Retail Reconnaissance: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Eileen Fisher pinstripe long kimono jacket from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstromFor those of you who had trouble with any Nordstrom Anniversary Sale links yesterday, my apologies for any frustration. The problems seemed to be widespread and originating from the Nordstrom website. I’ve double-checked and updated links, but if you have any issues with links not working, please let me know ASAP.

See more of my sale picks HERE.

I spent a couple of hours yesterday making a quick pass through the sale merchandise at our local Nordstrom, and did not come home empty-handed. 😍 While I thought the sale offerings were a bit thin for some brands, others (like Eileen Fisher) had quite a robust selection. (Above, this lightweight kimono jacket is one of those pieces you won’t have to wait for cold weather to wear.)

But I always like to start with the shoes, and this was IMO the best part of the sale.

What I Liked

Rebecca Minkoff black western style bootie from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstromFirst, I tried these booties. The shiny leather balances out the western styling, so they look modern and not at all rugged. Alas, they were too narrow for me, but if you have a narrow-to-medium foot, these are definitely worth looking at. Also available in white and red.

Black Halogen bootie with zipper detail from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstromI didn’t try these on, but the Sales Associate told me they look great on and are getting high marks for comfort. (Under $100 too!)

Top view Caslon braided suede bootie from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstrom

Side view Caslon braided suede bootie from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstrom

(Please forgive the photo quality on the in-store images…lighting is always a challenge.) These braided suede booties were really cute and comfortable, but they only had this color (pinkish tan) and the black in the store. Since I’d already ordered the Aquatalia booties, I decided to take a pass. These are under $100.

Kenneth Cole knit wool coat from Nordstrom Anniversary sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstrom

This knit wool coat suggested by the Sales Associate had potential, but the regular size was too long. Online, it’s available in Petites and Plus too, and in a camel color as well as the grey.

OAD New York convertible satchel from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstromI’d first noticed OAD New York bags at the Seattle Nordstrom when I was visiting last year with my friend Karen. I loved the clean, functional designs, but later the brand dropped off my radar. While browsing the sale bags, I spotted this convertible satchel, and was again impressed. I like the color-blocking, the lack of hardware or superfluous details, and the organizational features. It’s not too heavy either!

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What Followed Me Home…

Side view AGL smoking slipper from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstrom

Top view AGL smoking slipper from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstrom

I had only planned to try these AGL smoking slippers to check sizing, but I kind of fell in love with them. They’re incredibly comfortable and really good-looking, rather chic actually. You could dress these up or down, and I love the subtle metallic finish on this grey color.

Theory Clairene plaid soft jacket from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstrom

And this was another “just going to try on for size” piece that I couldn’t leave behind. It’s a very lightweight wool coat (unlined) that’s a perfect topper for several months out of the year here. I’ve actually been ogling this particular style in various colors over the last few seasons. The softness of the fabric balances out the menswear-ish aspect of the plaid. And, by sheer coincidence it looks great with the AGL slippers above.

Our local Nordstrom is on the smaller side, and didn’t stock everything I was interested in. It also doesn’t carry Petites in the store so I’ve ordered a few things to try, will report back once I get them.

I did pick up a couple of things in the Beauty department….

Premium skincare set from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstromAs I mentioned, I’d done an in-store pre-sale order for this skincare set. It’s a full size of the Wonder Glow (can be used on its own or as a makeup primer) and (generous) travel sizes of both the day and nighttime moisturizers.

Foreo Luna skin cleansing duo from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstromThe Sales associate pointed out and recommended this Foreo Luna skin cleansing device duo and said it’s the next generation of Clarisonic type devices. He raved about it: said it holds a charge for months, that it’s much easier to keep clean than the Clarisonic, and no need to buy replacement brushes. So I bit. (I love that it’s smaller, lighter and more compact, much better for travel!) I’ll test this out and report back.

Kiehl's creme de corps jumbo size from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #nordstrom

Every year this is included in the sale, and every year I pick one up. I love this body lotion, and the jumbo size bottle will last me almost until the next Anniversary Sale.

