Our Edit: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Love that Laura!!

FYI, there is an accessibility-focused shoe brand called Billy that also lets you purchase single shoes in different sizes – they mostly have sneaker styles, but a very cool company! And if you know anyone who needs shoes that accommodate AFOs or other braces, I’d really recommend.

Amazing! Thanks, Sarah!

It’s old Caron Callahan from a sample sale! xoxo

That’s funny. When we were teenagers in the 70s we wore the leather sandals with the toe ring. We all had them.

Report back!

I have used their personal shopper to buy dresses for my sons wedding and rehearsal dinner. Also to buy bras after my mastectomy. It saved me a whole lot of time, stress and frustration. The personal shoppers were all great!

100% cotton is far more breathable than synthetic fibers, and it holds up better over time. Same goes for linen, wool, and other natural fibers. The synthetic clothing is basically plastic—not breathable, pills, and just doesn’t wear well. Thankfully there are lower cost options these days for 100% cotton than in the past. I’ve had great luck with Old Navy in this realm, for both t-shirts and sweaters. I’ve also bought some nice 100% linen pants on sale at J. Crew. For kids, teens tend to like that dry fit material, which is so synthetic, at least my boys do. I buy my daughter 100% cotton sweaters and t-shirts (again, from Old Navy).

Great question. I look for natural fibers for some things (for example, I’m obsessed with cotton gauze tanks for their breathability, and wool socks for their antimicrobial properties). However, I think the addition of synthetic fibers can with longevity and ease of wear for some items, and allows me to keep them around (and out of the landfill) years longer. I love a cotton/poly/elastane blend for my work scrubs, and I have recycled poly shorts from Patagonia that are 15 years old. As for my kids, I don’t like poly (plastics) in their underwear or t shirts (have you ever smelled a tween boy in a polyester shirt? Woof!). So for me, the answer is YES, I care! But I pick my battles.

My teenager has developed a polyester allergy, shopping for 100% cotton is has become very challenging for us! She has learned to email companies if she finds an item online that she likes, but materials are not disclosed in the listing (ughhh!!) In our experience, having eczema means that skin is very sensitive to fibers.

I’d err on the side of natural fabrics and fabrics that are breathable and washable. Obviously if that is too high a price point, I’d look for kids clothes that are washable and durable. You want to be able to get grass or food stains out, and for the clothes to be able to withstand various washings and rough and tumble kid play. I like pure or mostly pure cotton and wool for durability and cleanability sake. And of course environmental impacts.

Natural materials like cotton tend to have better longevity than synthetics, but I don’t know much about purported health risks of synthetics, though I know it’s a trending concern. In my opinion as a longtime sustainability writer, the weave and stitch density, cut, and utility of the fabric is important in addition to prioritizing a long-wearing natural fiber like cotton. If you’re concerned about health, always wash your clothing before wearing because the dyes and finishing treatments (like softeners) are really the thing that will get you. And avoid things that are coated, because they typically contain PFAS (forever chemicals).

Personal opinion: Caring about fibres can be a bit like caring about food choices or transportation choices. There are more ethical decisions and less ethical ones. Even within 100% cotton products, there are some that are more or less ethical (think about growing and picking cotton, as well as processing). If you care about fibres, then you care. If you don’t, but you want to, start small and become educated in your decisions.

Hi there, good question! Ideally yes, fibers are important. There are so many rabbit holes you can go down and values you can hold, so I will start with YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB! Natural fibers are wonderful—linen, cotton, silk, merino. Organic/fair trade and all the things. Polyester is plastic, it is, my boys and I talk about this all the time because all the sports stuff is plastic and it’s sweaty and nasty and we deal with it. My encouragement to you is this: think about what is the most valuable for your family, for YOU, and see if you can find the best natural fiber options within that framework. Buy secondhand! For my family (single mom of 3 boys) as much as possible, I pick secondhand, sturdy, organic Cotton OR secondhand cotton. For me, I like cotton and linen. It’s in my best interest to trust that everyone is doing the best they can, and that I am too.

I think, generally speaking, natural fingers are preferred for any body. Performance fabrics may have utility, but being encased in plastic all the time is not ideal

I’m no scientist, but I’m a no on this. If it’s not going inside my body, I can’t prioritize concern about it. There’s too many things and too little time! But if it suits your fancy and sparks joy, it certainly can’t hurt.

I find it a lot more comfortable, and I am sweating less in cotton and linen. When I wear anything else I feel like my clothing retains the heat a lot more and I feel stuffier. Plus anything made from non-natural fibers gets smelly a lot quicker and needs washing more often. I go for at least 60% natural fibers, preferably more. Exception is outerwear, shoes, bras and activewear/swimwear. Another reason I do it is that anything else is basically plastic (very much simplified). It cannot be broken down by nature or recycled properly when it’s not wearable anymore. And there’s the microplastic bits that get into the water when washing it, which I don’t like and try to reduce as much as possible.

