I’ve been shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (NAS) for 15 years, and it’s by far my favourite sale of the year. Since I prefer to shop very early in the retail season, purchasing Fall & Winter wardrobe refreshers in the middle of July is perfectly timed. I can secure the best items in my size, and my style feels refreshed when the weather changes. I like having fabulous-to-me new items waiting in the wings ready to be worn in the right setting and season because it makes me feel organized, thorough, and thoughtfully in control of my shopping process.

Some NAS assortments are better than others, and some of my purchasing decisions are more spot on than others. Over the years, I’ve learned from my NAS shopping mistakes and I have developed a NAS shopping strategy, which has been key to helping me purchase the right items at the sale.

Of course, you never really know how successful your purchases are until you’ve put them through their paces. Wearing, assessing your feelings at the time, laundering, and walking the distance are the true tests of whether an item was a successful purchase. Here’s the report on the eight items I purchased back in July.

1. White Steve Madden Moving Sneaker

These have been absolutely fabulous. So much so that I duplicated them after six weeks. I have a brand new boxed pair for after I’ve worn these into the ground. Fun, comfortable, nostalgic, and fashion-forward. I don’t wear chunky footwear, so that part is a wild card. But my love for Seinfeld and ‘80s fashion drew me to these with a big fat grin on my face. I wore them a few days after they followed me home, and they’ve become unexpected workhorses. I wore them all Summer and well into Fall.

2. Orange ECCO Soft 7 Sneaker

A Dutch gal has to have a pair of Dutch orange shoes. After doctoring the fit with two sets of insoles, the ECCO 7 Sneaker has become a wardrobe essential for my style. The orange are my third pair, and I also wore them right away throughout Summer and into Fall. I have an orange Furla satchel that matches it to create a handy complement. I don’t wear them as much as the white Seinfeld sneakers, but do find them versatile. They work well with all the red, blue, citron, pink and white in my wardrobe, and are a Modern Classic that will not date. They will get more wear in the Spring and Summer.

3. Veronica Beard Gemini Checked Cropped Pants

Best dressy checked pants on the planet. My word, am I impressed with these luxe pants. I LOVE them. They are FULLY LINED, do not crease, look sharp, are as comfortable as can be. They changed my bottoms game, and did not need waistband alteration. Since the weather turned, I reach for them all the time, dress them up and down, and find them very versatile. They pattern mix well, look great with hi-top sneakers or booties, and make me wear blue jeans less frequently (a style goal.) Veronica Beard pants are on my radar from now on.

4. Ted Baker Beffi Ribbed Peplum Sweater

This was a great purchase because it’s a comfortable and dramatic dressy pullover that works well for client meetings with pants and boots. It feels and looks polished, playful, and sharp in a very comfortable manner. Keeps me warm too. Beautifully made and quite architectural. It was not intended to be an easy throw-on-and-go everyday piece, and it isn’t. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed wearing the navy darling with dressy tuxedo pants and checked pants. I’ll wear it with jeans too.

5. Halogen Shawl Collar Blazer

I’m surprised at how this became a workhorse as soon as the weather cooled. It’s been my favourite Fall blazer this season and works with most of my wardrobe because I pattern mix with it. My style mood is quite maximal at the moment, and this fits the mood. I wear it with jeans, all sorts of neutral and non-neutral pants, and dress it up or down with boots or sneakers. It’s my version of the longer blazer trend with a bit of Chanel in the mix. It’s a very memorable topper, and I wear it all the time. It doesn’t bother me one bit that people see the bold item in my outfits frequently. Why not!

