July 2021 – How To Wow Now

A highlight of the year for me is always the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale at the end of July. I am a good shopper so I get to preview the sale which officially begins today, 7/28. I always meet girlfriends for lunch at Nordstrom and then cover the store. This year I was happy meeting my friend Laura and our friend Eileen who was here visiting from Florida. After a loooong lunch we were ready to look at the top two departments we wanted to see which are accessories and shoes. One of my favorite pieces for wardrobe building is a coverup AKA open front cardigan, duster, cascade cardigan, ruana, poncho. The different looks have many names and they transform what would otherwise be a mundane outfit into something stylish that makes you look like you cared about what you were putting together.

My favorites for this sale were a wool and cashmere poncho (right photo)- $149 on sale for $98.90 and a Ruana which is 55% recycled cashmere and 45% new cashmere-$149 on sale for $98.90. A great price and you can feel good that it is sustainable fabric. Both styles are available in several color (In store and on line). There are also many woven dusters and ruanas in prints and solids (left photo). Two came home with me to add to my collection. We had a great time in the jewelry department and I was thrilled to find a couple of pairs of mismatched earrings. Love that look! Cosmetics and fragrance always has lots to offer for the Anniversary Sale with special items planned from all the top lines.

Nordstrom is known for is extensive shoe department and it is always pumped up for the Anniversary Sale. Some highlights are: Caslon Boots-$99.95 on sale for $59.90, Mark Fisher Boots $189 on sale for $99.90, Vince Camuto knee high boots $240 on sale for $149.90. Ugg also goes on sale: Ugg Sneaker boot $130 on sale for $89.90, Ugg Ankle boot $150 on sale for $99.90. Check in store and on line for more!

There is inventory on Wear-Now items which did look fresh. Still lots of tie dye. And lots of active wear for the gym to the street.

Early shots of Sherpa and Puff jackets on the floor too.

All in all, it was a very good day. As the weather starts to cool I’ll be back out to look around and I’ll share what’s going on.

In the meantime, there is still lots of time to be at the beach and poolside. Enjoy.

When I was a kid and complained about being hot my mother would say “think cool thoughts”. What better way to cool yourself off than to think about Fall?

Fall 2021/Winter 2022 colors have been out for several months. Since I am no longer concerned with planning a line for our customers, I figured I could wait to talk about fall colors when retailors start to feature fall items.

Color will be used in uplifting ways. Everyone is still into the comfort zone for their clothing but at the same time are looking for colors to be bold. Pantone vice president Laurie Pressman sees the colors as follows. Pinks have been very big for spring/summer and will continue. True Red will dominate as a power color. There will be calm as well as energized yellows. Orange is described as “sweet and sour” and “soft and sharp”. It is a single color or as an accent to red and brown as well as pastels. Browns are “wood-inspired” and warm. Universal favorites are blues and greens. The greens “step away from natural vegetation and into a more mysterious realm pulled from under the sea”. Purples- “complex purples enhance Pantone’s mythology-based theme”.

Here are the colors for Fall 2021/Winter 2022. Experiment with color and try some monochromatic looks or mix up some bold colors.