Depends what you are looking for? Cotton is great, but on super hot days it can be too heavy. Then you could look for a linnen (or a mix). What makes you consider natural fibres in the first place? Happy to brainstorm with ya!

I definitely still wear secondhand polyester. It can *look* just as cute, but when you compare it against natural fibers, it really does feel different! And cotton doesn’t trap scent, in my experience. But, of course, processing things like cotton can be hard on the environment too. It’s such a complex issue – one often tied in with income status – but if you can have at least some natural fibers and wear them until they wear out, I think you’ll be happy you did. And same for kiddos, yeah! I wear XL kids clothes, and I’ll often thrift 100% cotton kid stuff that’s still kicking 10, 20,30 years after production!

I think it’s ideal so the item will eventually decompose because there is a lot textile waste but I also think it’s very hard to be perfect as an individual. Maybe try for like 90% of the things you buy to be 100% natural fibers and then give yourself grace on the other 10%?

I appreciate all of these replies – thank you! I became more aware of fibers when my kids started at a Waldorf school, which places a lot of emphasis on the environment. It is a non-judgmental community (in my experience), but I’ve always been perplexed on “right” and “wrong.” As so many of you suggest, it’s very complex! And overwhelming to think about replacing an entire wardrobe. So thank you for your perspectives and expertise!

Nordstrom has a free stylist service. I’ve only used it once, but it was during a time when I was struggling broadly, including with my clothing choices. My stylist spent hours with me, trying different things, having conversations that felt genuinely helpful. I was under no obligation to purchase anything. I did purchase things, and apart from the one pair of pants I *knew* were probably too bold for me (and which I ultimately returned with no issues), I continue to love everything I bought that day, three years later.

Use the personal shopping service? It can be really helpful to have someone pre-pick things and get to know you and your style?

Liz, Nordstroms has stylists. It’s been a couple of years since I last used them but they have historically been a free service. I don’t enjoy shopping, so it’s a boon. I can tell them what I want (ie, event, price, preferences) and they help pull stuff together for me to try on. My other tip is to figure out the area of the store that has what you want and just focus on those. Each department has it’s own vibe, audience, and price range, so you probably only need to look at a couple of areas – which is actually the appeal of a department store. FWIW, Nordstroms doesn’t throw away returns. They go to Norsdstroms Rack stores.

we used to just spend time there, browsing. when you see something you like, try it on. it’s a practical skill like any other, and it just takes time to learn. and when you really feel overwhelmed, head to the perfume department or to auntie Annie’s. :D #mallrat4life

Wow. That’s impressive!

This makes me happy Lou. They were great for my husband too – he is 6’8″ and finding clothes is a challenge. They would bring everything they could think of to the change room for him to try on. His shopping strategy has always been: buy everything that actually fits so the hours they spent were worth it, but there was also a lot of rejects. As Canadians – we were devasted then Nordstrom exited. I really miss their shoe department.

Following this thread closely!

I’m a 30G and just got the Natori Love Lace Back Smoothing Plunge T-Shirt Bra in the sale and really love it. But it does have an underwire; I think they’re necessary for good support.

Current favorite is Simone Perele Reve Underwire 3D Plunge Bra. I just bought another one because it’s what I always reach for (although I worried the lace would be itchy at first). For reference: I need support as I’m mid-life and breastfed kids for five years cummulatively, and I’m shaped with less volume on top so plunge or balconette styles work best but also I want something comfy. I found it after trying on easily a dozen bras in store last year. It’s so much more efficient than online bra shopping, but I couldn’t resist buying a few not available at my store that look similar: some more Simone Perele styles, Panache 365 Underwire Smooth & Seamless Plunge T-Shirt Bra, and Wacoal Modern Affair Underwire T-Shirt Bra. For years my favorite bra was Wacoal How Perfect Wire Free T-Shirt Bra (which is part of the sale!!) but it only goes up to 32DDD. I gained some weight and no longer fit into that size :( It’s super comfy but I do find I need to replace them with more regularity than an underwire.

Heads up that I’m a 32F in Simone Perele!

Ohhh, thanks, I’ll check them out!

33G here and I swear by Chantelle Bras. They have great sales and Nordstrom rack has them on sale pretty often. The rack ones are usually in wacky colors, but I don’t care!

Uhg.. 32G not 33

Ann, whatever Chantelle was at Rack was my go-to for years! Love their bras. I was so bummed that body changes made them not fit me as well. I’m sure I’ll keep trying periodically.

