A few days ago I went into the flagship store in Seattle and had a socially-distanced, in-person look at the NAS offerings. As I mentioned last week when I previewed a shortlist of top picks, I will not be shopping in stores with clientele this year. My lists will be based on my personal experience and the winners that my clients and our forum members have shared with me along the way.
This first list showcases items that stood out. It’s by no means exhaustive, and I will definitely be adding items to my lists of top picks before the sale starts in earnest next week. Hopefully, this will give you a good starting point. Please check colour combinations and size options because for practical reasons I am showing the Find in one size and colour option. Feel to ask questions along the way, and do share your own winners in the comments too.
- The North Face Rissy 2 Hooded Water Repellent Raincoat: If you're looking for a casual topper that is not a trench coat or a puffer, and something you won't overheat in either - try this. Comes in black and pastel pink and is more flattering than you expect because it creates a semi-structured shape.
- PAIGE Christy Cargo Pants: Soft and very comfortable. The silhouette works on an assortment of body types because it's stretchy and has an adjustable drawstring waist. Good for working at home.
- Pendleton Bridgeport Water Repellent Trench Raincoat: Impeccable quality trench coat that runs a size big, and comes in a shade of maize. Good on curvier body types.
- Nili Lotan Mariah Funnel Neck Cashmere Sweater: Super cosy and luxe oversized non-scratchy pullover for all sorts of situations. Out and about, work from home, and on a walk. Looks good over a stretchy tube skirt too.
- KUT from the Kloth Quilted Panel Faux Suede Moto Jacket: Fab little classic sueded and quilted moto for Team Forest Green. Comes in navy, burgundy and taupe. Might run a size big, and is good on a fuller bust.
- Halogen Tie Waist Houndstooth Pants: These look crisp in person, drape well, and work on a defined waist and regular or long rise. Can work on a curvier and straighter figure.
- FRAME Faux Shearling Jacket: Beautifully luxurious and a classic. Boxy in that iconic aviator way. Not that tailored so consider yourself warned.
- Lafayette 148 New York Tomasa Double Face Wool & Cashmere Jacket: A beautifully made REVERSIBLE jacket that is lightweight and warm. Soft and comfy as a cardigan. Can work for at home. Forgiving fit that works on a range of body types.
- Spanx The Perfect Black Pant Back Seam Skinny Pants: Thick black skinny pants that fit like leggings but are more opaque. Wear them for at home with just about any top, to Zoom meetings, or with a top and optional topper when outdoors. Good under a boxy dress too. Dress them up or down.
- CeCe Sakura Delight Tie Sleeve Top: A repeat style that looks good on an apple-shaped body type, and/or a larger bust. Drapes well and has a bit of shape despite its fluidity.
- Nic + Zoe Déjà Vu Print Sleeveless Top: Gorgeous fabric, and very neat armholes and neckline. Crisp and pretty. Forgiving fit and not too baggy. Looks great with black, blue and white bottoms.
- Cole Haan GrandPro Low Top Sneaker: Comfy and different with a fun white sole and animal print patch at the back. Runs a bit wide.
- Madewell Balboa Wash The Oversize Jean Jacket: Oversized '80s and '90s Denim Jacket Fabness. If you love denim jackets, try this one as an on-trend update, yet iconic classic. It's LONG, runs big, and best on those who can fill it out with a larger bust and/or broad shoulders.
- J.Crew V-Neck Long Cardigan: A classic and sleek cardigan to wear over slim jeans, wide crops, or leggings. Works on an assortment of body types, drapes well, and has a lot of elongating integrity. Comes in other neutrals.
- Aquatalia Fantina Weatherproof Bootie: Clean, crisp, chic and weatherproof on a regular and narrower foot. Might need to size up half a size. Comes in black, brown and olive.
- Halogen Marl Houndstooth Knit Jacket: A soft and comfy knitted jacket that feels like a cardigan, and is great over a black or white top. Wear it out, or to a Zoom meeting. Good for milder weather. Comes in classic black, and a light-coloured tan.
- Eileen Fisher Stretch Crepe Slim Ankle Pants: Soft, stretchy, and comfortable to wear at your desk or at home with a pullover, tee or blouse. Size down.
