Including kitten heels, white dresses, chunky jewelry, and more.
In my past life as a former fashion designer, my right hand was my buyer. To ensure I made products people wanted to buy, they would present numbers on items they knew would sell, as well as trends that aligned with our customers. Their insight was invaluable and could be as specific as colors that would and wouldn’t work or silhouettes and details that our customers gravitated towards. As a fashion writer, that information is still super valuable when curating shoppable stories.
I recently had the chance to speak with Nordstrom’s fashion director, Rickie De Sole, whose role is to bring a heightened point of view to the merchandising done at the retailer — and that includes predicting the hottest spring trends Nordstrom shoppers will be buying. Her predictions for this season included flats and kitten heels, trench coats, white dresses, chunky silver jewelry, and preppy pieces.
To help you prep your wardrobe, we worked together to round up a few products from Nordstrom that you can shop ahead of the seasonal shift, below.
Flats and Kitten Heels
Buy on Nordstrom $140
- Circus NY by Sam Edelman Zuri Ballet Flat, $80
- Sarto by Franco Sarto Tracy Slingback Square-Toe Flat, $140
- Sam Edelman Tracie Slingback Pump Heel, $150
- Jeffrey Campbell Persona Slingback Pump Heel, $150
- The Row Kitten Heel, $920
The days of the six-inch stiletto are over with shoppers (and celebrities) reaching for comfortable flats or kitten heels when they want some lift — “it’s no longer just a shoe for the day,” De Sole says. If you’re looking to splurge, she recommends The Row’s Kitten Heel, but if that’s not within your budget, I love these Jeffrey Campbell Persona Slingback Pump Heels that come in eight colors and patterns. For a low-to-the-ground style that’s not your yesteryear flat, opt for Sarto by Franco Sarto’s Tracy Slingback Square-Toe Flat or this Sam Edelman Zuri Ballet Flat.
Trench Coats
Buy on Nordstrom $150 $80
- Bernardo Cotton-Twill Topper Jacket, $80 (Originally $150)
- Steve Madden Sunday Cargo-Pocket Cotton Trench Coat, $129
- Avec Les Filles Relaxed Belted Twill Trench Coat, $149
- Good American Chino Stretch Cotton-Crop Trench Coat, $189
- Cinq à Sept Astrid Embroidered Floral-Detail Cotton-Blend Trench Coat, $695
De Sole says “the ultimate wardrobe workhorse” — aka the trench coat — is getting “a refresh” this spring. She suggested adding a more elevated option to your wardrobe, like this Cinq à Sept style that features a white contrasting floral detail. I’m leaning towards a pop of color to contrast all the gray outside with Bernardo’s Cotton-Twill Topper Jacket and the Avec Les Filles Relaxed Belted Twill Trench Coat. If you want to take it a step further, you can opt for Good American’s modern cropped take.
Chunky Silver Jewelry
Buy on Nordstrom $270
- Panacea Bubble Hoop Earrings, $35
- Lié Studio The Leah Ring, $165
- St. Moran Chunky Curb Link Cuff Bracelet, $175
- Lié Studio The Klara Drop Earrings, $270
- St. Moran Oversize Curb Link Chain Necklace, $235
I’ve been a die-hard gold wearer for as long as I can remember, but silver has made a major comeback over the last few years; De Sole predicts that it’ll be bigger than ever this spring — literally! She says that “playing with scale strikes the perfect balance with some of fashion’s more understated looks.” To get started on the oversized trend, she suggests Lié Studio’s The Klara Drop Earrings and Leah Ring. If you want to dabble before you invest, go with these Panacea Bubble Hoop Earrings for just $35 — or if you’re committed to chunky silver accessories for spring, make a statement with the St. Moran Oversize Curb Link Chain Necklace.
Preppy Styles
Buy on Nordstrom $60
- Madwell Pointelle Johnny Collar Polo, $58
- English Factory Pleated Check Skort, $90
- Mango Side-Slit Quarter-Zip Sweater Vest, $60
- Mother The Hot Under-the-Collar Stripe Pointelle Polo Sweater, $275
- Vince Pintuck Wide-Leg Pants, $365
De Sole says that “preppy style” is in for spring, including collared shirts, sweater vests, and anything else that exudes prep vibes. Her fun pick was Mother’s The Hot Under-the-Collar Stripe Pointelle Polo Sweater, which can easily be worn through the summer; Madewell makes a similar polo for $58. For breezier spring days, you can layer with this Mango Side-Slit Quarter-Zip Sweater Vest and pair it with a classic pair of trousers like this wide-leg option from Vince.
White Dresses
Buy on Nordstrom $198
- Topshop Long-Sleeve Tiered Poplin Minidress, $84
- Rosetta Cutout Cotton and Linen Strapless Dress, $69
- French Connection Echo Crepe Midi Halter Dress, $138
- Reformation Mikol Pleated Midi Dress, $198
- Vince Sleeveless Sheath Dress, $425
“An effortless white dress captures the levity of springtime we’re all craving,” says De Sole; I definitely agree. Her Nordstrom picks include Reformation’s Mikol Pleated Midi Dress and Vince’s Sleeveless Sheath Dress. They both have timeless silhouettes that you’ll get tons of wear out of, plus a longer length if you’re not quite ready to bare your legs yet. But if you are in the market for a shorter white dress this spring, opt for Topshop’s Long-Sleeve Tiered Poplin Minidress or French Connection’ Echo Crepe Midi Halter Dress.