Emily Oster (GOAT) says no. Not worth it. “It turns out that some more-objective data does not show strong support. This is my favorite paper on the topic, which randomized participants into either LED masks or a sham treatment — a red light that wasn’t a mask. The participants did not know which treatment they got. Everyone said their skin improved, but objective measures of wrinkles showed . . . nothing. Another helpful paper treated only half the face and compared the two halves. Again, people said they thought it worked, but objective measures showed nothing.” https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10103-025-04383-1

My dermatologist says they do nothing (and gave me a funny look for even asking!).

This is a trend and red light, while it does have some benefits, does not have enough to do anything noticeable such as erase wrinkles, etc.

PS- just ordered those cozy pajamas! Thanks, COJ!

I wish I had known about this when Nordstrom was in Canada! My mother had polio as a child and has two differently sized feet. It would have been such a blessing to have been able to shop for her there.

I’m from the east coast but have been in Seattle half an eon and I also love that they bought back their shares and will probably love Nordies forever :)

It’s similar to the Bijenkorf, but with the best customer service ever

Hi Tara! Thanks for flagging. I’ll look into the button issue, but in terms of the “nonce is invalid” error, that should be solved by clearing your cache. Could you give that a shot? xo

yes I had been getting that a lot lately too – cache clearing / hard refresh worked for me!

I have been getting that too!

Ugh I’m so sorry, Amanda. That’s the worst feeling. I went through a long period of sweating through pajamas every night and having very very dry skin on my face etc. My gyno put me on a new birth control and it has helped. But damn perimenopause is a wilder ride than I’d expected! Hang in there xoxoxo

Yes to department store comebacks. So much better than ordering multiple sizes online and feeling, oh this will do. Go to a department store and feel the different fabrics. Try the different cuts. Love Nordstrom, and what a great story about the different shoe sizes.

I grew up with G Fox in Connecticut, and it always felt soooooo elegant and fancy. I really like Nordstrom and have long hoped they would lean even harder into the oldschool department store energy

I love the upstairs restaurant too!!

I have such great memories of a fancy salad lunch at Nordstrom with my mom in high school. I love a Cobb salad!!

My grandma used to take me to the restaurant when we would do our holiday shopping. This was back in peak decorations and having a piano player

I too had nordy restaurant meals that created fond memories. My single mom was on tight budget and would ttaje me to the city (San Francisco) to “split” a grilled cheese tho each time she’d end up “not hungry”. What a gift.

Love Last Chance!

Last Chance is such a vibe. Went 20 years ago when I was in town for a family wedding, highly rec at least once for Nordstrom fans haha

I love Last Chance! Bring your energy though! It can be a tiresome treasure hunt.

Last Chance! Would shop there when I was a teacher with a teacher’s salary but working in Arcadia. Arcadia. Moms. Serve. lol I live in Flagstaff now and miss the fashion

I found a silk Pucci scarf at Last Chance over a decade ago that I still wear to this day. What a hunt though, so much to sort through!

If you’re willing to make the hike to Walnut Creek – our Nordstrom is still going strong.

Ditto Nordstrom for bras! I always take myself and daughters to Nordstrom for bras because a quality, well-fitting (and beautiful) bra is worth every penny. They carry my size (32G) *in store* and make it easy to order additional styles. In fact, I’m off to buy some fresh bras…

That’s so sad. SF Nordstrom was the first one I ever went to at 16. It truly blew my mind!

Good call! Would be great to have a post on figuring out the correct bra size/style … unless there has already been one maybe that I missed?

@Alba – I don’t drive and that’s a longish BART trip for me. They have one of their ‘ship to store’ spots down in Pac Heights so that’s something….

I miss the SF locations (downtown and Stonestown) so much! I worked at the MAC at the downtown location in the 90s, when there would be customers 10 deep around the entire counter. Now I go to Hillsdale, which is the Nordstrom of my childhood and where I worked in cosmetics after college graduation. It is also the place where my Mom and I would strategically shop the Anniversary Sale and holiday events, annnnddd the place where my Mom wanted her ashes spread! When the time came, I put a little pinch of her in the bushes outside the entrance. Don’t tell.

Also really miss the Nordstroms in SF, especially the gorgeous one downtown. Fingers crossed that we get one back soon! In the meantime, the Corte Madera one is really good if you have a car and a quick jaunt if you live in the city.

I worked at the downtown Nordstrom in the cosmetics department while I was in college. I have such fun memories or both working and shopping there. It was a wonderful store. I definitely miss that department store vibe. I also loved the restaurant on the top floor.

How can we help Laurie get it back?