The 4 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Outfits I Tried and What I’m Keeping

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is always exciting when the packages first start arriving. Everything looks wonderful online, the prices are lower, and suddenly I’m convinced I need an entirely new fall wardrobe while it is still hot enough outside to melt the mailbox. Lol!

Now that I’ve had time to try on some of my purchases, I can give you a much more useful review. I styled four complete Nordstrom Anniversary Sale outfits, and there were some definite winners, along with a couple of pieces that are heading right back to Nordstrom.

A few of the exact items or colors have already sold out, which happens quickly during this sale. The good news is, returns (like mine) will soon be going back, so the inventory will improve. I’m still sharing the sold out items because many pieces remain available in another color, a similar style, or directly from the same brand. Even when the exact item is gone, the outfit can still give you ideas for putting together pieces you may already own.

For reference, I’m 5’6″ tall and usually wear a medium or large in tops, a size 8 in pants, and a size 9 or 9.5 in shoes. I’ll share exactly how everything fit because that is much more helpful than simply telling you something is “cute.”

A Rich Brown Sweater with Wide-Leg Jeans

This outfit immediately felt like fall without requiring a heavy jacket or bulky sweater. The chocolate-brown cashmere sweater has short sleeves, so it is something I could begin wearing as soon as the temperatures cool down slightly. Brown is going to be everywhere this fall, and this deep shade looks especially pretty with medium-wash denim.

I added the LOVE Full-Heart Pendant to break up the solid sweater and bring a little light near my face. It is hung on a brown eather cord, so it coordinates perfectly with the sweater.

I’m wearing a medium in the Cashmere Sweater , and the fit is relaxed without looking oversized. The ribbing at the neckline, sleeves, and hem gives it a little structure, and the length works well with higher-rise jeans. I left it untucked, but it could also be worn with a small front tuck.

The PAIGE Anessa jeans are a size 29, and they fit me perfectly. These jeans have a lot of stretch, which I appreciate. They have a high rise and a wide, full-length leg. Because the leg is so wide, I prefer them with a shoe that has a little visual weight. The brown loafers work nicely because they continue the fall color story and do not disappear underneath the hem.

The jeans are quite long on me, so that is something to keep in mind. They work with these brown suede loafers, but petites may need the shorter inseam or alterations. Tall women may appreciate finally finding a pair of jeans that does not look accidentally cropped.

The Kurt Geiger patchwork bag is the piece that gives the outfit personality. It includes brown, tan, pink, orange, and leopard-print sections, which means it can be worn with far more than one outfit. It is colorful, but the shades are muted enough that it still feels appropriate for fall.

Unfortunately, this color combination is not available, but a deep, rich, chocolate version is. Now that I look at the chocolate version, I’m tempted to send this one back and get it instead.

A Textured Sweater with Straight-Leg Jeans

The ivory version of this Cotton & Merino Wool Sweater has sold out, but it is still available in light purple. I’m sharing it because the shape, fit, and texture are worth seeing, especially if you are considering the remaining color.

I’m wearing a large, and I like the fit. The Sweater has a mix of open stitching, raised knit details, and slightly gathered sleeves. All that texture makes it more interesting than a plain ivory top, but it is still neutral enough to wear with almost everything.

Because of the open-knit sections, I would wear a nude camisole underneath it. The fabric is a blend of Pima cotton and merino wool, which gives it more warmth than a regular cotton sweater without making it feel like a heavy winter knit. However, I’ll probably send the sweater back becasue it is still too heavy for me. I prefer a lightweight sweater, even during the fall.

I layered my Initial Pendant from Stella and Dot with the Long Tall Cross Necklace by Susan Shaw. The shorter necklace fills in the neckline, while the longer cross creates a vertical line over the textured sweater.

The exact MOTHER jeans I’m wearing have sold out, but I linked a similar straight-leg pair from the same brand. I’m wearing a size 30 in the pair shown. These have a straighter, more relaxed leg than a skinny jean, but they are not as full as the PAIGE wide-leg style in the first outfit.

The longer inseam creates a little stacking at the ankles. I do not mind that with loafers, but someone who prefers a cleaner break might need a shorter length or a small heel.

I added a tiger-print belt for contrast. You only see a little of it beneath the sweater, but that small detail keeps the outfit from becoming one large block of ivory and blue.

The Tory Burch bag is a limited-edition convertible style. The taupe suede works beautifully with denim and brown footwear, and the neutral color can be carried through fall and winter. Since it is convertible, it gives you more than one carrying option, which is always helpful when you are spending designer-handbag money.

