Simple, classic, and easy fall and winter wardrobe staples are the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale winners for me this year. Which is, actually, not that surprising…if you’ve been following TME for a while.
Think: cozy sweaters (a staple of my fall uniform), wide-leg jeans (with plenty of stretch), easy jacket-cardigans (comfortable and chic), and outfit-making bags (big enough for hauling all the stuff).
Since I’m looking for wear-on-repeat classics…the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale purchase I’m likely going to get the MOST use out of this fall is this guy. So good I brought it home in 2 colors (and would have gotten the 3rd if they had my size in store). A huge classic style workhorse in my wardrobe.
That said, I DID let a couple wildcards come home with me — look at me being all wild on a Tuesday! 😉 Keep scrolling if the anticipation is just too much.
Okay before we get started with the selfies….just a few takeaways from my try-on:
- It’s hard to find a better basic sweater than this one…I love the shape, fit, & trim so much.
- Although I love neutrals, my fav On sneakers are on sale in SUCH happy colors (I got green).
- Eileen Fisher Fans: this piece is great, but note that it’s definitely more sweatshirt-y than sweater-y – and don’t size down.
For reference, I’m 5’2, 145 lbs… smaller on top, curvier on bottom.
Top Picks: The Jackets I’ll Reach For All Season
LEFT: Jacket (S) | Hoodie (S) | Jeans (29) | Bag | RIGHT: Jacket (S) | Sweater (M) | Jeans (29) | Sneakers (TTS)
LEFT: This Vince boucle cardigan coat is extremely similar to the one in the sale two years ago, but it’s slightly darker and now has a really pretty black-gray weave. I’m still wearing my old one on repeat and get compliments on it all the time. Soft, comfy and cozy and feels like you’re wearing a robe while walking out and about in the world, but somehow still looks polished. I love it. Wearing my typical size small.
RIGHT: The Eileen Fisher velveteen coat was a surprise hit. I typically size down to an XS in Eileen Fisher, but I went with a small and am happy with the fit. I think it’d work great over dresses as well. Per usual, Eileen Fisher gets the fabric and shape exactly right.
5 Best Tops To Wear With My Fave Jackets
Now that I have a couple of jacket options I know I’ll be wearing all fall, I’m looking for a few comfortable (and chic) tops that easily layer underneath (yet can totally stand on their own).
1. Nordstrom 100% Cashmere Hoodie
Hoodie (Gray, L | Black, S) | Left: Jeans (6) | Bag | Right: Jeans (6) | Bag | Sneakers (TTS)
Gahhhh….the Nordstrom 100% cashmere hoodie! This sold out in 2 hot seconds last year. Nordstrom brand makes my favorite cashmere hoodies –I’ve yet to find one that I like better. I’m keeping the black in a small and the gray in a large for different vibes…so sizing up or staying your typical size are both great options.
Here’s how it looks under my jackets:
LEFT: Jacket (S) | Hoodie (L) | Jeans (29) | Bag | Sneakers (TTS) | RIGHT: Jacket (S) | Bag
2. A Cute, Marled Knit Sweater Vest
Sweater (XS) | Jeans (29) | Bag
Nordstrom brand is on fire this year with sweaters! This under $60 sweater-tank (vest) looks great on its own or layered under my fav jackets. I sized down.
LEFT: Jacket (S) | Sweater (XS) | Jeans (29) | Bag | RIGHT: Jacket (S) | Bag
3. Veronica Beard Fitted Polo
Top (M, need S) | Jeans (29) | Bag
I saw multiple people trying this cute Veronica Beard fitted polo on today and it looked great on everyone! Everyone!! I sized up to a medium…but my typical small worked too.
Has enough details to look amazing under these two different jacket/coat options.