- Wit & Wisdom High Waist Crop Wide Leg Pants: These wide crops are knitted, very comfy, and work well with a welted top, regular sweater, cropped top, or fluid blouse. They mould to the body and work on an assortment of body types. Comes in a grey plaid.
- Via Spiga Hooded Trench Coat: Practical, smart casual, removable hood, and has excellent vertical integrity because of the single-breasted silhouette. Faux leather trim is polished. Comes in burgundy.
- Sam Edelman Walker Hooded Puffer Coat: Silver Puffer Fabness, and comes in a metallic teal. The chevron stitching draws the eye inward towards the waist, AND the puffer is shaped. More conventionally flattering than most.
- CeCe Lace Sleeve Stretch Crepe Blouse: Super pretty and comfortable. Stretchy, forgiving on the midsection, and works well on a larger bust.
- Bernardo Hooded Windproof & Water Resistant Insulated Raincoat: Practical, sleek, versatile, reasonably warm, and weatherproof. It has quite a nice shape and is a great length. Lots of room for layering.
- Vince Camuto 'Island Pin Dot' Midi Tube Skirt: My clients LOVE these easy to wear, launder and style tube skirts. Wear them with a tee, blouse, sweatshirt, or shirt UNTUCKED. Excellent comfort all day long, and fab for working at your desk. Comes in a black dot, solid black and navy, animal print, and navy stripe. Size down.
- J.Crew Print Cotton Poplin Popover Top: If you like to wear crisp cotton shirts like I do, try these from J.Crew. They look fab worn out big and boxy, tucked into a high rise, or semi-tucked into whatever you like. Comes in a blue stripe, mustard dot, and animal print.
- Zella Live In Jogger Pants: Athleisure joggers for the comfort of your home, desk, when you camp, work out, or whatever else tickles your fancy. Streamlined and forgiving fit, works on curvier and straighter body types, and are easy to launder. They have worked quite well on petites.
- Julia Jordan Tile Print Mock Neck Long Sleeve Midi Dress: A super cute midi for those who like teal and high necklines. Well-made, and a rich pattern. Nice '70s vibe, elongating, and better on a smaller bust.
- Naturalizer Jenni Low Top Sneaker: Fun, clean, crisp, soft and cushioning fashion sneaker for Team Silver. Comes in black and snakeskin.
- Caslon High Cuff Henley Top: Flattering, soft, easy, and fab when you like V-necks. Comes in a few solids and a stripe. Might run a little big.
- Söfft Abena Bootie: Floral Bootie Fabness. Cushioning, soft, and best in dry weather. The cut-out booties are good for mild Winters too. Work for a higher instep.
- Blondo Flora Waterproof Bootie: Impeccable quality and very crisp. Weatherproof and comfy, but run short on the toes. Not good for long toes unless you size up, which might make the shoe too wide all over. Good on a wider foot with short toes.
- Dolce Vita ZONYA PLUSH: I LOVE these, and they are mine. They are warm, very comfy, soft, cushioning, have a furry inner, and are easy to pull on and off with the zippers. They fit my low-volume feet perfectly without insoles so I don't think they will work for wider feet unless you size up. They are long so my long toes have room. Comes with silver trim.
- Adidas Swift Run Sneaker: Super comfy and cute athletic sneakers for those who like to wear black, white and grey. Work for a wider foot.
- Tumi Voyageur Ruma Nylon Crossbody Bag: Beautifully made little crossbody with a comfy wide strap. Good for a phone, small wallet, keys and hand sanitizer. Comes in toffee.
- Clare V. Midi Suede Crossbody Bag: Impeccable quality and punchy small crossbody with a very comfy guitar strap. Comes in olive animal print with a tomato strap.
- Kurt Geiger London Violet Leather Tote: A very unique tote in a shade of metallic cobalt blue. It's big.
- Nordstrom Signature Cascade Collar Double Face Wool & Cashmere Coat: Icy Blue Draped Fabness that is for Team Cool Tones. Luxe, versatile, and runs big.
- Pendleton Ashwood Water Repellent Hooded Wool Blend Coat: I have many happy clients in this coat that span a range of body types. Impeccable quality, good fluid fit, fab for layering, classic, polished yet casual, fun lining, and usually not scratchy. The hood is NOT removable.
