Items to Purchase from Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale

      Welcome to The Who What Wear Podcast, your direct connection to the designers, stylists, beauty experts, editors, and influencers shaping the fashion and beauty landscape. Be sure to subscribe to The Who What Wear Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. In the latest episode, Associate Fashion Director Linda Cui Zhang chats with Who What Wear Shopping Director Bobby Schuessler to discuss her favorite picks from Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale. For highlights from their discussion, keep reading.

      I understand that in your position, you assist with Nordstrom's selection of products and brands. Can you describe what that entails in your daily routine?

      Linda Cui Zhang: I oversee the selection of products for both in-store and online assortments, as well as the curation of trends and fashion narratives. For instance, the concepts featured in your Anniversary Sale catalog, like the Polish utility theme, include all the items that reflect the trend, such as quality dyed denim, a carryall bag, a suede belt, a leather jacket, or chunky gold jewelry. I collaborate closely with our buyers and team to create these edits. Additionally, part of my job involves discovering new brands and understanding shifts in the fashion industry. One of my favorite aspects is meeting designers and learning about their brands and collections. I'm truly grateful for the creative talent I've encountered and conversed with. My role is to shape the products and brands we present to our customers, along with the storytelling surrounding them for a cohesive perspective, whether that's through trends, categories, or colors.

      I know you excel at mixing patterns, prints, and colors, and I admire that. You mentioned several favorite brands that consistently appear in the sale, but I read there are around 60 to 65 new brands this year. What was your approach in deciding which brands to include in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?

      LCZ: When considering new brands for the sale, we think about how they can introduce fresh fashion to our long-time loyal customers while also attracting new shoppers to Nordstrom. A fun example of this is Sperry, a brand new to the event. The popularity of boat shoes has certainly increased, especially following the Miu Miu spring 24 runway show, which triggered ongoing interest. Many brands have incorporated boat shoes into their collections since then, and they offer a stylish balance between flats and loafers with a polished casual vibe. We decided to bring Sperry into our anniversary assortment because it specializes in boat shoes, making it a fitting choice to present this trend to our customers. I'm particularly eyeing a lovely white woven pair in this collection as well. It's quite exciting.

      Another brand worth mentioning is Florence by Mills, which benefits from Millie Bobby Brown's considerable star power. She offers an adorable and thoughtful lounge line, and we're excited about its evolution into more feminine, romantic silhouettes. This shift towards softness, along with the resurgence of pinks, is really noticeable. Today, we’re both wearing butter yellow and other pastels. Considering the Chloe-inspired boho revival, Florence by Mills is a great fit for Millie Bobby Brown fans and to introduce a more relaxed, feminine style that's emerging in fashion.

      There’s a huge range of products on sale, catering to everyone’s needs, whether they're looking for fashion, beauty, or kids' items. However, let’s focus on fashion. You’ve already mentioned some, but are there specific items you think our listeners and readers must have?

      LCZ: Absolutely, I have three items in mind. First, an east-west bag feels incredibly modern right now. We have a stunning navy version developed exclusively by Veronica Beard for this event. I like to say navy is nature’s black, making it a versatile neutral that pairs well with everything you already own. The second item I always search for is the ideal knit T-shirt. We have some from Vince featuring a Merino cashmere-wool blend that elevates an everyday T-shirt. They come in four colors and are perfect by themselves or layered for fall. Lastly, I'm very fond of colorful jewelry, particularly those featuring stones and charms. There are beautiful stone necklaces from Monica Vinader and Lizzie Fortunato that layer nicely together. These are my top three, extending to four items.

      This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

      Shop Her Top Picks:

      - Veronica Beard: Boxy Leather Shoulder Bag

      - Vince: Short Sleeve Wool & Cashmere Sweater

      - Monica Vinader: Odyssey Green Onyx Pendant Necklace

      - Nordstrom: Cotton Poplin Button-Up Shirt

      - Nordstrom: Crewneck Cashmere Sweater