LEFT: Jacket (S) | Top (M, need S) | Jeans (29) | Bag | RIGHT: Jacket (S) | Bag
4. Vince Wool/Cashmere Crew
Sweater (M) | Jeans (29) | Bag
If it’s in your budget, this wool-cashmere Vince sweater is a classic style stunner. The shape, the trim detailing, the fit…it’s just good. It’s thicker and warmer than the classic Nordstrom crewneck (that I also love), but still layers well under jackets.
LEFT: Jacket (S) | Sweater (M) | Jeans (29) | Bag | RIGHT: Jacket (S) | Bag
5. Rag & Bone Striped Sweater Tank
Sweater Tank (S) | Jeans (29) | Bag
Oh how I love a good striped sweater-tank! I overheat often, so it’s a great layering piece under cute coatigans and jackets. The fit is relaxed (and not too tight)…perfect for classic style.
LEFT: Sweater Tank (S) | Cardigan (S) | Jeans (29) | Bag | RIGHT: Jacket (S) | Bag
Simple, Classics From The 2025 NSale To Wear With Wide-Leg Jeans
Wide-leg jeans are my everyday go-tos, and I was looking for a few fresh ways to style them for 2025, while keeping my classic sensibilities in mind. From an Eileen Fisher sweater (always so much better IRL than photos) to a fun Pistola stripe, or bright pops of color to classic cardigans that can be worn as a shirt…I found plenty of exciting-to-me pieces. 😉
1. Eileen Fisher Merino Wool Sweater
Sweater (XS) | Jeans (29) | Sneakers (TTS) | Bag
While this often looks like nothing special in photos, these types of light-weight Eileen Fisher sweaters never get cut in my closet clean-outs. They’re thin-ish and silky-ish to the touch and are so much prettier in person. Simple, classic, and elegant.
2. Pistola Stripe Cotton Sweater
Coatigan (S) | Sweater (M) | Jeans (29) | Sneakers (TTS) | Left: Bag | Right: Bag
This sweater was flying off the rack at the store. It’s got everything: 100% cotton, soft to the touch, interesting contrasting trim, and the chevron-striped effect is the perfect balance of classic and interesting. I’m wearing a medium and am quite happy with the fit.
3. Nordstrom 100% Cashmere Crew
Sweater (M) | Jeans (29) | Sneakers (TTS) | Bag
This piece is always my budget-friendly top sweater pick in the sale every year, but it’s truly just a great cashmere sweater, budget or no! The key, though (Shana taught me this), is to definitely size up. I’m wearing a medium here, but would have been happy with the large, too. You can go with your regular size, but you won’t get as much drape.
The chocolate brown is new (to me!) this year and is rich and beautiful.
LEFT: Sweater (M) | Jeans (29) | Sneakers (TTS) | Bag | RIGHT: Jeans (6) | Bag
4. Reiss Wool Wrap Coat (In Blue!)
Coat (2) | Crewneck (M) | Jeans (29) | Sneakers (TTS) | Bag
And now for the wildcard I brought home! I don’t typically wear outerwear in such bright colors, but this one definitely called to me. And because the shape and design is so classic, the fun bright is easier to pull off! It’s also available (and oh-so-pretty) in classic tan, if the turquoise is too much. Wearing a size 2 here. I personally like the slimmer fit, but I did try on a size 4 in store and there was more room for layering underneath.
5. Nordstrom 100% Cashmere V-Neck Tee
Wow! These new-to-me cashmere short sleeve sweaters are very simple, but I totally fell in love with them. Chic, clean lines, and a low enough v-neck to not be totally boring. I liked them both slouchy and longer or tucked-in.
LEFT: Top (M) | Jeans (6) | Sneakers (TTS) | Bag | RIGHT: Cardigan (XS) | Jeans (29) | Bag
Once again, you can’t really go wrong with gray or black, but Nordstrom’s “brown coffee” colorway this year is really rich and elegant, so I bought both. I sized up to a medium for more drape.
