Nordstrom Sale Review: The Must Haves and Must Gos

Jul 22, 2016

I already posted my picks for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  But I thought for the first day of public access, I would post reviews of the pieces that made the grade and the ones that went back.  And I invited a friend to help me.

My good friend TW and I shop in the same way.  We’re decisive, but also incredibly discerning.  Materials should feel good.  Seams should be stitched correctly.  Colors, fit, and style should all look as good as the picture.  And while we love a bargain, we’re not afraid to splurge a bit for the right reasons.

It’s why we’re both obsessed with the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  So here it goes…

TW’s Must Haves and Must Gos

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CeCe Scallop Dress ($118) // Eliza J Bow Dress ($98) // Louise et Cie Leopard Flats ($89) // Vince Camuto Feina Bootie ($99) // Trouve Side Slit Sweater ($46)

The following is a transcript of my post-sale conversation with TW had via text.

CeCe Dress: Pretty cute.  Keeping this one.  Great with tights for work.

Bow Dress: I am actually offended by the quality of this dress.  Offended, I say.  Hideous.  Terrible fabric, and no shape.

Leopard Flats: These are pretty good.  Cute for jeans.

Feina Boots: Surprisingly cute.  Much better than they looked online.

Trouve Sweater: Totally easy sweaters I can throw on with jeans or leggings, a scarf and boots.  Yeah, easy.

Belle’s Must Haves and Must Gos

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Cinq a Sept Harlyn Dress ($264) // Vince Stripe Boatneck Sweater ($196) // Topshop Foil Sweatshirt ($40) // Halogen Long Side Slit Cardigan ($49) // Vince Shadow Stripe Tee ($89) // Ralph Lauren Collarless Jacket ($119)

Harlyn Dress: This dress was cut for a lithe, tall French girl with collarbones that could cut glass.  If that’s not you, move on.

Boatneck Sweater: Love this.  Soft.  Light, but cozy.  Runs a touch big.

Foil Sweatshirt: Darker color in person.  Way, way, way big.  The Nordie’s guide recommended a six, could have fit my boyfriend in there with me.  In the right size, could be cute for the weekend.

Side Slit Cardi: Need this.  Ultimate chilly office/airplane trip sweater.

Shadow Stripe Top: A little thin, but still chic.  I’m going to wear this a ton.  Might also buy the dress in this print.

Collarless Jacket: Darker in person.  (I guess dusty rose just doesn’t photograph well.)  I love a long jacket for work, but this is not that, this is a coat.  Kind of shapeless, a little odd fitting.

Belle’s Great Pieces That Just Didn’t Work

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Milly Mixed Stitch Dress ($263) // Ted Baker Two Tone Coat ($366) // Halogen Zip Detail Jacket ($79) // Eliza J Jersey Sheath Dress ($79)

I really liked all of these pieces, but something about them made them the wrong choice for me.

Milly Dress: Good mid-weight, good style.  But for a long torso-ed person like myself, the waist is in the wrong place.  Cute transition piece.

Ted Baker Coat: Wanted to love this.  Not heavy enough for Western winters.  Style and fit are good.  But rose gold metal is not for me.  Floral lining is kind of off-putting, like bad wallpaper.

Halogen Jacket: Great color.  Excellent drape, and feels well made.  I just don’t have a place for it in my closet right now.

Eliza J Sheath: So slimming. The perfect, “I’m running late, which dress?” dress.  But I own three navy dresses, so not needed.

Style

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  1. Jenn S. says:

    Sigh, the Eliza J sheath sold out of my size before I could get to it. Love the boatneck sweater but I haven’t, “graduated,” to sweaters in that price point yet.

    I picked up a couple pairs of Zella Live In leggings – you definitely converted me and a few of my friends. Disappointed the navy ones weren’t part of the sale, but I’ll live.

  2. Jenny says:

    will just say the Milly stuff in general fits me poorly, and I think it’s because I’m long-waisted. I always love the look of Milly, and the waist always hits in the wrong place.

  3. Tardis says:

    What IS it with navy dresses?? I probably own no fewer than 5 and yet every time I see the perfect dress, it’s always in navy and the temptation begins anew. I have instructed my friends and family that I am no longer allowed to buy blue dresses. It’s a problem, glad you have better self-control than I do!

  4. Rachael says:

    Thank you for the heads up on this sale! A few items that caught my eye:

    1.) Natori “Feathers” Underwire Contour Bra. I’m obsessed with this bra. I’m a 34DD and not perky, and this bra makes my boobs look fabulous (and not too big!). Was very excited to see this bra included in the sale: https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/natori-feathers-underwire-contour-bra/3122001?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=FLAME%20CORAL

    2.) Panache Underwire Sports Bra. Leaps and bounds ahead of any other sports bra I’ve ever tried. Fantastic support and structure with plenty of coverage. This bra rarely goes on sale, so I was ecstatic to see it included. However, I only see a triple D or higher still available: https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/panache-underwire-sports-bra-d-cup-up/3235820?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=ODYSSEY%20PRINT

    3.)Next month, I will wear this dress for my birthday. Has great reviews, under $100, very unusual pattern, and I adore the fit-and-flare style: https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/panache-underwire-sports-bra-d-cup-up/3235820?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=ODYSSEY%20PRINT

  5. KJ says:

    I also ordered that Topshop rose gold sweater and it was sooooooo big. It has me thinking I may just order it in x-small because if the sizes are consistent, even a small may be too big

  6. Susan says:

    Belle, you and I and Kate Middleton all have that long torso and I agree, those dresses like the Milly dress don’t work on me. What’s funny is before I even read the comment, I thought “that looks like something Kate would wear.” I know she’s always trying to disguise her long torso but sometimes I think she makes it worse w dresses like that.

  7. I have the ted baker coat (Lorili) in this really vibrant purple. It’s perfect for spring and for autumn, but you’re right it is too light for winter.

    Also, I would note that the floral lining looks much better with the vibrant purple than it does with the black.

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