Happy Friday, friends! Or, perhaps more importantly, Happy-First-Day-of-the-Nordstrom-Anniversary-Sale for those of you who couldn’t shop Early Access. Now that everyone‘s getting their shop on, I thought we’d try something new this weekend. How about we chat in the comments about all of the goodies you nabbed in the sale? I’ll show you mine if you show me yours! Read on
For some reason, this guide is always the hardest one for me…possibly because part of me thinks this whole blog is one giant style gift guide (isn’t it?). But still, I know we all have that trend-obsessed slave to fashion on our list who feels impossible to please. Take my word for it: your work’s officially done. Any one of these gifts is 100% SMC-guaranteed to put a geeky holiday grin on even the pickiest fashionista’s face.
as usual, shopbop’s seasonal markdowns have me lunging wildly for my credit card. i didn’t find quite as much as i normally do, but there are still plenty of pieces i’m sure i can’t live without. plus, these would all stroll seamlessly into my fall wardrobe, which is really all i care about these days.
the dkny cozy ($137): i’ll admit, it baffles me a little. but there’s a whole iphone app dedicated to sharing the thousand ways there are to wear it, and i dig the camel shade for fall. i haven’t seen these marked down before, so if you’re already loving the look, this might be the time to jump.
geren ford paneled sweater ($125): i know, i know, i said no more stripes. but old habits die hard, and this is such a classic! i’d love to see this layered under a tweed blazer for fall.
james jeans humphrey high rise flare ($126): rises are on their way back up, and trouser jeans are finally, finally becoming a bit easier to find. pounce on this classic pair now, and your style problems for fall are solved.
joie martine blouse ($139): these floaty silk blouses will be everywhere this fall – add them to those trouser jeans above and throw on a cozy scarf in a contrasting pattern for a perfectly chic fall look. the pattern choices are virtually endless, but i love the soft, ethereal quality of the grey and cream here, and the pleated placket is just a bonus. this bolder version from patterson j kincaid was a close second, though, and half the price!
as for my buys, i can’t even believe i’m saying this, but i think i’m going to make a full-price splurge on this alexander wang tee. it’s utterly ridiculous, i know, but his knits are just unbearably soft, and they drape so well! i’m not even a white tee girl, and i know i’ll be wearing this one to death.
{editor’s note: don’t forget to enter our fab summer giveaway – a whole year’s worth of gorgeous stationery from hi, friend design, and all you have to do is leave a comment!}
it’s time to resurrect our annual guide to the nordstrom anniversary sale, after requests from a few of our dear readers. i was lucky enough to shop the preview of the sale a couple of weeks ago, so i’ll be able to give much more guidance on fit and choices this year, which is fabulous.
for those that don’t freakishly stalk the nordstrom anniversary sale, it actually doesn’t start until tomorrow…but it’s best to check out the sale catalog in advance and order on day 1, before all of the best pieces are gone. since nothing’s actually available for purchase until tomorrow morning (midnight EDT PDT, technically), we’ll be using the online catalog as our hymnal for today, which you can access here. i’ll post page numbers of every item, where possible, so you can read along with me in your book.
now, on to the show! in general, i was overwhelmed by the great apparel choices, and thoroughly underwhelmed by shoes, bags and accessories…so we’ll be spending more time on what to wear than on what to wear with it.
outerwear: for me, the best buy of the sale was a DKNY trench, down to under $100 (check it out at left, or on page 8 of the preview catalog). i tried on the same style in a classic black burberry trench (also on sale, for $549), and the DKNY was actually a better fit for me. so, at 1/6 the price, i didn’t have to think long. but if you are in the market for the tried-and-true classic, this is definitely the perfect time to nab that burberry trench (right, page 15b, $549)!
jackets: blazers were another amazing find at the sale this year. my picks are the black rag & bone knit blazer (left, page 9), which fits beautifully (though beware – there are leather elbow patches that don’t suit everyone’s style…mine included), and two by elizabeth and james, which aren’t online yet – one in a grey flannel with beautiful pleating on the placket and shoulders (see crap iphone pic below, right), and the other is a classic black boyfriend blazer with ruched 3/4 sleeves. both are instant classics. all three ring in right around the $300 mark, but these are workhorse blazers you’ll pair with everything from suits to jeans, so they’re definitely worthy investment pieces.
the best bargain blazer is this red tweed cropped version from hinge (page 13, $89), which is just begging to be layered for fall. but i would warn that this needs more than just a tee and jeans to work – you’ll want to add more texture in the way of necklaces, scarves, and maybe a contrasting tank over the tee, or you’ll look more barbara bush than kate moss.
if it’s a leather blazer you’re after, i like the two black options from kenna-t (page 15f, $299). the military style (at left) is impeccably on-trend, but there’s something about that asymmetrical version (right) that’s just a little more offbeat, and original, making it my personal favorite.
