Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks For Workwear

58 Comments

1. Great finds! I really like that Star Trek dress. :)

   1. Yay Kat! I love these Nordstrom’s sales! I think we both have VERY simlar taste’s! As for the OP, yay for Vince Camuto, tho that dress I can NOT buy for work b/c everyone’s eyes would be spinning — it is cute for AFTER work tho.

      The manageing partner has been pressing me to hire an associate to replace Mason. Is there anyone in the HIVE with 3-4 years of W/C experence in NY City that would like to do defense work in a small boutique firm in Manhattan? We cover the 5 buroughs and a little of Weschester, tho I will NOT go back to Weschester court’s. FOOEY!

2. I have a dress like the dress from this morning. I have never had a dress fit so perfectly off the rack. And I have never had a dress make me look better.

   The fabric, lordy, the fabric. In < 1 year, the pilling is not so obvious at first glance. But you can feel it. And the fabric no longer looks sharp. I would have paid 3K what I paid for a fabric that held up. [I am gentle on clothes — this wear is primarily from my seatbelt during my 2-mile commute. No scratchy necklaces or velcro, etc.]

   But the dress is so otherwise amazing (and not so expensive ~$100) that I might just rebuy.

   1. Shave the pilling off?

      1. I’ve tried! They are fine, almost gritty, pills (not like wool sweater pills). More like what you get on a cotton/poly sweatshirt. [Maybe I need a much finer shaver or the shaver is dull?]

         Like I said, they are not immediately obvious, but they make the overall effect of a stunning dress much less so. I’m learning not to see / feel them. The dress is otherwise so fantastic.

         Talbots ponte has been fantastic for me.

         1. Try using one of those cashmere combs. They might work better…

3. I agree that this is a great year for NAS, much better than in years past where I bought nothing. I bought a ton of stuff online this morning, will report back as I try things on. I agree that the dress selection in particular is excellent. There are also some nice coats.

   1. Yeah, I had almost decided not to order anything, but then I got the catalog and that page of red shoes sucked me in. I ordered two of them. And a pair of wedge boots. And two cardigans. I guess we’ll see what works!

4. Thanks for the reminder about triple points. I just placed a large order and completely forgot about it.

   1. Try calling them and asking for the triple points day. I bet they’ll let you do it.

      1. They did. They also told me that for those who can’t wait on hold with them today, they will also retroactively apply the benefit tomorrow.

      2. I just chatted with them. It took less than five minutes. Thanks Kat!

         1. I was able to do it all through automation.

      3. When I signed up for Nordstrom Rewards, the sales associate told me that they can retroactively apply your Triple Points Day at the end of the year. She said she generally waits until late December, reviews her order history to determine the day that she spent the most, then calls to have them retroactively apply her Triple Points Day to that date. You can do this up until the first week of January, I believe. I called in the second week of January this year, and the customer service representative said the retroactive period had closed. Missed it by one week!

         1. Wowzers! Good to know!

         2. As if Nordstrom couldn’t get any more amazing.

            Best news ever.

5. I purchased the Star Trek dress in the store yesterday. It looks great on :)

   1. I’m tempted. Though I also am concerned that I wouldn’t be able to wear it more than once a month because it’s so remarkable.

      1. That’s still a lot if you have it for five years.

   2. I bought it as well!

6. I’m really disappointed in the plus size pieces that are on sale. I haven’t paid much attention before so I don’t know how it compares to years past.

   1. Ditto. I think I might get one or two dresses but nothing else is calling my name.

   2. I thought the plus size selections looked great – lots of work-appropriate dresses.

7. Yes, it’s 6% right now!

8. I’ve bought over $2,000 of things in four different orders. What. Is. My. Problem.

   1. No problem at all. I always place a few orders with different sizes and return most of it.

9. Does Nordstrom put their maternity stuff on sale? I can’t buy any real clothes right now cause I’ll be showing soon. If they do, is it reasonable to buy some maternity stuff now and hold onto it, or should I wait to see how I carry?