- Thread & Supply Reversible Quilted Longline Jacket: Good on Team Tall and best on those who can fill it out on the bust and/or shoulders. The black side has side entry pockets, but the olive side does not. Very good price!
- Barbour Fulmar Quilted Puffer Jacket: Cutest short puffer at the sale. Quite streamlined, comes in white, can work on petites and a larger bust, and the hood is removable.
- Blanc Noir Reversible Bomber Jacket: Best bomber at the sale. Fully REVERSIBLE and a gorgeous shade of navy on the reverse side. Great on broader shoulders and/or larger bust. Works well on a shorter neck.
- AVEC LES FILLES Double Breasted Wool Blend Coat: One of the best dressiest coats at the sale. Long, elegant, a beautiful shade of mid blue, and fabulous over dresses. I bought this last year in red, and wanted to save it for dressy occasions. Instead, I wore it all the time because it looks good over everything! Runs a little big. Sleeves might feel a little narrow.
- The North Face Miss Metro II Water Repellent Hooded Parka: This puffer is a winner with my clientele because it's warm, shaped, flattering, practical, a great length, not too heavy, and very robust. The silver is beautiful with silver hair.
- SWEATY BETTY Simhasana Sweatshirt: A fun oversized sweatshirt to wear over Athleisure bottoms or with slim jeans. It's not super soft, but it is cosy. Runs big and comes in pink and grey.
- Zella Endurance 2-in-1 Hooded Jacket: Well-made, unique, and super cute athletic jacket that you can wear as casual wear outdoors or at home. Might run a little big.
- The North Face ThermoBall Eco Hooded Parka: I can't rave enough about this very lightweight and warm parka that I have in red, and wear to and from yoga practice, and on outdoorsy trails with Sam and Greg. It fits really well and is indestructible. I've had mine for years, and it looks new. Comes in other neutrals.
- Zella Liana Long Sleeve Recycled Blend Performance T-Shirt: An easy athletic tee made of performance fabric that is soft and breathable. The interesting hemline adds some oomph. Comes in black and aqua.
- Söfft Somers III Sneaker Mule: One of my clients uses these for at-home only shoes. They work on a wider foot, and are super soft, cushioning, and quite supportive. Comes in a few neutrals.
- Sperry Saltwater Waterproof Rain Boot: I have these in cream from several seasons ago, and they are amazing snow boots. Warm, grippy, comfy, and your feet stay dry. They run wide, so I doctored them with several insoles and a pair of cosy socks. Comes in three other neutrals.
- SOREL Kinetic Lace Knit Sneaker: A knitted sneaker that works well on a wider foot. The on-trend jagged sole and the lilac colour option are fun and current. Comfy, soft, and good as at-home shoes too.
- Halogen Kick Flare Ponte Knit Crop Pants: Comfy knitted cropped flares for Team Lilac. No digging into your midsection when you work at your desk. The width of the flare is subtle, which makes them easier to style. Runs big and comes in teal and neutrals.
- Lafayette 148 New York Valasca Reversible Wool & Cashmere Jacket: Impeccable REVERSABLE soft and drapey jacket. Easy side entry pockets and works on an assortment of body types. The tipped trim is gorgeous.
- FRAME Lauren Ruffle Trim Silk Top: Pretty blouse that works well on a larger bust. Might need a camisole for the low V-neck. Forgiving on the midsection, and luxurious against the skin.
- AVEC LES FILLES Houndstooth Coat: The best patterned cocoon coat at the sale. Beautifully made, fun red piped trim on the inside, lightweight, unlined, and runs a bit big. Sleeves are alterable. Good on Team Tall.
- THE WHITE COMPANY Classic Hydrocotton Bath Towel: Have been hooked on these white towels for 5 years. Thick, absorbent, effective, soft, don't leave lint on your skin, easy to launder, do not shrink, and are fab quality. I've found these more absorbent than the ribbed hydrocotton versions.
- AllSaints Rib Knit Ruana: This looks like a repeat order that was a winner. An easy wrap to throw on over tops and dresses that are hard to layer under a jacket and coat. Or to work in from home.
You can see the items alongside my descriptions on the collection page.
