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15 awesome things I bought from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale—and everything I returned


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I love the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. This might be an understatement, seeing as I somehow worked my way into covering the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for my full-time job, but that is neither here nor there.

Each year, the department store holds the massive annual sale during summer, and for two weeks (or longer if you’re a cardmember), new arrivals from popular brands are marked down for a limited time before going back up to their full price. As a proud cardholder, I have had access to the sale for over a week now and have ordered and tried on a significant number of items. This year, my focus was on loungewear and activewear, which are literally the only two types of clothing I wear now (aside from “easy dresses,” which I now wear when I want to “dress up”). 

After acquiring a significant amount of clothing items, I narrowed it down to the ones I allowed myself to keep (I gave myself a budget of the profits I made on Poshmark over the past couple months to shop this sale). Now, I have new loungewear, pajamas, bras, a pair of slippers, and more!

Below you’ll find everything I bought from this year’s sale, including the best things I purchased, followed by everything I returned. While a lot of my favorite stuff has sold out, some items and sizes are bound to come back in stock when people (like me) return things, so keep checking. For those who can’t shop right now due to not being a cardholder, you can always sign up for a card to start shopping before August 18th, the date the sale opens to the public. 

My favorite purchases from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

1. Ugg Cozette Genuine Shearling Slipper

I’ve wanted to buy slippers for a while now. As someone who isn’t a fan of full-coverage slippers (I don’t like the process of putting them on and taking them off—I am lazy, give me a break), I wasn’t sure if they were something I would wear. But then I tried these slide slippers and found my comfy house footwear calling. Easy to slide your feet in and out of, I can wear them around my home no problem. These will be great to have in the months to come. It was just a bonus I got them in hot pink. 

Get the Ugg Cozette Slipper for $49.90 (Originally $79.95)

2. True & Co True Body Triangle Convertible Strap Bralette in Nude

As a member of the D-cup society, I never thought I would fit into a bralette, so I never tried them. However, i’ve been looking for wire free bras and this one had so many great reviews, so I decided to give it a try. After putting it on, I can confirm this is the most comfortable bra I have ever put on—and not just comfortable compared to other bras. It has a barely there feeling, mimicking the material of my favorite Lululemon align leggings, and somehow is still supportive. This is the bra I have been searching for my whole life (or at least since I acquired my first bra at Limited Too). 

Since this is sold out, here’s what to buy instead:

Get the True & Co True Body V-Neck Bralette for $29.90 (Originally $49)

3. BP. Jogger Pants and BP. Cozy Top in Purple Sheer Tie Dye

After I first tried the BP. Jogger Pants and matching BP. Cozy Top, I wore them the rest of the day. That is how comfortable they are. While I wouldn’t wear these outside of my home, they are perfect for lounging and sleeping. I also somehow got the tie-dye color before it sold out, which my mom said looked similar to something I owned when I was five years old after I sent her a picture of it. This is what I was striving for, so that’s good. The best part of the set, though, is that each item is under $25.

4. BP. Cozy Shorts

These are the same material as the BP. Cozy Top and BP. Cozy Joggers. You can get these with the top to make a set, but I opted to just grab a pair of the black shorts. Comfortable, plain black shorts that fit my thick thighs have been on my list of things to purchase, and unlike many others I have tried, these fit. 

Since this is sold out, here’s what to buy instead:

Get the BP. Jogger Pants for $24.90 (Originally $39)

5. Nordstrom Moonlight Dream Dolman Nightshirt

A few months ago, I purchased the Moonlight Dream Short Pajamas and fell in love. However, although I love them, I really don’t enjoy wearing pants or shorts to bed—or pants or shorts at all for that matter. Leggings and dresses are my go-to’s, and since leggings feel a little too restrictive when I wear them to bed, a “sleep dress” was something I desired. I hadn’t yet found one that fit right, though. That is, until I bought the Moonlight Dream Dolman Nightshirt at this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. While it is extremely simple, it’s a comfortable, quality material, and I think it’s worth the money.

Get the Nordstrom Moonlight Dream Dolman Nightshirt for $24.90 (Originally $39)

6. Nordstrom Moonlight Dream Crop Pajamas

These are the crop version of the above Dolman Nightshirt and my favorite short pajama set (the Moonlight Dream ones, of course). Since the regular Moonlight Dream Pajamas are way too long on me, I was excited they came out with a cropped version. The pants fit well, and I like the top as well. These will be perfect for days that are a little too cool for short pajamas. However, I will still be patiently waiting for Nordstrom to come out with petite sizing for these pajamas. 

