10+ Best Wardrobe Basics from the 2021 Nordstrom Sale

Ultimately, your clothes will only look as good as your foundations. And, it’s important to not only have foundational garments like bras, camisoles, underwear, and shapewear that fit well but are also comfortable. After many years and many uncomfortable bras, I’ve finally found one that I can highly recommend to my fellow bustier friends: this bra is a must-have. While it looks like it might be too lacy, I don’t have any issues with this one showing through t-shirts. Even better? It fits true to size, unlike many others where you have to try on dozens to find a great fit.

When it comes to my favorite wireless options, I’ve found this bra that is incredibly comfortable and gives me support & great coverage! Seriously, it’s like you’re not wearing a bra. This bra comes in a variety of colors and I wear mine in small. (I’m a 32DD for reference.) PRO TIP: If you’re not looking for any of the Nordstrom-exclusive colors or styles, you can find this bra for even less here!

Finally, when it comes to shapewear, I have a hard time finding something I like more than this one. I find it to be comfortable and stays in place, unlike others I have tried which tend to roll down. This thigh shaper and this high waist shaper are the two I would recommend.

When it comes to the perfect faux leather jacket, look no further than this one! Not only is it effortless cool with notched lapels and edgy zipper details!

If faux leather isn’t your thing, the sale also has a few other suede or faux suede options. A cult classic is this suede moto jacket. It’s also a huge steal for real suede and often sells out (and comes back in stock) regularly throughout the sale! PRO TIP: If you’re having trouble grabbing it, try calling your local store so they can look it up in their system. They can let you know if a store has it in stock and have it shipped right to your door!

For those on a budget, there are plenty of options under $100! This faux suede jacket is under $100 would be perfect to wear to the office. I love the draped look, and it comes in a variety of neutral colors that would look great with so many things in your closet!

​​​​​​​Another under $100 option for those looking for faux leather is this one. Alternatively, treat yourself this year to real leather. This one is a fantastic deal for under $200!

Over the years, I’ve come to love these ankle boots. The style name might change, but the overall form and function are generally similar year after year. Each year I replace my ankle boots, and I always order a half size up from my regular shoe size (normally a 6.5 in shoes, so I order a 7 in these) for a comfortable fit. This year, this one comes in three great neutrel colors!

For more pointed toe ankle boot options this one comes in this fun blue as well as traditional black, gray, and cream. I’m also a big fan of this shoe brand, which is why I’d also recommend checking this ankle boot out. This style comes in several staple and fashion colors!

It wouldn’t be fall without a little (or a lot!) of plaid. I’ve been loving wearing blazers to dress up all of my outfits lately, from graphic tees to simple tanks to dresses. It’s a fall essential that I always seem to pick up each and every year! This year, my top pick is this one.

It was honestly a toss-up because there are some great blazer options as usual. Check out this longline plaid blazer, this mixed print blazer, or this ruched sleeve blazer. Any one of these would make a stunning addition to your fall wardrobe this year!

When fall rolls around and the temperatures drop, you really can’t have enough cozy sweaters. It’s a bit hard to want to shop for sweaters when it’s eighty degrees out which is probably why I am always drawn to the lightweight sweater options. Two years ago, I bought this lightweight sweater and absolutely love it still!

It was hard to pare down all of the great sweater options, but I had to pick out other sweater styles too! I think these are great to wear while working from home, a blazer, or in place of a coat before it gets too chilly. I purchased this cardigan earlier this year and leave it at my desk at work. It goes with everything and is the perfect weight for chilly offices! This puff sleeve sweater would look so cute tucked into a skirt or under a blazer for chillier days. And this button-up cardigan is a classic and such a great price point!

When it comes to stocking up on basics, you can’t forget about the deals on denim! I think this is a great time to stock up on your favorite jeans brands, and mine happens to be this brand of denim!

Additionally, check out this cult-favorite skinny jean on sale in a sleek black which would be great to wear to a business casual office, or out on the town. I also love this vintage-style pair and this super high waist denim!

This year I’m also ordering this new-to-me cropped style to try, as I think it will be so cute with ankle boots and flats this fall.

It wouldn’t be a good refresh if you didn’t think about your beauty and personal care products, too! When it comes to fall, I’m all about the hydration. To prep your skin for receiving moisture, I love exfoliating with this cult-favorite product. For getting my skin in tip-top shape and locking in hydration, you can’t beat this line of moisturizing products. Finally, your lips deserve a little TLC too, which is why I recommend this lip care set!

Another great option to keep you glowing from head to toe? This body care set, which is from one of my favorite brands and is perfect for sensitive skin. The body wash smells amazing and will keep you glowing all fall long! I also love this facial cleansing device and these skin and hair supplements for an all-over glow! Don’t forget to protect your skin with SPF! My favorite sunscreen is part of the sale, too.

Finally, my picks are for hair care, and specifically, two brands that rarely go on sale! The first is this luxury hair set, which includes two cult-favorite products. Don’t say I didn’t warn you that you might get hooked on this brand! The other I’d recommend is this set from this wildly popular Black-owned haircare brand.

Because my personal favorite brand of tote bag never goes on sale (BRB, sobbing!) I’m here to share with you the next best thing. What’s that? This stylish tote, of course! While I find the leather isn’t quite as beautiful or luxe as my Cuyana totes, the price difference, when it’s on sale, is pretty staggering. For nearly half the price, I think you’ll enjoy one of these stylish tote bags for women!

For those with less to carry, this tote is pretty efficient. It won’t fit a laptop, but I can fit my DSLR, small wallet, phone, lipstick, and sunglasses! There is also a coordinating pouch that fits your small essentials, sold separately. For those with a bigger haul, grab this tote and fill it up with all of your daily needs! It too has a coordinating pouch, sold separately.

If you had told me my most worn boot in my closet would be my over-the-knee boots, I probably would have laughed. Not only did I never think I’d spend so much money on a boot, I never thought I’d love them as much as I do. But, it’s true, and they’re on sale at this year’s #NSale. Grab this designer boot on sale here!

Not in the budget? No worries! This year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale includes a few similar styles at a fraction of the price. This over-the-knee boot style comes in two classic colors. And this OTK style is water resitant! Alternatively, I picked up this knee high boot style with plans to wear it scrunched under flowy midi and maxi dresses all fall and winter ling!!

If you ask me, the wrap dress is a closet staple that everyone should own. My personal go-to brand for classic wrap dresses in fun colors and prints is Eliza J, as seen above. Fortunately, Nordstrom seems to think these dresses are pretty great too by putting this dress on sale again this year in a new bright color and a new floral print fabric!

A wrap dress is flattering on a variety of body shapes and sizes! I also can’t resist a good midi length option, either. Nordstrom has a few midi length options in a variety of prints such as this brown polka dot dress with gorgeous ruffles, a classic animal print, and even this fun patchwork scarf print dress. I think these would all look awesome dressed up with heels or dressed down with a pair of slouchy boots in the fall and winter!