My whole Nordstrom Anniversary Sale order landed in one big pile this week. So I did what any self-respecting wardrobe editor does: I tried everything on, strolled through my actual closet a few times to keep it honest, and made the calls. Some things are staying. Some are going back — including pieces I genuinely loved, for reasons I’ll explain.
A quick heads-up: a few of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you buy through them. No extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
Also, a lot of items are already out of stock. For a few things I was really after, keeping a tab open and refreshing between small restocks actually worked — I’d suggest it if there’s a specific piece you’re eyeing. The sale runs through 8/10.
The try-on session in full — pajamas, athleisure, knits, jeans, and one very soft rain trench.
The keepers
Moonlight Eco Knit Pajamas
I knew these were a keeper before they came out of the bag. I own this pajama style from a few brands, and in order of quality, from least to most, I’d rank it: Target, then Old Navy, then Nordstrom, then Kyte Baby. But Kyte Baby is more than double the price of the Nordstrom pair on sale, so these win on value-meets-quality, easily.
At 5’3″, I wear a Small and they fit true to size. If you’re between sizes, size up.
Verdict: Keep.
Open Edit Comfy Jersey Pajamas
I love the length and width of these swingy pants and the crop of the tee. They also come in black and a gorgeous teal, and the jersey is so soft.
Sizing: true to size; I’m wearing a Small.
Verdict: Keep.
Zella Soft Luxe Utility Jacket
My favorite surprise of the whole sale. It’s a “jacket” in name only — I wear it as a zip-up top — and the cinch detail is what sold me. It was sold out in every color, so I refreshed a little while today until a cream one restocked in my size, and I grabbed a second color on the spot.
Sizing: true to size; I’m wearing a Small.
Verdict: Keep.
Zella Soft Luxe Half Zip Sweatshirt
This top is soft, cropped, and swingy, with an interesting back pleat that hangs just a little longer — a detail I love. It also has a hidden pass-through front pocket that isn’t very noticeable but is very cozy and very handy. I’m considering a second color.
Sizing: it’s meant to be oversized, and I prefer the fit in my regular size; wearing a Small.
Verdict: Keep.
Styled with leggings for a lazy-morning look that still holds together.
Polo Ralph Lauren Cable Knit Cotton Cardigan
I love this outfit. The cardigan is such a classic, and I like the buttoned-up look. I was surprised olive was the only color left, but it’s so pretty for fall.
Sizing: if you’re between sizes, size up; I’m wearing a Small.
Verdict: Keep.
Paige Leenah High Waist Wide Leg Jeans
These were the only jeans I could grab in a petite length, and I love how they feel. High waist, real stretch, and the quality is genuinely good for a pair you can actually wear every week.
Sizing: true to size; I’m wearing a 26 Petite.
Verdict: Keep.
Going back
Zella Ottoman Half Zip Pullover & Zella Atlas Wide Leg Pants
I liked both of these — the top is quality and the pants are light and breezy. But I couldn’t justify keeping either as a need, given what’s already hanging in my closet. That’s the rule I keep myself to: if the closet already answers the question, don’t add a duplicate answer.
Sizing: the top is true to size (I’m wearing a Small). The pants run a little large — I’m in a Small but would have sized down.
Verdict: Send back. (both)
Zella Soft Luxe Wide Leg Pants
I love these, which is exactly why it’s hard. But I’ve been picking up great wide-leg and trouser pants in recent budget Amazon sets, and the cost-per-wear math doesn’t work twice over.
Sizing: they run a little large and long. I’m wearing a Small but would have sized down.
Verdict: Send back.
Varley Freya Funnel Neck Sweatshirt
Feels great, I just don’t love how it looks — purely personal preference. It’s also similar to the Zella utility jacket, which I much more prefer. If you like a longer, tunic-length top with versatility, you may love this fit.
Sizing: true to size; I’m wearing a Small.
Verdict: Send back.
Free People Frankie Cable Cotton Sweater
I wanted to love this sweater, and the color is so pretty — the mint in particular. But it felt too bulky. I’m not sure I’d have felt the same if I’d sized down one, but I can’t keep a piece I have to hope about.
Sizing: runs big. I’m wearing a Small and would have preferred to size down one.
Verdict: Send back.
Free People Torres Turtleneck Sweater & Mother Kick It High Waist Straight Leg Jeans
I thought this turtleneck was a sure thing. It isn’t. It’s fine, but I don’t love the fabric, the fit, or the length. And the jeans — I love them, but they don’t come in a petite length and the regular run too long. I could have them hemmed, but since I’m keeping the petite Paige Leenahs, a second pair of straight-legs to hem wasn’t worth it.
Sizing: the sweater runs big — size down one (I’m in an XS and it still fits oversized). The jeans are true to size; I’m wearing a 26, and the regular length is way too long on me.
Verdict: Send back. (both)
Varley Milano Half-Zip Sweatshirt
I really like this top and the quality is awesome. Justifiably, it was one of the first pieces to sell out — if you have it on your list, keep refreshing, the restocks come one at a time. The cut is great. But I own so much athleisure that I can’t justify one more piece right now. Had the olive green not been sold out when I ordered, I might have made the case.
Sizing: oversized; I’m wearing a Small.
Verdict: Send back.
Paige Anessa High Waist Wide Leg Jeans
I love these jeans, but they’re too long and I missed ordering the petite length. I’m still keeping an eye out, hoping to grab the shorter length on a restock.
Sizing: true to size; I’m wearing a 26 — too long, and I need the petite length.
Verdict: Send back.
Lavender Cloud 6 Sneakers
I own these in so many colors, and the pale purple is so pretty — but my size was sold out by the time I could order from the sale. I took a chance and ordered half a size up. They’re just a little too big. Dang it.
Sizing: true to size, which is why the half-size-up gamble failed.
Verdict: Send back.
Bonus: not NSALE, but on sale
Not part of the Anniversary Sale, but this arrived in the middle of my haul and it’s on sale, so it gets a moment. This lightweight, water-resistant rain jacket has a contrasting ticking liner and a hood detail I genuinely like — it’s under $40 on Amazon in several colors, including the olive I’m wearing, plus red, yellow, pink, navy, purple, and black. It’s very roomy in a Small, with plenty of space for layers. Easy keep.
And a small side note from the accessories world: I didn’t order any earrings this year because I already have several pairs, but the 4ct. cubic zirconia studs (2ct per ear) are the ones I wear most days — even the pair from years ago still looks great. Sometimes the old workhorse is exactly what you need.
I also ordered a couple of sports bras from the sale — neither blew me away, so they’re going back too.
The takeaway
My honest highlights this year: the Zella athleisure line, which really delivered, the pajamas, and the jeans. A few of my returns were pieces I genuinely liked — I sent them back because the wardrobe already had the answer, or because a recent budget find did the same job. That’s the whole game: buy the answer, not the duplicate.
Did you order anything for the sale? If something you’re eyeing keeps running out, keep that tab open and refresh — the restocks are real, they just come one at a time.
I’ll be back soon to share the budget Amazon finds that are making me rethink a few of these returns. Until then — wear it well, Elise.