Since this is sold out, here’s what to buy instead:

Get the Nordstrom Moonlight Dream Pajamas for $39.90 (Originally $65)

7. Alo New Moon Tank

I am obsessed with this tank top from Alo. The material is so soft and it fits extremely well. Out of all the workout tank tops I own from Lululemon, Beyond Yoga, Zella, Athleta, and TJ Maxx, this is absolutely the comfortable exercise tank I’ve ever purchased. If I could buy more at this price, I would, and honestly, I would probably purchase this full price as well. 

Since this is sold out, here’s what to buy instead:

Get the Zella Splits Ribbed Tank for $24.90 (Originally $39)

8. Zella Amazing Crewneck Sweatshirt

This Zella sweatshirt is maybe the softest sweatshirt material I’ve ever felt. Or maybe it’s just been a long time since I’ve last purchased a new sweatshirt. Regardless, this sweatshirt is extremely cozy and warm, which will be excellent during colder months. It’s oversized (at least on me), which is an ideal fit for me, and doesn’t have a hood, which can get annoying. I will say, though, that I thought the color I purchased (Ivory Dove Heather) was more of a white color, but it was gray. I still love it, but the color was a bit of a surprise.

Since this is sold out, here’s what to buy instead:

Get the Zella West Coast Asymmetrical Zip Hoodie for $49.90 (Originally $79)

9. Spanx Faux Leather Leggings

I have owned the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings for a few years now and wear them all the time during winter. When going out to dinner, drinks, and gatherings during fall, winter, and part of spring, I always wear them. I also wear them during the day with longer tops. However, since I am 5”2, every time I wear them, I have to fold up a large chunk of the bottom inside the pant leg so they fit. This is obviously not ideal. This year, I decided to finally invest in the petite size and sell the regular ones on Poshmark. These fit so much better, and I am glad I made the switch. 

Get the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings for $64.90 (Originally $98)

10. BP. All Day Tee

Sure, I already have white T-shirts, but they are tighter fitting v-necks that aren’t ideal for lounge. Meet: the lounge T-shirt. This top isn’t for working out or wearing out, but it is great for wearing around the house. I bought the white color, and it is a bit see through. However, I will be wearing this as an oversized lounge top, so I don’t mind.

Get the BP. All Day Tee for $11.90 (Originally $19)

11. Hanky Panky Regular Rise Lace Thong

A few years ago, I decided to purge all of my old and cheap underwear after discovering holes in almost every pair I owned. I invested in a few quality pairs from luxury brand, Hanky Panky, and I haven’t looked back. Now, to build my underwear collection, I try to get a pair (or a few pairs) when they are on sale (I will not buy these at their full price). This year, I bought a few different colors, including a leopard print.

12. Natori Bliss Cotton Girl Briefs

I don’t own much regular underwear at all. However, I know I need to buy more pairs. I just keep putting it off. This year, I decided to try this popular pair of briefs from Natori. While thongs are my choice of underwear, these briefs were actually pretty comfortable. For days I need to wear them, I’m sure I will be thanking myself for purchasing them.

Get the Natori Bliss Cotton Girl Briefs for $14.90 (Originally $20)

13. Zella Studio Lite Longline Bra

Sports bras have always been something I am lacking. Especially ones that don’t have high support. I use these for more intense workouts, but for walking and other more casual activities, I realized it would probably be more comfortable to wear something with less support. I recently bought the Energy bra from Lululemon, which I love. This bra from Zella looked similar, and after trying it, I admit that I like Lululemon’s better, but this Zella bra was significantly cheaper during this sale. I can’t buy a bunch of Lululemon sports bras, so I’m grateful I found a quality budget option. 

Get the Zella Studio Lite Longline Bra for $24.90 (Originally $39)

14. Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra 

I now own three of these after purchasing another during this year’s anniversary sale. This is my go-to strapless bra. I wear it constantly during summer, as I’m always wearing dresses, and it provides a decent amount of support. The brush color is a darker nude, but it still works, since the point of wearing this bra is to hide it.

Get the Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra for $39.90 (Originally $68)

15. Wacoal How Perfect No-Wire Contour Bra

While this wire-free bra is not nearly as comfortable as the True & Co bralette I mentioned above, it does provide a little more support—almost as much as a bra with underwire. When I put it on, I was actually shocked it didn’t have wire. This bra will be perfect for days that I need more support than the bralette, but maybe not as much as a bra with wires.

Get the Wacoal How Perfect No-Wire Contour Bra for $39.90 (Originally $65)

Bonus items: While I did not purchase these things for myself, I did buy them. I got the Nike long sleeve shirt and Zella shorts for my husband, which he loves, and the baby Nike set for my niece. I can’t say if she likes it yet, though, so that is to be determined!

Everything I returned—and why (other than sticking to my budget)

Shop the entire Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2020

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.