Chic, Not Trendy: 27 Nordstrom Items for Effortless Style

So, my official mantra at the moment is ‘fewer, better things’, but if I’m allowed to have a second, it would be ‘chic, not trendy’. But look, as I write this I’m sitting here in my Sambas—so I’m clearly not anti-trend, nor am I immune to a bit of hype. That being said, I have been doubling (and tripling, even quadrupling) down on certain fashion styles and silhouettes for a few years now, and it feels like over the past few years, new iterations of these classic pieces continue to be shoppable each season.
Perhaps the algorithms have just learnt to keep serving me up more of the quiet luxury they've figured out I like? Whatever it is, there’s no shortage of fashion on the internet right now that feels timelessly chic, with just nod to this season’s trends. I've curated the best shoes, bags, apparel, and winter accessories from Nordstrom that capture this energy. Some picks are designer, some are a bargain, and all of them are very worth your time.
Footwear
The most effortless footwear this year (and likely the next) are the chic flats everyone's been wearing to death with no sign of slowing down: Mary Janes, ballet flats, sling backs, glove shoes, loafers, in quiet neutrals or (if you're in the mood) low-key metallics. Simple, low heels are also perfect for a low-key cool vibe.
Bags
There are a few bag styles that are dominating that quiet luxury vibe, my favorite are the chic shoppers that perfect for commuting with a laptop in tow. Classic structured styles always feel polished, while sling styles and moon-shaped are just a little trendy.
Accessories
Investment-worthy winter woollies (like this beanie from Totême) will keep you cozy and can take your looks from good to great. Aside from that, everyone seems to be obsessed with finding a great belt at the moment—
Apparel
Inserting a little tailoring into a casual look is the quickest hack to effortless style, so a winter-weight blazer is a great buy for this time of year—this suede style fro Mango feels cool and timeless. Turtleneck layers always feel elevated, and great trousers in a relaxed fit are easy and cool.
Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and fashion editor, who regularly contributes from Paris. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects.
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