Nordstrom Anniversary Sale - Dressing Room Diaries Part 1

This is Part 1 of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Dressing Room Diaries from an average mom of 3 kids. I toted my baby to Nordstrom, hand-picked everything, and tried on a bunch of stuff – hope it helps!

Contains affiliate links & lots of selfies!

Part II is here!

I’m just gonna say it… I’m NOT a fashion blogger. Would I love to be one? Maybe. But I’m not tall and gorgeous with long, flowing beachy waves and lash extensions. Are those girls beautiful? Absolutely – not hatin’ here. But I’m not a fashion blogger, I don’t dress up ~~often~~ ever, now that I’m not working in an office, and the whole fancy outfit thing just isn’t me. But I do want to share clothes that make me feel cute, or hide a roll on my postpartum tummy, or allow me to chase after my pack of wild children. You know, the stuff that makes everyday, average moms feel super cute.

Which brings me to this post… the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. If you think Nordstrom is too expensive or too fancy for you, think again. Sure, you could drop 10k in there in an afternoon on some fab designer pieces but there’s also tons of value stuff that’s high quality and versatile. When I shop, I try to think about dollar per wear, which is basically a value calculation:

a $150 coat worn 300 times is $0.50/wear
a $25 top worn 3 times is $8.33/wear

So my closet is a mix of fast-fashion and timeless pieces I’ve invested in. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is a great time to pull the trigger on some investment pieces that you LOVE and will give you a good $/wear. Here are the details of the sale:

- They mark down stuff that’s rarely on sale and it’s all new for fall and winter – but I plan on doing a buy now, wear now post too :).
- The first week is for cardholders only (7/13-7/20) and then the sale opens to everyone on 7/21 and ends on 8/6.
- Why open a card if the sale is open to the public in a week? Two reasons:
  - Stuff will DEFINITELY sell out – the card guarantees you early access
  - You get Nordstrom Notes (rewards) for the money you spend
  - Level 1 (starting) cardholders get one free “triple points” day each year, where they get triple the points for Notes. Pro tip: save your points for a HUGE shopping event like the Anni Sale

The best strategy is to shop now, return later. Select sizes, colors and styles WILL sell out, so you can buy and return if you don’t love it. They always have free shipping and free returns so it’s really a no-brainer.

In the past 18 months I’ve quit working in an office, gotten pregnant, delivered a baby, and nursed said baby for 4.5 months already. It’s been a time of HUGE transition in my life and my wardrobe is changing alongside my season of life. Right now I’d describe it as super casual, comfortable, and a little basic – in a good way :).

These pieces are perfect for stay-at-home moms’ day-to-day wardrobes and working mommas’ weekend wardrobes. I’ll tell you how I’ll wear the winners, too, and hopefully it helps you find something that makes you feel a little more awesome.

For reference, I’m 4.5 months postpartum, 127lbs, 5’2″, and usually wear a 27 and a small.

Here’s the good, the bad & the ugly (hey, they can’t all be winners!):

The Good

this modal knit tunic covers everything you want to hide and is SUPER stretchy – you can definitely fit a baby under there to nurse. I also have these moto leggings from last year and they’re super comfy and easy.

long sleeve knit tunic (under $25! down from $40) // wearing a small, comes in 7 colors // shop it here

moto leggings // wearing a medium, I would size up. 3 colors available // shop it here

this basic tee came home with me in both navy and white – it’s casual, comfy, a great basic v-neck tee for under $17! these jeans are my new fun fave – I love the angled step hem and dark color and they’re SUPER high waisted and under $40(!!!!!!!) I almost wore them out of the store… they’re THAT good.

basic t-shirt // wearing a small, I would say TTS for a classic, “loose” fit. available in 5 colors // shop it here

step hem jeans // wearing a 29 (usually a 27 so size up!) // shop them here

the face you make when you’re trying to (successfully) talk yourself into a raincoat… but I seriously love this jacket, it’s North Face and will be so practical to wear in the fall or any time it rains. this is one that I think will have a strong dollar per wear – there were over 100 reviews online and it’s almost got a perfect 5 star rating, so I’m thinking it’s a good buy 🙂

North Face trench raincoat // wearing a small, comes in 3 colors, perfect 5 star reviews online, under $125 (goes back up to $180 after the sale!) // shop it here

