fall 2017

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale tips 2017

 in NSALE / Shopping  tagged fall 2017 / nordstrom / nordstrom anniversary sale / tips by

nordstrom anniversary sale shopping tips

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale / Chloe Faye

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts this Thursday on July 13 for Nordstrom cardholders, and public access begins July 21. This is a HUGE sale which can be overwhelming if you walk in the store, or log on to the website, without a shopping strategy. I have put together my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale tips and tricks into this blog post in order to help you navigate the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale when the doors open on Thursday.

What is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale? If you do not shop at Nordstrom, or you are not a cardholder, you might be wondering what this sale is all about. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is an annual event which features fall 2017 merchandise at sale prices. When the sale ends after a few weeks, everything goes up to regular price. This is important to keep in mind because if you love something from the sale, you should buy it before the prices go up after the sale. That being said, make sure what you buy is something you will actually wear when the cool weather hits.

Being careful about what you buy, is why I am giving you my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale tips. Often times, we all get really excited about the sale prices and don’t think our purchases through. It is easy to justify a purchase because it is on sale, but when temperatures cool off two to three months later, we might find ourselves not interested in our sale purchases. This means we wasted money on fall 2017 merchandise we don’t actually wear. Raise your hand if this happened to you! (mine is way up!)

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Tips 1: Shop your closet for fall 2017 NOW

Before the sale starts, shop your closet to see what wore out, what doesn’t fit, and what you don’t want anymore. Send to consignment or charity the items you know you won’t wear this fall.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Tips 2: Make a list of what you need

After you clean out your closet, what is left? Do you have a go-to dress for last minute party or dinner invites? Do you have a comfortable pair of jeans which also fit well? Do you have basic tee-shirts? Do you have a pair of casual booties? What are the core wardrobe pieces you need, which are missing from your closet? If this thought leaves you overwhelmed, here is my core must-have-for-fall list

  1. Little Black Dress (perfect for last minute invites)
  2. Black pumps (see above)
  3. Cross Body bag
  4. Top handle satchel
  5. Skinny jeans
  6. Boyfriend jeans
  7. Wide leg jeans (cropped with an interesting hem)
  8. Long sleeve casual tee’s (look for unusual sleeve details)
  9. Long sleeve blouses (modest enough for work, but with interesting sleeves to double as a top with jeans on weekends)
  10. One jacket (do not overbuy outerwear during this sale, you will regret it. Pick one jacket or coat and then wait until September to add to your collection if you need more)
  11. Booties (mid heel casual booties you can pair with skirts, dresses, and jeans)
  12. Menswear loafer (look at slides, lug soled loafers, and oxfords-again, just get one or two pairs during the sale)
  13. Workout clothing (buy everything you need, these are great deals!)
  14. Underwear (again, buy everything you need, these are great deals!)
  15. Children’s clothing (buy what your kids need but control your teen or tween, when school starts in August they will see other kids wearing things they want and you will find yourself buying them more things.)
  16. Men’s (Stock up on polo shirts, button down shirts, anything classic or ideal for work. Men’s styles don’t change very much)

Women’s clothing changes every season. My biggest tip from my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale tips list is to buy things which are basic, classic, closet staples. These are the items you will wear a lot and they will give you the core wardrobe you need for the season. As fall develops, you can easily add to this core wardrobe without breaking the bank, or finding trendy items in your closet you bought during the sale but don’t want to wear.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Tips 3: Make a budget and stick to it

It is easy to overspend at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Before you start picking out what you want to buy, make your wardrobe core essentials list, then make your budget. Allocate around $99 for booties, and $120 for a jacket or coat. After that, ensure you stick to your budget whether it is $200, $500, or over $1000. STICK TO YOUR BUDGET! The last thing you want to happen is to find you overspent your budget and when the bill arrives in the mail, you have to return some items to pay off your credit card. If you stick to your budget ahead of time, you won’t be forced to return something you have become attached to later.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Tips 4: Pick out what you like in the catalog

If you are a Nordstrom cardholder, look through the catalog and dog ear pages, or circle items, which interest you. Keep in mind, the catalog only shows a small amount of what is on sale. Over the years, I have noticed the most on trend, and the most popular items, end up in the catalog. If you want any of these items, they are the ones you should put in your online shopping cart first, or reach for first, when you enter the store.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Tips 5: In store shopping

If you plan to shop in store, be sure to wear comfortable shoes such as slip on sneakers. Your feet will thank you, and they are easy to slip on and off when trying on shoes. Also, bring the socks you plan to wear with the shoes you plan to buy. Bring your bootie socks, athletic socks, and/or trouser socks so you can try them on with the shoes and ensure a perfect fit.

Wear a cross body bag. You don’t want your satchel becoming a nuisance. Wear a comfortable cross body bag so your bag stays put and you can use your free arms for shopping!

