I'm a Gen Z Editor—6 Summer Trends I'm Buying During the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
Do you hear that in the distance? It's our editors practically all pulling out their credit cards at once. That's right—the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is finally here, and as expected, we've already collectively spent hundreds of dollars.
As a Gen Z editor (and one of the youngest at Who What Wear!), I know a thing or two about what trends fashion people between the ages of 18 and 25 are obsessed with. Whether I see them IRL during a "research trip" (aka dillydallying) in the Lower East Side or via my TikTok algorithm, there are six summer trends already taking over my brain and online cart this summer.
From classic ballet flats to ultra-baggy Gen Z–approved jeans, these six Gen Z summer trends are the moment right now, and thanks to Nordstrom, they're all deeply discounted during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Run—don't walk—to get them before they sell out.
Colorful Sneakers
A fun, sporty pop of color will instantly elevate any outfit, according to Gen Zer. Just look at all of the trending sneakers over the last year and a half if it's any indication of the bright, in-your-face sneakers we love.
Maxi Skirts
Personally, there's nothing more Gen Z than a flowy maxi skirt. Whether it's a slip skirt, denim, or a cargo look, we're all about this summer staple. Wear with your favorite white tank of choice to let the skirt do all the talking.
Wide-Leg Jeans
Everyone I know wears wide-leg jeans—Gen Z included. Big pants + short shirt are how my friends and I dress off-hours, so it's no surprise that Nordstrom took note and discounted a ton of oversize denim styles for the Anniversary Sale.
Ballet Flats
Is there anything easier than ballet flats? Gen Z doesn't seem to think so. This slip-on style goes so well with miniskirts, jeans, and anything in between. It's no wonder this French-inspired shoe silhouette is some of the first to sell out when discounts hit.
Elevated Basics
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)
-
My Style Is Thoughtful and Tasteful—30 Must-Have Luxe Pieces I'm Shopping for This Winter
A+ finds.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
It's Confirmed: These 8 2025 Trends Are Elite, According to Nordstrom's Associate Fashion Director
Get the 411.
By Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
-
10 Wardrobe-Improving Things to Buy in January
Your monthly shopping list.
By Allyson Payer
-
Nordstrom Has a Secret Sale Right Now, and It's Great—I Think These 30 Items Are the Chicest
Massive deals ahead.
By Bobby Schuessler
-
I Nearly Spent $820 on Kendall Jenner's Flats—Then I Found This $120 Alt at Nordstrom
It's strikingly similar.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
These 29 Nordstrom Items Are Chic and Fresh—You'll Wear Them So Much in 2025
Wardrobe builders ahead.
By Bobby Schuessler
-
I'm a Former Nordstrom Buyer—These Are the 7 Trends I'll Wear More in 2025
Modern looks ahead.
By Bobby Schuessler
-
You Had Me at Cashmere Sale—30 of the Chicest Finds to Shop Before They Sell Out
You'll wear these forever.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes