Clear The Rack, Nordstrom Rack’s Best-Kept Secret Sale, Is Here

In a sea of predictable Prime Days, Cyber Mondays, and Memorial Days, a few genuinely exciting events stand out for savvy sale-hunters — and one of those hallowed markdowns is Nordstrom Rack’s Clear The Rack sale, where the off-price retailers chops an extra 25% off their already deeply discounted clearance section. Like Nordstrom Rack itself, the event is full of surprises; cropping up periodically with little advance notice and teeming with buyable bargains from beloved in-house brands like BP. and Z by Zella, respected standbys like Ugg, Allsaints, and Hobo, and a slew of designer brands that prefer that their discounted duds keep a low profile. Ahead, we’re answering all your burning questions about the three-day sale (which ends on March 27) and rounding up the need-to-cart goods to consider.

What’s on sale at Nordstrom’s Clear The Rack Sale?

Much of the fashion, beauty, home goods, and tech accessories that have trickled down from Seattle-based retailer’s inventory to the discount floor will be available on ultra-sale in the coming days. If you can find it at Nordstrom, chances are you can find it at Nordstrom Rack.

What are the best deals at Nordstrom’s Clear The Rack sale?

Nordstrom Rack boasts an enviable mix of markdowns that previously passed through the hallowed aisles of its big-sister store, along with some Rack-only goods that skipped the line and proceeded straight to the digital discount destination. Everything in the shop’s last-chance clearance section is marked down an additional 25% during the limited time sale.

How long will Nordstrom’s Clear the Rack sale last?

While the event isn’t by any means a flash in the pan, blink and you will miss it — the sale, which started today, March 24, will end on March 27. You only have three short days (or 72 sweet hours) to take advantage of these markdowns.

Sofia Cashmere Kimono Cardigan, $350 $39.36

While we’re very ready for spring, we’re not ready to stop buying cashmere. Luckily, the addictively soft goat-hair fiber is available in transitional silhouettes — like this loose, short-sleeved kimono-cardigan hybrid that clocks in at 85% of its original retail price. The one-size-fits all style is available in a 32” length and comes closure-free for an easy, layerable look.

Vince Front Seam Leggings, $295 $44.98

Vince is known for what designer Patrik Ervell calls the “most elevated version” of a “high classic California aesthetic,” and the brand’s understated essentials promise to add a cool elegance to any outfit. These cropped cotton-blend leggings boast a host of thoughtful details (visible seams and subtly split hems) that elevate an otherwise easy silhouette.

Kelsi Dagger Brooklyn Spark Woven Sandal, $140 $39.34

“Like Tevas, only fancy,” wrote one Nordstrom Rack reviewer of these braided leather footbed sandals. “I’ve been looking for a velcro sandal that was different than what is out there and these are perfect!” exclaimed another. The crunchy-cool mashup offers a contoured insole and a unique take on the traditional campfire shoe.

Abound Lightweight Easy Cardigan, $29.97

We love that a cropped waistline can usher the often-fusty cardigan into cool-girl layering territory. The medium-chunky knit and cotton blend make it a perfect transitional topper for the in-between seasons ahead.

Hobo Leather Crossbody Bag, $228 $109.97

In the world of cross-body bags, the canteen sling reigns supreme — the silhouette is unexpected but still functional and hands-free. Hobo’s iteration is rendered in an un-missable aqua hue that will add a colorful boost to any outfit.

BP. Oval Sunglasses, $15 $4.47

These tawny throwback shades from Nordstrom’s in-house collection are part Kurt Cobain, part influencer — and at less than $5, they’re fully a steal.

AFRM Katica Satin Midi Dress, $42.97 $25.78

A slinky, satin-y slipdress is a summer must-have, and this shimmering number answers the call for under $30. Available in sizes 1X – 3X, the warm-weather-ready party staple is fabricated from lightweight rayon.

Allsaints Signet Transfer Sandal, $89 $26.98

Unexpected crowd-pleaser Allsaints is know for leather jackets and black jeans, but did you know the British brand also offer a stylish take on the logo slide? This unsung summer essential is perfect for shuffling around the house, running errands, or hitting the sand.

BP. Cotton High Waist Leggings, $12 $9

A tried and true cotton blend with a ultra-high waist offers a chic and breathable option for your next workout (or dance party).

