I Tried On Chic Fall Basics at Nordstrom for 4 Hours—These 13 Deserve a Moment

The day before yesterday in NYC, I took a deep breath and went to my unhappy place (Midtown) in order to reach my happy place: Nordstrom's flagship store on 57th and 7th. There, my friends, I shopped. I really shopped. It's been a minute since I've dedicated an afternoon to relishing the process IRL of discovering things I wasn't even looking for, scooping up armfuls of items, and having multiple people hurrying over to ask if I'd like to start a dressing room.

I methodically worked my way through floor after floor, from the top down, with the efficiency of an undercover CIA agent working to clear a building (sorry, I've been watching a lot of Jack Ryan). I feel quite confident I found the very best anything-but-basic basics Nordstrom has on offer. The 13 fashion items on my shopping list are all gently on-trend takes on classic fall staples like great jeans, coats, and loads of incredible knits that are perfect for this season and guaranteed to be worn on repeat. Plus, I hunted down an extra handful of high/low options for each style, so you're all set whether you're after a designer piece or a guilt-free impulse purchase. You can shop my in-store finds below if you hurry—these guys are bound to sell out.

A Brown Faux-Leather Bomber

I've been hunting for the perfect bomber—my only prerequisites were that it be oversize and have a vintage feel. There are also loads of really good black bombers floating around, but brown is where it's at this season.

A School Uniform–Inspired V-Neck

This is an interesting knitwear choice to currently be obsessed with, especially considering how much I once claimed to hate my school uniform. I was specifically looking for a heavyish gray knit, a deep V-neck, and some Prada energy at a friendlier price point.

A Rib-Knit Dress to Wear Under a Big Blazer

A rib-knit dress is a thing I've theoretically wanted to own for ages. I've just never quite got there, as it's a slightly iffy purchase for me. I really want to be the kind of person who wears dresses more often, but am I? I was looking for an entry-level option (under $100) that's the right length to work with boots or shoes, heels or flats.

A Slouchy Trench

My current trench is a delight. It's the perfect color and drapes so nicely, but it's a vintage find I've had for almost 10 years and is starting to look a little less than polished. I'm on the hunt for essentially the exact same style and prepared to invest since it's going to be worn to death, but Topshop is doing some excellent trenches for a fraction of the price. To get the look I'm after, I'm sizing up. This Nili Lotan style I'm wearing is an XL, and the slouch was perfect.

A Knit in a Cloudlike Gray

Gray is current my neutral of choice—particularly this super-soft, cloudlike gray that seems to be at one with cable-knits all over town. It's the perfect hue to style with just about anything, but it's been on my list to hunt down since it's particularly pairable with all the silver and red pieces floating around this season.

Washed-Out Black Jeans

I'm very much here for all the wide-leg and straight-leg denim you can throw at me, but I'm particularly here for the downtown vibe of a faded-black wash. This style that I stumbled upon in-store actually fit completely differently than the online image would have had me guess, and they ended up being exactly the silhouette I was after.

A Little Cargo-Denim Moment

Well, I wasn't expecting to go down this road, but here we are. To be honest, it's not the first time Free People's denim has convinced me of something I didn't know I liked. In this case, it's the little pocket detail that feels like the gentlest of introductions to the ugly-cool energy of full-on cargo jeans. If you're already one step ahead of me, great news: There's a slew of forward options ready to be your go-to blue denim this season.

A Big, Black Double-Breasted Coat

As far as I'm concerned, an oversize double-breasted coat is the final word in outerwear. It has to be big enough that the silhouette brings some drama—the length should extend below the knee, and the lapel has to mean business. Had I ever heard of Fleurette before I stumbled into Nordstrom's designated winter coat section? No. Am I a newly converted brand ambassador? Apparently. This fit is amazing, she's not cheap but is currently on sale, and honestly, it's the best thing I tried on all day. That being said, I found three far more affordable options that are definitely punching way above their price tags.

A Creamy Cable-Knit Fit for the Holidays

This is oddly specific, but the thing I've been looking for in a cable-knit is a little sleeve drama. I love how the crop of the Proenza Schouler White Label style I'm trying on here makes the shape and texture of the sleeve even more pronounced. I'm also smitten with the longer Toteme number below—someone please buy it and let me live vicariously through you, I'm a spiller and not allowed to own such pricey things in white! 

A Classic Pinstripe Blazer

As a chronic blazer wearer, there's absolutely zero risk that I'll ever overinvest in this area. Pinstripe suiting manages to be both utterly classic and a fall/winter trend, so there are plenty of options whether you're into this season's buzzy, nipped-waist styles or are staying true to an effortlessly oversize fit.

A (Very) Oversize Striped Button-Down

When I was about 6, we all had to bring an old shirt to school that would be worn over our uniforms during art class to prevent us from getting paint and clay and whatever else all over our aforementioned gray V-neck sweaters. The result was a room of tiny kiddos wearing seemingly whatever '90s business shirt their dad had been convinced to part with—that's the energy I'm going for here.

A Buzzy Red Knit

Not much to say here that you don't already know! Red really is refusing to go anywhere just yet, so pick your favorite sweater style in this year's trendiest color and wear it on repeat. One very important note: Nordstrom's own cashmere range is an editor favorite. It's soft and delicious and incredible value.

A Boxy Cardigan

One last knit before you go. I have a much-loved, slightly cropped, boxy cardigan that's now strictly for wearing around my apartment—far too much pilling to venture outside in, but still passable on Zoom. I love the shape so much that, like my trench, I want to reinvest. I'm still very into soft grays, but dusty browns are doing it for me as well.