A Black T-Shirt with Brown Wide-Leg Jeans

This outfit is a good example of how a basic black T-shirt can look completely different depending on what you wear with it. The black and brown combination feels modern, and I like it much more than I expected.

The Stevie Cotton T-Shirt is a medium. It is fitted enough to wear with a wide-leg pant, but it is not skin-tight. The sleeves give good upper-arm coverage, and the neckline is high enough that I do not have to worry about bending over and putting on a show nobody requested.

The brown PAIGE Anessa jeans are a size 29, but they ran slightly small on me. They are also sold out, and I’m returning this pair. This pair, unlike the blue version above, so not have any stretch in them. Even if they were still available, I would not keep jeans that feel too tight just because I like the color. Clothes need to fit the body I have today, not the body I might negotiate with next Tuesday.

I do love the look of brown denim for fall. It is softer than black and works with cream, ivory, denim blue, burgundy, olive, camel, and even pale pink. If this comes back in stock, I’ll re-order it in a size 30 and see if that works.

The Vionic sneakers are a size 9. The taupe suede ties in with the pants, while the white sole keeps the outfit casual. Vionic shoes usually provide more support than a completely flat fashion sneaker, which matters to me more now than it did twenty years ago. My feet have apparently developed opinions.

These are a little roomy, but I’m not wearing socks. If you are between sizes, I would probably size down a half size.

The Dolce Vita shoulder bag is roomy without looking stiff or overly structured. The black leather echoes the T-shirt, and the gold hardware works with the cross necklace.

A Striped Button-Up with Boyfriend Jeans

This is the most casual of the four Nordstrom Anniversary Sale outfits, and it may also be the easiest to wear right away.

The NIC+ZOE striped shirt is a medium. It includes several shades of blue along with mint, tan, ivory, and dark brown. Those colors make it easy to pair with blue jeans, white denim, khaki pants, or even brown trousers later in the season.

The Cotton Button-Up Shirt has a relaxed fit, and I styled it two ways. Worn loose, it gives you more coverage through the middle and hips. Tying it at the waist shortens the length and gives the outfit more shape. A front tuck would also work if you prefer something between those two options.

The sleeves can be worn long or rolled, so this is the kind of shirt that can transition from late summer into fall. I also like that the vertical stripes draw the eye up and down.

The FRAME boyfriend jeans are a size 29, and they are slightly too big. I needed a size 28, so this pair is going back. The looser boyfriend shape is supposed to be relaxed, but there is a difference between relaxed and simply wearing the wrong size.

These Jeans have light distressing and a cuffed hem. The shorter length works especially well with woven flats because the shoes remain visible instead of being swallowed by the jeans.

The woven leather flats add texture and give the outfit a little more interest than a plain ballet flat. They are also a nice option for those early fall days when boots still feel far too warm.

The Madewell Dakota suede saddle bag has sold out. I love the warm brown suede with the blue striped shirt, and the rounded shape gives it a relaxed, casual look. A similar cognac, camel, or taupe crossbody bag would create the same effect.

What I’m Keeping and What I’m Returning

The brown PAIGE jeans and the FRAME boyfriend jeans are both going back, but for opposite reasons. The PAIGE pair ran slightly small, while the FRAME jeans were too large. That is a good reminder that the number on the tag is only a starting point, especially when shopping across several denim brands.

The first pair of PAIGE wide-leg jeans fit better, although the full-length inseam may not work for everyone without hemming or a taller shoe.

I also think both short-sleeve sweaters are useful transitional pieces. They provide more warmth and texture than a T-shirt, but they can be worn long before true sweater weather arrives. The sold-out ivory sweater is lovely, although the remaining purple version may actually be the better choice for someone who already owns plenty of neutrals.

My favorite accessories are the large Dolce Vita shoulder bag and the tiger pring Genuine Calf Hair Belt. One is distinctive, while the other is simple enough for everyday use.

My Honest Take on These Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Outfits

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale can be a good time to purchase fall pieces at a lower price, but a sale does not automatically make something worth keeping. The item still needs to fit well, feel comfortable, and work with the rest of your wardrobe.

Out of these four outfits, there are pieces I genuinely like and will wear. There are also two pairs of jeans going back because close enough is not good enough, especially at these prices.

Inventory changes constantly during the sale. Sold-out items sometimes come back when returns begin arriving, and colors or sizes can appear without much warning. It is worth checking again, but I would not spend the entire day refreshing a pair of jeans. We have lives to live and laundry waiting to be ignored.

Which of these four outfits would you wear first? I’m curious to see if everyone chooses the same one, or if we are divided right down the middle.

To GOD Goes The Glory!

Verse Of The Day

Matthew 7:14 (NIV)
¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.