Wear clothing you can easily slip on and off. Elastic waist pants, or skirts are easy to get in and out of, along with tee shirts. It can get warm in the early access sections, so stay cool in natural fibers such as cotton. I will be wearing a pair of elastic waist pants with a basic v-neck tee.

Arrive to the store when the doors open. This way you can get to the merchandise before it has been handled by a million people and your sizes will still be in stock. Be ready for vulture-like behavior! Some women get ugly during major sales, keep your composure, stay positive, and don’t lose yourself. If someone pushes you to get to something, or tries to snatch something from your hand (yes this happened to me) keep your nose high, and remain calm. Remember, you are fabulous, people like that are not.

Get a babysitter. Don’t try to do this sale with kids in tow, or a stroller. The vultures will knock into your kids, reach over your stroller (happened to me!), and your kids will be overwhelmed by the people. Let them stay home with a sitter, they will be happier and so will you.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Tips 6: Online shopping

If you plan to shop the sale online, which I recommend and plan to do first, then you don’t have to worry about crazy vultures at the store. Put on your fuzzy slippers, and log in to your Nordstrom account so you can shop with your card. There are thousands of items on sale, so if you want something from the catalog, type in the item description in the search bar and then add it to your cart right away. After you put the catalog items in your cart you want, then go to the main sale to find the other core closet pieces for fall you need. You can either use the search bar, or be sure to sort and define your search in the general product area. My favorite way to sort is by price. This helps me stay on budget and only see items I can afford.

Still overwhelmed? Don’t worry, I will be posting my favorite items from the sale on Thursday, and I also plan to go to the store and try on items I love so you can see what they look like in person, without actually taking off your fuzzy slippers.

In case you are wondering why every blogger on the planet posts about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, it is because you can snap up so many basics at great prices! Last year, I saved over $1000 for my family during this sale. I want you to enjoy this type of savings too!! All you need is a strategy.

These are my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale tips for 2017. If you have any questions, feel free to email me, DM me on social media, or comment below. I am happy to help! If you want more of a conversation, hook up with me via the Twiirly app and we can strategize this sale for you!

Early access to the sale for cardholders begins July 13, public access begins July 21. Stay tuned for all my coverage of this fabulous sale! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

how to shop the nordstrom anniversary sale

Fall 2017 trends from New York Fashion Week

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged fall 2017 / new york fashion week / nyfw fw17 / runway trends / winter 2018 by

Romeo Hunte fall 2017 NYFW

The last model has walked off the catwalk in New York City, leaving the world with a new set of trends for the upcoming fall/winter 2017/2018 season. While many of the trends designers showed for fall are continuing from the fall 2016 season, several are new, or have been reinvented with a slightly political twist. Oh yes, the common theme for fall 2017 was a nod to the politically charged climate of right now. Designers translated this into the glum side of 1990s fashion when minimalism was king, and everyone wore all-black. Combine the glum 1990s with the current angry, divisive political climate, we have a theme for fall 2017 which I am dubbing the “Angry 1990s.”

Angry 1990s

nicholas k fall 2017 nyfw

Nicholas K fall 2017 NYFW

The 1990s are when I came into my own. I graduated from high school, then college, lived a little in my 20’s, then began applying to graduate school. Politically, Clinton was in office, and most liberal-minded people were happy about that. Conservatives were upset with the moral climate in the 1990s, but no-one held violent protests. Although people had jobs in the 1990s, it was not always the job one wanted. It was extremely difficult to find a well-paying job, until the dot-boom began it’s uptick in 1998. The result in fashion was simple minimalism and dark colors. It was not nearly as politically charged as what we are seeing today. I find it interesting that designers are comparing the two. Conservatives and liberals had some social issues to be upset about in the 1990s, but we didn’t see the venom we are seeing today. Without turning my happy fashion place into a political forum, the 1990s were a time of change, not upheaval. Right now, we have some upheaval. This was reflected on the runway, combined with 1990s minimalism, dark hues, and an all-black uniform.

Collections with all-black look as well as looks infused with political upheaval, were spotted on the fall 2017 runways of Nicholas K, Hakan Akkaya, Namilia, and Francesca Liberatore.

Red

tadashi shoji fall 2017 nyfw

Tadashi Shoji fall 2017 NYFW

How could you miss it! If Green is the color of 2017, it was overshadowed completely by Red for fall 2017. Almost every designer had at least one red look on the runway for the upcoming cold weather season. Red was spotted on everything as both a solid color, and part of a print. This is the color to invest in right now, and to keep from last year. Look for red, red and more red for fall 2017. Love!

Designers who are seeing red for fall 2017 include Tadashi Shoji, Nicholas K, Dan Liu, Romeo Hunte, A Detacher, CG by Chris Gelinas, Custo Barcelona, Marcel Ostertag, and Vivienne Hu.

Bomber Jackets

RtA fall 2017 NYFW

RtA fall 2017 NYFW

This is a continuing trend from last year, and if you don’t already own one, now is the time to buy one. Bomber jackets have exploded louder than a bomb for the upcoming fall 2017 season. Designers are showing them with casual ensembles, as well pairing them with trousers, skirts, and over dresses. This is the jacket of the season, so make sure you have at least one in your closet!

