9 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Shoes and How They Really Fit

Gurls, ordering shoes online can feel like a guessing game. You choose your regular size, cross your fingers, and hope you don’t end up walking around the house like one of Cinderella’s stepsisters trying to force her foot into the glass slipper. Lol!

I ordered nine pairs of shoes and boots from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and the sizing was all over the place. Some fit true to size, one needed a half size smaller, and another needed an entire size larger. That is exactly why I like doing these try-ons. A shoe may be beautiful, but it isn’t much help if no one tells you how it actually fits.

To make the differences easier to see, I wore the same brown suede midi skirt with every pair. This lets you compare the height, shape, heel, and overall proportion of each shoe without a different outfit distracting you.

These are not necessarily the shoes I would normally style with this skirt. The skirt was simply my measuring stick, so to speak. It gave every pair the same starting point and made it much easier to compare them fairly.

What I Looked for During This Shoe Try-On

After years of ordering and styling shoes for the blog, I’ve learned that the size printed inside the shoe only tells part of the story. I also pay attention to the toe shape, heel height, shaft width, where the shoe hits on the leg, and how easily it could work with clothes already in my closet.

For this try-on, I looked closely at:

• How each pair fit compared to my usual size
• The visual height and length of the shoe
• How the toe shape affected the look
• The practicality of the heel
• How versatile each pair would be with jeans, pants, dresses, and skirts
• Which pairs felt special enough to earn space in my closet

I’m 5’6”, and I generally wear my usual shoe size unless I mention otherwise. Several pairs in this group required a different size, so be sure to read the fit notes before ordering.

Throughout the post, I’m wearing my Dove Necklace and Initial Pendant Necklace. I changed the tops, bags, belts, and other accessories for a little variety, but the skirt stayed the same for every shoe comparison.

The Waterproof Knee-High Boot for Cold, Wet Days

Nicky Waterproof Knee High Boot

The Nicky Waterproof Knee-High Boot is a classic fall and winter style with a softly rounded toe and a manageable block heel. The warm brown suede works beautifully with denim, cream, camel, navy, and other earthy colors.

I sized up one-half size, and I would recommend paying close attention to that fit note. Boots can become uncomfortable quickly when the footbed is too short, especially once you add socks.

The shaft comes up just below my knee and creates a smooth line underneath the midi skirt. Although I used the skirt for comparison, I would be more likely to wear these boots with a sweater dress, a shorter skirt, or slim jeans tucked inside.

The waterproof construction also makes this pair more practical than a traditional suede boot. I still wouldn’t go looking for puddles, but it is nice to have a little extra protection when the weather turns questionable.

Fit: Size up ½ size
Best for: Sweater dresses, knee-length skirts, slim jeans, and cold-weather outfits
My take: A useful classic if you need a tall brown boot that can handle more than perfectly dry weather

The Kitten-Heel Bootie That Became a Favorite

Virgee Pointed Toe Kitten Heel Bootie

The Virgee Pointed Toe Kitten Heel Bootie was one of my two favorite pairs from the entire order. The pointed toe gives it a sleek shape, and the kitten heel adds a little height without looking heavy.

This bootie has a soft, slightly slouchy shaft that makes it feel more relaxed than a fitted ankle boot. I especially like how the warm caramel shade looks against the chocolate-brown skirt. The colors coordinate without matching exactly, which gives the outfit more depth.

Here is the important part: I needed to size up one full size. That is a significant difference, and it is exactly the kind of thing you need to know before placing an order. The pointed toe, and because it doesn’t sip up, may contribute to the snugger fit, so anyone between sizes should keep that in mind.

This is a boot I could wear with straight-leg jeans, full-length trousers, midi dresses, and skirts. The slim heel and pointed toe would also help balance wider-leg pants.

Fit: Size up one full size – I just ordered another pair in a size 40
Best for: Jeans, trousers, midi dresses, and skirts
My take: One of my favorites, but the sizing runs quite small

A Slouchy Bootie With a Dressier Heel

Jose Cap Toe Slouch Bootie

The Jose Cap Toe Slouch Bootie has a more distinctive look than the first two pairs. The cap-toe detail draws attention to the front of the boot, while the slouchy shaft gives it a relaxed shape.

