I ordered these Tory Burch coordinates (I know, looks like a dress but it’s a top and skirt!) right before our trip, and sure enough, these two items were BY FAR my most heavily-worn pieces on the trip. The soft, lightweight fabric is soooo unbelievably comfortable, while the colorful print and romantic silhouette somehow makes perfect for day or night.
I’m a huge fan of coordinating sets like these because of their unmatched versatility. You can wear them together for a chic, monochromatic (or in this case, head-to-toe print) look, or wear them with other separates for a completely different spin. I’ve worn this skirt with a plain white button down for a casual summer day at the office; similarly, I’ve worn this cute peplum top with white denim shorts for Sunday brunch.
After wearing this set like CRAZY while traveling, I’ve been on the hunt to increase my collection and here are a few that I’m eyeing up. This coordinating chambray top and pant are on sale and already in my shopping cart (I plan on living in this for the rest of the summer, I’m OBSESSED) and I’m also loving this ivory eyelet top and midi skirt duo as well. Check out more of my favorites below!!
In case you missed yesterday’s post, the best sale of the whole. dang. year. just started and is everything you’ve dreamed of and so much more (for so much less). As discussed, it’s not an end-of-season-please-buy-this-crap-that-no-one-else-wanted sale, it’s all brand new pre-Fall merchandise that hasn’t even hit other retailers yet.
While I mostly use this sale to stock up on the fall staples I’ll live in all season (like these over-the-knee boots or this gorgeous leather jacket), the sale also has some absolute GEMS for summer that you can wear right now. Today I’m highlighting five staple pieces that served me well on our recent trip to France and how you can score some of these favorites in the on-going sale.
But wait! You said the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is all *Fall* stuff! I did, and it is. However, the brutal truth is that some people live in climates where it’s summer all. year. long.
I know. What a bunch of jerks.
To help the poor souls who don’t get to spend October through March bundled up and freezing, Nordstrom included some amazing warm-weather pieces in the Anniversary Sale. But whether you live in a place where Fall is not so different from Summer or, like me, you simply are gutting it out in the sauna that is New York City through September, it’s worth keeping an eye out for those staple summer pieces while prices are rock bottom.
The One Piece Swimsuit
Is it a swimsuit? Is it a bodysuit? No one has to know. One piece swimsuits are not only très trendy right now, but as illustrated in these images from Cannes, they’re your vacay MVP. No need for a tee or a coverup going to and from the beach, just throw on a skirt or your favorite shorts and you’re ready for action. This scalloped Marysia one-piece, unfortunately, isn’t included in the sale, but check out this cutie which is!
Timeless Sunglasses
This is a PERFECT time to grab your favorite sunnies from must-have brands. We’re talking Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Burberry… the list goes on! Trends come and go seasonally, but the selection of classic, timeless frames Nordstrom currently has on sale are too good to pass up.
The Wear-Everywhere Sandals
Low block-heeled sandals are far and away my most heavily-worn summer footwear. Not only are they easily dressed up or down, but they are actually more comfortable and better for your back than flats. I’ve linked to lots of my favorite block sandals above, but check out these great summer-fall transitional beauties that are included in the sale.
The Classic Hat
I adore hats (and wear them almost everyday when traveling) because they’re as practical as they are fashionable. When I’m on vacation, I have zero motivation to do anything with my hair and thanks to my collection of hats, I don’t have to. I also find that over the course of the day, I’m constantly having to take my sunglasses on and off. Whether it’s walking in and out of shops or needing to look down at my phone, the annoying on-and-off thing with sunglasses can drive me crazy. With a hat (how cute is this one?!), your eyes are shielded from the sun and you don’t have to touch it all day.
The Midi Skirt
By now, you are most likely familiar with my all-things-midi obsession. From pencil to pleats, the midi is the IT staple to have in your closet right now. Pair with a crop top or moto jacket for fun or a blouse and blazer for work. In case you need further convincing, the cut is insanely flattering on ALL body types, and let’s be honest, it fits just about any occasion that requires clothes!
Ladies, the moment we’ve waited nearly 365 days for is HERE. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale aka the sale. of. all. sales. starts TODAY and I’m telling you, it’s the best yet. I carbo-loaded last night and went to bed at 8pm like a baby marathon runner just so I could be up at the crack of dawn on Nordstrom’s website, ready to unleash the beast.
