Nordstrom’s Half-Yearly Sale Just Began!

33 Comments

1. it’s the first year in a decade maybe 2 that neither DH nor I bought nothing in post Christmas sales.

   I love fashion but really see little appealing lately and quality has been tanking on most pieces since pandemic.

   has anyone found otherwise or nabbed a great item?

   1. I’ve been really disappointed by both style and quality for a long time now! Everything seems like the lowest common denominator. For gifts, unless I know exactly what someone wants I give either experience gifts or consumables (which are also my preferences for receiving). Shopping for myself, I only enjoy vintage or frankly ultra-expensive options now (made in the US or Europe with non-sweatshop labor). Sometimes not even that though.

      1. ETA- I’m totally open to fair labor products made in other places, and have some such as The Big Favorite made in Peru. I just usually don’t see the same transparency in labor standards, which I care about in their own right and also because cheaply made items = poor quality items.

      2. I got some Frye boots for Christmas (I’ve wanted Fryes for ages), and I was very pleased to see they were made in Mexico. Mexico knows leather and boots! And the labor standards in Mexico are certainly better than certain other places…

   2. I actually would not buy clothes if you don’t need to. Invest in a good piece of jewelry instead of funds allow. You can make it a joint Xmas/birthday gift.

      1. I would not say “invest” is the right word. Short of perhaps diamond studs (which frankly also look dated to me) all jewelry goes in and out of style too.

   3. I’m very much a buy the best you can afford and treat it like an investment clothing buyer. I also buy the majority of my clothes second-hand, and I have been seeing that tanking quality for at least a decade. Fast-fashion coupled with cheap offshore labor have done a serious number on the entire industry.
      I tend to browse sales and then keep an eye on the thrift stores. January is often a great time for me to shop because so many people make new years resolutions to declutter their wardrobes.

      1. recommendations on where you buy second hand?

         1. Second hand shopping is really hit or miss, to be honest, sometimes the bigger chain stores have great items, and sometimes the smaller locally owned ones do…and sometimes I go home empty handed.
            My best advice is to just go to what’s local to you and start browsing. Know what brands to look for, and how to tell whether a piece has been taken care of, examine every inch, check for stains and damage, test all the zippers, and try the item on if at all possible (some thrift stores don’t have fitting rooms), know your measurements because sizes have changed over the years.

      2. I buy good brands on eBay (Garnet Hill, Brooks Brothers, Saks). You can usually find better selections than at the thrift stores, which require frequent check-ins. ALWAYS check the garment’s measurements, because sizing has varied wildly in the last 15 years, and dry cleaning shrinks sweaters.

2. One problem with the Nordstrom sale is finding a dress I paid full price for and haven’t worn yet, twice reduced and now less than 50% of original price.

   I grabbed it at full price because it’s a hard to find color that I love and frequently just do a search on, which is how I just found it (“olive”).

   1. Their customer service is amazing, I’d call and see if you can get a price adjustment.

      1. usually after 15 days you can’t but you can cross order and return the full price, and some agents will tell you to.

         1. I’ve had crazy good luck with Nordstrom outside of any short window like that.

   2. Buy the lower priced one and return the old higher priced on. Nordstrom will take returns forever, they don’t have a 30 day window like some places.

      1. If you wear it and stain it, they should no longer take it back. They are very nice, but are loosing money if you stain clotheing before returning it. FOOEY on smelley people like that.

3. I really really need to get caught up on work after being sick Tues-Fri last week. I can’t get motivated. Pomodoro is failing me. Any suggestions for just getting it done or how to break up the day?

   1. I’m in the same boat though I won’t be able to start working til grandma swoops in to help with kids this afternoon. I’m planning on going to a coffee shop in the hopes that caffeine and being in a new place will allow me to focus. Too depressing to go into the office the day after Xmas and too hard to focus if I stay home surrounded by places to nap or chores to do…. I’ve also promised myself that if I finish a to do list that should be manageable in one big afternoon, then I can watch Glass Onion tonight!

4. Looking for recommendations on gift for couple in their forties that have everything. Foodies and brewpub fans….sure, gift card to restaurants or brewpub is good but looking to be more creative. Appreciate any suggestions. I have a couple days to pick this up.

   1. Penzeys gift boxes are always a hit in my circles.

      1. Good idea!!!

   2. Get them a few empty growlers, so that they can go to the brewpubs and fill up the growlers. For the uninitiated, a growler is a glass jug used for holding beer. I was gifted a few growlers a few years ago and still regularly use them–it was a gateway to go visit more brewpubs to try different beers.

      1. That’s a good idea! Ty!

      2. Do you have any growler suggestions?

         1. In my area (which has a ton of microbreweries), you can just go to the brewery and buy the empty growler. Then, you can fill the growler with beer at any brewery.

         2. I bought growlers at a local brewery. I prefer the kind that has a rubber seal and metal clamp you fold down to lock. Better than a screw on cap at preserving beer.

   3. I just bought my daughter’s boyfriend’s dad two fourpacks of those special larger cans of ale they sell at brewpubs. I bought locally, he lives an hour+ away, and he is very very excited about it! He sent me a video of him being excited about it, and I cannot tell you how out of character that is for him!

      So anyway, go get the beer at the brewpub and wrap it up. Maybe include some interesting snacks. They’ll be delighted.

5. Banana republic really upped their game this year.

   I feel like Boden dresses are less in quality this year.

   Anyone else have thoughts on clothing brands?

   1. I think Banana clothing is awful and returned almost everything. Quality, fabric, cut, all way off. Ann Taylor is better than expected.

      1. Banana Factory is worse than ever. Yes, to Ann Taylor everything lately.

6. boden decreasing quality and changing their style last few years. disappointing….I used to love their clothes. their blazers were excellent and the linings of those blazers was extra.

7. Give me your best tips for a professional headshot. Also, should I wear a suit jacket as a lawyer? It seems about 50-50 these days.

   1. weat what you feel confident in. why not take some with and without? you look amazing!

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