I Tried 28 Items at Nordstrom, and These Chic Finds Shocked Me to My Very Core

Despite working at Nordstrom throughout college and constantly checking the retailer's new arrivals section online now, I don't physically visit the store as much as I used to. I'm a full-fledged online shopper. I love to scroll through TikTok for product recommendations and read through online reviews like it's my job. As editors, we can call in pieces to test drive (as seen in our Great Try On series), but I decided it was overdue for some good old in-person shopping. After a few hours of trying things on and a brief trip to the Nordstrom café, I found plenty of chic pieces I wanted for my summer 2023 wardrobe. 

Surprisingly, there were even items I probably wouldn't give a second look at online but wanted to purchase immediately after trying them on. And while many qualify as basics, every item below is a stellar pick. It's overwhelming to navigate Nordstrom's massive offering, so I hope my try-on can give you insight into what the worthy contenders are to buy right now. 

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The Coolest Trousers + Your New Go-To Blazer
(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

Topshop's trousers have always looked good online, so I was particularly interested in seeing how they held up in person. They reminded me of Reformation's Mason pants, except more structured. The asymmetric detailing also makes them cooler than any other pair of trousers.

I thought I already owned the perfect blazer, but then I met this one at Nordstrom. Many blazers can be too thick, but this one is sturdy yet lightweight enough for the summer. I usually wear a size small, but I sized up on this one for that relaxed and slouchy fit. 

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The Black Trousers You Need + a Comfy Striped Shirt
(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

Have you ever seen a clothing item and instantly felt it would be something you reached for constantly? That's how I felt when I saw this shirt. I fell even more in love with it after trying it on. My most-worn item during the summer has to be oversize button-downs, and this Topshop number impressed me as soon as I put it on. It's that perfect medium blue that's extremely versatile. 

As for the pants, this was my first time trying out a pair from Madewell, and I must say I am impressed. The pleating detail elevates it, but the material is more casual and closer to linen. They're very much true-to-size and have that relaxed wide-leg silhouette that's very on-trend right now. 

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The Perfect Cropped Tee + Summer Skirt
(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

I've never been one for cropped tops, but it's annoying to tuck oversize T-shirts into skirts and pants when temperatures start to rise. This tee is soft, and with the right nude bra, it's not see-through at all. 

Breezy white skirts were made for summer, and this one has me ready to pack a trip to the Hamptons immediately. It's lightweight but not sheer. I sized up to a medium because I wanted it to be more of a low-rise skirt, but I'd suggest sticking to your true size if you'd rather it sit higher on your waist. 

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The Most Flattering Maxi Skirt + a Blazer Made for Business
(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

I loved the first Nordstrom blazer I tried on, but my fellow editors are always raving about Open Edit's selection, so I knew I had to give one a try. Everything about this blazer feels professional. It's sturdy yet soft. Since I spend most of my days sitting at my desk in the office, having a comfortable work blazer is a must.

Despite being on the shorter end, I surprisingly liked this maxi pencil skirt. I usually opt for loose and flowy pieces, but this form-fitting skirt felt sleek and classy. However, I am 5'3" and was wearing heels, so if you're petite and don't like heels, this skirt might not be the best for you. Or, consider taking it be tailored at many Nordstrom locations!

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The Top Made for Summer + a Maxi Skirt With Gen-Z Energy
(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

Remember when you would ask your friends what they were wearing, and they would reply, "jeans and a cute top"? This is what I imagine when I hear cute top. Linen-blend always doesn't feel soft, but this one feels just right. 

Another WWW editor favorite? Topshop's skirts. Out of everything I tried on, I think I was most excited to try this skirt. It hits the floor just right and has an elastic waist that makes it easy to put on and wear. 

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Your New Favorite Summer Jeans
(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

Can you believe I've never owned a pair of white jeans? After pinning a lot of Sofia Richie outfits to my Pinterest board, I've been itching to add one to my closet. I've also never tried Good American, so lots of milestones were reached in this Nordstrom trip. I thought I wouldn't be a fan of the more cropped length, but considering how dirty NYC streets are, I should keep my white jeans right at the ankle. 

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An Expensive Looking Cuff
(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

Don't be fooled by the price, but this cuff actually looks luxe in person. It's heavy but also has a stretch in between two sides of the cuff, so it's easy to slide on and off!

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Next: 33 Cheap Nordstrom Basics I'm Buying to Get '90s Celebrity Airport Style

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.