Big Fat Deal » Nordstrom Rack Fall Outfit Extravaganza

Nordstrom Rack Fall Outfit Extravaganza

September 15th, 2011

Armed with a gift card in my hand and Nordstrom love in my heart, I headed to the nearest Nordstrom Rack, in San Leandro, California, to do a little shopping.

The first thing I noticed is that Nordstrom Rack does not exactly provide the full Nordstrom Experience. I’ve been to Nordstrom proper many a time, and have had luck finding gorgeous clothes and fancy party dresses. Nordstrom also has impeccable customer service, making it a joy to shop there. Not so with Nordstrom Rack, which is more like shopping at a really really nice Ross Dress for Less. But of course, the prices are a lot lower, so that’s the tradeoff.

Whereas the selection at Ross is hit-or-miss (and mostly miss), the selection at Nordstrom Rack is amazing. (And they are expanding their plus size selection and adding plus to more stores starting September 15.) They have everything from Coach handbags to Bliss products to (of course) designer clothes, with a nice selection of plus sizes (I saw sizes up to 3XL and 26/28). My favorite thing about the Rack is actually the shoe section, as they have a great selection of shoes that go up to Women’s 13. My time was a little limited since I had a B-A-B-Y with me, but I found a lot of stuff to try on in an effort to put together a fall outfit. I was looking for something to wear when I go back to an office job in October, with “comfortable” being my main criteria.

The first thing I found was a pair of black Not Your Daughter’s Jeans. I’ve never heard of this brand before, but they are super comfortable. I was in love with this pair of pants the minute I put it on (original price $138). I paired it with an oversized striped Blu Seven top ($48) that says “fall” to me somehow. I’m also super into stripes! I added a Calvin Klein cropped shrug ($58) as a nod to the crisp San Francisco weather, and a super long, jet crystal necklace ($78) from the Nordstrom Crystal Collection. The original total cost was $322; my total before tax was $125.88 (pants $37.97, top $24.97, shrug $19.97, necklace $30.97). I saved almost $200! That’s almost enough for one of the purses I was drooling over!

fall outfit , a photo by mo pie on Flickr.

I also had picked out a pair of gold shoes (original price $78; my price $38.97) in size 11 1/2 to finish off the look. However, there was a slight customer service snafu, and I didn’t end up getting them. I didn’t get bad customer service, exactly, it just wasn’t particularly good. I should say that the dressing room attendant was very nice about accommodating me and the stroller that I had, and a woman restocking merchandise was very friendly, but the checkout experience wasn’t great.

I had picked out a shoe and had neglected to go to the “shoe mate” window because A) the baby had started crying, and B) I had no idea how the shoe mate window worked. I asked if I could pay for the shoes and then go pick up the second one; this is apparently against policy (which I understand) but I was told I had to go to the back of the store to get the second shoe, wait in the line again (which had gotten really long) and then pay for the shoes separately. Since the baby was fussy and hungry by that point, I simply had to put the shoe back. I think if I were at regular Nordstrom, someone might have been willing to either run back and get the shoe for me, or let me skip the giant register line that I’d already waited in once. But again, it was my mistake, and their policy makes sense.

Overall, if you’re a fan of Nordstrom and a fan of saving money on expensive Nordstrom merchandise, it’s definitely worth poking around Nordstrom Rack.

Want to try Nordstrom Rack out for yourself? One lucky winner will receive a $100 Nordstrom Rack gift card to create their perfect fall look! Simply leave a comment telling me what fabulous fall piece is a must-have in your wardrobe. Make sure to leave your email address! Sweepstakes runs 9/15-10/31. Visit the Promotions & Prizes section. Official Rules.

No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment in this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. Good luck!

Posted by mo pie

Filed under: Fashion, Meta, Personal, Review, Work

232 Responses to Nordstrom Rack Fall Outfit Extravaganza

Maria, on October 10th, 2011 at 10:43 am Said:

I guess a sweater in a very nice color.
krystle, on October 10th, 2011 at 1:31 pm Said:

I really like this cape from Sejour:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sejour-faux-leather-trim-cape-plus/3192050

if not that, then a new blazer for work.
Todd, on October 10th, 2011 at 1:37 pm Said:

A chunky cable knit sweater in heather gray!
Katelynn, on October 10th, 2011 at 1:54 pm Said:

Blogged! http://www.beautyblogish.com/2011/10/giveaways-galore.html
Katelynn, on October 10th, 2011 at 1:55 pm Said:

I’d love a trench for fall!
Lindsey, on October 10th, 2011 at 3:25 pm Said:

I’m dying for a new pair of knee high boots, either in gray or tan!
Naturally Alise, on October 10th, 2011 at 4:31 pm Said:

I am definitely in need of a great pair of dress pants and a fabulous pair of flats.
Kay, on October 11th, 2011 at 7:06 am Said:

A pair of brown boots to wear with my jeans and skirts.
Connie Q, on October 11th, 2011 at 2:30 pm Said:

comfortable waterproof shoes for walking in puddles!
Heidi, on October 12th, 2011 at 11:24 am Said:

I am on the lookout for a beautiful pair of boots for the fall…actually a black pair and a brown pair.
Donna C, on October 12th, 2011 at 1:39 pm Said:

a heavy sweater for the cold winter thats coming!
Christina R, on October 12th, 2011 at 2:21 pm Said:

A nice basic cardigan and a pair of flats to switch around with different outfits~
Sarah, on October 12th, 2011 at 6:28 pm Said:

black boots!
Krystal, on October 12th, 2011 at 10:26 pm Said:

