Funnel-Neck Jackets! Suede Boots! The 6 Most Important Fall Trends I Tried On From the Nordstrom Sale
Our take
The annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has become a significant cultural event, a marker of the transition into fall and a concentrated burst of consumerism disguised as early access to seasonal style. This year’s iteration, as reported by Who What Wear, is being touted as particularly strong, and the trendspotting surrounding it—specifically, the focus on key pieces like funnel-neck jackets and suede boots—speaks to a broader shift in the fashion landscape. We’re seeing a movement away from fleeting, hyper-trendy items and toward investment pieces that prioritize timelessness and versatility. This echoes the growing desire for a “quiet luxury” aesthetic, a sensibility we've long championed regarding considered consumption and enduring style. It’s a reaction, in part, to the maximalism of recent years and a growing awareness of the environmental and ethical implications of fast fashion. Related to this shift, many are seeking effortless chic for under $100—so they’re buying these 13 dresses from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale I Want to Look Effortlessly Chic for Under $100—So I'm Buying These 13 Dresses from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. The emphasis on quality materials – suede, for example – reinforces this idea of longevity and value.
The article’s focus on “trying on” trends is also noteworthy. It moves beyond simply listing items to showcasing how they translate to a real-world wardrobe. This aligns with a desire for authenticity and relatability in fashion media. Readers are less interested in aspirational fantasy and more interested in practical advice and styling inspiration that can be readily incorporated into their own lives. It’s about building a cohesive, personal style rather than chasing the latest viral micro-trend. This also acknowledges the power of individual interpretation; a funnel-neck jacket, for instance, can be styled in countless ways depending on personal preference and existing wardrobe staples. The article's reference to the NYC flagship store visit further grounds the experience, adding a sense of immediacy and insider access. It's a curated glimpse into what’s resonating with fashion editors, offering a valuable point of reference for consumers navigating the sale’s vast selection. And speaking of nights out, it’s interesting to see how the emerging trends are also impacting evening wear, as demonstrated by Hailey Bieber's recent barely-there slip dress ICYMI: Hailey Bieber Just Wore a Barely-There Slip Dress to the World Cup After-Party.
The continued significance of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale itself is a testament to the enduring appeal of department stores, even in an era of direct-to-consumer brands and online marketplaces. While the retail landscape has undeniably shifted, Nordstrom has managed to maintain its relevance by consistently curating a desirable selection of merchandise and offering a premium shopping experience. The sale’s early access structure creates a sense of exclusivity and urgency, driving significant sales and generating considerable buzz. Furthermore, the inclusion of sneaker deals appeals to a broader audience, demonstrating Nordstrom’s ability to adapt to evolving consumer preferences You’re Welcome: Here Are the Nordstrom Anniversary Sneaker Deals Cool People Want the Most. It’s not solely about high-end fashion; it's about offering a diverse range of products that cater to different style sensibilities and budgets.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how the “quiet luxury” trend continues to evolve and influence the broader fashion industry. Will retailers prioritize timelessness and quality over fleeting trends? Will consumers continue to embrace a more mindful approach to consumption? The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, with its emphasis on investment pieces and curated styling, provides a glimpse into this potential future—a future where style is less about shouting and more about whispering a message of enduring elegance and self-assuredness. Perhaps the ultimate question is: can the allure of the sale be sustained as consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability and ethical considerations over the thrill of a discount?
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is officially here! As a seasoned Nordstrom shopper and fashion editor who's spent the last several years reporting on the sale, let me just say that it's really good this time around. Last week, I popped into the NYC flagship store ahead of time to get a preview of all the deals and try things on, and in a sale-induced shopping frenzy, I ended up hauling armfuls of items back to my dressing room.
I'm not much of an impulse buyer, so even during a huge sale like this, I'd rather stock up on great wardrobe staples I know I'll get the most wear out of, which is why I want to highlight six trend-forward fall staples I'm shopping now to wear from August onward. After all, the smartest shoppers I know are always looking a season or two ahead and taking advantage of the summer sales to jump-start their fall wardrobes, which is exactly what I did. Nordstrom put so many great fall-ready items in its big sale, and I pinpointed the trends that will become the anchors to all my looks next season.
Ahead, discover and shop the most important fall 2026 trends from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale—from funnel-neck jackets to suede boots—see how I'm styling them, and shop my exact picks for each.
The Most Important Fall 2026 Trends From the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
- Funnel-Neck Outerwear: Barbour Suri Showerproof Jacket ($260)
- Dark-Wash Jeans: Reformation Cary Slouchy High Rise Wide Leg Jeans ($124)
- Suede Boots: Staud Western Wally Boots ($330)
- Striped Tees: Pistola Alba Cotton T-Shirt ($65)
- Cropped Pants: Vince Mid-Rise Crop Flare Pants ($265)
- Slouchy Bags: Madewell The Shopper Tote ($159)
1. Funnel-Neck Outerwear
Wearing: Rails Blake Jacket ($190); Reformation Cary High Rise Wide Leg Jeans ($124)
Funnel-neck outerwear is easily one of the most important fall trends to know. Designers just keep iterating on the high-neck silhouette, which tells me that it has serious longevity. Much to my delight, the Nordstrom sale is filled with plenty of cool funnel-neck options, from leather bomber jackets to windbreaker styles like the above Rails jacket. It features two toggle closures at the bottom that create a cool sporty shape, and the color just reads so rich. It would look good with lace-trim shorts and sandals while it's still warm out, but for fall, I already know it pairs well with denim, a huge plus.
