I Went Shoe Shopping at Nordstrom's First Store—These Under-$150 Styles Are It

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(Image credit: @bobbyschuessler)

I recently visited Seattle for the first time, and funny enough, my hotel was essentially across the street from the very first Nordstrom store. (The retailer is headquartered in Seattle.) Due to my adoration for Nordy, I clearly hit up the store first before I did anything else in the city. After perusing the men's shoe offering, I ventured up to the women's shoe section for more browsing. Given that the Nordstrom shoe department is legendary, it probably comes as no surprise that I found a smattering of amazing silhouettes that I think you'll love.

Below, you'll find the specific styles that piqued my interest. You'll notice that everything included in the mix has something in common. Yep, the picks feel forward and look expensive thanks to modern design details, but they all actually ring in under $150. 

Keep scrolling to check out my edit of the best shoes to buy at Nordstrom after previewing the standout selection at the very first store.

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(Image credit: @bobbyschuessler)

Steve Madden Eydie Ballet Flat

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(Image credit: @bobbyschuessler)

Ballet flats are having a serious moment right now. This style from Steve Madden is a great option—easy and chic. While the black and tan colors are classic, the metallic iteration is also very of the moment.

Open Edit Solana Sandal

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Talk about fun party shoes! The strap placement is cool, and the heel isn't super high, making this Open Edit pair a nice option for all of those spring and summer soirées.

Open Edit Lucca Slide Sandal

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I'm not surprised these slide sandals have 4.5 stars online. They look very expensive in person and are just easy.

Sam Edelman Bianka Slingback Pump

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Looking for an elegant pair of heels to bring instant polish to an ensemble? A slingback choice—like these beauties from Sam Edelman—is a strong option. The angular heel is also noteworthy here.

Open Edit Lilah Knot Slide Sandal

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I saw a woman trying on these adorable knotted slides while I browsed the department. They're just so cute for the season. There were also 95 customers viewing these sandals on the product page online as I wrote this story. So yes, I bet they'll sell out soon.

Steve Madden Goodman Croc Embossed Penny Loafer

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I first spotted these croc-embossed loafers online while doing market research for a story. I loved them just as much when I saw them in person. The silver pair, in particular, is very relevant for spring.

Jeffrey Campbell Tutu Ballet Flat

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This is another lovely pair of ballet flats that has sweet design details like the satin and delicate bow accent.

Open Edit Cammie Slingback Pump

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If a bold color is your thing, check out these slingbacks from Open Edit. They're just perfect and beyond elevated. They also come in black and green if those colorways are of interest.

Marc Fisher Calia Sandal

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The knot! The sculptural block heel! The square toe! Yes, yes, yes. 

Next, check out the best basics to buy at Nordstrom.

Bobby Schuessler
Market Director

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retialers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.