I love Nordstrom Rack shoes and need boots for my fall wardrobe!
Kaitlin, on October 13th, 2011 at 7:53 am Said:

My must have is a plaid skirt. Until it gets cold, anyway :)
Greta Coalier, on October 13th, 2011 at 10:53 am Said:

The cardigan. Could not live without it! Also hides spit up stains in a pinch.
teriboberry, on October 13th, 2011 at 12:09 pm Said:

I want a pair of brown suede boots, the riding boot kind.
susan, on October 13th, 2011 at 12:41 pm Said:

i would like to find a nice fall winter dress in a classic look. I did not know Nordstroms had plus sizes
Barbara Evans, on October 13th, 2011 at 12:49 pm Said:

I must have a nice fall jacket.
Jennifer Wilkerson, on October 13th, 2011 at 12:50 pm Said:

oh wow, I have been so wanting to try out a pair of Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, I think I will be heading over to my local store tonight to see if they have them, what a great price. Thanks for the deal!
Beth, on October 14th, 2011 at 1:29 am Said:

I’m transitioning back into the working world after seven years of being at home with a couple of those B-A-B-Y folks, too, but I don’t even *know* what I need: new town, new job, new lumps from the above referenced little peoples. ?!?
Nancy M., on October 14th, 2011 at 3:33 pm Said:

I would love to find a long, belted cardigan.
Danielle, on October 14th, 2011 at 9:36 pm Said:

I’d love to buy an awesome pair of boots this Fall!

simmworksfamily (at) gmail.com
Erika, on October 15th, 2011 at 4:15 am Said:

My must have for fall are tall boots to stay snug and warm in.
nikkiana, on October 16th, 2011 at 12:23 pm Said:

I think my fall must have is pants. I lost a bunch of weight over the past year, and the last time I went shopping for bottoms I bought capris and shorts, and now I need pants because it’s getting cold!
Nomie, on October 16th, 2011 at 9:53 pm Said:

COATS. I would have fifty coats if I had the closet space, but right now I’m craving something swingy in grey. I almost bought a capelet a few weeks ago but didn’t think I could pull it off!
Nataly C., on October 17th, 2011 at 8:23 am Said:

I think scarves are a fabulous piece to have in your closet because it keeps your neck warm and it’s very stylish<3
julie murphy, on October 17th, 2011 at 1:01 pm Said:

must have a sweater jacket
julie murphy, on October 17th, 2011 at 1:01 pm Said:

I have to have a sweater jacket.
Sheryl, on October 17th, 2011 at 9:05 pm Said:

My feet hurt I need a new pair shoes
Georgia, on October 18th, 2011 at 3:43 am Said:

I would love some new Fall Sweaters for sure.

gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Georgia, on October 18th, 2011 at 3:44 am Said:

Tweeted here too

http://twitter.com/#!/gmissycat/status/126216910516924416

gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Patricia Kennedy, on October 18th, 2011 at 12:28 pm Said:

I would love a shopping spree.
Lib, on October 18th, 2011 at 1:45 pm Said:

Shoes!!!
Whitney, on October 18th, 2011 at 3:43 pm Said:

Dresses, dresses, dresses! AND SHOES! I’d love to go shopping!
Melanie, on October 18th, 2011 at 3:51 pm Said:

Tunics and tank tops-my “uniform” for everyday wear.
Shandra, on October 19th, 2011 at 1:20 am Said:

I would love to be able to win a shopping spree for all my clothes are out of style and I feel that I need a new wardrobe and that’s for all my clothes I can no longer fit and old styles please give me a chance to win in this shopping spree.
Pamie, on October 19th, 2011 at 2:56 am Said:

I want those Not My Daughters Jeans!!! Been eying those forever but can’t pay full price.
OMG, what a deal!
Myra Crowell, on October 19th, 2011 at 10:57 am Said:

I would love a pair of leather or suede boots above the knee
Carrie L, on October 19th, 2011 at 11:57 am Said:

mmmm, definitely some boots. Nothing says fall to me like pulling on a pair of boots!
jennifer o, on October 19th, 2011 at 9:38 pm Said:

Sweaters, sweaters, sweaters. Swingy ones, clingy ones, and eventually springy ones. Loving all of the cape-y, drape-y sweaters that I’ve found at the Rack lately – all black and all so flattering!
Litvinas Santelmo, on October 19th, 2011 at 9:43 pm Said:

okay, i’ll take a pair of leopard skin (faux of course) boots!
Kelly Massman, on October 20th, 2011 at 3:23 pm Said:

I’d love to find some pants that look good on a full-figured gal!
thanks also for a chance to win!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
Patty Ojeda, on October 20th, 2011 at 9:09 pm Said:

I would love to win a shopping spree!
nopinkhere, on October 21st, 2011 at 8:52 pm Said:

I’ve been thinking about some neat boots, but I’m more likely to look for a great pair of new jeans.
Cheryl Jungman, on October 22nd, 2011 at 1:20 am Said:

Need some new clothes for job interviews.
nanjhall, on October 24th, 2011 at 7:58 am Said:

My must-have in your wardrobe needs a pair of boots to complete it.
Joyce Harrell, on October 25th, 2011 at 8:21 am Said:

My must-have for fall is JEANS! They can go almost anywhere.
Deanna G., on October 26th, 2011 at 5:37 am Said:

A good pair of jeans! :)
Deanna G., on October 26th, 2011 at 5:39 am Said:

Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/#!/calidreamin87/status/129144927497097216

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