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Splurge, Spend, Save: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale #NSale

We’re back to discussing the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale today! I thought it would be fun to do a Splurge, Spend, Save post since the #NSale opens to the public on Friday. I definitely expect much of the low inventory items to be restocked, but the popular stuff will likely sell out quickly once again so you’ll want to get online early.

I feel like the sale this year isn’t terribly exciting, but there are a lot of great basics at a variety of price points, so it’s a good time to make sure you have the foundation of your fall wardrobe set.

Also, make sure you’ve entered my $250 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway! The winner will be selected tomorrow and contacted Friday morning, just in time to shop when the #NSale opens to the public!

SPLURGE: Stuart Weitzman Elevated over the knee boots // Sale: $499.90; After Sale: $798.00

SPEND: Franco Sarto Korrine over the knee boots // Sale: $129.90; After Sale: $198.95

SAVE: Steve Madden Gabbie thigh high boots // Sale: $86.90; After Sale: $129.95

Stuart Weitzman over the knee boots are favorites among editors, stylists and celebrities, and this year for the #NSale, they came out with this pair that they’re calling Elevated. It’s similar to the Midland, and I love how they’re a happy marriage of the popular Lowland (flat) and Highland (high heeled) versions. It appears the Highland has been replaced by the Tieland, lol. I like how the Elevated style in the #NSale can be both dressy and casual, and according to the reviews, they’re insanely comfortable and gorgeous.

I had no intention of buying these even though I’ve drooled over other versions for the past few years, but when Nordstrom announced their 10x points offer, I decided to bite the bullet and make up my mind later, which I’m glad I did because the black (that I bought) already sold out and the chestnut is low inventory. (If you want a pair, stalk the website because they may restock on Friday or get some returns.)

All three of the boots I’m featuring here have a classic and flattering almond toe with a 2″ — 2 1/2″ block heel, but the Steve Maddens are made of a stretchy sueded fabric (as opposed to the soft, luxurious Italian suede of the Stuart Weitzmans.) I’m not a fan of the stretchy material, myself, but dropping $500 for a pair of boots is kind of nauseating, so the Franco Sarto pair is a nice a mid-range suede option.

Because they aren’t stretchy like the other two, they have an inside zipper and a notched topline for ease of movement, and I also noticed that they have a covered heel. There are actually a few suede OTK boot options in the #NSale in this $100-200 price range, but these are the closest I could find in style to the splurge and save styles. Others to consider are the Vince Camuto Madolee ($159) and the Marc Fisher Arrine $149.

Splurge, Spend or Save? This is a category I tend to spend or splurge on. Cheaper OTK boots tend to look, well, cheap. Once you get in the $150-200 range, you can find some nice quality boots that look great.

SPLURGE: Rag & Bone Margot fringe cap toe bootie // Sale: $329.90; After Sale: $495.00

SPEND: Kork Ease Mindo Chelsea bootie // Sale: $129.90; After Sale: $199.95

SAVE: Jeffrey Campbell Burman split shaft bootie // Sale: $89.90; After Sale: $134.95

Like Stuart Weitzman OTK boots, Rag & Bone booties have become an iconic part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (and typically one of the first styles to sell out every year (although right now the current pair is fully stocked!) This year’s version, the Margot, is a stunning Italian suede with side tassels, a contrast cap toe, and a 3 1/2″ block heel. I didn’t try them on, but I hear they’re very comfortable.

I didn’t spend a long time in the shoe department when I was in the store last week, but of the ankle boots I looked at, I immediately decided to purchase the Jeffrey Campbell Burman split shaft bootie. I just love the rugged look to the taupe oiled suede, the modest split shaft, and the tapered stacked heel 2 1/2″ heel. I also like the lower shaft because it doesn’t interfere with the hem of your ankle jeans and it makes your legs look longer. Plus they’re the perfect shade of taupe to with just about any outfit in my closet, and they’re extremely comfortable. For $89, you can’t beat ’em.

A similar pair that is equally fabulous is this pair of Vince Camuto Francia booties for $99.90, and another pair that’s been popular among other bloggers is the Hinge Barris block heel bootie. They all have that popular split shaft and more of a rugged look to them.

For a mid-range pair, I chose to feature the Kork-Ease Mindo in the grey suede, but I also really like it in the black leather. In fact, I ordered the black leather ones because sometimes you just want leather booties. I love suede, but it’s not practical for inclement weather. I like the sleek silhouette and the contrast of the wood heel and sole. Also, Kork-Ease makes an incredibly comfortable shoe with a padded footbed and good arch support.

Splurge, Spend or Save? While I think the Rag & Bone booties are absolutely gorgeous, I opted to save on this category because there were so many good under $100 suede booties available in the #NSale this year. I guess I also spent, on account of I got the Kork-Ease as well. LOL!

