I posted a few Nsale wishlist items across all categories, and wanted to share fit photos on the bags & shoes I tried on! I was underwhelmed by a lot of the apparel this year and wanted to highlight items that have proven to be good buys from prior years:
- Baby gear – the best Nsale savings!
- My Allsaints leather jacket. Beautiful quality and no alterations needed. For a budget faux-leather option, this Topshop moto jacket on sale is a great option that is perfectly petite friendly.
- Low or flat waterproof ankle booties
- Quality flat knee-high boot
- Super basic, but I wear this Zella pocket legging + Barefoot Dreams long cardi every week, and the kids loove snuggling their own BFD blankets. See my guide to the different Zella leggings and BFD cardigans.
- Beauty deals on items you use regularly.
- A classic leather crossbody or low-maintenance Longchamp tote.
1. Best neutral bootie: Blondo Boots
I love Blondo for their waterproof boots that don’t at all look like “weather” shoes. Amongst all the booties I tried, these were my preferred ones and TTS (ordered 5.5, trying on 6 below). The shape, the heel, the color – this “tan” is the perfect versatile taupe, and the fit was comfy on my narrow to normal width feet.
For a taller shaft bootie that fits nicely inside straight cut jeans and pants, the Irina (runs smaller – size up) was super flattering.
2. Shorter Shaft Riding Boot: Naturalizer Boots (2 colors)
Starts in sz 4 in both standard and wide calf! I’ve featured these a few times now – the calf part on these is not slim enough for someone with very narrow calves, but the height does fit comfortably below my knees (hard to find). The boot itself also seems nice quality and comfortable, and this is a look that never goes out of style.
If you have slim calves and are short, definitely check out our Edited Pieces tall boot.
3. Budget Friendly + Comfy: BP Ankle Booties
These look your standard ankle boot, but as soon as I tried them on, I realized the block heel here is wider and more supportive than most boots, so these barely feel like wearing heels. These look VERY similar in cut and toe shape to a favorite pair of SM booties I got two years ago. FYI, the “chestnut” color was yellower than I expected in-person so I’d personally prefer the grey or black.
4. Classic White Sneaker: Sam Edelman (Under $60)
As an alternative to the Everlane sneakers I always share, these are a clean cut option with a platform, and also works with both dresses and jeans. Fit TTS for me (5.5) and felt comfortable. For those with low ankles that usually rub against shoes, this hack has worked wonders in many of my sneakers!
5. Tall Suede Boot: Vince Camuto Boot
Never would I have got these based on the stock photo. But my store didn’t have the Sam Edelman tall boots on my list, so I tried these on a whim and found them to be surprisingly flattering.
The shaft looks very wide online but I measured a size 5.5 calf circumference to be around 13.75″, which fits me decently over slim jeans or leggings. The shaft height on mine was 13″ tall and increases with shoe size. The front view with the pointed toe is very elongating, though I’m not sure if the sculpted heel is my style so I brought these home to mull over. Heads up, the calf width on these might increase dramatically with each size, so I can only speak to how my size fit!
6. Luxe Pick: Aquatalia Weatherproof Boots (save $200)
At a higher price point, Aquatalia makes some of the best weatherproof boots in simple, classic styles that will last forever. This style has an updated rounded squared toe, and is made of supple leather with a little stretch. The shaft height and calf width is petite friendly, though note that both measurements increase as the foot size goes up. TTS (I take 5.5). Mine are from nearly 10 years ago (see blog post) and are still the best fitting riding boots I own.
7. Water-resistant lug sole boots: Caslon Chelsea Boots (current version)
Can’t beat the size range – available in sizes 4 to 13, with wide foot widths available too for the black color. These slightly chunky, on-trend lug sole boots are still minimal and easy to style. Wore these quite a bit all last Fall-Winter for daycare pickup and playgrounds, since they pair effortlessly with a simple pair of black leggings or jeans and a tunic sweater.
8. Fun Pick: Open Edit Mules
These are more of a fun pick compared to the practical recommendations above, but I did find these to be very cute and am a sucker for nude pointed flats. The length of the shoe runs short so I took a 6, a full size up.
I also wanted to quickly share this dress, one of the few Nsale clothing items that fit me really well. A 0 fit like a glove without accentuating my lower belly and felt like 00 in other brands. The neckline is plunge on me since I’m 5 feet tall, so just a heads up for those who’d prefer a more modest neckline! If you’re looking for a classic long sleeve sweater dress, this FC one was also very petite friendly (knee length) but a little too slim fit for me at the belly area.
Lastly, the expandable Longchamp tote is always a solid Anniversary Sale item and makes a great gift. The compact size makes a everyday work or school bag, and expands into a weekender / travel bag. I still have mine from ~8 years ago and it’s in near perfect condition since the outer wipes clean. My pick is the Marine navy color since the expansion zipper is almost camouflaged in the dark color, but this Beige was nice too!
Hi Jean,
You duvet cover looks nice, May I know where can I get it or something similar? Thank you.
Hi Judy, thank you! It’s from Boll & Branch
Hi Jean, thanks so much for sharing! Where is your camel coat from? Is that part of the sale?
It’s from J. Crew (linked below the first pic of the post).
Hi Lindsay, Cait’s right! It’s J.Crew and linked up under the first photo