Here’s what I loved and what surprised me in the good ways! I’ll also share a few I didn’t love, but I’ll keep it minimal because there’s so much good stuff to cover here.

I also have online orders arriving in the next few days and will have another try-on once they arrive. Stay tuned.

SIZING INFO: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or size 6 in clothes and 8.5–9 in shoes.

What to Buy From the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2026

Here are my try ons from the sale. Lots of really good stuff!

Shoes

There are SO MANY good shoes in this sale! It’s honestly a bit overwhelming. But it’s also great if you are really looking for some good updates — the NSale is the BEST time to update your shoes! Honestly, it’s the number one thing I’d tell you if you’re wondering what to buy from this sale.

Blondo Alida Waterproof Bootie – size 9

Got these last year and LOVE them! Go with everything from elevated casual to work and dressy. And waterproof! As with ALL Blondo shoes, I prefer to put my own insole in these for more cushion. 

Blondo Nicolette Waterproof Bootie – size 9

Similar to the ones above but with a more slender heel. The heel is also 0.25” higher than the Alida, which you wouldn’t think matters, but I actually did feel the difference — just slightly too high for me nowadays. 🙃

Very pretty though. And waterproof! 

Tina Bootie – size 9

These look great — low heel, square toe, versatile style. But honestly not my favorite. The sole is slippery with no traction, and they’re not water resistant, and therefore not worth the price IMHO. I’d only go for these if you can’t find others that you love. 

Try these first for a possibly better lower heel option: Vince Camuto Debrah Bootie or Blondo Marina Waterproof Bootie at comparable price points. (Neither were in my store, but I ordered and will be able to review them soon.)

Nordstrom Banks Tall Boot – size 9

GORGEOUS! Very pretty and a good modern update for tall boots. MULTIPLE Nordstrom sales reps kept coming around to GUSH about how good they looked. They look even better on!!! I didn’t take pics wearing them though because the sales associates were all around and I was too embarrassed, haha!

I actually ordered them online before heading into store, so I’ll get pics with them on when they arrive.

Blondo Alexis Waterproof Knee High Boot – size 9

These are also good but, again, need an insole for more cushion. The suede looks better here. Plus, they’re waterproof! The shaft is a tad higher on this, covering the bottom of my kneecap. 

Dolce Vita Mycah Wovan Flat – size 9

Super pretty! This woven detail is so popular and gives outfits more interest. Available in several colorways. 

One note is that the toe box seems a bit long. It’s good if you want to extend your foot and leg line. Not great if you want to minimize it! They’re comfortable though, with soft leather. 

I’m wearing these in try-on pics below with outfits.

Dolce Vita Merit Perforated Sneaker – size 9

These are so comfortable!!! The texture is super popular this season. The upper feels good and the footbed is cushioned. 🙌

I was trying to resist buying these and kept them out of my online order. But when I saw them — and felt them — in store, I was like, “Gahhhh, I need to get them!” 😂

I’m wearing these in try-on pics below with outfits.

Steve Madden Lela Perforated Mary Jane Flat – size 9

LOVE these, too! The footbed is really cushy and comfortable and the upper is soft. Several colors. 

I’m wearing these in try-on pics below with outfits.

Vionic Alameda Woven Mary Jane Flat – size 9

Oops, don’t know where my pic of these is!

These have the classic arch support that Vionic provides. On top of that — the arch support insole is removable. So if you don’t like it but want the style, you can take it out and put in your own. If you love it, you can use it in other shoes too. AND, it comes with an EXTRA pair! Courtney says the insoles alone run for $50/pair! 

Nordstrom Maddox Mesh Flat – size 9

This is another one that multiple Nordstrom sales associates kept gushing over. 

The mesh gives it lightness, but it’s not too see-through. I actually love how little of your foot you can see, while still getting the airiness of mesh. 

Adidas Gazelle

So cute! I didn’t try these on but have tried on another colorway. Cushy and comfy!

Casual & Work Clothes

Halogen Short Sleeve Sweater – S but will try XS 

I love a dolman sleeve and relaxed style, plus a sweater with texture, so this is right up my alley! SO cute but also very chic if you also have a relaxed style.

I ordered this in white and in brown and tried to resist the berry…but then I saw it in store and couldn’t NOT get it. It’s SO PRETTY. 

I’m in size S and wanted to try XS but none were available in store. S fits pretty well, but with relaxed-fitting items I often like to compare two sizes just to know which is better. XS is on its way.

Paige Anessa Jeans – size 27

They feel as I’d hoped! SOFT, stretchy but supportive, and BUTTERY!! Many are calling these their favorite jeans of the sale! Grab them while you can. 

It’s hard to describe in words how these feel compared to other soft denim like Wit & Wisdom and KUT From the Kloth, which you know I also love — it’s just something you have to feel. 

These just feel BUTTERY and like another level of quality. 

The rise is super high at 11.5”. It has a 31” inseam for regular length — about an inch too long for me, but I can get them hemmed. Love the wash, too. 