Just a reminder, if something you like is sold out, bookmark it and keep checking back. Returns happen, and I’ve seen items that sold out quickly become available again in a few days.

Have you been able to shop the sale yet?

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44 Comments

  1. I love grey, so those shoes and that jacket, if they have it in Petites. I don’t take a petite on top; unlike you I have a “long” (average) body and short legs. But sleeves have to be shortened.

    There is no Nordstrom in Montréal yet; the closest store is in Ottawa. I think they hesitate about the translation costs. I’ll definitely visit the next time I’m in Ottawa or Toronto.

  2. The website was a mess yesterday, it wouldn’t allow customers to check out. But they were quick to make amends. I received this email: “On behalf of our entire team at Nordstrom, I’d like to apologize for the issues you may have experienced on our site today. We know we disappointed many of you and we’re sorry for the inconvenience.

    Because you’re one of our most loyal customers, we’re giving you 10 points per net dollar on purchases made with your Nordstrom credit or debit card at Nordstrom stores, on Nordstrom.com or our app through Thursday, July 12, at 11:59pm Pacific Time.*”

      1. Except I still couldn’t check out and take advantage of it. I wrote them today and told them the shopping cart kept failing. We’ll see if they help me…..

  3. Those toppers are sublime–even the one that you stated looked too long–. The cross strap booties that you passed on, I adore, I was looking at similar (or the same) ones recently. I need, yes, need a lighter pair for this coming season.

  4. Love your picks! I did look at the Aquatalia booties in black but decided against them because of the metal buckle – a little big for me. I went into my local store yesterday and didn’t see much I liked, as you had remarked earlier. However, on the way out I saw and ended up buying a Rag and Bone jacket that was NOT on sale :-(. Oh well, I did get the 10 points per dollar which made up for the price – and I have a cute new jacket.

  5. Susan, Loved those Aquatalia boots you featured. Does Aquatalia run true to size? Narrow? So many issues with my feet. Are they waterproof or weatherproof? If caught in rain do they really prevent your feet from getting soaked?
    Thanks!
    Lisa

    1. I’ve found Aquatalia to run TTS. Some styles run a little narrow, but not most. I’ve never had any issues with water resistance under normal weather circumstances. Granted, I haven’t been in a real deluge with them, but I have stepped in puddles and walked in wet conditions with no problems.

          1. I think they’re fine at any age if you like them. 🙂 It’s really more about how you style them, and keeping the rest of the look simple and classic is a nice balance.

  6. You picked exactly the shoes and jacket I liked from yesterday!

    I have a very similar pair of shoes to the braided ones in a soft blue that I picked up from Sole Society last summer. Kind of embarrassed to say that I haven’t worn them yet. Soon!

  7. Oh my goodness – yesterday was a mess trying to shop the Sale!! I was finally able to complete my order after 8PM EST! It was nice to get the extra 10 points….love your selections and followed a few of them into my bag. I will be traveling to Paris in September and looking forward to wearing everything

  8. I also had trouble ordering on the website yesterday morning, but downloaded the Nordstrom app to my IPad and had no problem ordering. Just a thought for the next sale!
    I wanted to try the Charlotte Tilbury set, but was wondering if the Wonder Glow is tinted? I am a fair redhead and pinks go really pink on me!

  9. I of course had to order that Theory jacket (looks good on you!). Love your nail polish in that photo. Do you mind telling me the color/brand?

  10. Came home yesterday with the Aquitalia boots…I have narrow feet and they fit just fine. In black, they are so sleek! Also the Rebecca Minkoff Merilee Herringbone Blazer – ordered in 2 sizes so I can try on and decide at home…
    Cautionary tale – As I was walking through the shoe department I saw a lady trying on the cutest Born booties with buckle trim…She was buying the last pair in my size and by the time I got home 20 minutes later and tried to order them online, they were SOLD OUT!

