Shopping for Giants: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

As many (most? all?) of you know, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale started on Friday.  One of the reasons I love this sale is because it's a chance to get next seasons clothes now and at a good price.  It's not last seasons mark downs that you buy because of course you need yet another bathing suit cover up in spite of the fact that you haven't been in a suit in 3 years, but it was only $5.99.  No, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is chock full of goodies that you will actually wear (as soon as this damn heat lets up).

Now, of course, Nordstrom doesn't carry "tall" clothes, but that doesn't mean that the sale doesn't have some pieces that will work for us tall ladies.  Below are some of my favorite finds.


Sleeveless Layering Pieces

My beloved, vintage sleeveless wool jacket has finally given up the ghost, so I'm in the market for a new sleeveless layering piece.  These three are my favorites.

1. Halogen Long Merino Wool Blend Sweater Vest - This one is most like the piece I'm replacing and therefore I know it'll be perfect for fall and winter layering.  As you can see, it's more than long enough for my giant self and is on sale for $44.90 (originally $68).

2. Halogen Sleeveless Turtleneck Sweater - Given my well-documented love of turtlenecks, it's no wonder I'm considering this piece.  I basically just want to wear this turtleneck over another turtleneck.  As for the length, a 5'10" reviewer says that it is more than long enough for her.  Also on sale for $44.90 (originally $68).

3. Halogen Knit Zip Vest - This one I love because it's basically a long cape.  In addition to turtlenecks, I also love capes and think this one would be perfect on someone with a taller frame.  It's also available in gray and is on sale for $59.90 (originally $98).


You Say Dress, I Say Tunic

You see that tunic?  Yeah, that's being sold as a dress.  I know, I know, I laughed too.  But, once I stopped laughing, I realized that would work as a tunic for my tall self.

1. Halogen Long Side Slit Cardigan - I love the speckled yarn in this sweater (also in solid colors) but what I love most is that a reviewer who says she is over six feet tall purchased this sweater and says that the arms are actually long enough!  If you're in the market for a long-line cardigan, give this one a try.  It's on sale for $49.90 (originally $78).

2. Leith Dolman Dress - Again, I'm skeptical of this piece as a dress, but I love it as a tunic.  It's also available in black, olive and coral and is on sale for $38.90 (originally $58).

3. SARTO by Franco Sarto 'Garfield' Bootie - I don't need any more black booties, but if I did, it would be these.  I love the low shaft and that oh-so-walkable heel.  They are available up to size 13 and in four different colors - on sale for $79.90 (originally $128.95).



All the Color!

I like to wear more than black and grey during the colder months, so I was very, very encouraged to see all of the colorful fall clothes and shoes available this sale.

1. Diane von Furstenberg 'Aiden' Silk Blouse - A colorful, printed tie-neck silk blouse that's long enough for tall women?  Yes, please!  It's a splurge, to be sure, but one I think is totally worth it.  On sale for $178.90 (originally $268).

2. Halogen V-Neck Lightweight Merino Cardigan - Colorful cardigans are basically my jam (is that still what kids are saying these days?).  And this one is fabulous.  I purchased it on presale in red and can personally attest that the arms are plenty long enough.  In addition to red and mustard, it's also available in 7 other colors and 4 prints.  On sale for $49.90 (originally $78).

3. Sam Edelman 'Reyanne' Spike Rand Flat - Speaking of color, how gorgeous is the color of these flats?  They're also available in fuchsia as well as black and camel.  I love the spike detail on the heel and the fact that they're available up to size 12.  On sale for $69.90 (originally $109.95).



Chestnut and Navy

If you're not into brights for fall, that's weird, but I've got you covered as well.  Can I interest you in some chestnut and navy?

1. Madewell Plaid Scarf - Gorgeous and cozy, this wool scarf is deconstructed in places so it's also cool.  These oversized scarves are perfect for tall ladies because we have height enough to keep from being overwhelmed.  On sale for $38.90 (originally $59.50).

2. SARTO by Franco Sarto 'Jolette" Penny Loafer - A penny loafer!  In plaid!  And available up to size 13! I absolutely love these for fall.  On sale for $69.90 (originally $108.95).

3. Halogen 'Owen' Pointy Toe Ghillie Flat - Whether you call them lace-up flats or ghillie flats, there is no doubt that these shoes remain very on-trend for fall.  I love this chestnut color, but these are also available in 4 other colors and a snake print.  Available in up to size 12.  On sale for $59.90 (originally $89.95).


Awesome Accessories

These pieces have nothing to do with being tall and everything to do with being awesome!

1. Nadri 'Crescent' Linear Hoop Earrings - In the market for some hoop earrings that aren't your average hoop earrings?  Me too!  And that's why I love this pair.  I think they are so interesting and kind of tough.  I'm definitely adding these to my list.  On sale for $39.90 (originally $60).