6. Sam Edelman Faux Fur Trim Faux Leather Jacket

I predicted the ‘90s aviator jacket to become a wardrobe workhorse, and it did as soon as the weather turned about 6 weeks ago. The trendy boxy cut was just what I needed to make some golden oldies feel “new”. The colour makes me very happy and lifts my mood. I reach for it often because it creates interesting new proportions with my outfits, and is versatile too. It kicks every outfit into trendy territory when it’s incorporated. It perfectly matches a new pair of red boots that unexpectedly became workhorses. It has somewhat taken the place of my navy short puffer that I’m wearing less frequently because I’m more into my red aviator at the moment. Like the Halogen Shawl Collar Blazer, it’s a memorable item. I don’t mind that people see me wearing it over and over again at all. In fact, I celebrate the fact that I wear my clothes often and get my money’s worth. I LOVE this jacket.

7. Avec Les Filles Double-Breasted Wool Blend Coat

I have worn this coat once so far and love it. It’s a warm and heavy dressy coat that needs colder weather, and we’ve only reached those temperatures recently. I also bought it knowing that it wouldn’t be an everyday throw-on-and-go coat, but rather one that is reserved for special and dressier occasions. It has a high longevity factor, and is beautifully made, so I’ll have it for a while. It’s perfect for that need, and I had no intention of returning it despite waiting almost four months to wear it.

8. Adidas Trefoil Hoodie

A friend bought the hoodie for my birthday after some not so subtle hints. I bat for Team Adidas, and it’s currently my favourite lounging sweatshirt for home.

It has been one of the best NAS shopping seasons to date. There’s definitely some luck involved. I got extra lucky that the puzzle pieces fit my wardrobe and my mood. Red is the colour I chose for the year, so I’m thrilled to have found so many great red items.

The excellent Fall & Winter retail season continues. There is lots of everything, which is just how I like it. The variety means there is something for everyone, a renewed freedom to sport things just as you wish, and even MORE ways to look fab and feel stylish at any age. This week’s selection of top picks is as classic as it is trendy, and a mix close to my heart. I love sporting the trends that tickle my fancy, but have a soft spot for the classics too.

1. Avec Les Filles Outerwear

This brand of outerwear has impressed me for several seasons. The silhouettes are trendy, the fabric is fab, and items are nicely made. They look designer, but cost a fraction of the price. If you need a narrower fit, you’ll find them to run a size large. They often offer XXS and XL, so the size range is quite wide. I scored the long red coat at this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and it’s a dressy beauty that will not date.

2. Rachel Roy Outerwear

Years ago I met and interviewed Rachel Roy, who is also of Dutch descent. What a delightful conversation we had. I enormously respect that she was one of the first designers to offer more affordable collections, and across extended sizes. The coats highlighted here are gorgeous, and very well made (the plaid coats especially). Versatile lengths, and plenty of room in the sleeves.

3. Resin Earrings

If you wear earrings, wear resin earrings! The hoops are extra fun, and come in plenty of colours. They aren’t too heavy, and add a fun dimension to your outfit. Some are large and some are small, and it’s all good. Madewell and Halogen are doing great resin earrings at good prices this season.

4.Classic Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein Dresses

If you need a dressy dress, remember two things:

1. How great the Macy’s dress department is, especially when you’re after a bargain.
2. How wonderful brands like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein are when it comes to affordable, no-nonsense classic dresses that fit and flatter.

The dresses I’ve highlighted here are winners. Fabulous fits and fabrics, good coverage, and great prices. They took my breath away after seeing far too many almost unwearable and skimpy dresses in stores lately. The fit & flare versions with the belts might look better with a real belt, rather than the self-belt.

5. Banana Republic Metallic Leopard Sweater

This is a comfortable, easy, relaxed and flattering sweater that you can dress up or down with black pants. Nice drape and fabric. No need to tuck either. It’s for Team Subtle because even the emerald is not very bright. An easy holiday outfit option for sure.

6. Boden Mabel and Antonia Sweaters

These are gorgeous pullovers, and quite fluid. The sleeves are voluminous, but not overly so, and not too long if you’re petite. Both styles have worked on a range of body types. The Antonia cuff can be folded over to shorten the length. I have the Antonia in fuchsia and it’s great. I’ve highlighted the dark and dressier colours here, but there are other solids too. The sparkly brown Mabel sweater is a very rare and unique find. Try it if you bat for Team Brown.

