the real thing. Trying them.
12. Primary Kids Lightweight Puffer Jacket
Sale: $44.99 · After sale: $68
I had no idea Nordstrom carried Primary until I spotted my daughter’s favourite lightweight puffer in the sale. It holds up — she still fits the very first one from a few years ago, so I’ve bought the next size up in red, and then the size up from that. It packs flat for trips, too.
13. Zella Ottoman Half Zip Pullover
Sale: $59.99 · After sale: $89
Purple isn’t my usual, but it’s my daughter’s softball team colour, and I own nothing else in it. It also comes in neutral colours, so there’s an easy route in either direction.
14. Clinique Jumbo Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
Sale: $36 · Value: $58 (sale exclusive)
The big jar lasts me the entire year — stock up once, done. It’s the easiest way to take makeup off without the mess of wipes, and it’s gentle. I use it with a makeup eraser towel.
15. Open Edit Comfy Jersey Pajamas
Sale: $62.99 · After sale: $95
Longer short sleeves are the detail I love about these. Trying the pink.
16. 4ct Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings
Sale: $32.99 · After sale: $50
I own several pairs of these and they’re my daily go-to. The 4ct size means 2 per earring — they’re on the larger side, which I like. If you’d rather something a little smaller, there’s a 2ct (1ct per ear) version too.
17. Mini Boden Kids’ Scallop Trim Cardigan
Sale: $35.99 · After sale: $55
Hearts with pink, or hearts with blue — I can’t decide which little girl’s cardigan is my favourite. A genuinely sweet sweater at a genuinely reduced price.
18. Polo Ralph Lauren Cable Knit Cotton Cardigan
Sale: $129.99 · After sale: $198
The fitted cable knit with a collar is a classic for a reason. Buttoned up with a silk neck scarf this fall — I can already see the formula working.
19. Mother Kick It High Waist Straight Leg Jeans
Sale: $185.99 · After sale: $278
Before I bought my last Paige jeans, a pair of Mother jeans nearly won. At a discount this deep, it’s worth the rematch. These will sell out.
20. Lauren Ralph Lauren Double Breasted Wool Blend Crop Coat
Sale: $179.99 · After sale: $280
The cut, the four colour options, the 5-star rating — this coat has everything. Sizes are already limited, so it may be a restock wait rather than a same-day grab.
My one rule for sale shopping
Before anything goes in the cart, I ask one question: can I wear this three ways? The Paige jeans with a tee, a half-zip, and a coat. The Zella jacket over the wide-leg pants and over nothing. The cardigan buttoned, open, and as a throw. If a piece can’t hit three, it’s a treat, not a workhorse — and treats have their place, but they don’t build a wardrobe.
Whether I end up buying all twenty or two, I’ll be back with what I actually kept and what I returned. If you’re shopping the sale, tell me what’s on your list — I’ll be reading.
Wear it well — Elise