A Beginner’s Guide to Shopping at Nordstrom

Because it’s a waffle knit, it’ll add some extra warmth in the mornings but won’t leave you feeling overheated by the end of the day. It comes in four colors (many of which are on sale). Make sure to size down as the fit is slightly oversized. ($24.75, Nordstrom)

Reformation is known for their sundresses, but I’m a firm believer that its tops don’t get enough hype. I have a couple of its structured tank tops and they’re some of the softest I own. Not to mention, they’re priced well and their silhouettes are always unique. One of the biggest gaps in my closet is tops that aren’t tees, so I’m excited to add this one to my cart. ($68, Nordstrom)

All of the pieces I’ve purchased from Nordstrom’s in-house brands have been well-priced and lasted me for years. This ribbed cotton tank top has a high neck, so it’s pretty much asking to be worn with a necklace stack. Pair it with jeans and a blazer for a casual office look. ($35, Nordstrom)

The easiest work outfit formula: a cute blouse and pants. This one from Caslon (another in-house Nordstrom brand) has a ruffle collar and puffy sleeves. I’d wear this with trousers and some leopard flats to the office, though you can wear it on the weekends with denim shorts, too. ($69.50, Nordstrom)

Topshop skinny jeans were all the rage when I was in college and then sorta fell off the radar. The London-based brand actually makes very good, inexpensive jeans with some stretch. This wide-leg pair is an updated take on my college pair and the fact that they’re under $100 doesn’t hurt either. ($79.99, Nordstrom)

Denim dresses are already everywhere for spring, and this shirtdress would be perfect for the office. It’s a bit boxy, so it isn’t constricting on warmer days. Dress it up or down by swapping out your shoes. ($128, Nordstrom)

No uncomfortable pinching or bunching with these. They have a stretchy pull-on waistband with vertical front creases for a professional flare. Major win: They’re under $100. ($79, Nordstrom)

Nordstrom is one of the best places to shop for sundresses because of their nearly endless options. Our editors love ASTR the Label for its on-trend silhouettes at a solid price point. This one has bow detailing and smocked bodice — the most supportive way to forgo wearing a bra. ($99, Nordstrom)

There are some days when I want the lightweight layer of a denim jacket, but don’t want a denim-on-denim look. That’s what I love a barn or bomber jacket for. This khaki bomber jacket from Topshop is slightly oversized. I’d wear it with a colorful silk dress or over a T-shirt. ($55+, Nordstrom)

With blazers, I’ve found that I want a cut that’s going to be versatile enough to wear outside of the office. The cut of this one is boxy and oversized, which means it’ll sit well on top of black jeans and dresses, while still being office-appropriate. ($79.50, Nordstrom)

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a work-friendly tote. This one from Mango is $50 and has room for a laptop and all your other everyday essentials. It has a bridge-clip and a strong magnetic closure to keep everything securely in place (though we’d recommend adding some pouches to keep it organized). ($49.99, Nordstrom)

My mom loves shopping at Nordstrom for all of their affordable fashion jewelry. If you’re ever looking to try out a specific jewelry trend, but don’t want to spend a ton, this is definitely the place to shop. This brand Ettika is recently new to me, and this $35 twisted ring is currently sitting in my cart. It’s plated with 18-karat gold. ($35, Nordstrom)

I just hopped on the Jenny Bird train and never want to get off. In case you aren’t familiar, Jenny Bird is a women-owned, mid-priced jewelry brand. Its pieces don’t often exceed $400, with most costing on average around $130. Its earrings are my favorite, particularly these Florence Double Hoops. They make every outfit more elevated. ($158, Nordstrom)

Bubble necklaces are all the rage right now and our editors are all obsessed with this one from BaubleBar. Wear it on its own or layer it with this pearl necklace for a colorful necklace stack. It’s goldtone-plated, so make sure to keep it away from water. ($58, Nordstrom)

I’ve raved about Hue’s crew socks to pretty much everyone I know, and Nordstrom is the spot to snag a couple of pairs. These Bobby socks are similar to the crew socks I love, but they have a smoother texture (which I like for wearing under loafers or boots). ($17/3-pack, Nordstrom)

Buying a reliable bag for events is something that I keep putting off. I hate clutches and most options tend to feel gaudy or something I’d wear only once. I’m seriously considering this bag from Dolce Vita because the silver finish feels dressed-up, while the knotted detailing feels modern and cool enough to wear on a night out. ($148, Nordstrom)

My comfort-prone feet are very excited about kitten heels being a major trend this spring. I’m currently eyeing this strappy pair from Steve Madden for all the weddings I have coming up. This style comes in seven colors, but most importantly I know I’ll be able to be on my feet for hours in them sans pain. ($79.95, Nordstrom)

Skimm’rs are loving Gola right now, and we are too. The inexpensive sneakers have a retro look to them, while pairing well with denim shorts and dresses. Get these Velcro versions for upcoming vacations (especially if you don’t have TSA PreCheck). ($75, Nordstrom)

A pair of heeled boots are a must in my closet. My go-to way to wear them is with dresses on days when I don’t want to wear tights, but I still need coverage. This Dolce Vita pair has a heel just over 2 inches and a cushioned insole. They also come in a wide size. ($112.49, Nordstrom)