Here’s the deal: This sale is all brand new Pre-Fall items that are extremely marked down. It’s not the junk that’s no longer in style or just plain isn’t selling from seasons past. This is brand spankin’ new, latest and greatest fall GOODNESS that hasn’t even hit most retailers. Trust me, come September you’re going to want those perfect over-the-knee boots, but—plot twist—they’re back to full price. So, let’s plan ahead and thank ourselves later.
Nordstrom card-holders will have Early Access to everything starting today through July 21st when it opens up to the public. If you’re not a Nordstrom card-holder, you can still preview everything, but won’t be able to buy until July 21st when the sale is open to the public. Things do sell-out (and quick), so act fast… I still wake up in the middle of the night thinking about the leather jacket I didn’t buy in 2012. #regrets
All right, no more time for chit-chatting. Here are five tips to help you navigate:
1. SPLURGE ON STAPLES.
Your favorite wear-everyday fall pieces from last year probably aren’t looking so hot. Go for staples from lust-worthy brands at crazy discounted prices that you’ll wear constantly: that versatile, wear-everywhere tote bag, a timeless blazer, crisp sheath dress for work, dark jeans, black or brown boots, a fresh fall everyday coat (how gorgeous is this one?!!)… you get me.
PS – It’s worth noting that the sale includes these over-the-knee boots that I wore constantly last year which have been made again this season in GORGEOUS new colors, AND these Stuart Weitzman gems have been included in the sale as well!
2. TRY NEW TRENDS.
Under normal circumstances, those cool, trendy pieces you’ve been lusting over may not always make sense at full price. Right now is the perfect time to dip your toe into slides (literally), bell sleeves, trendy jeans and statement earrings… while they’re on major sale.
3. ACT ON ACCESSORIES.
Aside from perusing the shoe and handbag section of this killer sale, I often forget to check out other accessory categories like jewelry, sunglasses, scarves, belts, watches, etc. Whether it’s getting a head start on Christmas shopping by snatching up that belt for your man, or taking this opportunity to grab a pair of massively discounted Gucci sunglasses (WHAT?!), don’t forget about these little details that can transform your outfit.
4. EMBRACE ALL THE BEAUTY BARGAINS.
Beauty is yet another department I often forget about during this sale and I’m telling you, the selection this year is IN. SANE. I often wait until I’ve run out of something before perusing the beauty aisle, and don’t experiment nearly enough when staring at those full-price products I want to try. Wrong mentality, my friends. Now’s the time to stock up on the products you know you love like a Laura Mercier’s Primer (!!), the best hairdryer in the game (this is the one I use every morning!), or this crazy good Clarins serum but also test the waters on those neuLash or Mario Badescu products you’ve heard so much about. No better feeling than fresh beauty products.
5. DON’T FORGET ABOUT OTHER CUTE THINGS LIKE DECOR, DUDES AND BABIES.
Rich needs some fresh pieces for fall like his favorite Bonobos chinos; I’m snatching up this baby gift that every mom is obsessed with; I’m 100% hoarding buying my favorite Diptyque candles for our home; and I’m snagging this marble serving tray for my kitchen. You have until August 8th before prices go up, so breathe deep, attack in stages, and don’t miss out!
I will be posting sale outfits and more of my picks throughout the sale period so stay tuned and happy shopping!
Before we jump into (see what I did there?) the topic at hand, a quick PSA that the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY! (Deep breaths, deep breaths.) For starters, this stunner is included in the sale right now for under $110! Be sure to check back here first thing every morning for sale tips, tricks and a whole lot of the best picks. Bring your running shoes, my friends, because this is marathon. I can say without hesitation that this year’s selection is better. than. EVER. Trust.
By now, you know that my love for jumpsuits runs DEEP. Last month, I wrote an ode to the jumpsuit’s cute younger sister, ze romper, but it’s high time these fuss-free, heat-friendly, socially-acceptable adult onesies had their time in the sun again (pun intended?).
I wore this red satin DVF jumpsuit during our recent trip to Nice, and it was just about the most comfortable thing on the planet. Vacation or not, when it comes to outfit selection, jumpsuits are the rockstars. Step in, fasten, add shoes and accessories (or not) and you’re ready to rock’n’roll out the door. Boom. One and done.
