Today’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019 Best of talks about the ‘Best of’in a few of my favorite categories (Blazers, Dresses and Shoes). I stuck with the categories I covet and picked the pieces I loved the most (you can see some misses too). I also tried to give you some styling ideas but you can certainly see more styling ideas in this post. If an item was currently sold out (it may restock) – I also tried to offer a similar alternative. If you are looking for something specific or stymied on how to style a piece drop me a message. I love to help others shop! #ShoppingForEveryone
Blazers
I tried on a lot (read ALL the blazers). It is one of the items I always focus on when Nordstrom has a sale because it’s something I wear on the daily. I didn’t actually purchase any during this sale but I can still play favorites.
If I was only going to purchase one it would be this Nordstrom Signature Houndstooth one. The black can play navy (which you know I love) and the cut is perfect. This one will also be timeless. Two years from now it isn’t going to scream 2019! #ScreamsTimeless
Runner up is this Rag & Bone with the fun pop of red. It’s so good! The part that makes it so fun is also the part that is going to make it slightly less timeless. I had to size down in this one. #ScreamsFun
A more budget friendly pick is this Vince Camuto blue blazer. It looks nearly identical in color to a Veronica Beard one from two years ago. I love that the collar modernizes the silhouette without being too trendy. #ClassicANDModern
While I have bought a Veronica Beard blazer every year since they’ve been in the sale I didn’t love either this year. Both are lovely but I didn’t think either would stand the test of time. Note: You can almost always find the Veronica Beard blazers in the labor day sale for 60% off. If it isn’t big love you might consider waiting to score an even better deal. #HedgeYourBets
The red one seems trendy and now (and great for this season) but I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it in a year. It is definitely better in person than in the catalog. The fit was also borderline tight on me. I’m always a six in VB and I didn’t feel I could layer the six with anything more than the tee I was wearing.
TopShop has a great alternative that fits TTS and is a fraction of the cost. #TopShopWin
The Veronica Beard Houndstooth one was also lovely and more TTS but I was not a fan of the pre-ruched sleeves. Fine for summer and early Fall but come winter I want ALL of my sleeve. #JustSaying
The Halogen one I loved from the catalog was too thick. It’s almost more jacket like than blazer. If you live in the South you are going to sweat. If you live in Minnesota it might be your new best friend. #YouDecide
For Tweed the clear winner is the Hugo BOSS Emerald Green one I pointed out earlier. But Halogen makes a great budget friendly pick. I found the fit TTS and preferred the tan to the black. Get the matching skirt for a very Jackie O / Coco Chanel vibe. #BeJackieO
And as for the battle of the grey plaids there are so many options. If you saw all the looks I created in my curated post then you know I already have a grey plaid blazer. I highlighted six options in that post but after seeing more choices in store I would pick one I didn’t highlight – this 1.State. blazer is the best mix of style, quality and price. #Trifecta
Dresses
195. That’s a ton of dresses so let’s digest the good and the bad …
The good – similar brands and styles return year after year … the bad – they rarely stock more than 10 in the store. Even with three Nordstrom stores to shop from locally I barely scratched the surface during my try-ons. I was able to find some clear winners though. #AlwaysWinners
For a splurge look at the Tibi dress I snapped up (linked in this post) or this Lafayette 148 dress. Completely different looks but both are beautiful with an amazing TTS fit. Both can be winterized with tights, turtlenecks and boots/booties (I like this turtleneck for Winter layering). #MultiSeasonIsAMust
For under $100 Eliza J was the winner with so many good dress options. They really had a dress for everyone. #LiterallyEveryone
This colorful faux wrap is my favorite of all the ones I tried. #WrapItUp
This navy dress is a good alternative to the pricier Tibi. #WithPockets The stock image doesn’t do it justice and I’m not sure I do either. #ITried
Leopard dresses are a huge trend and I tried several options but narrowed to the Rebecca Taylor for splurge and this mock dress for save (currently sold out so I can’t even link it but I will keep checking). Layer the RT one with a turtleneck and tights to extend it to Winter. I didn’t love this color on me so I’m going to keep looking. I’m thinking more of a blue leopard – something like this Eliza J dress or this Chelsea28 dress. I will keep you posted as I continue my search. #AlwaysSearchingForSomething
More Leopard Dress Options
Honorable Mention
I give honorable mention to this Eliza J (Tory Burch look a-like). It’s just different enough to make it stand out. For winter I would add a preppy, fitted sweater (like the J.Crew tippy), tights and booties.
