It’s that NSale time of year, and we’ve spent the last week pouring over the 2025 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Preview. I went in with really low expectations (the last few NSales have been pretty underwhelming) and was…pleasantly surprised? While I still found this year’s selection of shoe & sweaters to be a little disappointing, the coats, denim and – gasp – handbags made up for it.
Per usual, as I dive into this year’s true gems, I’m also reflecting on what I’ve personally bought over the past 17(!!) NSales, and taking a look to see which pieces actually got the most use, which pieces have survived years of closet clean-outs, and which pieces I’m actually still wearing and loving (or, in the case of, uh, these thongs, replacing every few years, haha).
This now-yearly article originally started in order to highlight NSALE finds that weren’t just cute, but also practical, versatile, and impeccably well-made. I placed a huge emphasis on natural materials: 100% cashmere sweaters, 100% silk tops, as well as brands that I already knew and loved.
To be honest, I think the days of using the NSale to find a really great cashmere sweater are…basically over. The luxurious NSale cashmere sweater has gone the way of the NSale Burberry Trench Coat: never to be seen again. That said, the NSale is still incredibly useful! While I no longer think you can use this sale to build an entire fall wardrobe filled with timeless investment pieces, there are a few categories (and specific products) that have stood the test of time in my closet.
True Gems From Last Year That No Longer Make The Cut
- Some of you might notice that Slip’s Silk pillowcases are no longer on my list. While they are in the sale this year (along with the more affordable Blissy)…I still think Quince’s silk pillowcases are the better value at only $45 a pop.
- While I’ll certainly try on a bunch of sweatpants once the sale opens (I always do), I found the loungewear selection really underwhelming this year, and aren’t including it as a true gem. That said, if you were really hoping to find something cozy in the NSale, I can recommend this Elwood set (it’s gender neutral, not men’s) and am eying this Zella zip hoodie (looks like Lululemon).
- I’m a huge fan of Frank & Eileen’s travel fleece sets, but am hesitating over the NSale’s selection. I LOVE the gray, but the other pieces are offered in strange colors (rust red and this blue). Not necessarily a deal-breaker, but I’d…pause.
So. FWIW, here is my (highly opinionated) take on the best finds, aka the ‘true gems’ in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, 2025.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19
1. Timeless Wool Coats (That Are A Little Bit Fancy)
Reiss Checkered Coat | Reiss Camel Wrap Coat
I have a coat problem (thanks, in part to the NSale), but in my defense, I wear the heck outta my pretty coats. And the NSale has, reliably, been one of the best places to snag a seriously good coat. Reiss makes some of my favorites, and the checkered wool coat above is my top pick of this year’s sale. That said, if you’re looking for a really classic, wear-forever piece, the Max Mara coat I bought at an NSale years ago (mine is a deep turquoise blue) is back…but in timeless camel.
2. Handbags
The bags in this year’s sale kiiiinda blew me away – a far cry from last year!! I’m not a true designer-bag kind of girl (you’ll never see me toting YSL or Gucci or Chanel or whatever) but a Veronica Beard studded bag definitely makes my heart beat fast! I’ve found that my most-used bags are all a little quirky, or have some sort of interesting detail: studs, a boxy shape, vintage-inspired train cases or doctors’ bags, etc. These are the fun little bags I end up keeping for years.
NOTE: Suede bags have NOT stood the test of time. Most of my suede bags either got stained over the years or…they stained MY clothes over the years. I’m sticking with leather from now on.
3. The New Leather Jacket
I have moved my leather moto jacket to the back of my closet – I’m tired of the look. But the function of a good leather moto jacket…man, that’s been really hard to replace. So I’ve been playing with different silhouettes (still in leather) and am kind of excited about some of the possibilities in this year’s NSale. I have high hopes for this Reiss leather jacket – so feminine and cool – it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. That said, there are a few other fresh-feeling leather jackets in this year’s NSale, if you are as sick of your leather moto as I am of mine…
4. Rain Jackets
Rain jackets have been, reliably, one of my NSale best buys. And this year? Whoa – best ever selection. I have the longer version of this Barbour and it’s fantastic. I’m excited to try on the shorter version and will be verrrrry annoyed (for me) if it’s better, haha. I can also personally recommend Lole’s Piper Raincoat, too (technical, packable and chic), but you’ll never go wrong with a Barbour, either.
5. Cool Jeans
Ohhhhh the NSale jeans are fun this year. Once I got past the pages of skinny jeans & cropped flares (sorry not sorry, haha) there are some serious gems. This Pistola pair is my top pick (the wash! the shape! I’m going to size up, FYI), and rag&bone’s epic featherweight jeans are making an appearance for the first time ever! I’m also excited to see there’s several pairs of Mother jeans that also feel pretty fresh: this pair, in particular, looks really cool, and don’t miss Madewell’s drawstring-waist jeans (another personal fav).
Ok – enough gushing. Here are my top denim picks:
6. Pointed Toe, Sexy Heel Booties
Looking back…the NSale shoes & boots that have lasted the longest in my closet aren’t the pairs I purchased as my everyday ones. Instead, it’s the sexy, heeled booties that have stood the test of time. I guess it does make sense – a shoe (or boot) that I wear on the daily has to basically be perfect (comfort, style, color), and tends to change with the trends, where a date-night bootie (or heel) doesn’t tend to change as fast. I mean…pointy-toe, stiletto heeled boots have been sexy since…the dawn of time? (Basically.)
