Even though the whole point of vacation is to relax, the act of traveling can bring a whole list of stresses both mental and physical. Whether it’s a cab driver en route to the airport with a magnetic attraction to traffic jams, or all the havoc that eight hours of recycled plane air can wreak on sensitive skin, travel adventures (and disasters) require a certain amount of gear to be prepared for anything. If you have trips coming up on your calendar, Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is a great time to stock up on everything you need to make travel days as chill as possible.
We’ve done the hard work and rounded up the best travel-ready buys from Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale (and trust, this piece was written by a travel writer). There are great beauty picks—a six-piece set from Kiehl’s that meets TSA regulations and is basically designed for travel-battered skin; a jade roller and facial oil set from Herbivore that relieves jet-lagged under-eye areas. There’s also your next airport outfit basically ready to go—Nordstrom has incredible deals on Zella leggings (with pockets for at-the-ready essentials), won’t-rub-your-heel Nike Flyknit sneakers, and slouchy cardigans for layering landside and curling up with in flight.
We’ve also found the practicalities: a passport wallet that doubles as a wristlet, probably the cutest under-$200 pink luggage set we’ve ever seen, and an expandable version of your favorite Longchamp tote (you’re welcome). Read on for 12 of our favorite travel-minded picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, below.
With so many things on sale this Amazon Prime Day it’s easy to get overwhelmed. This year they’ve got incredible deals on luxury beauty products (hello Olaplex hair treatment), fashion finds on brands we didn’t realize they had (Kate Spade! Stuart Weitzman! Levis!) and so many good things under $50 (yes, we’re going to go ahead and buy this dress in every color). But when it comes down to it the best thing about Amazon Prime Day isn’t the flashy stuff, it’s the essentials.
Sure, wardrobe staples never get the credit they deserve. A plain white tank top will never be nearly as exciting as a pair of tie-dye shorts but they’re something you need in your closet forever. Luckily Amazon is the best place to stock up on everything from plain tanks to high waisted leggings to comfortable sandals. On Amazon Prime Day a lot of those wardrobe essentials are seriously marked down so we’ve rounded up the best 15 wardrobe essentials worth stocking up on below.
Even if you’re not a self-proclaimed “pants” person, having a few essential styles in your closet will ensure that you’ve got your bases covered: for work, for dressy events, for an errand run—whatever you might have going on. So, if you decide to skip the skirt or dress, you’ll still feel comfortable and not have to worry about whether an outfit goes together. From the vintage-style jeans you wear on weekends to the office-friendly trousers you want to wear long after you’ve clocked out, here are 10 types of pants that everyone should have in their wardrobes.
The idea of a wardrobe essential is pretty subjective. Some define it as the few pieces (like the white T-shirt and the black blazer) that truly are seasonless and always have a place in your closet; others expand the definition to encompass those trend-driven items (like the Instagram-favored fluted-sleeve dresses and the moody floral tops) that are suddenly everywhere and feel essential in the moment. For spring 2019 there are already a handful of fashion buys that feel like they fit in either or both boxes: color-blocked button-ups, allover printed midi dresses, minimal hoops…some feel incredibly familiar, while others are direct responses and references to the latest runways. Ready for spring or not, these pieces are bound to show up everywhere, so you might as well start shopping them now. We break down the 12 of-the-moment items to round out your wardrobe, ahead.
I’ve believed in the idea of an “investment piece” since I got my first paycheck. I would save up a month’s worth of babysitting money to buy that one top I had my eye on, that I absolutely needed and “couldn’t live without.” It doesn’t matter that I probably ended up wearing it only twice—it was satisfying to me to work toward buying something for myself, especially as someone who’s always loved fashion. Even now, as an adult, I still tend to spend in this way: I won’t shop frequently, but I will put away money with the purpose of blowing it all on one thing that feels special. It helps that, as an editor, I’m constantly learning about new brands and, over the years, have been able to identify the handful of silhouettes that are essential to me (and can feel good spending a little bit more on). It’s taken me years, but I’ve finally found a label that checks off every single one of my requirements: The designs have to be minimal and refined, that I can wear multiple times a week without getting tired of them, that are versatile enough to withstand the lifestyle of someone with a full-time fashion job and two kids.