   1. IMO, the only place it may be reasonable to do it from is Nordstrom, as they are so good about returns. Otherwise, unless people are lending you things, etc., I would really wait to see what you need and how you carry before investing much. You may not get huge, making a lot of maternity stuff look really silly. Or you may show early, meaning you need warmer weather things, not cold weather, etc. (PS – also expecting and I just placed an order, but I bought things I knew would work – a long sweater that looks on trend and cozy for the winter, zella leggings, and some boots.)

      1. I hate not knowing what my body will look like from week to week. I have to go to a wedding at the end of September, and I’ll be 21/22 weeks by then and I have NO IDEA what to be looking for in terms of formal wear. I hate the idea of running out to get something at the last minute. :'(

         1. Rent the runway now has maternity dresses. I had good luck in getting something for a wedding. It was a good option for me since that will probably be my one and only cocktail event while pregnant.

   2. Don’t know if they put it on sale, but if they do – yes, buy now but keep the tags on; you can always return (keep track of the return policies, though – Ann Taylor Loft was a surprisingly short time-frame I recall). I was so so happy to have maternity clothes on hand because it seemed like the bump just appeared one day.

      1. That’s my fear! I woke up recently and my pants were uncomfortable, so I preemptively ordered that band thing that is supposed to make them stay up unbuttoned so that when the day comes, I’m ready. It seemed like a smart thing to do with maternity clothes, too, if there’s a good sale and I only get a few things….

         1. That thing is the bee’s knees. I’m 37 weeks and I’m still using it on the weekends.

10. I bought
    -Born flats to chase after my kid,
    -Louise et Cie flats to look a little nicer,
    -Blondo boots because Aquatalia boots are not made for my thicker calves (is that right or am I mistaken?)
    -paige jeans in my post-maternity size
    -the maggy london scuba midi dress which I will probably hem
    -adidas sports bra
    -the Skirt from halogen
    -the halogen blazer Kat featured

    and I’m eyeing the ellen tracy fit and flare. I love the black Lafayette but my size is sold out already, which is probably a good thing.

11. Argh, so disappointed with the Classiques Entier dresses this year. Mock necks are not my friend and they slapped full length zippers on a lot of them!

12. It’s time for a complete undies replacement for me. It’s been too long. I prefer boyshorts or hipsters, I am pretty sure. Definitely not thongs. Of the many on sale, which would you all recommend?

    1. Hanky Panky boyshorts. They are the business. I love them to death and have spent an embarassing amount on them over the last year.

       1. Mr. anon would definitely like those. Why are they so great? No lines? Do you hang them dry because I have a toddler and I’m no longer in a position to hang dry my chonies.

          1. No lines and they do not move! They stay put. I hang them dry about half the time and the other half I’m lazy and they go in the dryer, maybe on air dry, maybe with the rest of our laundry.

13. Hi Bay Area/SV folk!

    I want to try Farm Hill for lunch tomorrow. Does anyone use the service and have a referral code?

    Thanks!
    padi

14. I was invited to spend the weekend with someone who is visiting my area from out of town. The catch is this is a guy I met through a mutual friend. I was upfront about my discomfort since I don’t know him all that well. And he said he just wants to hang out “no strings attached”. I am going through a rough patch career wise and this is someone I do want to talk to. I almost feel silly posting here but I felt like I need a second opinion on this one. I have thought of calling up the mutual friend to just ask about what kind of person he is. Some context: When we met it was for a night out, we all went for karaoke. Also I have been in situations where a guy wanted to meet up and hang out overnight or a weekend but actually had other ideas in mind. I have also had the experience of a guy who asked me to visit him from out of town, he was a perfect gentleman and nothing that made me uncomfortable transpired. So in this case what is best course of action? Would appreciate the hive’s perspective.

    1. What do you mean “spend the weekend?” Surely not in a room together, right? That doesn’t sound like a good idea with somebody you don’t really know.

       I’d say something like “I’d love to have dinner on Saturday.” Or “Sure! I can do Saturday evening and Sunday brunch!”

