$79.90 Madewell Balboa Oversized Jean Jacket (Also available at Madewell) / $15.90 Caslon Striped Tee (Short-Sleeved here) / Spanx White Jeanish Leggings (Also try Hue’s version) / $39.90 Steve Madden “Feather Loafer” (Solid colors here)
Edit: Aaaand we’re back! I’m adding my second try-on session to this post. :)
If you’re new to my blog or Instagram, hi! I’m Kelly. I live in Chicago with my husband, Mitch (with whom I’m currently at war because of a suitcase he’s refusing to unpack 😆 #help); my little girls, Emma and Lucy; and my bizarro but adorable miniature dachshund, Noodle. And today, I’m sharing and reviewing some of the products I ordered from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. As you’ll see, I really only ordered basics both because of the global pandemic and the fact that I’m a parent to little children and live in casual stuff!
Note: I’ll be adding to this post as I try on more products.
Note #2: Have you entered to win my $500 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Shopping Giveaway? Entering takes 30 seconds and your chances are actually VERY good, haha!
For sizing purposes, here are my… “stats” (?) and preferences:
Height: 5’4
Shoes: True 7.5. My feet always hurt, and I can’t handle anything with more than a 2″ heel.
Tops, sweaters and bottoms: Size small. Not a fan of super fitted tops.
Torso: LONG! It’s a problem with bathing suits. And sometimes high-rise jeans don’t look like high-rise on me because of it.
Jeans: Size 26/2 in most J.Crew denim, Size 25 in Madewell Roadtrippers (my favorite jeans ever), Size 26/2 in designer high-rise jeans but sometimes need to size down.
Bra size: 34A
I have a small frame but I’m squishy and very much good with it. :)
Let’s get to it!
$35.90 Topshop Knit Midi Dress
First up for today is this lovely little number! (Also, sorry. It’s vacuum day, haha.) Anyway, it’s a gorgeous dress, but know that it runs very small. (As I think most Topshop does.) I’m wearing a U.S. 6 here and it’s still way too fitted for my liking; just wouldn’t feel comfortable in it. But it’s CRAZY soft and really sharp-looking… just be sure to size up!
$28.90 Caslon Henley Top (Other Caslon tops here)
This top is fantastic! Unbelievably cozy, and the navy stripe is right up my alley. The waffle henley knit style screams fall, too. Wearing a size small here. Tried tucking it in but it’s a little too flowy for that. Looks great with skinny jeans and leggings. (I particularly like it paired with white skinnies/jeggings!)
$143.90 AG The Farrah Skinny Ankle Jeans
First up is this awesome pair of AG skinny jeans. LOVE! Definitely my favorite of the three pairs I’m trying in this post. They’re a perfect fit, and they run TTS. I guess my one criticism is that they have a raw hem, but they’re a lighter wash and therefore more casual and I think it’s okay. (Also, perhaps the raw hem will give me an edge.) So soft, and wonderfully comfortable when sitting down or bending over. I’ve been wearing them for a day and they also haven’t stretched out which is kind of crazy.
Note: A lot of sizes are sold out. However, simply check back every day. Nordstrom restocks when returns are made, and it happens frequently. I’ve scored some of my favorite wardrobe staples this way!
Spanx White Jeanish Leggings (Also try Hue’s version)
These aren’t part of the sale, but they are from Nordstrom, and they get an A+ from me.
$39.90 Steve Madden “Feather Loafer” (Solid colors here)
THE WINNER OF THE NORDSTROM SALE. Holy, guys. They’re fantastic. They’re extremely flexible and require absolutely no break-in time. Definitely one of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever tried, and right out of the box, too! I ordered my true size (7.5) in the leopard, and they’re perfect. Not tight in the slightest. I have read, however, that the solid version runs a little small and you might consider going up a half size. Idk, though.
$79.90 Madewell Balboa Oversized Jean Jacket (Also available at Madewell)
Yes yes yes. A lovely reader told me how wonderfully soft this oversized jean jacket was, and she was 100-percent right. SUCH a great find. Keep checking back for restocks, but you can also find it in stock via Madewell itself. As the name suggests, it’s oversized, so I’d probably size down. Love that it covers my butt!
$15.90 Caslon Striped Tee (Short-Sleeved here)
This is a great basic! It’s very long, so it would look great with leggings… but it’s easily tucked into jeans, too. (Though a bit too long for a French or half tuck.) Such a good deal and many colors to choose from. TTS.