SPLURGE: Tory Burch Frida pebbled leather tote // Sale: $349.90; After Sale: $528.00

SPEND: Vince Camuto Ruedi leather tote // Sale: $184.90; After Sale: $278.00

SAVE: Sole Society Glenn faux leather tote // Sale: $39.90; After Sale: $59.95

Tory Burch always has some great bags in the #NSale, and this year her Frida pebbled leather tote does not disappoint. The leather is gorgeous, its timeless style is kept current by the polished chain-link-and-leather straps, and the double-T logo hardware is visible yet understated. My personal favorite is the French Grey, but the black and blush are also great choices. It has some interior dividers which is great if you like your bag to have some built-in organization, and it has a flat base so it’s stable when you put it down. I think the retail price of $528 is pretty steep for what it is, but at $349, it’s a great investment.

I personally prefer leather handbags, but faux leather has come a long way lately, and Sole Society makes some great faux leather bags. For $39, their Glenn tote is a steal. It comes in Oxblood (gorgeous for fall) and black (more versatile for year-round use, but for $39, go for the fun color!)

My favorite of the three, however, is the Vince Camuto tote. The leather on this bag is sooo soft. I could not stop touching it when I was in the store. I also like the woven shoulder strap and the easy snap closure. It is lined and has phone pockets on the inside, but there are no dividers (which is fine with me — I like my bags to be open, but take that into consideration.) I feel like the quality of this bag is probably close to being equal to the Tory Burch, but because the name isn’t as popular, the price is much more reasonable.

My only disclaimer is, I don’t consider this a tote. I would call it a hobo. But whatever you call it, it is gorgeous. I’m partial to the Havano color — it’s an amazing year-round, versatile color that will go with literally everything — but the black and samba are great choices as well. If I didn’t already have a cognac leather Tory Burch hobo that serves the same purpose, I would snap this up in a heartbeat.

I also want to give a shout out to the All Saints Raye leather tote. The leather isn’t as soft as some of the others, but I love the whipstitched detailing and the overall look of the bag.

Splurge, Spend or Save? I didn’t purchase any of these bags, but as I said above, my vote is for the spend option, the Vince Camuto. In general, though, I will splurge on a great quality tote that I know I’ll have for years.

SPLURGE: Halogen long ribbed cashmere cardigan // Sale: $199.90; After Sale: $299.00

SPEND: Halogen three-quarter sleeve cashmere cardigan  // Sale: $98.90; After Sale: $149.00

SAVE: BP. rib knit cardigan // Sale: $31.90; After Sale: $49.00

The Halogen long ribbed cashmere cardi is pure luxury, deliciously soft, cozy and warm. If you have $200 to spend on a cardigan, do it on this one.

On the other end of the spectrum, this rib knit cardigan is really popular, and for $31 it’s worth a try. I haven’t seen it, but everyone raves about it. I purchased the  lightweight rib stitch cardigan but it is even lower inventory than the rib knit cardigan. For a budget buy, you can’t go wrong with either.

The Halogen three-quarter sleeve cardigan is one of my favorites from this sale. The fine-gauge cashmere is lightweight, and with the three-quarter sleeves, it’s perfect for late summer/early fall and areas that have milder winters. The relaxed, open-front silhouette is flattering, and it is soooo super soft. It comes in 6 delicious colors, and right now all are in stock. It is one size fits sizes 4-16.

I also really like this long ribbed cardigan. I don’t know whether to call it a spend or a save; at $49, it is somewhere in between. Unfortunately it sold out super quick, but watch for it to be restocked on Friday. Another popular one from the #NSale is this long open front cardigan, also $49. It’s a fine gauge material with just a hint of cashmere, super soft, and slimming too.

Splurge, Spend or Save? I vote spend on this category. I don’t like cheap sweaters; they’re not as soft and don’t hold their shape as well as better quality sweaters, and they rarely hold up for more than a season. I’m not opposed to splurging if I find something I absolutely LOVE, but there are some great options in that $100 range. Personally, I’m more likely to splurge on a pullover than a cardigan because I wear them more often, but that’s a personal preference.

SPLURGE: Burberry Pensham quilted jacket // Sale: $499.90; After Sale: $795.00

SPEND: Barbour Millfire hooded quilted jacket // Sale: $165.90; After Sale: $249.00

SAVE: Lauren Ralph Lauren faux leather trim quilted jacket // Sale: $99.90; After Sale: $160.00

There are so many winter coats in this sale. If you’re in the market for one, definitely peruse the website HERE. But for this category, I picked a classic Burberry and then I tried to find spend and save options that closely resembled it, although the spend and save options are pretty close in price point.

