Nordstrom Anniversary Favorites from a Former Saleswoman
The Midsize Girls Guide to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
Nordstrom Anniversary is practically here! I have been shopping this sale for about a decade now with my mom and what began as my favorite back to school tradition has evolved into a special sale in my heart. Not only have I been an avid shopper of this sale I have also worked the sale as an associate for about 4 years. Throughout college and during my first year post grad I was a Nordy girl doing everything from POV sales to Lingerie fittings and getting my shoe fit certifications. I also can be seen in Nordstrom videos talking about the sale items so this is certainly an event near and dear to my heart.
Going into the 2023 sale, cardholders are able to shop these new fall pieces first. Kicking the event off are the icon levels who can shop July 11. Next is the ambassador level on July 12 and finally influencer cardholders can shop July 13. From there you get a few days until July 17 when anyone can shop the sale! I personally will be shopping at my local Nordstrom July 13 for a few beauty and fashion finds. I already have a ton of great items from over the years which I will be sharing below!
Nordstrom Fashion Favorites
Spanx faux leather leggings
Starting off strong we have my all time favorite Anniversary sale find, the Spanx faux leather leggings. I’ve been a Spanx girly since college and for good reason, the quality is superb and these pants hold me in without feeling suffocating. It’s been about 4 years since I got my Spanx and they have held up incredibly well in that time period. While I may benefit from a size L nowadays, I can still comfortably fit into my M pair that go with so many outfits. I can easily dress them up with a nice chunky sweater for a dinner or I can make them casual with a band tee and sneakers. The key is to roll up the bottoms if you decide to wear a low top shoe. No matter how you wear them these pants are a fashion powerhouse that stand the test of time.
Pro Tip: to refresh the Spanx leggings for 2023, consider styling them with an oversized blazer or a cowboy boot. Trendy accessories give these pants a new life as skinny pants drift from the mainstream. You can also lean into the emo and spooky aesthetic with all black outfits surrounding the leggings. Just choose a fabric that contrasts from the leather material.
Moonlight pajamas
My next fashion favorite is more of a lounge piece and it’s the moonlight pajamas! These have to be around 4 years old now and they look and feel brand new after countless washes. To this day these are my go to travel pjs and they are comfortable all year long. Whether you are wearing them in the summer or winter this soft material is unmatched. While there are budget friendly dupes of these at Target and Amazon, I don’t think they are going to hold up quite as well as these have. Not once have they gotten holes nor have they stretched out weird like most of my pajama sets. Oh, and these run a little oversized so as my body has changed over the years I haven’t noticed a change in fit.
True and Co Bra
It’s pretty well known at this point that I am not much of an underwire bra gal. They are not very comfortable to me and as a person who works from home I enjoy lounge bras far more than anything else. Enter the True and Co line, their bras are my absolute favorite because they are buttery soft and smooth under a whole host of tops. I enjoy wearing mine with tees in the summer and I will even sleep in mine throughout the year. They also clean easily in the wash and have removable inserts if you do not like padding. Overall they’ve become a wardrobe staple of mine that wear well year after year!
Free PEople Sherpa Jacket
I have a very similar sherpa to the Rocky Ridge pullover from Free People Movement that I have had for YEARS! Free People quality is always top tier to me and the sherpa wears very well over time. I’ve worn mine on many a nature walk as well as for layering in the fall. The color way of the new version is gorgeous for the autumnal season and the inside of the piece is quite soft and easy to move in. Plus while the buttons look a bit stiff and uncomfortable they are actually nice to wear and don’t feel restrictive.
Nordstrom Accessory Essentials
Hoff sneakers
When it comes to footwear, a newer favorite of mine has been Hoff sneakers. I got my first pair on the Anniversary sale last year and they’ve really stood the test of time. Not only are they a fun option if you can’t get ahold of New Balance sneakers, but they are surprisingly incredibly comfortable. Made in the United States, these shoes have some sort of foam technology inside of them that take their comfort to the next level. Between that and the cute color ways, these shoes are certainly going to continue in my heavy rotation.
