The Best Basics to Buy at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

This post was originally written in July 2018, and has been updated in July 2020 for the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

If you are not familiar with the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, click here for all of the info and details!

Basics are my favorite thing to buy during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! Basics are pieces that are normally full price most of the year, and only the weird colors end up going on sale at the end of the season. So, you are typically forced to pay full price for the whites, grays, blacks in sweaters, tees, and for the normal non-embellished jeans! Below, I’m sharing the best basics to buy at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale now while they are on sale!

The first few days of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale are crazy, in 2018, the whole website crashed for hours! To be honest, it probably crashed because of crazy people like me who placed 6 separate orders… anyways. This year will be very different taking COVID-19 into account. I think many people will prefer to shop online vs in-store so inventory may go quickly. They also set up the dates so that each Nordstrom Card Level has a longer time to shop, hopefully, to reduce panic-buying and create a calmer environment to try things on, and make choices rather than buying everything and returning later. Click here to see when you are eligible to shop.

I know the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is crazy and all over social media, but I can promise you, you’ll never hear me say that you “need” anything. In fact, one of my most popular posts in past years has been my “What Not to Buy” posts! Click here for 2018, and click here for 2019! Shopping this sale is fun for a lot of people, but we all can’t buy everything. This is a post full of my suggestions based on years of past and present NSale purchases. You don’t have to buy them all at once! Each year similar items come out in updated versions, so I’ve curated this post based on the best of the best.

Basics to Buy at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Note: Some items pictured may be from previous years, and slightly different versions from the items linked.

Classic Cardigan

If you’ve scrolled through Instagram in the last year and follow any blogger at all, you’ve probably realized that cardigans are super popular in the fall-spring, and then for a brief stint in July when we all lose our minds and take photos outside in 100 degrees heat. They’re still super popular, so I recommend grabbing a great basic in gray, black, or cream while you’re shopping.

I love this inexpensive BP sweater (pictured), it’s great to throw on the back of your office chair or over pretty much anything as an extra light layer throughout the year. I’ve had mine for 4 years and counting!

If you are willing to spend a little bit more, this Leith one! The look is a little more expensive, so I’d definitely call it a nicer version, and it comes in 8 colors! Leith cardigans are extremely soft and I have had nothing but positive experiences with this brand.

Your splurge cardigan (still under $100), is the Barefoot Dreams cardigan. Personally, I love the brand. I have a great robe and bought myself, my mom, and sister blankets (here in cheetah) for Christmas one year! We all love it, but I still don’t own this cardigan, all I can say, is everyone who has it wears it all the time and raves about it all year long. I’ll make the splurge one day, but for now, I live under my blanket!

SHOP MY FAVORITE LONG CARDIGANS ON SALE DURING THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE:

Jeans

I talk all the time about splurging on jeans. I wear them all the time when the weather is below 80 degrees. If you are one of those weird people like me who actually finds jeans comfortable, now is your chance to grab some designer denim. If you aren’t, maybe you should get new jeans, because this discovery was basically life-changing for me!

Nordstrom carries a great range of brands and prices, many of which go on sale during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! I love AG jeans and am wearing these ones as I write this post!

However, if you’re looking for an under $100 pair, Levi’s and Blank NYC are my favorites! See all Nordstrom Anniversary Sale jeans under $100 here!

SHOP MY FAVORITE JEANS ON SALE DURING THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE:

Leggings

Leggings are a staple in my wardrobe, I am constantly wearing them, even throughout the summer. While not suited for some occasions, my life is pretty casual, so I like to have various styles on hand.

This is the only time of year that I know of when the regular faux leather Spanx leggings go on sale. This is not a drill! As of my writing this, they are fully in stock, so grab them now at $65 instead of $90 later! I know they are a splurge, and I thought people were crazy for buying them until I owned a pair myself. Now I need multiple pairs because I wear them so often! They are comfortable, look great, non-transparent, comfy for travel, easy to dress up for brunch or a night out, or anything in between!

A less expensive pair of faux-leather leggings are these BP leggings.

I couldn’t talk about leggings without mentioning Activewear. I discovered Zella’s live-in leggings last summer during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and fell in love. Seriously, I bought 3 pair! If you haven’t tried them yet, and either work out frequently or wear activewear to hang out often, grab them while they’re on sale!

For upgraded activewear leggings, try this Alo style! They are super comfy and great for yoga!

SHOP MY FAVORITE LEGGINGS ON SALE DURING THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE:

Loungewear

This is also a good sale to stock up on pajamas or comfy clothes. I usually grab a few pieces to wear at home for this sale. In 2018, I grabbed this Thread and Supply Wubbly Fleece Pullover and it is so cozy! The 2018 version is lined, which is different than the unlined, thinner version of 2019, however, it’s was still cozy. I have not had the chance to try on the 2020 version, but it is a great comfy piece that carries over year after year. I will note that mine got a tear in the sleeve, so I wasn’t thrilled with the quality. I haven’t heard of anyone else having issues, though, so if that does happen, you can take it back to Nordstrom because they are great with returns.

The Barefoot Dreams Blanket (cheetah here) is always a winner. It’s a splurge, but oh so cozy! Last year I grabbed two for Christmas gifts!

These joggers are the cutest ever and so so soft. If you’re looking for a pair to lounge in, grab them!

SHOP MY COZY FAVORITES ON SALE DURING THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE:

Camis

My favorite layering piece, and top in the summer. There are tons of cute options, but the good basic colors sell out so quick. The classic cami by Leith is available this year in a few prints and brighter colors, and only $25! If you want to fill in the holes in your closet with basics like black and white, you’ll have to splurge for the 1.State options, then grab the fun prints in the Leith!

I loved the 1.State camis with the lace inset and mesh inset. They fit true to size and come in various colors. These are slightly more expensive, but still under $50. They are still a cute elevated basic that you’ll wear a ton! Plus they are better quality because they are lined!

The BP Lace Trim Cami is typically part of the sale, however it seems to be on sale regularly, to purchase now, apart from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

SHOP MY FAVORITE CAMIS ON SALE DURING THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE:

Tees

Hello $11 t-shirts!! I have a few of these from last year too, and they are great basics! Each year they are different, they aren’t the best quality, but they are good to stock up on easy tees. From 2018 to 2019, it feels like a totally different material, so I don’t want to compare quality. I like it an will likely grab a couple because everyone needs a few basic tees!

There are tons of options, but I also loved the $15 Caslon tees as well!

SHOP MY FAVORITE TEES ON SALE DURING THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE:

Moto Jackets & Winter Coats

Any jacket you wear a ton can be considered a closet staple. This is a fantastic time to pick up a winter coat or moto jacket that you’ll wear all season long. I grabbed my suede moto jacket a couple of years ago and it’s been one of the best purchases I’ve ever made! Blank NYC comes out with a new version every year, and this is this year’s suede moto jacket. I also switch it out with my faux leather moto jacket which is another staple. If you are only getting one, I’d start with the leather!

Other great jacket options are this Patagonia light parka ( I have a similar one from last year and LOVE it!). A few years ago I bought an unlined jacket and still get SO MANY compliments on it when I wear it. I am seriously considering also grabbing this cardigan jacket this year. I tried on this BB Dakota duster last year, and loved it, and it looks like it is back for 2020 now in 3 colors!

Other staples to consider: A black blazer, plaid blazer, denim jacket, and a teddy coat.