Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Early Access 2018: Trend Report

It’s here! Happy Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Early Access 2018! I got to sneak a peek yesterday during the Level 4 sale day, so I spotted all of the next seasons’ trends! There were hits and misses in the sale and I’m spilling the details on what to look out for when shopping Early Access in my trend report below! I shopped yesterday, before most people were let in, and it was crazy! Do yourself a favor and shop online to avoid the madness and get your pick of colors and sizes. I’d recommend buying what you like immediately so it doesn’t sell out. You can always return later! If you really want your items immediately, buy online and pick up in-store. You’ll still be limited to sizing, but you’ll avoid the craziness.

Don’t know what I’m talking about? Catch up here!

Trend Report: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Early Access 2018

Starting with outerwear, teddy coats are back! The oversized, soft, and furry coats are back this year and although I can’t wear them in Dallas too often, I really wanted one (or two). Moto jackets are always a classic, but the usual fan favorite from Blank NYC appeared with a knit detachable hood. For me, that’s a huge miss. Why mess with such a good thing?

Pullovers and cardigans are always in, but the styles were updated this year with blouson sleeves, button details, and nothing was too oversized. Sweaters and tops this year varied between loose and boxy and extremely fitted. Cardigans sit around  knee-length this season. Almost every cardigan I picked up ended up being the same length (see mine below). I’m also loving the lightweight boxy sweaters and loose fitting styles for early in the season (or all through the season depending on your climate).

Wrap tops and faux wrap tops (and sweaters) are super cute in the sale! This trend is really flattering on so many body types, so I’m a huge fan! These tops look great with jeans and skirts. You can also see the wrap trend below in the dress I bought, and you’ll see more in the liketoknow.it app and on my instagram stories!

Dresses are one of my favorite topics. Below you’ll find a dress that I find and purchase each year in the sale! It’s similar to this fan favorite by the same brand. Leith makes the perfect ruched dress and re-makes a special version in each sale. I love this color and it’s so comfortable! I’m wearing an XXS here. As far as trends go, we’ll see even more 90s inspiration here. Tight fitting, spaghetti straps, Plunging V necklines were a big theme! Rompers and jumpsuits were also big on the wrap trend. I picked up this jumpsuit and this romper to style for you soon!

I’m not sure what to call this, maybe a trend, but it’s either I’ve finally hit the stage in my life where I grew hips, or skirts and pants are really fitted this season! I was talking with my friend Nataly about this and she had the same issue, so I’m hoping it’s the styles, not me. This gray suede skirt is one of my favorite purchases! I have the matching moto jacket and another color in a similar skirt from last year’s sale. I can already tell this skirt is going to sell fast (last year’s sold out in a day), so grab it while you can! The button front skirt is still in style, I picked up this adorable red-orange one! Paper bag waists are huge still. I love this style in pants and skirts, it’s easy to style, all you need to do is tuck your top in! Jeans are my favorite pants/bottoms to wear in fall and winter. I love designer denim, but it’s really expensive at full price and doesn’t usually go on sale, so I took this chance to re-stock! I grabbed these AG jeans and these DLs. I think the overly destructed are on their way out, plus you can’t go wrong with a pair of solid skinnies!

Let’s talk activewear. I usually forget this part of the sale, but I noticed a brand I really wanted to try was going to a part of the sale! A friend of mine loves ALO clothing, so I bought a pair to try them out! Zella also has a few great pieces in the sale as well. There is a pair of lightweight leggings only $34 and I bought them in every color because they’re great to run in and the best price! One last note: My favorite Nike sports bras are on sale here too in the prettiest dusty lavender color (another theme throughout the sale)!

One more topic to discuss: shoes! Cut outs in booties are a trend continued on from the past few years, which is no surprise. What is a surprise, is the lack of over the knee boots in the sale. While not completely missing, they aren’t at the forefront of the styles presented as in past years. I was in the market for a new pair of OTKs, but I chose knee-high boots instead. Slouchy boots seem to be the new style, which I don’t love, so I chose these which are a good in-between. There were some great slides, and converse killed it with the rose-gold and light pink leather sneakers! I was so close to picking them up, but I already have 2 pairs of pink Converse, and what really stopped me was my rose gold Kate Spade glitter Keds which I wore shopping, sitting right next to them looking too similar.

Colors to look out for are dusty lavender, red-orange, burgundy, and taupe.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Early Access 2018 Picks

Jackets + Coats

Sweaters + Sweatshirts

Tops

Dresses + Rompers + Jumpsuits

Bottoms: Jeans + Pants + Skirts

Athletic Gear

Shoes

Flats and Sneakers

Heels and Boots

Bags

Beauty

More outfits are absolutely coming, but this is the start that we got on photos yesterday after shopping. Guys, shopping this sale is no joke. I was going all day long, stayed up until the sale started at 2am, and got this post ready, woke up early this morning shoot to get the rest of my outfits photographed before a) I melt, or b) they sell out! It’s a part of the job, and as I complain I realize that this although Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Early Access 2018 is one of the busiest weeks of my year, I am so lucky to get to do what I love every single day! Thank you all SO MUCH for helping make this possible! Click any of the items you like above or below to shop the sale, or click here to head to Nordstrom’s website!

Shop My Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Outfits Below

Leather + Suede

Ruched Red Dress