Outfits: Work, Casual and Date Night ideas from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Coat | Dress | Shoes | Tote | Sunnies | Watch | Necklace (necklace is not part of the sale)

We’ve talked general picks this morning from Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale, and now it’s time to take a look at some outfit ideas!

It’s no secret that I love to play with shades of the same color. When I saw the Colorblock Scuba Sheath Dress (now $85/$128 after sale) I knew it was going to be an ideal work dress for me. It was surprisingly hard for me to choose between the navy and merlot versions! In the end I went with merlot because my closet it already full of blue. I love the curve of the colorblock which echoes the curves of my body.

Sealing the deal for me? The moment that I found the Bella Flare Sleeve Long Coat (now $330/$495 after sale). This coat is a complementing length to the dress and its warm color goes with so many other shades I love to wear, from purple to blue to brown and beyond. The flared sleeves are great for balancing curvy body shapes like mine, and though that means this coat isn’t a timeless option, it is one that I’m sure I’d get use out of for years to come. It would also look great with some of my other Anniversary Sale picks like the Scuba Body-Con Dress (now $99/$148 after sale) and the Fit & Flare Dress (now $99/$148 after sale).

There are a few pieces in this outfit that do make the timeless cut, the Paint Stripe Transport Leather Tote (now $130/$198 after sale) primary among them. With its single solid stripe and functional size, it’s a bag that you can use for any purpose you choose. I found the arm straps on this tote perfect — not too long which causes totes to bounce as I walk and not too short either. They are a good width for sitting on the shoulder unlike too-thick strapes that tend to slide off. With Madewell offering so few promotions right now I feel like this is a great price for a bag you’re sure to have for a long time.

Below are some more work-ready outfit ideas.

 

 

 

This outfit is made up of pieces that work together here for a wonderful casual look, but could be combined with other pieces to make a work-friendly outfit. I love lace accented clothing so of course the Halogen Lace & Poplin Top (now $50/$79 after sale) appeals to me. If only it came in more colors! (Another lace top I love that does come in multiple colors is this sweater.) The top itself has a more dressy feel so pairing it with the Leith Suede Moto Jacket (now $200/$298 after sale) and Hudson’s Collin Supermodel Ripped Skinny Jeans (now $130/$205 after sale) takes it down a notch into more casual airs. I have to tell you these jeans are possibly my favorite pair ever! I’ve been struggling recently with denim that is too low in the back, causing issues when I sit down. Hudson jeans have a higher waistband in back and butt-framing pockets that cause stares for all the right reasons (rather than because my bottom is hanging out). They run true to size.

The accessories in this outfit idea are all about play, and whether simple and chic like the Lugano Leather Strap Watch, 38MM (now $224/$335 after sale) or embellished and bold a la the Strisa Butterfly Print Clutch (now $86/$129 after sale) these too are items that will work in many outfits and can work to either dress a look up or down. I chose the Felicia Knee High Boots (now $160/$240 after sale) because they come in both regular and wide calf.

There are lots of great casual goodies in the sale! More outfit ideas below.

 

 

 

 

Perhaps I should have called this lunch break work chic, because while very cute it’s a fact that the Leather Smartphone Crossbody Bag (now $85/$128 after sale) isn’t going to carry much besides your phone and perhaps a credit card or two along with one cash bill. For those times when that’s all I need, it’s perfection!

The rest of this outfit is something I’d typically wear for work. The Cotton Shirtdress (now $197/$295 after sale) can be worn on its own, with tights or over leggings as needed. Adding the Regent Stand Collar Blazer (now $148/$198 after sale) makes it more polished, and then the accessories follow suit with a mix of playful bracelets, a sturdy watch and cute booties. This could easily be a brunch or date night outfit too!

Here are some more casual chic work outfit ideas:

 

 

 

 

Speaking of dates, the only thing better than having a date night in the city is looking especially hot for it! I’m a big fan of ruched faux wrap dresses like the Tucked Faux Wrap Dress (now $150/$225 after sale), which would probably be too low cut on me for work but is perfect for going out with my boyfriend! To keep this outfit eye-catching and enjoyable I went for patterned pumps and a clutch in the inverse scheme. Both are from Ted Baker London whom I adore, the Savei Pointy Toe Pump (now $150/$230 after sale) which run small in the upper sizes and the Butterfly Print Leather Matinee Wallet (now $120/$180 after sale).

Though I’ve mostly stuck to NARS for my makeup, I am so distressed over the news that they have been animal testing to get their products into Chinese stores that I’ve stopped buying their products completely and am looking for new brands to love. I already own some Tom Ford lipsticks and the Golden Rose Eye & Lip Set ($91) is a relative steal for the brand whose lipsticks alone retail for $50+. I think this set would work very well with this look!

Need more date night ideas? See below.

 

 

 

 

For our first everyday outfit I’ve selected a dress meant to be worn out and about and surrounded it with trendy accessories. The centerpiece is the Lush High Neck Knit Midi Dress (now $34/$59 after sale), an affordable lovely maxi made for wearing any day. (It also comes in navy.) Military jackets have certainly endured, have they not? This one is the BP Hooded Cotton Anorak (now $46/$69 after sale) and its soft shape contrasts the sharp elegant lines of the Ivan Faux Leather Backpack (now $43/$65 after sale) wonderfully.

This outfit is affordable too — aside from the Josef Seibel ‘Caspian’ Sneaker (now $85/$130 after sale) all of these items are under $50. The whole outfit is under $250, and if you swap in these sneakers it gets even closer to under the $200 mark.