cardigans: the ruby autumn cashmere ribbed cardi (left, page 9a, $159) felt like a no-brainer initially – it’s one of my favorite cashmere lines, and the price is a steal. but the fit across the back wasn’t perfect…i felt like it bunched at the shoulder seam. but if you have narrower shoulder than i (not a hard bar to clear), the lines of this one are really beautiful on, and the color is a great foil for both grey and camel, which will be huge this fall. but the classic i’m buying in at least two colors (grey and nude) is this long-ish halogen cardigan with just a bit of sheer fabric at the lapel (pages 28-29, $49). i’m a little worried i’m not the only one who will stock up on it, but it’s just a perfectly classic cardigan, and i’m due for a few new staples.
denim: it’s all so subjective, of course, when it comes to denim. but i’m steering clear of skinnies for fall – i have a feeling wider legs are the future. so, my favorite was the hudson straight-leg (page 21g, $119) – a great fit, just a bit lower rise than i typically go for. if your waist isn’t absurdly high (like mine), these would be a great addition to your closet.
shoes: the only shoes i really fell for in the sale were the vera wang lavender rhinestone ballerina flats, in blue nubuck (page 10, $189) – but only if you’re a size 9 or smaller (in larger sizes, the rhinestone accent doesn’t cover enough of the top of the shoe). it’s tempting to recommend the steven by steve madden covered wedge boots (page 40), but trust me, you’re going to be seeing those on every third girl you pass on the street for the next year.
accessories: all i’m after on this front is the michael kors men’s style chronograph watch, in silver (pages 16-17, $149). still a bit of an investment, but one you’ll definitely get years of mileage out of.
cosmetics: we all have our favorite brands, of course, and nearly all have stellar offerings for this sale, if you like buying pre-packaged sets. i’m not a huge fan as a rule, but i will say that if you haven’t tried kate somerville’s exfolikate yet, pick up the set on page 57b – you’ll never look back.
so, that’s my take. but i’m even more interested to hear what you’re excited to nab tomorrow. share your favorite finds in the comments, won’t you?
today is a little crazy (i’m moving next week…agh!), but i couldn’t resist taking a second to share a few of the steals that came my way via my ‘shop it to me’ newsletter this morning. if you don’t already know about ‘shop it to me’, it’s an e-newsletter that comes out daily, letting you know when something by a brand or store you love goes on sale in your size. dangerous!
anyway, today was an especially good day for markdowns, apparently. a few of my faves:
i’ve been looking for new trouser jeans everywhere, and haven’t been able to find a single pair. but i really like this version from tory burch, and they’re down to $136.
this is such a great skirt from DVF, and it’s marked down to $171. i love that it’s a slightly girly alternative to all of the military khaki out this season. it would be perfect paired with a print top for some contrast, or even just a simple tee to keep it classic.
as you’ve heard me whine, i’ve been hunting for a summer dress with a respectable hemline, and this super-flattering DKNY version is now just $70 at bloomingdales, so i’m thinking it’s a must-buy.
this little kate spade shoulder bag just feels like the perfect effortless summer tote. i love the nautical stripe, and i love even more that it’s nylon (not stain-happy cotton), which also keeps it lightweight. and it has the look of those tiny bags everyone’s sporting now, but you’ll actually be able to pack more than you think. it’s by kate spade, and down to $197 at amazon.
i’ve been wanting a little something in druzy agate for months now, and $24.99 for these sweet stud earrings is just too good to pass up.
have a great weekend, everyone! i’ll be spending mine packing and cleaning out my closets…pray for me.
(incidentally, for those of you keeping score, i switched around the order of pictures & text. what do you think? better, worse or indifferent?)
it must really be spring! today through wednesday, take 20% off all sandals at shopbop with code SANDALS20. it’s a tough call, but these are the styles making the cut for my shopping cart:
matt bernson’s baracuda sandal is looking to be the hot gladiator this summer – i’ve seen it absolutely everywhere, so this is a great chance to score the style for a steal! i personally think i prefer the styling on this version from frye…and i sort of love not following the pack.
speaking of frye, i admit they’re not the most avant-garde style out there, but don’t these frye softie sandals just look so comfortable?
after my j.crew metallic flipflops disintegrated in hawaii earlier this year, i’m desperate for a replacement. this dkny seaford sandal is simple, stylish, and less than $50 with the magic code. sold!
it’s no shock that loeffler randall can do no wrong in my eyes. this ruffled raspberry sandal is the perfect flat version of a style i was after last fall…but infinitely more versatile.
and i realize these sweet navy suede heels from coclico are “sandals” only in the most technical of terms, but they’re still 20% off…and they’re positively lovely!
last, and probably on the “pure eye candy” shelf (when did sandals get so insanely expensive?!) – i’m crushing pretty hard on these alexandra neel twiggy wedges. i normally don’t go in for the wedge at all, but i love how well these balance the strappy styling. they’re part punk, part retro, and thoroughly chic. whether you can brave a 3.75-inch heel and a $770 pricetag is entirely a personal question.
so, share! even if you’re not actually shopping these days, let’s have some virtual window-shopping fun – which are your favorite pick for summer?