This style has a pointed toe and a taller heel, so it makes a stronger statement. I like the idea of it peeking out beneath a pair of full-length wide-leg jeans or trousers. The shaft has enough texture and movement to add interest without requiring a complicated outfit.

I needed to size up at least one-half size. Since the toe narrows toward the front, I would not try to squeeze into a pair that feels even slightly short. Toes have a way of voicing their displeasure, usually after you have left the house and can’t do anything about it. Lol!

The boot creates a long line with the midi skirt, although I would probably style it with pants more often. It would also work with a simple sweater dress for someone who enjoys a dressier heel.

Fit: Size up at least ½ size
Best for: Wide-leg jeans, trousers, and sweater dresses
My take: A fashion-forward option with a higher heel and a more noticeable silhouette

The Zebra Boots That Stole the Show

Brax Pointed Toe Boot

Now we’ve arrived at my other favorite pair. The Brax Pointed Toe Boot immediately caught my attention because of the zebra print. It adds personality to a simple outfit while staying within a neutral brown-and-cream color palette.

Animal print is one of the easiest ways to add pattern because it works almost like a neutral. This boot could be worn with black, brown, camel, denim, cream, olive, or burgundy. I added the coordinating Calf Hair Belt here; zebra/tiger print is going to be popular this fall.

The pointed toe visually lengthens the leg, and the taller shaft shows nicely beneath the midi skirt. I would also wear these with cropped or ankle-length jeans, letting the print become the focal point.

Unlike several of the other boots, the Brax fit true to size, which was a pleasant change after all that sizing up.

Fit: True to size
Best for: Simple dresses, cropped jeans, ankle pants, and neutral outfits
My take: One of my top two, and the easiest way to make a basic outfit more interesting

A Classic Brown Loafer for Everyday Outfits

Lizbeth Moc Toe Loafer

The Lizbeth Moc Toe Loafer gives the skirt a completely different look. The dark brown suede and traditional moc-toe stitching create a classic, slightly preppy feel.

This pair would be easy to wear with straight-leg jeans, ankle pants, chinos, or casual dresses. It has more structure than a ballet flat but still keeps the foot close to the ground.

The deep chocolate color is especially useful for fall because it coordinates with brown, tan, navy, ivory, denim, and olive. I like brown footwear because it often feels softer than black, especially when the rest of the outfit includes warm colors.

These loafers fit true to size. The rounded shape also offers a different look from all the pointed-toe boots in this try-on.

Fit: True to size
Best for: Jeans, ankle pants, casual skirts, and everyday outfits
My take: A classic option for someone who prefers a flat shoe with more coverage

The Lightweight Flat for Early Fall

Mycah Wovan Flat

The Mycah Wovan Flat is another low-profile option, but the woven texture makes it feel lighter than the suede loafer.

The soft brown color blends beautifully with the skirt, while the woven finish keeps the outfit from looking like one solid block of brown. Texture becomes especially important in a monochromatic outfit because it helps separate each piece.

This flat would work well during the early fall months when it is still too warm for boots. I could see it with ankle pants, jeans, a denim skirt, or a casual knit dress.

The Mycah fits true to size. It is a quieter shoe than some of the others in this post, but that can be exactly what you need when the outfit already has enough going on.

Fit: True to size
Best for: Early fall, casual dresses, ankle pants, and jeans
My take: A simple transitional flat with enough texture to keep it interesting

A Leopard Slingback for Dressier Days

Stella Slingback Pump

The Stella Slingback Pump brings a lighter, dressier look to the suede skirt. The leopard print adds pattern, while the open heel keeps the shoe from feeling too heavy.

A slingback is useful during those in-between weeks when sandals feel too summery, but you are not ready to pull on boots. This pair could easily move from the office to dinner, church, or another occasion that calls for something dressier than a flat.

I would wear these with dark jeans, black pants, a solid dress, or a pencil skirt. Since leopard includes several neutral shades, it can coordinate with far more colors than you might initially think.

