Here are my top picks of the blouses, shirts, knitted tops and knitwear. None of the knitwear listed here is scratchy. Browse through all the colour options and check availability across petite and plus sizes. Most regular sized items worked well on petites in my experience during early access. Regular sized merchandise often includes a size 14 and 16, and oversized regular styles can fit plus sizes.
Note that sizes do come back into stock over the course of the two week sale, so keep checking the items for your size.
- Tory Burch 'Kaitlyn' Print Stretch Silk Shirt: This shirt fits better than an Equipment blouse. Fab on petite hourglasses and pear shaped gals. Ink blue and rich brown is a fresh combination.
- Kenneth Cole New York 'Buffy' Chiffon Overlay Knit Top (Petite): An excellent blouse for business formal and casual and well suited to apple shaped body types with shorter necks and a larger bust. Layers well under a blazer.
- Hinge Lace Detail Three Quarter Sleeve Blouse: Pretty Boho Casual at its best. Fun with a pair of faded blue jeans and earthy sandals. Non-scratchy.
- Theory 'Sala' Silk Top: Stunningly elegant untucked over jeans, cigarette pants, or trousers. The back pleats provide structure and interest. The front zipper is unexpected and refined. Gorgeous fabric and forgiving on the midsection.
- Bellatrix Print Faux Wrap Front Blouse: An inexpensive drape front blouse that works well on its own and under a jacket. Very forgiving on the midsection and no camisole required. Runs very big. Size down one or two sizes.
- Pleione Split Neck Blouse (Regular & Petite): A more streamlined version of the Bellatrix drape front blouse. Great diagonal sleeve, and is best partially tucked in front.
- Pleione Mixed Media Tunic: A simple and comfy tunic suited to apple shaped body types. Fab over leggings.
- Boss 'Bashina' Fitted Cotton Blend Pinstripe V-Neck Blouse: Impeccable tailoring and scrumptious fabric. The midsection is fitted with darts and two side zippers. Works on a long torso. Sleeves scrunch extra well for a more relaxed vibe.
- Foxcroft Three Quarter Sleeve Print Shirt (Regular & Petite): This works particularly well on a curvy petite. Shaped yet relaxed. The pattern looks better in person. Easy to pair with just about any bottom.
- Halogen Tencel® Denim Shirt (Regular & Petite): Super soft tencel is gorgeous because it drapes back onto the body unlike stiff denim. The best part about this shirt is that it comes in white.
- Lafayette 148 New York 'Leora - Excursion Stretch' Blouse: An excellent semi-tailored white shirt for tall gals because of the length, front placket detail, back pleat design, curved hemline, and beautiful fabric.
- Hinge Double Face Cotton Shirt: A shirt with a subtle plaid design in muted tones of mauve and taupe. Lovely palette.
- BP Plaid Cotton Shirt (Juniors): This shirt is available across an assortment of plaid designs. Soft, fluid and fun over a matching camisole that picks up one of the colours in the plaid. Size up a size.
- Boss 'Bashina' Blouse: One of my clients wore this shirt tucked into the pleated leather Halogen skirt - another top pick - and the combination was killer. The shirt is beautifully made, tailored, and has cuffs on the sleeves that can be worn down or back.
- Treasure&Bond Plaid Shirt: A nostalgic grunge or cowgirl look with jeans and boots. Fab length for tall gals. Wear over a lacy tank top. Runs big so size down.
- Nordstrom Collection 'Abella' High/Low Shirttail Hem Poplin Blouse: Another great white shirt in gorgeous fabric for tall gals. The high-low hemline and fluid fit are on trend.
- Halogen Zip Pocket V-Neck Cardigan (Regular & Petite): If you're after a simple V-neck cardigan with a little shape, try this style. The front zippers provide visual interest. All colours are fab.
- Kenneth Cole New York 'Marabelle' Sweater (Regular & Petite): Cascading and drapey, and as great on petites as regular height gals. Non-scratch. The cream is particularly nice.
- Pure Amici Oversized Cashmere Sweater Jacket: One of the best oversized pieces at the sale. Surprisingly, it works as well for petites as it does for tall gals. AMAZING. The design, although oversized, is not overwhelming. Genius. The fabric is very soft and drapes back onto the body. The dropped shoulder is flattering, fashionable and chic.
- Lafayette 148 New York Bateau Neck Matte Crepe Sweater: Awful hanger appeal, but super once fitted on the body. Modern and very fashionable. Size down a size.
- BP Stripe Elbow Patch V-Neck Sweater (Juniors): An inexpensive, lightweight V-neck pullover with equestrian elbow patches. Size up.
- BP Open Knit Cotton Pullover (Juniors): A breezy, cropped and boxy high-low pullover that's great layered over a tank top. A good way to road-test the trendy look without breaking the bank.
- Joie 'Manuela' Genuine Rabbit Fur Collar Cardigan: A luxurious and dramatic higher-end piece. It fits like a cape-cardigan. Avant-garde.
- Nordstrom Collection Ballet Neck Cashmere Sweater: A no-nonsense cashmere pullover that's simple and on trend. The slits on the welt are fabulous, and the neckline works well on a larger bust. You might need to size down.
- Equipment 'Ceclie' Wool Blend Sweater: A very casual pullover with a straight, fluid fit. Ideal paired with jeans.
- Colorblock Cotton Blend Sweater: Graphic, fun, semi-fitted, and lightweight. Runs small so size up. Not suited to apple shaped body types.
- Joie 'Anelia B.' Turtleneck: Roomy, modern and texture-rich. Runs big and long. Does not work on a short neck. Beautiful quality.