2. Phase 2 Double Banded Wool Fedora - I was never a hat person until I moved to Pittsburgh where it is freezing (literally) in the winter and that tends to encourage the wearing of hats.  This one is wool, it's a gorgeous color and the brim isn't so big you can't still watch where you're going (important for walking on icy sidewalks).  On sale for $19.90 (originally $38).

3. Nadri 'Liberty Ear Crawlers - I love the ear crawler trend (even though they do make me think of The Wrath of Khan every time), but I've had a hard time finding a pair that works for me.  I have sort of small ears so the crawlers that go the whole length of the ear don't work for me.  But, these I believe will work, so I'll be giving them a try.  On sale for $37.90 (originally $58).


Now, remember, the prices on all of these items and everything else on sale as part of the Anniversary Sale go back up to the original prices on August 8th.  Also keep in mind that even if something is sold out, they may get more, or it may be returned, so keep an eye out.


How about you, Reader Friends?  Are you shopping the NAS?  Any good finds so far?


Happy Sunday, All!  And Happy Shopping!

Gracey

Shopping for Giants – How to Thrift

Although I provided a large list of where to shop online in this post, and information on how to shop online in this post, most of my shopping is actually done at thrift stores.  I love thrift stores because, as Sal points out every season, there are very few current trends that you can’t find at thrift stores.  I’ve stated that fast fashion retailers (like H&M, Zara, F21, etc.) can be useful for trying out trends on the cheap, but they really can’t hold a candle to thrift stores in that regard.

And, unlike fast fashion retailers, thrift stores also contain high-quality, well-made garments for the same next-to-nothing price.  (Unless, of course, your thrift store has decided to charge more for items they think are vintage (yes, you, St. Vincent’s!)).  I’m not going to tell you that you’re going to find the studded velvet Miu Miu pumps of your dreams at a thrift store; you’re probably not.  But you can find some great pieces.

Here are my tips for thrifting like a giant.

One, be patient.  Seriously, proper thrifting should probably take much of the day, if not all day.  For me, it takes all day.  Especially for my trips to Portland; I like to map out all of the thrift stores I plan on hitting for the day.  This website is a national thrift store directory that I use to locate thrift stores in Portland and plan my day from there.  I usually allot a couple of hours per thrift store; some take longer and some take less.  Just remember, you need to allow enough time to go through the racks and to try stuff on.

Two, go west young man, go west.  Or, if you’re on the West Coast, go east.  Essentially, go where the people aren’t.  Thrift stores in big cities can be pretty picked over and a lot of the time the prices are higher due to the increased interest in thrifting (Darn you, hipsters! (angry fist shake to the heavens)).  On the flip side, thrift stores in smaller towns (usually inland for most of us) are lower priced and/or haven’t been plundered by the mobs yet.  And while you probably won’t find any DVF or Gucci at these stores, you can find a lot of great items, often handmade.

For example, I love driving to the smallish town of Albany, Oregon and thrifting there.  That’s where I found this fabulous handmade coatdress:

Three, thrift on vacation.  Thrifting on vacation is a great idea because even if you’re in a bigger city, there is a good chance the locals have already perused the selection and weren’t interested.  And you know what they say; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  What they locals pass up may be the perfect piece for your closet.

For example, I bought one of my very favorite skirts while on vacation in Santa Fe last spring; I wear this skirt all the time:

Four, size ain’t nothin’ but a number.  Especially when it comes to vintage.  Sammy, at Sammy Davis Vintage, breaks it down in this post, but basically, modern sizing and vintage sizing are completely different.  I have vintage dresses in size 20 that fit me perfectly.  I also have some from the 80s that are a size 12.  If you like something, try it on.  Don’t depend on the tag to tell you whether or not it can go home with you.

Five, buy petite.  I know it seems counter intuitive when you’re six foot and a size 14 to buy petite pieces, but trust me, it works.  Especially if you’re a fan of midi skirts.  All of my midi skirts are thrifted and most of them are petite.  I think they’re probably ankle length on the less tall, but on my giant self, they are the perfect midi skirt length.  This is true for dresses as well.

Here are some petite pieces I've thrifted:

Petite Dress

Petite Skirt

Petite Dress

Lest you think petite dresses won't fit your wider shoulders, they often have shoulder pads and are cut to allow for those.  I just tear the should pads out, insert my no-padding-needed broad shoulders and couldn't be happier.

For more, non-giant-specific tips on thrifting, I’d suggest this post of Sal’s and this post of Sammy’s.  I'd also suggest exploring their blogs further; they are both great resources on thrifting.

Happy Shopping, All!

Gracey