6. Vince Wool/Cashmere Crew (In Bright Blue!)
Sweater (M) | Jeans (29) | Sneakers (TTS) | Bag
Okay…so this sweater is getting a second shout out in this post because not only is it fabulous in my go-to black (shown earlier), but this bright blue is striking. And easy to pair with jeans for a monochromatic vibe. Wearing a size medium and happy with the fit.
LEFT: Puffy Vest (S) | Sweater (M) | Jeans (29) | Sneakers (TTS) | Bag | RIGHT: Cardigan (S)
7. Wearing Two Cardigans-As-Shirts
For years I fought this…cardigans should be cardigans, but now? I’m totally on board. Especially with the fit and style of these! The black Vince cashmere-wool short cardigan definitely has a more chic tailored vibe, but I also like the more oversized relaxed vibe of the Nordstrom cashmere cardigan (below, in white). Both great options. Wearing my typical size small in both.
LEFT: Cardigan (S) | Jeans (29) | Bag | RIGHT: Jeans (6) | Sneakers (TTS)
8. Eileen Fisher Cozy Black Cardigan With Hood
LEFT: Coatigan (S) | Top (M) | Jeans (29) | Bag | RIGHT: Sweater (XS) | Bag
And now for the cardigan to wear as a cardigan. This hooded jacket is more sweatshirt-y than sweater-y, so the price gave me pause, but if you’re an Eileen Fisher fan you know: she does these types of pieces really well. A relaxed shape, nice swing, and a classic casual option for a top layer. I often size down to an XS in Eileen Fisher, but don’t do that with this one. I’m wearing a small and I could have even gone up to a medium.
My Tried & True Zella Basics
1. Zella Long Sleeve Tee
Top (M) | Leggings (M) | Sneakers (TTS)
I’m not sure why this basic long sleeve t-shirt is so good, but it is. Every.darn.year. So I’m always just deciding which colors to add to the mix. The “red jelly” color is softer than many of the reds out there and feels like a color I will actually wear (even as a neutral-lover). Works just as well casually over jeans, but its super power is looking cute (and covering your butt) over leggings. I sized up to a medium in the red (but a small works just as well for me).
LEFT: Top (M) | Jeans (29) | Bag | Sneakers (TTS) | RIGHT: Cardigan (S) | Bag
I’m liking the blue too…especially over navy leggings. In terms of color, I do find going for a monochromatic blue look tends to be easier on the brain when getting dressed than trying to figure out other color combos.
Tee (S) | Leggings (M) | Sneakers (TTS)
In the blue I’m wearing a size small and it’s still plenty oversized.
LEFT: Tee (S) | Jeans (29) | Sneakers (TTS) | Bag | RIGHT: Jacket (S) | Leggings (M) | Sneakers (TTS)
2. Zella Leggings (With On Sneakers)
Jacket (S) | Tank (S) | Leggings (M) | Sneakers (TTS)
And I always pick up these Zella leggings and a Zella tank for workouts. Although I’m not a huge leggings person, these are super comfortable and I don’t mind putting them on in the mornings before a workout. And the tanks are easy and comfy, too.
Jacket (S) | Tank (S) | Leggings (M) | Sneakers (TTS) | Bag
And I can’t talk about Zella workout clothes without giving a shout out to my On Cloudmonster sneakers. My most worn and favorite exercise and city-walking sneak by far. And the fun happy colorways are good this year. They run TTS.
One Wildcard Worth Considering: This Veronica Beard Dress
Dress (size small)
Wow – THIS dress is a stunner. This photo in NO way does this dress justice. Sadly, I didn’t bring it home and now have SUCH regret. I feel like I would get a ton of use out of this for events…may have to order. Size small fit, but just barely. If I order it, I’ll order a medium.
That’s it, guys.
An ENORMOUS thank-you to Lori, our personal shopper at Nordstrom King of Prussia, for helping Shana and I with our in-store shopping excursion. If you’re local to Philly, Lori is the absolute BEST! To see more of my NSale content, including my wishlist & other articles, go here.
-Linzi
