I'd Describe These 31 Nordstrom Basics as Elevated and Cool (and They're Part of the Anniversary Sale)
Including stylish pants, tops, and sweaters.
Every great wardrobe relies on a curated collection of basics. These versatile staples serve as the foundation of your outfit, effortlessly balancing out trendier pieces. Nordstrom is one of my go-to retailers to source the best of the best basics. And fun fact, the basics I know you'll love are actually on sale for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
Below is a list of picks I think could become essentials in your closet because they can be styled with so many different pieces. In my opinion, the items skew toward the elevated and cool side because they feature subtle, forward designs and modern details (without sacrificing versatility).
Keep scrolling to shop the absolute best wardrobe basics from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, including must-have denim, elegant sweaters, sleek tailoring, and more.
The Chicest Basics From the 2026 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over 15 years of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over a decade at Who What Wear, currently leading the shopping team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers 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, with brands including Gucci, Nordstrom, Sunglass Hut, Cartier, and Old Navy. He also appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises, and is the star of Who What Wear's scripted show, Retail Therapy.