I Was a VIP Nordstrom Stylist: A Great Closet Has These Understated Trends in It

Sandy Koszarek is a stylist and blogger (her site is Stylish Sandy) who once worked in the Nordstrom VIP styling department. As a result, she has years of experience helping clients build out their wardrobes. While she certainly suggests bold, trendier picks in her sessions, there are a few more understated trends she likes to recommend first because of their versatile nature. These "non-fussy” items, as she calls them, can act as the foundational elements of a great, well-balanced closet.
Below you’ll uncover the five low-key yet chic items Koszarek thinks will elevate a wardrobe. You’ll notice that everything included in the mix is very easy to style with a range of items.
Keep scrolling for more, including visual inspiration from Koszarek and inspired shopping picks for all of the trends on her list.
Flared Jeans
"Long and cropped flared jeans are staples in my denim wardrobe. It's a trend that's easy to style with retro sneakers or heels. You can easily throw these on and head out the door."
Lavender
"Lavender is a trending color I'm wearing this spring. It's a fresh color suitable for the season, and it's also easy to incorporate into my wardrobe by adding an oversized blouse, handbag, shoes, or accessories."
Retro Sneakers
"Classic and retro sneakers are staples in my shoe wardrobe. I always wear them with jeans plus, I like to style them with wide-leg trousers and midi dresses for a contemporary look."
Wide-Leg Trousers
"I'm wearing wide-leg trousers this spring. They are a versatile staple in my wardrobe that's easy to style with heels or sneakers, depending on the occasion."
Denim on Denim
"I love the denim-on-denim trend. It's a fun and effortless combination that is easy to style. You can mix light and dark denim, complementary washes, skirts, shirts, and jackets, to achieve this trendy look."
Next, 9 Uncomplicated Outfits that Will Have You Excited for Summer.
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent 10 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 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 and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises.
-
These 31 Rich-Looking Nordstrom Finds Are Giving "I Summer in the Hamptons"
Minus the trust fund.
-
I'm a New Shopping Editor in NYC—These 31 Gorgeous Summer Nordstrom Finds Have My Attention
PS: Everything's under $150.
-
My Mom and I Are Summer Shopping—These 30 Nordstrom, Zara, J.Crew, and Revolve Items Are the Chicest
From elevated basics to trendy staples.
-
These New Under-$100 Nordstrom Summer Items Are What I Call Fashion, Period
Expensive-looking staples.
-
I Can't Visit the South of France This Summer, But I Can Still Dress Like It—30 Items That'll Do the Trick
I'm bringing European style stateside.
-
I'm a Former Nordstrom Buyer, and I'm Primarily Wearing Linen RN—These 7 Pieces Are Most Fashionable
Elevate your summer looks.
-
If Your Taste Is Expensive But Your Budget Is Sale Rack, Shop These 27 Designer Items on Sale at Nordstrom Now
Deep discounts ahead.
-
I Spent Hours Searching for the Chicest Summer Minidresses—These 44 From Revolve, Zara, and Nordstrom Have My Full Attention
From $50 to $350.