 

 

This last outfit is for the times when I’m going to or from workout classes…or just feel like wearing the gear. (Admit it: you do it too.) I find it very amusing to pair workout stuff with fancy accessories, as though I’m just out of spin or whatever and on my way to my fabulous weekend house. The Hatha High Waist Crop Leggings (now $34-$37/$52-$56 after sale) are so highly rated, as is everything in this look. Who doesn’t need a great tunic like the Long Sleeve Knit Tunic (now $25/$39 after sale) or a staple cardigan like the CozyChic Lite® Circle Cardigan (now $77/$116 after sale)?

Just add your favorite pair of sneakers and you’re off to the races. Or, the grocery store! Or coffee. Or wherever it is that you want to go.

Shop all my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks here.

16 Comments

  1. Sara
    July 20, 2017 / 2:33 am

    Oh my goodness – this was SO fun to read & scroll through! I can't imagine how much time it took to put together but I LOVED it! You have a great eye for fun combos & I just added at least 10 things to my Nordstrom cart. Thanks Roxy!

    • July 20, 2017 / 7:07 am

      It took forever to put together! It was so fun though, well worth it. ? I'm delighted that you enjoyed it!

  2. Jess
    July 20, 2017 / 2:54 am

    Thanks so much for this post Roxy, great stuff! I recently ordered the Kate Spade cell phone purse in basic black as I sometimes just only need my phone. I have a couple of things on my wish list from Nordstrom's but I haven't decided yet. I did pay a visit to Anthro today though and happily found a couple of adorable things from a brand called Feather Bone that I haven't seen on-line yet…one was the cutest drop waist burgundy/rust colored dress with gorgeous embroidery and a very pretty printed blouse. They both seem more Fall time which is my favorite so I can't wait to see what goodies are in store.

    • July 20, 2017 / 7:09 am

      Yes like when I walk my dog, all I need is my cell phone (and a doggie refuse bag of course).

      Featherbone is a classic store-only Anthro brand! Like Postmark it's very rare to see the brand's items online.

      • Eina
        July 20, 2017 / 9:10 am

        I never knew that Featherbone and Postmark are store-only!

        I recently managed to get a hold of an older silk 'rennis-racket' featherbone slip that I had ordered and returned years ago, even though it was marked down to $10 at the time. It is the only slip that works perfectly with a white Aiko ribbed dress I got at the same time. I also have a wonderful silk-cotton nightgown of theirs. Glad they're back.

        • July 20, 2017 / 9:23 am

          I know EXACTLY the slip you speak of — this one right? http://roxyturtle.tumblr.com/post/16764262311/oot

          Mine shrank irrevocably in the wash. ? If you happen to come across another one…I'd probably need a large these days but I'm also going to fit back into a medium eventually, I'd love to know!!

          • Eina
            July 20, 2017 / 9:29 pm

            Gosh, yes, the same one! I wear it as a slip only. The one I got is a medium and fits like a XS, so I guess I'm glad I returned the XS I originally I got. It must have shrunk too as it feels thicker than the one I remember, and a bit more cream colored. Otherwise it is holding up very well, with wonderful details only I can see.

      • Jess
        July 20, 2017 / 2:37 pm

        Oh I didn't know that about that brand, they are really great, I'm so happy I discovered them. Also, what's great about that little bag is that there's several slots for any cards you may want to bring along:) I don't always want to lug around a large purse and though I have a couple of small ones, this new one is even smaller for when you're on the go and don't need any unnecessary stuff.

  3. Kelly
    July 20, 2017 / 8:20 am

    Loved this post and all the outfit ideas. I might have to get that colorblock scuba sheath for work. It's still almost 100 degrees here so I can't quite bring myself to look too closely at sweaters and jackets, but that CozyChic circle cardigan looks SO cozy!

    • July 20, 2017 / 9:26 am

      I totally get that, LOL. When I was putting together the outfit collages my boyfriend was all, "You do know that it's 96 degrees outside, don't you?"

      At least I'm not taking OOTDs in coats! I feel badly for the models I see in Soho and such right now shooting winter catalogues. ?

      • Jess
        July 20, 2017 / 2:41 pm

        Hey Roxy, I was told by one of the SA's at Anthro that they aren't giving out catalogs from the store anymore, do you know anything about that? I never got the last one in the mail either, bah!

        • July 20, 2017 / 2:45 pm

          I don't know anything about that specifically Jess but I do know that the Home Office just reversed course on a whole bunch of (silly) policies it had recently put in place with regards to employees, so it's possible the store catalogs may come back!

          • Jess
            July 20, 2017 / 3:00 pm

            Oh that would be so nice, I really do miss the catalogs. I've never understood why they can't just keep me on their mailing list and send the darn thing lol, I'm always on the list whenever I call to check and it's a hit or miss if I ever get one. The least they could do is ship a catalog even if it's every other month lol.

  4. Becky
    July 20, 2017 / 12:00 pm

    Thank you, I also enjoyed going through this post ?

    • July 20, 2017 / 1:37 pm

      Yay! I love hearing that, thank you Becky. ☺️

  5. Jess
    July 20, 2017 / 3:57 pm

    Oh I just found another nice dress by Moulinette Soeurs at Anthro called the Loire Eyelet Dress in Navy, it looks like a fit and flare classic style many may like. I think some good things are trickling in here and there:)


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