Solid Sheaths
Because I wear these on the daily they deserve discussing. I could only find one to try in person. ONE. Three Nordstrom’s and one solid color Sheath Dress? Clearly not a high demand item. #NotLikeCardigans
I loved the one I tried but it is not meant for someone who sizes wider on the top than the bottom – the shoulders don’t work. If you are the same size top and bottom then you are good. You can never go wrong with BOSS (see my BOSS picks in this post) but for more budget friendly options browse Vince Camuto, Maggy London or Tahari.
More Sheath Dresses
Shoes
I will admit than I when I first starting browsing shoes I thought they were boring and predictable. That’s good for the ones you wear on the daily (see the round up of those at the end of this post). I was looking for the WOW factor. I finally found some WOW shoes once all the products were searchable. There were 295 shoes when the sale first started and I’m going to attempt to pick 10. #WishMeLuck
Heel
This is my pick for a head turning heel. It if, course comes in more practical colors (black, nude and snake) but let’s have some fun. I will again refer you to last weeks post for the more practical. #HaveSomeFun
Flat
If I was picking one flat it would be this AGL red flat. Such a great color and timeless (without being boring). For under $100 I would choose this Cole Haan one. #PickRed
Boot with Heel
I actually purchased three boots with a heel so clearly picking just one was going to be a problem. #ITried
For work I would choose these Ted Baker ones (I have very similar from Coach and Stuart Weizmann that I wear frequently) but for a more everyday I choose this Jeffrey Campbell (which I own and love – you can see another look in this post). For tan this VINCE one is everything – despite having a boot very similar I still want this one!! And for a pop of color this red Louise et Cie is your boot! The boot I purchased also deserves an honorable mention (you can see several looks in this post). #BootsBuyer
Flat Boot
For Black this Blondo is the winner by a landslide (see it in this post) but since it is currently only available in Brown here is an alternate Blondo bootie still in stock. For tan it is this Aquatalia bootie. I wear both my Blondo and Aquatalia boots all winter long and they are immune to snow and wet. Finding a flat boot that popped was nearly impossible but this Frye one is fun! #WinterNecessities
Leopard Shoe
So many good leopard shoes. How do I pick only one. I don’t. Haha. For a heel go with the classic D’Orsay (this same print also comes in a flat) and for flat leopard shoe I pick this Cole Haan one.
Leopard Boot
My decided winner was this tiger-leopard hybrid! #TigerComingLeopardGoing
Snakeskin Print
This is the trendiest purchase you will make. I will point out I’ve had my snake pump for years and I wear it tons (even before everyone else wanted a pair). They really are a neutral. You can see mine as well as an alternate for mine in this post. Marc Fisher wins this category with the perfect heel, flat or bootie. #TripleCrown
Loafer
The absolute winner here is the VINCE one. No question. Not in your budget? I’m loving this under $100 one. Still not in your budget … this is my under $60 pick.
Oxford
There is only one. No really – there were others. Don’t bother. Seriously. #PIKOLINOSwin
Tall Boot
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I didn’t look at tall boots at all this year but this was my favorite last year and it is included in the sale this year. If you have the budget you can never go wrong with a Stuart Weitzman OTK.
Okay – not 10 shoes but maybe 10 categories. What can I say? Shoes are my thing. For all my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale coverage you can check out this page to make sure you didn’t miss anything!
Happy Shopping!!