Caslon Puff Shoulder Sweater – XS 

Super cute!! Pair it with jeans and dress pants for work. Comes in several GREAT colors. 

Jeans are below!

KUT From the Kloth Wide Leg Jeans – size 4

I didn’t notice these online at first — I actually had a different pair in my cart, and this style is in a separate listing. 

These are super COMFORTABLE! VERY soft and stretchy. These feel buttery too, and cost way less than the Paige pair. And, love the wash! The rise on these is 10.5”. 

This pair has stitching on the side and at the back above the pockets, which gives it a little more character. I think the stitching in the back makes them feel just a TAD less classic and timeless. It’s not an issue if your top always covers the back, but it will show if you fully tuck your top. 

If you want something more classic and timeless, go for the other KUT pair.

Wit & Wisdom Brown Wide Leg Pants – size 6

These are great! Stretchy and comfortable but sturdy and polished, and great fit. 

I don’t personally need brown pants, but these are GREAT for many of you! 

They’re super cute with the Dolce Vita sneakers, too! 

White Tee – size S 

Thick and structured! Sleeved are a tad longer than usual for a modern, mildly oversized fit. You can certainly roll them if to shorten and to add a cute detail! 

Halogen Pants – size 4

These weren’t on my radar at all from the online preview but are so good in person! Super lightweight with flowy fabric, yet sturdy and looks polished. SUPER comfortable! 

Nordstrom shows them dressed up for work, but honestly, I would wear these as fancy casualwear with a T-shirt and sneakers and a denim jacket. 

Now…do we all NEED these pants? No. But will we all be SO HAPPY if we have them? LOL, YES! 😂 3 colors available, and they’re all GOOD!!! 

Wit & Wisdom Plaid Pants – size 4

SO COMFORTABLE. Smooth, super stretchy, sooooo soft, with a brushed fabric. Feels like you’re wearing buttery soft yoga pants — except these are for work! 

Caslon Zipped Sweatshirt – size S 

This didn’t catch my eye online but looks great in person! The zipper is gold — fun touch. 

It’s lightweight — good for now, early fall, and late spring. The fabric kinda has a sporty feel but not totally athleisure and can be paired with jeans. 

Courtney said of this outfit: “Everyone should just wear this for casual looks!” It’s easy when your sweatshirt looks polished. 

CeCe Dress – size 6

TOTALLY caught my eye in person! It’s SO pretty!!!

I will say…the zipper snagged twice, and I couldn’t even zip it back up all the way, so it didn’t come home with me. But I’m willing to order a new one online and give it one more shot!

Athleisure

Wow, the Zella stuff that’s part of the sale feels SO GOOOOOOOOOOD.

Zella Half-Zip Sweatshirt – size S

WOW, I thought this would just be regular sweatshirt fabric, but it’s not! 

It’s lighter weight — no fuzzy lining inside. Better for workouts (duh, it’s Zella) and moderate temps. SO COMFY, though!!

It’s SUPER SOFT, smooth, and stretchy — a sporty fabric. Buttery! It reminds me of Spanx Air Essentials, but a little thinner, more drapey, and more lightweight. (I actually prefer this, style-wise, as it’s more relaxed) 

The length is crop and works perfectly for me with a shorter torso. It’s too short for Courtney who has an average length torso. 

The back has a cute fold for extra detail and a little more length. 

Zella Jacket – size S 

NOT your standard jacket! Another SO SOFTTTTTT piece!! Smooth, stretchy, and sooo comfortable. 

Same feel as that half-zip sweatshirt. The fabric feels luxe. 

Zella Soft Pull-On Pants – size S 

These are the pants I’m wearing in all these athleisure pics. SUPER soft!! Smooth, stretchy, incredibly soft fabric. So so so comfy. Totally in line with Zella’s Restore stuff, in wide leg form.

That said…I don’t know if I’d run around town in these, especially if you worry about feeling like you’re in pajamas in them. They read more loungey than sporty. Just something to keep in mind. 

Note these have the space dye pattern. They read as very, very, very dark grey, and subtly black in some lights.

Zella Ottoman Sweatshirt – size S was snug around the hips 

This fabric also feels super smooth and comfy — just not AS soft because of the ribbed texture. I LOVE the texture though.

This is cut narrow at the waist, so my regular size was too narrow for my wider hips (Hourglass shape here). There was no M in store to try. 

If you have narrower to straighter hips compared to your shoulders or bust (Inverted Triangles and Rectangles), this is a really cute option. 

Jackets

There were barely any jackets at our store — the sales associate even laughed about how sad the display was when she directed us to them. 😂 I have a few coming soon, so stay tuned for round two.

KUT From the Kloth Jacket

I did walk by this one though, and it felt really good! Very classic and timeless style that will last forever.

Vince Camuto Faux Leather Jacket

This looked SO GOOD in store. Felt really soft and has a classic but super cool, somewhat relaxed vibe. I regret not trying this in store and stuck it in my cart while writing this post. 😂