I have last year’s version of this cashmere poncho (literally the same cut with a slightly different texture). During last year’s sale I was in the very early weeks of pregnancy with Emmy so I splurged on a few things I would definitely be able to wear through pregnancy and beyond – this was a total “spoil yourself” buy (still under $100) but totally classic, comfy, great for travel or just running around in leggings. Great for nursing, just pop baby under there. If you don’t have any cashmere yet, I recommend this to treat yo’self! 🙂

cashmere poncho // one size fits all, comes in 6 colors // shop it here

I have a cashmere vest like this from last year’s sale – perfect for pregnant bellies! I wore mine over an all black base of this layering tee and leggings. also great for nursing – just pull one of the sides over to hide a nursing babe

Cashmere Vest (under $100! great price for cashmere) // one size, 5 colors // shop it here

the same tee from above but in white – SO GOOD! under $17. loved these jeans too… distressed, girlfriend fit and under $60 – I didn’t get them because I already own something really similar but I loved them & linked them below 🙂

basic t-shirt // wearing a small, I would say TTS for a classic, “loose” fit. available in 5 colors // shop it here

distressed girlfriend jean // wearing a 27, they run big so size down! would’ve gotten a 26 // shop them here

this sweater is a fave of everyone’s from last year so I went with it and it’s AMAZING. may get it in another color – that good. really soft, good cut, slightly cropped so definitely do the half-tuck.

v-neck pullover // wearing a small, comes in 6 colors, UNDER $25! // shop it here

step hem jeans // wearing a 29 (usually a 27 so size up!) // shop them here

so this is a mixed yes/no… loved the leggings, hated the top. I really wanted to like the top – it’s a little water resistant topper, great to pop over stuff, but it just didn’t work. I love the leggings, though – I already have a pair in black and bought this grey pair for something a little different.

sheer water repellent hoodie // wearing a small // shop it here

I can’t find these exact grey leggings on the site but I think they’re a version of these // wearing a medium (I always size up in Zella to avoid muffin top) // shop them here

super fun & soft scarf to wear multiple ways & under $30! I always end up using scarves as actual scarves, wraps, nursing covers, “blankets” for the kids if/when they get cold while we’re out. this one has red, navy and black so goes with tons of stuff for fall… i’ll wear it with a black & white striped top and either leggings and sneaks or skinny jeans and booties.

scarf // one size (obvi) // shop it here

this tank was a SHOCKER for me – and one of my favorite things from the day… I already have it in my cart in black, too. it’s under $20 but looks WAY more expensive and is double layered (if that makes sense?) to suck everything in. so great on it’s own now and as a layering piece for fall. a must-try!

jersey funnel tank // wearing a small, comes in 7 colors // shop it here

let’s also talk about the leggings/jeans/jeggings above – they’re Spanx and amazing! I always size up in Spanx otherwise I have major muffin top spillage. each of the below (a jegging & a faux leather legging) are under $65, down from $98.

Spanx jeggings // wearing a medium, definitely size up otherwise you’ll have to fight to get them on // shop them here (also available in plus size here)

Spanx faux leather leggings // I own a medium, same as above regarding sizing // shop them here (also available in plus size here) – these will definitely sell out FAST!

loving the side tie detail on this sweatshirt. I wear sweatshirts WAY more often now than before as a SAHM and this one is just more fun. this color is amazing for fall, too. only $30 and would also be great for a baby belly!

side tie sweatshirt // wearing a small, comes in 3 colors // shop it here

I kind of loved this long knit vest – looks WAY more expensive than $52 but I just don’t think I’d wear it. but one of you should! it’s beautiful

knit vest // one size // shop it here

this bell sleeve top is the softest thing you will ever put on your bod. I bought the grey but think I’m going to return for the pink smoke. dreamy.

bell sleeve top // wearing a small, comes in 6 colors // shop it here

this military/utility jacket is AMAZING – I swooped it up! this will definitely sell out. Madewell for under $80, definitely a wardrobe staple. my girlfriend Laura and I both got it 🙂

olive utility jacket // wearing a small // shop it here

the Madewell jacket above DID sell out 🙁 – here’s a really similar one (not on sale) but still a great investment

olive utility jacket // top rated – almost 5 stars on 44 reviews // shop it here

these are super cute and remind me of Sorels (none of which are in the Anniversary Sale) – I love the side lace detail. these would be awesome for rainy or snowy days or muddy pumpkin patching or Christmas tree cutting 🙂

duck boots // come in 4 colors, under $85! // shop them here

obsessed with this zip back poncho – it’s got a fleecy feel and a super cute exposed zipper in the back. I’ll wear it with leggings and Nikes to run the kids to preschool. definitely nursing friendly, too!

fleece poncho pullover // wearing a XS/S, comes in 3 colors // shop it here