The Burberry jacket is a classic, and that price is unheard of so this is a great time to snap one up if it’s something you’ve been wanting and it’s in your budget. Think about it, that is $300 off! It came in some other colors, but the only one left in the #NSale right now is the military green, but I think that’s a great choice. It is trending at the moment, but it is also classic and won’t go out of style.

Barbour makes a nice quality coat as well, and I really like this Millfire hooded jacket. I personally like my coats to have hoods, and this one is removable so you can have it either way. I like the contrast lining, the shaping through the waist area is flattering, and I vote for that gorgeous garnet color.

The Ralph Lauren option is nice too, but it kind of bugs me that the elbow patches are faux leather. If that’s not an issue for you, it’s a really nice looking coat for under $100.

Splurge, Spend or Save? This is a great time to snag a classic Burberry quilted jacket for under $500 if it’s something you’ve been wanting and it’s in your budget, but otherwise I would recommend the Barbour. It’s a great quality coat for just over $150.

SPLURGE: AG The Legging Ankle // Sale: $149.90; After Sale: $225.00

SPEND: Paige Hoxton High Waist Ankle Skinny Jeans // Sale: $99.90; After Sale: $189.00

SAVE: Articles of Society Carly Release Hem Crop Skinny Jeans // Sale: $38.90; After Sale: $59.00

AG legging ankle jeans are pretty much the holy grail of skinny jeans, and this pair is so good. Plus, THEY JUST RESTOCKED IN ALL SIZES!!!! They were almost sold out so if you want a pair, grab them now. Unfortunately they are backordered till November (wahhhh…) but I still recommend grabbing them. You’ll enjoy them as much then as you will now (maybe more since it is HOT out there) and they can be an early Christmas gift!

These are the perfect mid wash, slightly distressed but not ripped, and they are as comfortable as my other favorites with the ripped knee. I’ve already worn them several times and they’re breaking in nicely already. AG never bags out, but it does loosen up and form to your body, and they get softer the more you wear them. Yes, you can get premium denim for less, but AG fits like no other, and they have the best washes. This is a great time to buy a pair, whether they are your first pair or your 10th. I snapped these up the first day of Early Access.

Sizing note: I did size up in these, and I’ve heard a few other bloggers say the same. They seem to run smaller than the other AG legging ankle jeans I have. I normally wear 28 in AG and I got the 29. If in doubt, order both while they’re still stocked and return the pair that doesn’t work. I also recommend wearing them around the house for an hour or two before taking the tags off so you can see how they’ll feel as they wear.

Normally Paige jeans would be in the Splurge category, but in this sale, they’re less than $100 so I’m putting them in Spend. Paige is another of my favorite denim brands, and these Hoxton high waist ankle jeans are almost 50% off. It’s a great a great price for this brand. Paige also does not bag out. For size reference, the 29 fit me perfectly in this pair.

The Articles of Society Carly jeans are popular because they’re flattering and super soft and comfortable. Size down in these, though. They do stretch out. Another good Save pair in this sale is the Vigoss Chelsea with the ripped knee for $41.

Splurge, Spend or Save? I highly recommend splurging on the AG. This price is practically unheard of, and I love, love, love this version of this super popular style. You can’t go wrong with the Paige either, and they’re good for those who prefer a higher rise. There are also some DL1961 and 7 For All Mankind for $99 in this sale, so it’s a great time to get some premium denim.

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I hope you found this post helpful! I wanted to do more categories, but I ran out of time. If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer in the comments.

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38 Responses

  1. I”m glad to see that OTK boots are being shown again!! For some reason, I think they are fun & totally practical since they are warmer!!
    In fact, I’m getting my mom (the 70+ model) a pair soon, and then I’m going to twist my stepmom’s arm (the 60+ model) to buy some!! Then I can show that they work for any age!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  2. Excellently curated list! THE BEST. I have put many of your suggestions on my wish list to snap up on Friday, 2 AM Central! If I linked from your blogpost to put the items on my Nordstrom wishlist, will my purchase on Friday support your business?

    1. Hey Carrie, I appreciate that! I think so… I’m not sure how the cookies work, like if you click on another blog in the meantime but don’t add to cart, or even if you do, how that works out. But thanks for shopping from my links!

  3. Very informative post Jo-Lynne! If I were to invest in ny of the pieces, it would either be a nice long cardigan or a pair of quality jeans. Have a blessed day!

  4. Did you buy the Halogen 3/4 cashmere sweater or try it on? I’m concerned it one size fits all….I’m only 5’4 and pear shaped and am concerned if it is going to be super long and baggy.

        1. The sweater? I don’t know, I haven’t worn it for long b/c it’s too hot right now. 🙂 But it doesn’t strike me as the type of material that would stretch out.