My pick: Rails Blake Jacket
Wearing: Barbour Suri Showerproof Jacket ($260); Vince Mid Rise Crop Flare Pants ($265); Nordstrom Maddox Mesh Flats ($50)
I simply couldn't land on just one funnel-neck situation, and this Barbour jacket was another piece that I immediately beelined to when I first stepped foot in the store. The cinched waist gives a chic silhouette, and I love how it comes with a double zipper so you have the option of leaving the bottom half open. I paired it with cropped, flared pants and ballet flats but could easily see this becoming the layer I throw on with my leggings and sneakers for early morning Pilates classes and Central Park walks. Barbour is one of those brands that, to me, will always be worthy of the investment since it makes such high-quality outerwear, so it's always significant whenever it goes on sale.
My pick: Barbour Suri Showerproof Jacket
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2. Dark-Wash Denim
Wearing: Rails Blake Jacket ($190); Reformation Cary High Rise Wide Leg Jeans ($124); Staud Western Wally Boots ($330)
Dark-wash denim was already at the very top of my "what to buy for fall 2026" shopping list, so I was thrilled to see this chic pair in the Nordstrom sale. They're the Reformation Cary High Rise Wide Leg Jeans, and coming from someone who's extremely picky about denim, these fit like a dream. They're a relaxed take on classic wide-leg jeans, and I like how they are roomy throughout the leg and have a cool trouser-like feel. The dark rinse looks even better in person and is the kind of denim wash that looks and feels so polished.
My pick: Reformation Cary High Rise Wide Leg Jeans
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3. Suede Boots
Wearing: Avec Les Filles Faux Suede Bomber Jacket ($59); Nordstrom Leather A-Line Midi Skirt ($200); Staud Western Wally Boots ($330)
We have to talk about suede boots because they're probably the strongest category in the entire sale. I've been wanting to invest in Staud Wally Boots for a few years now because I keep hearing my friends rave about how comfortable they are, so of course, I grabbed a pair straight away. Yes, they are as wearable as everyone says. My pick is this subtle Western silhouette with a beautiful suede finish. It was the details, like the elongated toe shape and perfect heel height, that sold me on them, though. I like the idea of showing more of the boots from underneath a skirt but would also wear them as ankle boots underneath a pair of wide jeans.
My pick: Staud Western Wally Boots
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4. Cropped Pants
Wearing: Barbour Suri Showerproof Jacket ($260); Pistola Alba Cotton T-Shirt ($65); Vince Mid Rise Crop Flare Pants ($265); Nordstrom Maddox Mesh Flats ($50)
Love it or hate it, cropped pants are coming back into style for the latter half of 2026, and if you're at all hesitant about the shift, I'm happy to say I found the ideal pair to test-drive the silhouette with. They're the Vince Mid Rise Crop Flare Pants, and I'd even go so far as to say that they'd become the very foundation of your wardrobe. (Yes, they also come in black.) Cut from a thick stretch fabric and finished with a polished front seam, they're chic, sophisticated, and, above all, versatile. Wear them with ballet flats like I did here, kitten heels, or even flat sandals.
My pick: Vince Mid Rise Crop Flare Pants
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5. Striped Tees
Wearing: Pistola Alba Cotton T-Shirt ($65); Vince Mid Rise Crop Flare Pants ($265); Nordstrom Maddox Mesh Flats ($50)
While a classic white tee will never go out of style, I've been seeing striped tees dominate all year. For fall 2026, in particular, it's due to the rise of the sporty-preppy trend that we saw all over the runways. If you have yet to test the waters with one, my suggestion is to grab this Pistola tee while it's on sale to add a trend-forward touch to your fall outfits. I loved the thick, sturdy weight to it and found the combination of tan, ivory, and brown to be so easy to style with fall neutrals too. Click in to see how good it looks with a pair of brown jeans on the model.
My pick: Pistola Alba Cotton T-Shirt
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6. Slouchy Bags
Wearing: Pistola Alba Cotton T-Shirt ($65); Reformation Cary High Rise Wide Leg Jeans ($124); Staud Western Wally Boots ($330); Madewell The Shopper Tote ($159)
Somebody call the early 2000s—slouchy bags are so back. With the reissue of Y2K icons from designers such as Saint Laurent and Chloé, soft and slouchy totes are set to be one of the defining handbags of the year, and the fall/winter 2026 runways only confirm that. My pick is this Madewell tote in a gorgeous and expensive-looking chocolate-brown suede. It's roomy but malleable. Fashion people would push the straps down and carry it tucked under one arm as an oversize clutch.
My pick: Madewell The Shopper Tote
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More fall buys I'm adding to my cart:
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