  11. Catalog this year seemed skewed very young (or maybe I’m just skewing older-haha), but when I went to my Nordstrom on Thursday I was very pleased with items I found. My splurge but classic piece is a stunning Eileen Fisher alpaca blend topper. It’s blue and black plaid and it is absolutely perfect! Here’s the link since it seems up the alley of this community. It doesn’t look like much online, but in person it looks and feels fabulous. Just need to wait a few months to wear since it’s 90’ today!

    https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/eileen-fisher-plaid-alpaca-blend-coat-regular-petite/4944615?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FClothing%2FCoats%20%26%20Jackets&color=midnight

  12. I went on a Charlotte Tilbury spree today – Bought Wonderglow, a lipstick in a great brick color, the highlighter/bronzer duo, and the Healthy Glow cc type cream. The lovely gal at Houston Galleria made me up and my daughter told me that she did not even recognize me on her way back from the shoe department. Thanks for the heads-up on Charlotte Tilbury!

  13. I love your style and you have inspired mine. In addition to your great fashion advise, I can see how you really get your readers to think about issues like aging or finding your style voice. Please forgive the lengthy message but I would respectfully offer the following: I wondered if you could write about the issue of proportion in clothes buying. Like you, I’m in my early 60s, and I work full time but I am thinking about retiring soon. I think a lot about my clothing needs now, and my clothing needs after. For now, I have a lot of work engagements, including a couple of events every year that require dressing up. Also, my husband and I have a very busy social life, going out to the theater and dinner with friends several times a week. Still, I feel like my closet is bulging, and sadly find that at the end of a season, I have not worn everything appropriate for the season. So it speaks to excess. As for clothing needs after I retire, I intend to stay busy, but I wonder, how many pairs of mules or dusters does one really need to go out to lunch with friends? I want to get a better handle on things. You have mentioned sometimes that your blog reflects your true lifestyle, but perhaps you buy more than most of us because you are in the fashion business, as I assume that your blog is your business. That makes your readers very different from you in that most of us are not dressing for a living. For example, I have been wearing Eileen Fisher since the ’90s, and greatly appreciate that the styles are classic, even though they are pricey. A single piece of hers can cost as much as an airline ticket! While my husband and I make good salaries, I would go broke buying as many of her pieces as you seem to at full price. It feels wrong to spend so much on clothing when my closet is bulging, and it feels wrong for other non-monetary reasons too. I love fashion, but I also live in the world. Also, I’m wondering about your focus on Nordstrom’s in so many posts. I’m sure most of your readers love Nordstrom, but I think modern women shop at so many places now, online and otherwise, and it would be great to hear about a greater variety of sources, including some that focus on ethical sourcing, rather than reading several posts every year about how to shop the Nordstrom’s annual sale. As I said, I really love your style, and I love the way you make all of us think. I’m hoping you can find a way to discuss proportion or moderation in a way that would resonate with your readers. Thanks for all your great insights.

    1. Hi Elena, thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts. You are correct that my blog is my business/livelihood. As a style blogger, I do maintain a larger wardrobe and purchase more items that I would in a different line of work. But I also do wear the items and looks I show on the blog in my real life. It’s always my hope that the outfits and ideas I share are something that readers can translate to their own style, budgets, and needs, and that includes combining pieces they may already own in new ways. I include items from Nordstrom regularly because I’ve always shopped there and find they have a good selection of brands and sizes, as well as good customer service. I usually don’t post a lot about sales but this one is the exception, and it’s just a few posts every year. I have some posts planned in the coming weeks about basics and building a cohesive wardrobe, so I hope you’ll enjoy those and find them helpful. Thanks again for reading!

  14. Hi Susan! I am grateful for YLF fraturing you and your blog. I am 5”1’ and 51. It has been difficult, to say the least, finding fashion advice that I suits me. I style is similar to yours and I am an avid reader! I shopped the NAS already, making some of the same selections. I love the Frame denim but the rise is too long. I am going back for the Theory jacket.
    I look forward to receiving your blog.

  15. Auto correct turned “featuring” into “fracturing”. Sorry about that. I would go back and change it if I could.