  5. Nice job! I enjoyed this post and also wanted to tell you that at 56 yrs old I got my first pair of Tory Burch Miller Sandles. I put them on my Birthday List this month, since they never go in sale but I think they are a classic and I will get a lot of where out of them. My husband asked the sales lady in the shoe dept to repeat the price, just to be sure he heard her correctly. OMG! I remember you saying several times that you got some TB items for your birthday. So thanks for the tip ???? It worked!

  6. LOVE this post. Super informative so we can weigh things out and make our own decisions. Our Nordstrom is small and doesn’t carry all the options so I place lots of orders. It’s helpful to have your take on these items. Thank you.

  7. Thanks so much for sharing your thought process, it’s a big help when sorting out my clothing budget for this sale. I need to get a pair of boots this year and am trying to decide between a pair of riding boots or ankle booties. I’m a homemaker and don’t need anything for “office attire”. Any advice would be appreciated.

    As always love your thoughtful blog.

    1. Hey Kathy, either are highly versatile and easy to wear. I think ankle boots are more “of the moment” but riding boots are more timeless. I tend to wear some of both but I guess I go for my ankle boots more often. You definitely want to consider your jeans too. A skinny ankle jean works great with either, but if you tend to have more straight or bootcut styles, a riding boot won’t be as practical.

  8. Great post! I bought the cognac Kork-Ease booties. I hope I don’t regret my choice when I see you styling the black ones. Hah. Living in SoCal I find myself reaching for my lighter colored shoes more often than not.

  9. You’d think being short waisted I’d love those AG jeans that everyone is so bonkers over. I finally tried them on and they weren’t the jeans of my dreams. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Lots of good splurge, spend, save tips here!

  10. I also wanted to love the AG jeans, but they just didn’t fit right. They really gapped in the back waist and slid down a lot. So, I just returned 2 pairs in Portland if anyone is looking for them. ????

  11. Jo-Lynne, what a fabulous post as it is so informative! I have a question for you. I’m looking to buy a gray crossbody that I plan to use for years so I definitely want to splurge or spend. I would like it to be zippered and mid-sized so that I can carry all of my usual purse items. Suggestions? Thanks in advance.

  12. I love the “Splurge, Spend, Save” theme! Please do it again on other things–other types of clothing, make up, etc. Thanks!

  13. What a great post! Please keep doing these posts on more #Nsale items as well as other blogs in the future. I so love the way you take the time to explain each item in detail with pros and cons and then tell us what you would choose and why. No other blogger puts such thoughtful insight into their daily blogs! It shows how much you care about your readers and your work. I vote for you to be “Blogger of the Year” LOL

    One question: Is there ever an appropriate time to wear sheer nude hose? In the winter I usually wear tights with my dresses to church but what do I wear with nude pumps? If you do recommend sheer hose, are there any in the #Nsale you would recommend? Thank you so much for always responding– another reason you are the best!

    1. I agree! You should be Fashion Blogger of the year with your keen attention to all the pros and cons details! Great round up of Fall/Winter basics. I think we all would benefit from more posts like this one! ????????

  14. I ordered several of the long cardigans you talked about, and I ended up purchasing the (Halogen) long open front cardigan. It is so soft, and I love having pockets! I sized up to a medium so it won’t cling to my behind. It will be great over a blouse and jeans as shown. Highly recommend! Several of the others were too heavy for me.

  15. Once again I’m in awe of your attention to detail. You really do go above and beyond and it definitely shows.

    So exciting that you ordered the Stuart Weitzman boots! I cannot wait to see them styled. 🙂 I only ordered 2 pair of boots and it was actually a very easy decision this year on the keepers (Hinge).

    I have been so pleasantly surprised by the jeans this year. I chose a few “splurges” and “saves” and I love nearly all of them. I’m absolutely in love with almost everything about the rag & bones, but the pocket placement (crazy wide set) will likely make me return them. I’m not sure if that’s typical of this brand or it’s just this style. They are amazing otherwise.

    I hope you do more of these posts!

    1. I’m really conflicted on the boots. I just don’t know that I will have enough opportunity to wear them to make them worth my while, but they are GORGEOUS and very comfortable. I am also conflicted on color. I bought black but I am wishing I had bought brown b/c they’re not as dressy and I may feel more comfortable wearing them. They also look amazing with the Damier Ebene Neverfull. 🙂 Of course all sizes are sold out, so I’m stalking the website. 🙂

      1. Oh, yeah, that’s totally understandable. That’s a big splurge for sure so you gotta love them! If they don’t fully restock the brown now, maybe after the sale? They honored sale prices on exchanges for me last year on items I couldn’t reorder during the sale.

        1. Yeah, I’ll hold onto all the packaging and wait a while. I may end up deciding the black are fine. It’s hard when most of my fall/winter clothes are in storage. I need to see what else I have that I’d wear with them.

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