Jumpsuits come in so many different styles and can be worn pretty much anywhere these days. Beach getaway? Check. Fancy dinner? Check. To the office? Donezo. Not only are jumpsuits insanely comfortable, but they are also the most convenient article of clothing in your wardrobe (except for slight awkwardness in the bathroom… but that’s really not a big deal).
Can’t find a top that matches your pants? Throw on your trusty adult onesie. Wake up late with exactly 15 seconds before you leave for work? ADULT. ONESIE. STAT. Want to look like you’ve been cast in Farrah Fawcett’s role for a Charlie’s Angels remake? You get me. In case you need even more convincing as to why jumpsuits are #everything, please see my round up of the best jumpsuits in the game below organized by category—under $150, Wear to Work, Weekend Warriors and Little Black Jumpsuits (move over, LBDs). Grab a glass of vino, cue Nirvana, and get cracking…
Our trip to France started near Fontainebleau, which makes for an amazing day trip from Paris if you’re in the City of Light and looking to venture out. The Chateau and grounds are spectacularly beautiful, inside and out, with all of the French history, art and architecture of Versailles but none of the crowds. Be sure to add it to your list!
With a classic backdrop like the Chateau de Fontainebleau, I opted for a classic black and white look. And unsurprisingly, it appears that my love of all things gingham this summer has turned chronic. The condition may require hospitalization come fall when the print is no longer socially acceptable. Keep me in your prayers.
If, like me, you plan on living in this print for the next 2+ months, I’ve rounded up a bunch of gingham favorites below! I’ve got this top and these cute shorts in my shopping cart, and nothing but blue skies ahead.
Let’s be honest: Finding a way to stuff an evening dress into your work tote in the morning is never fun (is it better folded or rolled??). Neither is lugging it to the bathroom at precisely 6:01 p.m. only to find out that stuffing really wasn’t a good idea in general, and that not even the most inspired Marie Kondo roll/fold could have saved said frock from its disastrously-wrinkled fate. You now have no choice but to step out to evening plans looking more wrinkled than Dumbo himself.
Whether you’re off to after-work drinks with friends, that blind date set up by your co-worker three months ago (for which you are officially out of reschedule excuses) or a fancy dinner with the gals, there’s rarely time to head home for a full wardrobe change before evening festivities commence. So, must you just come to terms with disheveled Dumbo status? Or, perhaps work on acting techniques to feign a very believable sudden onset of the flu at approximately 4:30 p.m. so that you have more time to go home and get ready? Move over Meryl, here you come!
As a third (albeit less dramatic) alternative, I’m ALWAYS on the hunt for the rare and elusive day-to-night dress. Those hidden gems that you can wear anywhere and are as appropriate for daytime activities as they are for night-time fun. I recently spotted three little pieces of perfection from Banana Republic that can take you from the boardroom to bar hopping in t-5 seconds.
Without further ado, let me introduce you to your new hero pieces of the season:
This periwinkle blue sheath dress is a classic summer staple. The silhouette is timeless and elegant, making it perfect for days at the office paired under a blazer, which can be ditched after work to reveal cut-out shoulders that are perfect for a date or drinks with friends.
This lightweight navy number with white polka dotsscreams summer chic. With a classic print and appropriate hem length, this dress makes for the quintessential everyday work dress, while the cinched waist and shoulder detail adds just the right amount of flair to make this baby ready and raring to go for that date after work!
#3 // Khaki Fit and Flare Midi Dress with Asymmetrical Hem
As you know from my spring Trend Memo series, khaki is a huge trend this season. This dress not only nails the khaki trend, but also picks up on the equally killer asymmetry trend thanks to the flared skirt that tapers elegantly to one side. This beauty is the perfect day-to-night dress for weekends when you’re running from brunch and shopping during the day to dinner and drinks al fresco at night. The belted waist and cuffed strapless neckline add the perfect finishing touches to elevate this into a day or night-time stunner!
I’ve shopped at Banana Republic since middle school because season after season they produce beautiful, affordable pieces that always fit my lifestyle. Their pieces are practical and they don’t skimp on style—the winning combo in my book!
Thanks to Banana Republic for partnering on this post!