Reader, let me tell you, Totême has changed the game for me.
This Swedish brand is a few years old (it was founded in 2014), but it’s only recently taken over the “essentials” section of my closet. What really set it apart for me, in a market that’s saturated with brands making basics, is its easy Scandinavian minimalism. Totême is the brainchild of blogger Elin Kling and husband Karl Lindman, who are both from Sweden. And you can tell how their background informs their design, from the limited, muted color palette to the tight product edit.
Magnus Andersen/Courtesy of Toteme.
The first thing I bought from Totême was a pair of black trousers. And ever since I first wore them out, people have been stopping to ask me where I got them from and where I got them tailored. That’s how well they fit. (And for the record: They didn’t need a tailor.) To be able to purchase a piece of clothing that actually fits as intended, without the intervention of a third party, is what sold me on the brand. That doesn’t usually happen for me: Usually the waist will be too loose and the pant too long, so I’ll have to have it tightened and hemmed. Not the case here.
Totême doesn’t design according to trends, so its pieces don’t go out with every passing season. Instead, your purchase is meant to live on in your closet. (As such, the pricing is not quite luxury, but not disposable: Pieces start at just under $100 and cap out at just under $1,000.) That doesn’t mean they’re not special, though: There are plenty of details, like a front slit on a pant or asymmetrical buttons on a blouse, that make them stand out from all your regular black bottoms and white button-downs. Whenever I wear something from this brand, I immediately get that feeling of Wow, this looks effortless—which, to be honest, is the ultimate and hardest-to-achieve fashion goal.
Magnus Andersen/Courtesy of Toteme.
As of this post, I own around 25 pieces from Totême. (Yes, I love the brand that much.) I’ve worn them to the office, to dinner, to my kid’s school, and on vacation. Now I’m sharing my best-kept wardrobe secret so you too can stock up on these new essentials. Find some of my favorites, below.
We all have those pieces we turn to time and again: that comfy pair of jeans you could wear seven days a week, the cozy sweater you layer repeatedly throughout winter, those go-with-everything sneakers you inevitably wear into the ground. Good ol’ closet staples that can simplify a hurried morning—and ground those trendier items you bought on a whim—can feel pretty essential.
While they can be perceived as boring or safe (we’re the first to admit the dullness of a white blouse sans nuance), a thoughtful selection of basics guarantees smart style no matter the occasion. No one knows this better than the celebrity stylists responsible for the A-lister outfits we routinely look to for inspiration.
“I believe that you should dress to fit your needs,” says Cristina Ehrlich, who styles Laura Dern, Tina Fey, and Mandy Moore, among others. “If you’re someone who lives by the rules of a uniform, you probably have it down. For the trend lover, just remember that your wardrobe will never be complete unless you have the foundation to carry it season to season.”
A fan of easy-to-try trends like the current hair accessory resurgence, Sarah Slutsky, who’s worked with Debra Messing and Aisha Dee, says basics help curb shopping impulses: “I try to stick to classics and then invest in a few hero pieces that pair well with my forever pieces. I find this the best way to get the most out of my wardrobe and also prevents impulsive purchasing.” She also sticks to “shopping tests” when acquiring new pieces. (“I’m a believer that anything you buy should pair with a white button down or classic pumps and be a great evening option,” she says.) “When I get a bit creative or feel the need for something [that makes] more of a statement, I always apply the denim test: If it’s a top, would I wear it with jeans? [For] a bottom, would I pop on a denim shirt [with it]? If it’s a dress, does it go with a jean jacket? This keeps me honest about the wearability and keeps me true to my personal style.”
Jason Bolden, stylist to Camila Mendes, Yara Shahidi, Mindy Kaling, and more, lives by a “less is always best” moto: “The idea of leisure is luxury to me. Simple pieces get you there—it’s about constantly re-thinking [them]. Nothing is chicer than showing up to a dinner in a black hoodie with jeans, a pair of heels, and amazing jewelry.” He endorses the “take the last thing off that you put on” rule, where you “keep it simple and buy what you like. It’s more about building a uniform. I’m not into the trends of it all.”
To spur a more creative approach to wardrobe staples, we sought the advice of these three experts. And they shared the 15 pieces they can’t live without, to inspire your own 2019 shopping. Their insights, ahead.
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