Pro Tip: consider styling a pair of shoes like this with cargo pants or a boyfriend jean. As we continue to see fun pants remain the style focus, you can really have fun with your footwear and opt for practical styles like these sneakers. Plus if your pants have a slight crop you can see the shoe better! Oh, and a sneaker like this also goes well with high socks if you gravitate towards those in the colder months.
black Quay sunglasses
When it comes to accessories, I love a good pair of sunglasses. I actually have pretty light sensitive eyes so sunnies are a must for me. I honestly keep about 3 pairs in my car at any given time and they are not only great for driving but they’re a nice accessory to keep your hair out of your face. I also have been wearing Quay for 4.5 years and they are as comfortable as my higher end Ray-Ban sunglasses. I can wear Quay for hours on end and not feel tension headaches like I do with other brands. Plus the quality is amazing for the price point which is also fantastic. Anything budget friendly speaks to my soul.
Nordstrom Beauty Buys
Lancôme mascara and eyeliner
The Lancôme mascara and eyeliner pack is such a great find! I started using this brand this year after receiving some PR from them and wow has it been incredible. I adore how lengthening and volumizing the mascara is for everyday, it feels natural with a hint of glamour. It also doesn’t apply in clumps and the wand itself is quite nice. Pairing perfectly with the mascara is the corresponding eyeliner with a felt tip. I find it to be super easy to apply and it applies smoothly over the eyelid. While I have the brown version of the liner, I can only imagine how great the black shade is since the color is quite pigment.
t3 micro drying duo
Continuing with beauty we have this awesome drying duo from T3 Micro. I started using this brand last year and they have genuinely changed the game for my hair. The quality is incredible, the products hold up well and this duo is so fun to play around with. I like using the round brush for an easy blowout at home and the paddle works well to smooth out my hair. Both options are easy to interchange on the main device and there are a ton of settings available to make life that much easier. I will say there is a slight learning curve with this product but once you get the hang of things it’s pretty great!
Elemis Cleansing balm
I recently started to use the Elemis cleansing balm and oh my word does it work well. The solid formula melts into the skin upon contact while not actually feeling oily on the face. I have fairly sensitive skin and I have not had any troubles using this product. The key here is to gently scrub off facial and eye makeup then clean up with a warm towel. It’s a little more time consuming than using a makeup wipe however this process is gentler on the skin and better for your face in the long run. Plus this line is a bit on the pricy side so anytime something like this goes on sale I jump at the chance to stock up!
Dr. dennis gross skincare
Another newer beauty brand to me has been Dr. Dennis Gross skincare and my word has it been good. My top recommendation has been their facial peels which are super easy to use. It’s a two step system with small pads to clean and clear your skin. They also have a great vitamin C moisturizer and retinol system to keep your skin staying young. They also had a recent launch for a wrinkle serum that feels great on the skin! It’s also a great gifting brand so if you need something nice for family this holiday season I would shop now so you’re ahead of the game. That’s my favorite part of Christmas in July sales, you can get ahead of the curve now and plan presents accordingly.
Clinique moisture surge
My final recommendation is the Clinique Moisture Surge! I’m quite sure I’ve gone through about 2 of these at this point because it’s a godsend for the wintertime. Living in a cold climate half the year has meant a lot of nighttime moisturizers and creams. This hydrating option has kept my skin looking supple all winter long and the actual feel of this product is incredible. I find it to be so soft and smooth on the skin plus it isn’t thick like a lot of hydrating moisturizers tend to be. Instead it’s almost gel-like and something I reach for time and again.
Happy Nordstrom Shopping
I hope all of these recommendations make shopping that much easier for you! I just love this sale and it brings back an excitement from my sales days that just hits different for me. Whether you have a bunch to stock up on or you are picking back up a few essentials, this sale is a great way to play around with upcoming trends and pieces to build up your fall wardrobe. Of course never feel the need to over consume but with Nordstrom garments you know you’re buying items that will last year after year and it’ll be garments you’ll wear multiple seasons. Nothing can really beat that!
Until next time,
Lauren