- MARC BY MARC JACOBS 'James' Sweater: Hectically oversized and fashion forward. Love the side entry pockets.
- Pure Amici Oversized Cashmere V-Neck Sweater: The second best oversized item at the sale. Like the Pure Amici Oversized Sweater Jacket, the drape and design are genius. It works as well on petites as it does on tall gals. Brilliant on a shorter neck and larger bust. Fashionable, comfy and cozy. Brilliant paired with brown leather leggings.
- Tildon Sheer V-Neck Cardigan: A refined, gauzy and sparkly olive cardigan. The back shadow stripe is texture-rich. Works well over a sheath dress.
- Caslon Split Back High/Low Sweater (Regular & Petite): A little daytime sparkle with lots of back action. Love the vented back tail. Tailored sleeves provide ample structure.
- Halogen High/Low Cashmere Tunic Sweater (Regular & Petite): This pullover is for Team Tall, full stop. An easy pull-on-and-go over leggings or jeans.
- Caslon Knit Tunic (Regular & Petite): This tunic worked a lot better on petites and regular height gals. Fab paired with the Lyssé leggings with a high and wide waistband.
- Vince Camuto Sheer Stripe Cotton Blend Sweater (Regular & Petite): Sheer, pretty, versatile and simple. Dress it up or down. The white looks as good as the black.
- Eileen Fisher Cozy Scrunch Neck Top (Regular & Petite): A drapey lightweight piece that collapses back onto the body. Interesting diagonal and vertical stripes. Size down.
- Eileen Fisher Scrunch Neck Stripe Sweater (Plus Size): Here in plus sizes.
- Autumn Cashmere Open Front Knit Cardigan: A refined, high-end piece with pretty cable stitches. Beautifully soft and cozy. Tailored. Works quite well on petites.
- Barefoot Dreams 'Bamboo Chic' Drape Front Cardigan (Plus Size) (Nordstrom Exclusive): A cardigan that works as a casual topper, a robe, or lounging piece. It's just about the softest fabric I've touched, and made of bamboo.
- Halogen Textured Jacquard Sweater (Regular & Petite): An excellent pullover shaped like an upscale sweatshirt. Cozy, modern and versatile. I liked the black and grey patterns best. Size down.
- Halogen Jacquard Crewneck Sweater (Plus Size) (Online Only): Here in plus sizes.
- Halogen Shoulder Zip Intarsia Sweater (Regular & Petite): Super fabulous over skirts and with slouchy trousers. Love the shoulder zipper detail. Runs small so size up.
- Halogen Novelty Print Cotton Sweater (Regular & Petite): A happy, lightweight pullover that's a Ted Baker lookalike. The back is just as fab as the front. Might run a little small. No need to layer it over a shirt.
- Hinge Burnout Dot Sweater: A very lightweight pullover that's fab over a tank and super paired with a skirt. Runs small.
- Lafayette 148 New York Pleated V-Neck Top (Petite): A tailored V-neck pullover that's great combined with business formal separates. Clings a little on the midsection so consider yourself warned.
- Equipment 'Sloane' Print Cashmere Sweater: This little darling is poorly styled in the photos because it looks best worn on its own sans the shirt. It's a refined, fluid and beautifully made piece that came home with me. I'm not into grey but the blue flowers and cream snakeskin patterns made the look for me. I LOVE this pullover.
- Halogen Dolman Sleeve Embellished Sweatshirt (Regular & Petite): A love bug look. Soft and comfy.
- Hinge Burnout Damask Sweater: Don't wear this sweater over a shirt like in the photo because it's too delicate. Wear it over a tank top and Bob's your Uncle. Soft, feminine and alluring. Runs small.
- Diane von Furstenberg 'Shara' Lace Appliqué Wool Sweater: A pretty, ladylike and refined piece that's fab paired with a pencil skirt. Might run a little small.
- Rag & Bone/JEAN 'Camden' Long Sleeve Tee (Nordstrom Exclusive): Boxy and fashionable fabness. Excellent drape.
- Caslon Pointelle Dot Tee: If you're looking for a simple, soft drapey tee with a diagonal sleeve, try this style. It's particularly good on tall gals.
- Hinge Lace Sleeve Tee: Super cute on a straighter body type. It's more pink in person and runs small so size up.
- Boss Elbow Sleeve Print Jersey Top: A luxurious drapey knitted top that works well on a larger bust. Forgiving on the midsection, and as fab layered under a blazer.
- Two by Vince Camuto Shadow Stripe V-Neck Tee: A good drapey tee with a little sparkle and V-neck. Runs small.
- Vince Camuto Faux Wrap Top (Regular & Petite) (2 for $69): Easy to launder and wrinkle-resistant. Excellent layered under a blazer.
- Wildfox 'Mauve Dots' Pullover (Nordstrom Exclusive): A pajama-esque top that can be worn as casual wear. As cozy as it gets. Runs big so size down.
- Eileen Fisher V-Neck Stretch Knit Top (Regular & Petite): My six foot tall size 14 client fitted this on in blue and took my breath away. Brilliantly camouflaging on the midsection. Dramatic, comfy and relaxed. Gorgeous fabric.
- Chelsea28 Textured Mixed Knit Shell: A vest to layer over shirts, or to wear as is with a leather skirt. I haven't layered a sleeveless pullover over a shirt for years, and am in the mood for the combination. Its black and white textured sparkle adds life to the grey, so it followed me home.
Feel free to ask further questions about the items in the comments section.
Also at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2014
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