       1. And back in my day, “hang out no strings attached” meant “have sex for the weekend and never call you again.” Maybe that’s changed…

          1. OP here: I appreciate this perspective. Guys who just want to hook up who are my age usually just state it plainly i.e. they want sex. This guy looked abit older to me and I’m not sure about the language. There’s a reason my radar is up, will be taking your advice.

             1. Ugghh…meant to say his choice of words made me unsure about what he really meant…

          2. Nope, hasn’t changed.

          3. Hasn’t changed. “hang out for the weekend no strings attached” means have $ex during the weekend and never call you again.

             1. Also – if this is someone you do not want to talk to, why would you spend the weekend with him?

    2. He likely either means 1) he wants a friend to hang out with, because hanging out alone sucks (though then, why is he there alone in the first place?). He would also maybe like to know you better romantically but not try to creep on you (ask friend about that) and is just terrible at explaining himself or 2) he wants sex. If he wants to share a room (vs like, go to a museum), then yeah, that would be it.

       Honestly, why not talk to your friend to see if there is an ulterior motive and if it seems like the first, just hang out during the day with him? You can always leave.

       1. OP: He is there alone for a work assignment. Which is another reason I asked this question because of reason 2. But yeah what you are saying makes sense.

       2. It could be fun!

          eg. I know someone who met his wife because she was visiting his city for a work conference and knew literally nobody else (they went to elem and middle school together but had been out of touch until he was working in city). They reconnected over a meal or museum or something and are now married.

          eg. I met one bf in college because we were both studying abroad (but actually attended the same college) and I was just so happy to run into an American who could be American with me. We met up to grab lunch and go to a museum but then we explored more areas of the foreign city and got dinner and though we parted ways that evening, we started gchatting over the summer and then dating after the summer.

15. LOL I scrolled through and was like hmmm didn’t see anything I bought and then of course I click on the Star Trek dress and of all the stuff I did buy it’s the dress I loved the most. Hope my husband doesn’t think it looks like a costume (and so what if he does!)

    1. I bought that last dress too. Loved it – got it in the blue. I think it will be a fun addition to my wardrobe. Fingers crossed it fits and doesn’t make me look like a stuffed sausage!!

16. Question for the Nordstrom Rewards experts … I made Level 4 this year, after having to buy two dresses for black-tie events. What are some tips for making the most of it? Is it worth it to try to stay Level 4? I live in the Bay Area, so if anyone has any tips specific to the San Francisco or Palo Alto stores, that would be even more lovely.

    1. Get everything you own altered. They will alter items not bought at places other than Nordstrom and you have unlimited alterations.

17. I had an embarrassing amount in mordstrom notes (thanks to a dress-my-postpartum-and-promoted-body stylist session) which I spent last night – weeeeeee! I had that vince camuto blazer and skirt in my cart up until the very.last.minute… Now I am second guessing it. Maybe i should have another spree today. I only spent pennies last night. Gahhhhhh.
    Q for the hive… My account says i have a $200 alterations balance (under rewards). So that means i have $200 worth of alterations available? And they will alter non-nordstrom stuff (ie two kimited blazers I’ve just been cuffing bc I’m lazy)? I’m level 2, whatever that means.

    1. Yes they will alter anything, but Nordstrom charges a significant premium to alter merchandise that was not purchased at Nordstrom. If the merchandise could conceivably have been bought at Nordstrom, they probably won’t press you on it (like an Elie Tahari skirt I bought at Saks on clearance), but brands that are obviously not theirs (like JCrew) will definitely get the premium pricing.

18. I agree, wasn’t too much outside of the dresses that made me giddy… but I DO love dresses, so there’s that… But two things I bought that I hope I love once I try them on are:
    This Overlay Shell from Halogen – thought it would be pretty versatile, and loved the detail: http://tinyurl.com/jn2wowf
    This Draped Sheath dress from Adriana Papell: http://tinyurl.com/grp9o86
    and loved this 3/4 sleeve geo print shirt from Foxcroft: http:/http://tinyurl.com/hh58cvp

    Hope everyone has a lovely Friday!

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