$28.90 Gibson Cozy Wrap Top
Gibson’s Cozy line is ah-mah-zing. It runs very large, so I certainly suggest sizing down. But everything is just unbelievably soft, warm and obviously cozy… and THIS TOP can totally be worn as a “going out” top. (Not that many people are going out these days.) Perfect for girls who dread getting dressed up in winter because they’re always cold in the slinky stuff. Such a big fan!
$28.90 Gibson Cozy Twist Top
Again, runs large so size down! But this top handles the side tuck for you… and that’s pretty nice. It’s probably the most popular of the Cozy line, and I love that it’s included in the sale!
$99.90 Blondo Sydney Waterproof Booties (Other options are the Blondo Valli Waterproof Bootie and the Cole Haan Waterproof Bootie)
YAY FOR BLONDO. It’s a company that specializes in waterproof boots and shoes that don’t look it, and I can’t get enough. I typically go a half size up in Blondo. HUGE fan. That chunky heels makes ’em extra comfy, too!
$44.90 Wit & Wisdom Skinny Jeans (Runs slightly big.) / $39.90 Steve Madden “Feather Loafer” (Solid colors here. TTS.) / $15.90 Caslon Striped Tee (Short-Sleeved here.)
The basics
(Note: This is where my first try-on session started.)
$44.90 Wit & Wisdom Skinny Jeans
Huge fan, and I can’t believe that they’re only $44.90. Very, very soft–a rarity for affordable jeans, in my opinion!– and comfy as heck. They have a black band around the waist that pulls me in and slims bumps. (It does not, however, provide me with magical abs. 😜 So sad. Guess I’ll never know what it’s like to have them.) They’re a bit loose on me, and considering the stretch factor, I do think they’ll stretch a bit throughout the day. For that reason, I’ll be sending my normal size back and going one size down. Overall, though, A+.
$39.90 Steve Madden “Feather Loafer” (Solid colors here)
THE WINNER OF THE NORDSTROM SALE. Holy, guys. They’re fantastic. They’re extremely flexible and require absolutely no break-in time. Definitely one of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever tried, and right out of the box, too! I ordered my true size (7.5) in the leopard, and they’re perfect. Not tight in the slightest. I have read, however, that the solid version runs a little small and you might consider going up a half size. Idk, though.
$15.90 Caslon Striped Tee (Short-Sleeved here)
This is a great basic! It’s very long, so it would look great with leggings… but it’s easily tucked into jeans, too. (Though a bit too long for a French or half tuck.) Such a good deal and many colors to choose from.
Jeans
$143.90 AG The Farrah Skinny Ankle Jeans
$129.90 Rag & Bone Nina High Waist Ankle Skinny Jeans
$44.90 Wit & Wisdom Skinny Jeans
Here are the jeans I’m trying on today! Reviews below.
$143.90 AG The Farrah Skinny Ankle Jeans
First up is this awesome pair of AG skinny jeans. LOVE! Definitely my favorite of the three pairs. They’re a perfect fit, and they run TTS. I guess my one criticism is that they have a raw hem, but they’re a lighter wash and therefore more casual and I think it’s okay. (Also, perhaps the raw hem will give me an edge.) So soft, and wonderfully comfortable when sitting down or bending over. I’ve been wearing them for a day and they also haven’t stretched out which is kind of crazy.
Note: A lot of sizes are sold out. However, simply check back every day. Nordstrom restocks when returns are made, and it happens frequently. I’ve scored some of my favorite wardrobe staples this way!
J.Crew Perfect Fit T-Shirt
Not part of the Nordstrom sale, but it’s a favorite t-shirt for tucking into jeans!
$129.90 Rag & Bone Nina High Waist Ankle Skinny Jeans
These are great, too! Rag & Bone is SO nice, but it’s very expensive, and the only time I buy is when it’s on sale. You do, though, get what you pay for.
This pair is structured and thicker than the other two pairs I tried, and would be great for late fall and winter. (Though they might not be the best for my southern gals. But Chicago Gals, these are for you, haha!)
I found that they run true to size. Less stretch but very comfortable.
$44.90 Wit & Wisdom Skinny Jeans (Runs slightly big.) / $39.90 Steve Madden “Feather Loafer” (Solid colors here. TTS.) / $15.90 Caslon Striped Tee (Short-Sleeved here.)
$44.90 Wit & Wisdom Skinny Jeans
(Copying and pasting from earlier in the post.)