The Stella fits true to size, and the pointed toe gives it a longer, more refined appearance.

Fit: True to size
Best for: Dresses, trousers, dark denim, and dressier occasions
My take: A versatile transitional pump that adds pattern without taking over the outfit

The Supportive Black Loafer

Vionic Henley Penny Loafer

The Vionic Henley Penny Loafer has the most traditional shape of the loafers I tried. The black leather, square toe, and simple penny-loafer detail create a clean, structured look.

I normally gravitate toward lighter or warmer shoe colors, but a black loafer is undeniably useful. It works with black pants, dark-wash denim, gray, camel, and many printed dresses.

The Vionic loafer gives the brown skirt more contrast than the other flats. It also makes the outfit feel slightly dressier than the moc-toe style.

This pair fits true to size. Vionic is also a brand many women look to for support, although every foot is different, and no shoe feels exactly the same on everyone.

Fit: True to size
Best for: Workwear, trousers, jeans, and structured casual outfits
My take: A practical black loafer for anyone who likes a more tailored shoe

A Neutral Sneaker for Casual Fall Outfits

Winny Leather Sneaker

The Winny Leather Sneaker shows how dramatically footwear can change an outfit. The same suede skirt that looked dressy with the boots and slingback pump suddenly feels much more casual.

This neutral sneaker has a soft taupe finish and a white sole, so it works well with brown without looking too matchy. It would also pair easily with jeans, casual pants, travel outfits, and knit dresses.

The sneaker ran slightly large on me, and I needed to size down one-half size. That makes it the only pair in this group that required a smaller size rather than a larger one.

I included the sneaker because many of us want shoes that can handle a long day without making an outfit feel overly sporty. This one keeps the color palette soft and understated.

Fit: Size down ½ size
Best for: Travel, casual skirts, jeans, and everyday errands
My take: A useful neutral sneaker, but plan on trying a half size smaller

My Favorite Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Shoes

After trying all nine pairs, the Brax Zebra-Print Pointed-Toe Boots and the Virgee Pointed-Toe Kitten-Heel Booties were my favorites.

The zebra boots stood out because they add pattern and personality while remaining surprisingly easy to coordinate. They also fit true to size, which earned them a few extra points after I had tried several boots that ran small.

The Virgee booties have a shape I could see myself wearing often. I like the pointed toe, manageable kitten heel, and warm caramel color. However, needing to size up a full size is something shoppers should know before ordering.

The other pairs each serve a different purpose. The knee-high boots are practical for colder weather, the Loafers offer everyday coverage, the Slingbacks are dressier, and the Sneakers give you an easy casual option.

Nordstrom Shoe Sizing at a Glance

Here is the sizing information in one place:

Of course, foot shape matters. Someone with a narrow foot may experience these differently than someone with a wider forefoot or higher instep. My notes are based on how each shoe fit me during this try-on, but they should give you a much better starting point than ordering blindly.

Are Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Shoes Worth Buying?

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale can be a good time to buy shoes for the coming season because many of the styles are marked down before fall weather arrives. The catch is that popular sizes and colors can sell out quickly.

I would not recommend buying a pair simply because it is included in the sale. Start by asking where the shoe would fit into your real life. A discounted shoe that never leaves the closet is still an expensive shoe.

For me, the most useful part of this try-on was seeing just how differently the shoes ran. Out of nine pairs, three needed a larger size, one needed a smaller size, and five fit true to size. That is a pretty good reminder to read the fit notes before clicking “add to bag.”

Final Thoughts

Trying every pair with the same skirt made the differences much easier to see. Heel height, shaft length, toe shape, and color all changed the overall look, even though the main piece of clothing stayed exactly the same.

Again, I would not necessarily wear this skirt with every pair shown here. This was a shoe comparison, not nine styling recommendations for one skirt. Although, after changing shoes nine times, I think that skirt deserves a commission. Lol!

Which pair would you choose: the zebra boots, kitten-heel booties, loafers, flats, or sneakers?

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