There were several designers who love bomber jackets for fall, they include Custo Barcelona and Marcel Ostertag.

You can jump on this trend now, here are a few fabulous bomber jackets for spring which will make you look like you are already rocking fall 2017’s hottest trend in outerwear:

The bomber jackets shown above reflect current and fall trends. They can carry you from this season into fall. Love that!

Bold Faux Fur (or real if you wear real fur)

tadashi shoji fall 2017 nyfw

Tadashi Shoji fall 2017 NYFW

If sporty bomber jackets aren’t your thing, never fear, bold faux fur is here! If you thought bold and outrageous faux fur jackets were only meant for the streets outside fashion week, you were correct-until now. For fall 2017 we will see an influx of bold faux fur coats and jackets to covet. This is the ultimate way to stay warm for fall 2017 and winter 2018. You will feel like you are paparazzi-ready in a bold faux fur jacket paired with jeans, thrown over a dress, or worn with cropped trousers. Your bold faux fur coat or jacket should take you from weekend to evening. It is the ultimate wear-everywhere coat. You will rock it at the grocery store, you will rock it downtown, you will rock it at dinner, and you will rock at a cocktail party. It will be your signature piece. Invest in at least one for fall 2017, bold faux fur is everything.

Designers who rocked the bold fur trend include RtA, Romeo Hunte and Tadashi Shoji.

Metallics

Custo Barcelona fall 2017 NYFW

Get ready to shine! Fall 2017 is lit up with shining, sparkling metallics! They are being shown as stand-alone fabrications, as well as accents to colorful pieces. Designers are showing metallics for daytime, athleisure, the office, and of course evening. This is a trend to invest in for fall, and to also have fun with. If the Angry 1990s have got you down, turn the other cheek and sparkle. This is the fun side of fall 2017 fashion!

Metallics popped up on so many fall 2017 runways including those of Michael Costello, Nicholas K, RtA, Hakan Akkaya, Yuna Yang, Custo Barcelona and Marcel Ostertag.

All-Black

Hakan Akkaya fall 2017 NYFW

In the 1990s, the all-black look was king. It is returning for fall 2017 as the polar opposite way of dressing from the brightly put together textures and metallics for fall. If showing your style means blending in with the crowd, all-black is your trend. Now, the all-black look was often shown with the “Angry 1990s” look, but, this does not mean it was always shown as angry. Many designers showed all-black as a chic alternative to metallics, velvet, red, lace, and “look-at-me” styles. This is the yin to fall’s yang. If you are perfectly happy with the current political climate, you can still easily rock the all-black look. It is not a political statement, nor a nod to the red or blue side of the aisle. All-black is a classic, bi-partisan look which is hot for fall; it should be taken at face value.

The all-black look appeared on the runways of designers such as Vivienne Hu, Nicholas K, Hakan Akkaya, Taoray Wang and CG by Chris Gelinas.

francesca liberatore fall 2017 nyfw

Francesca Liberatore fall 2017 NYFW

While these six trends for fall 2017 stood out from the crowd, there are several continuing trends which are noteworthy for fall 2017. Look for the continuation of lace, velvet, dark purple, fall florals, large plaid, culottes, cropped pants, slimmer skirts, bell sleeves, ruffles, 1970s influence, brocade, embroidery, pale beige, all-white looks, green (of course!), light camel, pops of yellow, and pops of cobalt.

There you have it! Fall 2017 in a nutshell. What do you think? Do you have a favorite trend for the fall/winter 2017/2018 season?

A Detacher fall 2017 NYFW

Vivienne Hu fall 2017 NYFW

 in General Fashion  tagged fall 2017 / new york fashion week / nyfw fw17 / vivienne hu / winter 2018 by

Photo by Cathy/Bay Area Fashionista 2017©

Vivienne Hu showed her fall/winter 2017/2018 collection at New York Fashion Week on February 12, 2017 at the Skylight Clarkson in New York.

Vivienne Hu is always one of my favorite shows of fashion week. She mixes texture and prints in chic, fresh way which are both eye-catching and wearable. I am always coveting everything on her runway!

One of the new, up-and-coming trends we saw during fashion week was bi-color plaid. Vivienne Hu had her own take on the trend which was stunning. This was my favorite look from her runway.

Photo courtesy of Vivienne Hu PR

Vivienne Hu also played with stripes, texture, all-black looks (another hot trend for fall), and pops of red.

Photos courtesy of Vivienne Hu PR

While Vivienne Hu’s collection has a timeless element to it, the pieces are also on the cutting edge of the hottest trends, making the collection a fabulous investment in both fashion and wardrobe. Love!

You can learn more about Vivienne Hu by visiting her website at VivienneHu.com

Photos courtesy of Vivienne Hu PR