My 59-Year-Old Mom Asked Me What She Should Buy From Nordstrom, and I Said These
Unlike me, who hasn't quite figured out how to stop shopping, my mom hardly ever treats herself. Ever since she moved from L.A. to a small beach town in Michigan a few years back, the temptation that comes with living near countless shopping destinations is gone, and she rarely shops online. So when she texted me the other day with plans to go into Chicago for the weekend and asked me for ideas of what to get at Nordstrom (where I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Nordstrom is the mecca for just about everything), I was noticeably shocked. Well, shocked and excited. Because the only thing I love more than treating myself is convincing others to do the same.
Naturally, I dropped everything and started researching. We basically had an informational interview, during which she walked me through the missing pieces in her wardrobe; the jeans, dress, and shoe styles she leans toward most; and the brands she's been loyal to for years. Then, I got to work.
One too many hours later—I tend to get carried away—the shopping list below was born and subsequently given an excited checkmark from my mom. She saved a version to her phone to reference while at Nordys. I turned mine into this story. Below, find a comprehensive list of all the items I put on my 59-year-old mom's Nordstrom shopping list. If I had to guess, I'd wager they'll be on yours, too.
Shopping List
Her response: "Wow, this reminds me that I haven't bought myself a proper bra in years. Usually, I go without or wear a sports bra for classes, but I have been meaning to update my comfortable and low-maintenance bra selection, and I like how this wouldn't be visible under a T-shirt or tank."
Her response: "I wear earrings every day, and I change my earrings every day, so it's important for me to have a lot of different pairs that are fun and go with everything. That's why these seem great for me. I'm already thinking up multiple outfits to wear them with."
Her response: "I always get compliments on my other Shinola watch from the woman who works at the watch shop at home—she's a legend—which is how I know that it's the watch brand for me. Also, how'd you know that I've been eyeing a rose gold one?"
Her response: "I'm such a fan of wrap dresses for their shape, but I always worry about showing off too much in them. So I like that this one appears to be more covered at the top. Also, this green shade is so stunning and much more visually exciting that another black dress."
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated. Coming up: I'm Not an Impulse Shopper, But These Nordy Finds Have Me Quickly Adding to Cart
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
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