Huge fan, and I can’t believe that they’re only $44.90. Very, very soft–a rarity for affordable jeans, in my opinion!– and comfy as heck. They have a black band around the waist that pulls me in and slims bumps. (It does not, however, provide me with magical abs. 😜 So sad. Guess I’ll never know what it’s like to have them.) They’re a bit loose on me, and considering the stretch factor, I do think they’ll stretch a bit throughout the day. For that reason, I’ll be sending my normal size back and going one size down. Overall, though, A+.
$49.90 BlankNYC Faux Suede Pants
NOPE. Terrible. Don’t buy these. 😆
They show everything and run small, and when I bend over, the zipper unzips.
F-.
$38.90 Zella “Live In” Leggings
I apparently didn’t take photos of the Zella leggings on their own, but these are great! First time trying them and I love ’em.
Are they as magical as the Lululemon Align Leggings? No. But Align Leggings are ~ a hundred bucks , and the Zella leggings are $38.90 during the sale.
And while the Align leggings are magically soft, they do kind of show every bump. The Zella leggings, though, are far thicker (and thus warmer) and have the compression factor. Because of this, I look a lot better in the Zellas!
$65.90 Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Long Weekend Cardigan (Full price still available here.)
Yaaaaaas.
I’ll start by saying that the sale price is currently sold out. You can, however, get it for full price here. (Sadness but better than nothing if you’re smitten.)
This cardigan is my GO-TO. I’ve been wearing it for years; it sits on the back of my chair in my office every.single.season. (Even in the summer, as I freeze in air conditioning!) It’s by far the softest and coziest sweater I’ve ever owned, and while I was super skeptical when I first heard people raving about the brand, I now understand and believe their products are worth every penny. Barefoot Dreams IS expensive; there’s no debating that. But if you’re a quality > quantity girl, this is the cardigan for you, haha!
Something else worth mentioning is that it’s more casual than the other Barefoot Dreams sweater that’s on sale. (See below.) Of course, I think all long cardigans are pretty casual, but I would definitely wear the other one to dinner (pre-pandemic). Perhaps not this one, though.
Runs large; I sized down.
$65.90 Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Long Cardigan
This is GREAT. Not as thick as the previous one, but still insanely soft, cozy and warm. This one runs very much TTS, though I’m wearing an XS here and I think it’s fine.
Similarly, it’s selling out quickly. But if you just want the look, try the Leith Long Cardigan! Not as thick but it’s very, very soft. It comes in a ton of colors and it’s only $39.90. A much better deal!
$39.90 Leith Cozy Long Cardigan
Here’s the the Leith one! Again, it’s very, very soft; comes in a ton of colors; and it’s only $39.90. A solid deal!
I sized down to an XS. I’m wearing the blush here, but I love the beige, olive and black as well.
$27.90 On Gossamer Bump It Up Underwire Push-Up Bra
First, let me just say that I can’t believe I’m blogging about bras right now. Never thought it would occur, but hey. It’s 2020, and far crazier things have happened! ;)
But the Nordstrom sale is a GREAT time to stock up on quality underwear that’ll last. The discounts are crazy.
First up is the On Gossamer Bump It Up bra. It’s an underwire bra but doesn’t feel like it… and it really does what it claims to do: bump you up a full cup size, depending on how many twists you give it. (See the twisted center? Simply twist again… and again… for more “volume,” haha. It’s wildly comfortable and also under $28. Can’t beat that!
I took my true size.
$39.90 Natori Feathers Underwire Contours Bra
THIS BRA IS HEAVEN. I ordered three. By far the best bra I’ve ever tried.
It’s underwire, but it feels like I’m not wearing anything. It’s that comfy. It’s mind-blowing! And the lace? Not scratchy or itchy in the slightly. I’m going to be frank here and say that this will probably be the bra that I wear for the rest of my life, and apparently thousands of other women agree based on the stellar reviews!
It runs SMALL, though. Again, I normally wear a 34A, and I went up to a 35B and it’s just right.
$19.90 Natori Feathers Hipster Briefs
The sale price on these is still pretty expensive, so I’m unsure of how I feel about investing in these. I did, however, buy a pair… and I’ll say that they’re just like the Feathers Bra in that it feels like you’re wearing nothing. If you have your life together and wear matching underwear on the reg, this is for you. And if you WANT to be a person who wears matching underwear on the reg, this is for you. (Hi! Haha. That’s me.) And if you enjoy wearing matching sets on special occasions, this might be for you, too.
Note: RUNS VERY SMALL. I went up to a size medium and they’re perfect. No way I could have gone with a smaller size.
If this is not important to you, though, I might try these briefs and these briefs, both of which are ~$13 when you buy three of them! Both get A+ reviews.