‘70s track pants with wide hems have been on the fringes of fashion for several seasons. They came back as part of the Sporty Luxe and Athleisure trends, and are going strong, although very, very fringe. It’s fascinating to me how looks and silhouettes that were completely mainstream decades ago come back as a fringe trend, and stay that way. Some silhouettes become mainstream and hang around for decades — like skinnies — and others never regain their prior popularity.

This was THE look of track pant in the ‘70s. Adidas was the most popular brand, in colours like red, cobalt, green and black. They were made of some type of nylon-polyester blend that looked flammable. This time round, the silhouettes are similar but the fabrics have greatly evolved.

Leg silhouettes are straight, wide or very wide. Waistbands are usually elasticated with a drawstring, but in some rare cases the waistbands are structured with fly and zipper. Lengths range from floor-skimming perfect pant lengths to the new shorter full lengths. Some lengths are cropped. Tuxedo striping, side seam vents, and side seam buttons are common. Fabrics are anything from regular woven and knitted polyester-rich track pant fabric blends, to lace, crêpe, wool, sequins, silk, satin and velvet. Solid, pattern, neutral, non-neutral, mixed media, dressy and casual, it’s all there.

This collection showcases some examples:

The idea, much like joggers with tapered legs, is to wear the wide leg track pant casually and in a dressier way. With sneakers, dressy pumps or sandals, pointy-toe boots, slides, chunky Dr. Martens, or whatever else tickles your fancy. The more hectic the juxtaposition of the items, the more fashion-forward the outfit.

I’ve tried these on several times, but don’t like the elasticated waist. I find it uncomfortable because it rides up, and the lack of structure makes me feel unpolished. I’d entertain a pair of wide leg track pants with a structured waistband though, because I like the vibe with white sneakers and a smart casual or dressier support act like first example below. I like the casual rendition of the second outfit too. I prefer Sporty Luxe to Athleisure, so the very casual athletic outfits worn with sweatshirts and track tops are not my cup of tea. But they might be yours.

Over to you. What do you think of the wide leg track pant? Would you wear them as regular casual pants?

Knitwear made from old sweaters, a long-awaited fashion documentary, and other style news that caught our attention in October.

• Birkenstock is launching a skincare line featuring its hero shoe material.
• Lululemon has teamed up with Roksanda for its first high-fashion collection.
• Last week Nordstrom opened a 320,000-square-foot store in New York City.
• California will become the first US state to ban the sale and manufacture of new fur products.
• Footwear designer Tamara Mellon introduces an innovative new sizing system for knee-high boots.
• Chloé has announced a three-year partnership with Unicef in aid of gender equality.
• London’s V&A Museum will host Europe’s first major exhibition on kimonos.
• Everlane has launched ReCashmere, a knitwear line made from old sweaters.
• Universal Standard and Adidas are collaborating on activewear.
• An Yves Saint Laurent documentary with footage of the designer in the last decade of his life will be shown in movie theaters 20 years after it was filmed.

Fun Fashion Quote

Angie and I both love this message from Alison at Wardrobe Oxygen:

“Some day I just feel like breaking as many fashion rules as I can in one outfit. If you’re short, don’t wear wide-leg pants. If you’re short wear heels to elongate your legs, especially with wide-leg pants. If you’re short-waisted don’t wear high-waisted pants they will only shorten your torso further. If you have a tummy for goodness sake cover that thing up especially if you have *gasp* stretch marks. And if you’re over 40 you shouldn’t even THINK about any of these fashion trends!! Sorry world, I’m 44 and have very few effs left to give. Life is too short to not enjoy what you wear so I’m going to wear alllll the things and break alllll the rules. And you know what? Everywhere I went in this outfit, fellow women complimented me. It can be stylish to be a rule breaker!”