7. Vintage-Inspired Sneakers
NSale Nike sneakers | NSale Adidas Sneakers
Okaaaay. Now here’s the shoes I wear on the regular: sneakers! And the 2025 NSale has such an incredibly fun selection, especially of vintage-inspired pairs, which are almost completely trend-proof (I’ve been wearing a pair like this nonstop for the last decade, so). You can’t go wrong here – just find something that makes your heart beat fast. 🙂
8. Frye Boots
Gang, Frye Boots haven’t been in the NSale in…almost a decade? These used to be THE very thing I (we?) were all coveting, and I’m thrilled they’re back. I’m excited to try this pair with some dresses and skirts and…mayyyybe with a pair of loose, wide-leg denim? I love the vintage vibes of this pair, but I can’t decide on the color. I’m torn between this chocolate brown and…merlot.
9. On Running Shoes + This Zella Tee
Zella Tee (wearing size small) | On Sneakers
These two pieces miiiiight be on the boring side, but do I care? NOPE. I love, love, freaking love this long-sleeve Zella tee (especially with leggings) and nothing makes my feet happier than wandering around the city in a pair of On sneakers. I swear, no one does color combos quite like On.
10. Vince Sweater-Coat
Vince sweater coat (wearing size xs)
This cozy Vince Sweater Coat gets a TON of complements, and is an absolute joy to wear. I wear it when I don’t feel like lugging a real coat, I wear it when I want to be snuggly on an airplane, when the movie theater is too cold, when the A/C is cranking at the office, or when I feel like wearing a sexy, date-night dress but don’t want to freeze. This piece – back in the NSale for the 2nd, maybe even 3rd time – is bizarrely good. I highly recommend.
11. Tumi Backpack
I’ve been using a TUMI backpack as my everyday laptop bag for so many years now that I’ve lost count. I keep trying to find a laptop bag I like better (especially for travel) and…it’s impossible. These laptop backpacks are so incredibly well-made and thoughtfully designed that I won’t travel without one.
13. The Best Sweaters (All Natural Materials – 100% Cashmere, Cotton)
Cashmere Crewneck Sweater (wearing size L) | Cashmere Hoodie
Ok – there aren’t any luxurious cashmere sweaters in this year’s NSale, but there are two worth talking about. Nordstrom’s classic crew is…fine! The cashmere is nice and soft and of decent quality, but the fit is boring. I solved this by sizing wayyyyy up (I’m wearing this exact sweater in yellow, above). The NSale color selection is just neutrals, but if you are looking for a classic black cashmere sweater this might work. (I suspect more colors will go on sale around the holidays, tho.)
The other cashmere sweater I’m eyeing up is the Nordstrom brand cashmere hoodie. Like the cashmere crew, I plan on sizing up a size or two. I suspect it’s made from the same cashmere as the crew.
The biggest “gems” – in terms of sweaters – in the 2025 NSale are likely the 100% cotton sweaters. I was shocked to see Frank & Eileen’s Monterey sweater in this year’s NSale in two colorways – it’s incredibly good. I have it in navy/white:
Frank & Eileen Monterey sweater
It’s pricey, but Frank & Eileen is one of the few truly sustainable brands, and they manufacture in the US.
14. Cozy House Shoes (UGGs & Birkenstocks)
I love my fur-lined Birkenstocks with the power of ten thousand suns, and there are few pleasures in life greater than a new pair of UGGs. These are one of the few things worth buying as gifts, too.
15. Stance Socks
Stance socks are annoyingly expensive, but they’re also the ONLY brand of sock that ever lasted long enough to get passed down from Raines to Pax. Mike swears by their no-show socks (only the women’s no-show socks are on sale), and I appreciate that the women’s socks come in two sizes, small or medium (I’m going to try this set for running).
16. Away Luggage
NSale Away 26″ Flex Checked Luggage
I am an Away suitcase devotee. Not only is their customer service flipping AMAZING (they once overnighted a suitcase to me because mine cracked on a return trip home and I had another trip scheduled) but this suitcase is the best combination of thoughtfully designed, durable, lightweight, and cute.
I always check a bag (honestly, sooooo much easier), and I swear by Away’s Medium size luggage, which, in the NSale is listed as their 26″ flex suitcase. This suitcase is big enough for almost any trip – I’ve tested it on 3 week long vacations, as well as a trip that involved both skiing AND hot-weather hiking – yet no matter how full you stuff this suitcase, you’ll never be over the weight limit. It’s magic. Highly recommend.
Away’s carry-on is also great, if you’re not into checking luggage (or you just make your boys pack lighter, haha).
18. Le Labo Hand Soap
Another product that I buy every year, simply because I’ve never found anything I like better! This is is the fancy soap we keep in our bathroom, and I’m thrilled to use it every. time. The description says that the scent is “mesmerizing and woodsy” and I AGREE.
19. Hourglass Setting Powder
Setting powder with rave reviews by the 45+ crowd because it doesn’t seep into wrinkles? And, according to my sister (a makeup artist), it leaves your skin looking a little glowy, not just matte? Sold. I’m sold. Scotti actually made a video about the NSale beauty buys she gets every year, and it’s REALLY good. This powder is included, as well as a face steamer, which she demonstrates in the video (I couldn’t stop laughing).
20. Chantelle Thongs
I am *not* passionate about this thong underwear. And yet…despite trying other brands and styles constantly, in the hopes of finding something better…I always (always!!) return to these. So if you, too, are feeling ‘meh’ about thongs in general, but also acknowledge that you will never stop wearing them…these are for you? haha – you’re welcome.
21. Hanky Panky Boyshorts
The underwear I wear under alllll the short dresses. I’ve tried other brands (even Quince, which makes something similar) but these are still the most comfortable, with the exact right amount of coverage (enough, but not too much).
Happy hunting!
xo,
S
