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NAS question

njw

A sales associate told me last year that a item was made especially for NAS and a similar object(looked the very same to me) was regular stock. My question is are shoes, bags etc made for NAS...and if so, are they maybe bit lower quality to reflect the lower price? I ordered the T. Burch bag last year and it felt more "flimsy" than the other bags she makes. Just curious

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from Greyscale

bridgie

Veteran

njw, a good question. I have always thought the sale was on regular stock. and not on "made specially for the sale stuff". However I do not know, and have never had opportunity to compare the two (if there is indeed two different sets). However, with what a SA told you, that is enough reason to give you pause (it does me). Well, I will eagerly await what Angie and others on this forum say.

Kathie

Veteran

I’ve found that it’s a mix. Thankfully, Angie’s reviews give an excellent sense of the quality relative to the price.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES, items are manufactured especially for the NAS.

Quality levels depend entirely on the item, brand and vendor. It can be superb, inconsistent, or lousy. You have to take it one item at a time and cast a discerning eye. I will steer you clear of nasty quality.

As for the one item I vote stay away from - cheap cashmere. It will pill on the first wear.

I’ve been shopping the NAS for 14 years. So far, not one quality complaint except for cheap cashmere.

Anonymous

Hmmmm. Very interesting. I made the mistake of purchasing not one, but two, tops from Eileen Fisher "made especially for Nordstrom." I can attest that these "made especially for Nordstrom" were of much lesser quality than those I bought on regular sales. The fabric was not as nice, the fit was more cropped than normal. Everything was off.

Of course, I kept them because they filled an important wardrobe hole (and I was a serial duplicator). They were purged earlier this year. No regrets.

cherylm

I have been shopping the NAS since the 70’s. Over the past many years I think sadly the quality has become more inconsistent and that some items aren’t of the same quality. I have found that especially true of the shoes, AGL’s specifically. I am hyper aware of looking at the labels for fabric and laundry instructions. The good experience sales staff tend to know which are “NAS” quality and regular Nordstrom quality. Having said that - I have purchase designer wear that I would never pay full price for even though the quality may be lesser because it was worth it to me.

Joyce B

Veteran

Do you think all items, including my fave Paul Green shoes are made for the sale? From what I have seen, PGs from NAS are the same great quality as the non-NAS.

Joyce B

Veteran

Now you got me worried...

Thistle

Veteran

I think it depends.

I bought some fab Munro and Mephesto shoes at the last NAS. All were superb and very much the standard quality for the items.

I find Eileen Fisher to be hit or miss in general. I bought a very expensive cashmere and yak jacket from her trimmed in leather for myself for Christmas two Decembers ago (no, not part of NAS). I had to have a sleeve sewn back on after 3 wears. After 6 wears, I had a hole in the left elbow. I bought this on a triple point day at full price, so I was not at all happy.

I can also say some items will be stocked for NAS, go back to full price for a short period, then go back on sale and eventually be clearanced for less than NAS.

Some people get upset by this, but it's really no different than buying a spring sweater on sale in March then seeing it clearanced in May.

Staysfit

Veteran

Regarding EF, I purchased a sweater last year at NAS and it held up very well. I have no idea if it was made only for the sale? I suppose the way to tell is to look at the company website before purchasing to see if the exact same item is present there.

Vince cashmere sweaters however did not hold up as well. I have purchased some at the sale and some outside the sale. The sale version were problematic.

The sports bras I purchased last year were different than the typical style from the manufacturer because the elastic band was altered. I’m not sure if that was for the sale, or if Brooks, which took over Moving Comfort, changed the design. In any case, I have not had any issues even with heavy use.

The running shoes, Aasics Nimbus, which I was thrilled to see at the lowest price ever, have been fine. Miles of running pleasure as always and my feet and joints are happy.

jussie

Veteran

I can attest to the fact that very cheap cashmere is Terrible!! Yes, capital T.

viva

Veteran

I don't think I have ever heard this before! And like Joyce, it makes me worried.

I'm hoping I can rely on Paul Green boots, as another pair of booties is the only thing I am looking for this year.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

No need to worry.

Thistle is absolutely bang on the money

FWIW: You need to be realistic about quality these days. It is a hit or miss with most brands at any time, not just NAS time.

Very few brands offer consistently good quality these days. Those are the brands I am loyal to (like Boden).

Joyce and Viva, PG is one of the brands who offers consistently good quality at the NAS. I am loyal to them too.

Joyce B

Veteran

Thanks Angie. You lifted a weight off my shoulders. PG are always pricey, even at sale prices so I am glad that you validated their quality at NAS.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Joyce, brands like Paul Green value their reputation more than making an extra profit. They are not penny wise pound foolish.

Anonymous

"Penny wise, pound foolish." Yet another phrase worth repeating.

The fault for buying and duplicating those Eileen Fisher tops was mine. I subconsciously knew out of the bag that they were "off." I ignored those feelings because I really wanted white and black Eileen Fisher cropped tops. I felt they were filling a wardrobe hole and I was seduced by both the label and price. In time, I understood my error. I don't blame anyone except myself.

My personal obsession with Eileen Fisher has faded. With my weight loss, I don't "look right" in her clothing any more. I don't know what it is, but when I do try-ons, I look awful. Really awful.

Greyscale

Veteran

The Paul Green flats that I think were in NAS last year are sold at other stores too with the same model name, which is a good sign that they’re on par with all others. I think PG does make some Nordstrom specific styles (mine were not in NAS but also weren’t at any store but Nordstrom) but the quality is excellent. I’m a huge fan though of course it’s good to evaluate each item on its own.

Since so many of us buy the same items we’ve probably got some good collective wisdom about quality - plus Angie’s tireless work of course.