Lovestitch Gauze Maxi Dress, $88 $29.97

Don’t be fooled by this sweeping maxi’s airy fabrication — the gauzy frock boasts heavyweight status in the world of online reviews. A longtime standby at Nordstrom Rack, the dress is available in sizes S – 2X and boasts over 2,000 reviews on the Seattle-based site. “Perfect maxi dress!!!” exclaimed a review named Sumer. “It has great pockets, flowing material and it’s NOT shaped like a big old tent! Who ever designed this new something about the female body shape.” 

Sanctuary Ribbed Cutout Tee, $69 $14.61

What’s better than a basic tee? A fitted top in a becoming shade of powder blue that boasts a cool, sneaky cutout, allowing you to comfortably show a little extra skin. The rayon fabric is ribbed for an added dose of elegance.

NSR Square Neck Midi Dress, $80 $39.97

This figure-skimming floral dress only appears traditional — the cool-girl square neckline and side slit lend a modern edginess that will satisfy any wedding dress code.

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I Love Fashion, But Fashion Doesn’t Love Me Back

Welcome to Fashionably Black!, a style and culture guide for Black people highlighting the cultural moments, pioneers, and conversations we’ve always been a part of! Putting a magnifying glass to style & self expression, Fashionably Black! explores the many ways we are the history, we are the fashion, and will ALWAYS be. We’re not trending, we’re true.

Another fashion month has come and gone. In the weeks following, the runway-obsessed fashion girlies reveled in the latest collections, breaking down “what it all means” for the fashion-loving public and inundating Instagram and TikTok with their well-thought-out looks (as they should). Don’t get me wrong: I understand the hype, and I’d be lying if I said I’d skip out on attending a show if I was invited or if I said I don’t love getting the free clothes. However, years of feeling deeply tied to the fashion industry — from a lifetime of being a voracious consumer of fashion media to working at the corporate offices of a luxury Italian retailer and a few style-focused women’s media companies — and yearning to be seen and accepted within it have been less than fruitful. Fashion has never loved me, a plus-size Black woman, back.

When I speak of the fashion industry, I’m referring to the glossy magazines, the retail stores, the thought leaders, and the luxury high-end brands whose creations have graced many runways. I’m also referring to the machine that runs all of these enterprises and ultimately informs their target audience: white people. Whether it’s creating clothes exclusive of curvy Black bodies like denim gaping at the waistline or prejudiced fashion rules like “horizontal lines don’t look good on bigger people”, exclusionary rhetoric has shamed or completely left out large Black women from the conversation. I’ve had to divest my time and energy from the industry, and reevaluate the level of importance it’s played in my life. 

The more I’d bop from store to store and mall after mall, the more quickly I realized how little effort was put into clothing bigger bodies. This is when the frustration and the doubt in fashion started to grow. I thought, ‘Were people like me not worthy of enjoying fashion too?’

Chichi offor, Associate Writer, r29

I haven’t always felt this way about fashion. Like many personal style-lovers, my relationship with the industry was greatly influenced early in life by the media I consumed. I scanned the pages of teenybopper magazines that had the likes of Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez plastered on covers and had me convinced Raven Symoné — whose body resembled my own — was “too big.” I glued my eyes to the television screens that praised flat-stomached, teen golden girls like Hilary Duff. I used these channels as gateways to self-expression by mixing and matching clothing trends and styles while simultaneously feeding my desire to be a part of it all. Experimentation with personal style and crafting fun outfits had become a pinnacle of my identity. Little did I know, the seeds of self-doubt and self-consciousness also grew along with my increasing fascination. This along with nudges of concern for my weight from loved ones triggered my need to appear differently than my more rounded frame — thus began years of falling victim to diet culture, disordered eating, and body insecurities. 

My interest in fashion grew as I tacked on a fashion merchandising minor at the University of Georgia and would spend growing amounts of time on Vogue Runway. I’d read the literature and gain knowledge about fashion history. Simultaneously, I’d get inspiration from the things I’ve learned from blogs and the trends I observed. As I got older, my hips and thighs held on to more flesh, and it became increasingly difficult to clothe myself. Naturally, I was pretty into shopping, but the more I’d bop from store to store and mall after mall, the more quickly I realized how little effort was put into clothing bigger bodies. This is when the frustration and the doubt in fashion started to grow. I thought, “Were people like me not worthy of enjoying fashion too?”

There’s something incredibly disheartening about never fully being able to express yourself through dress. With 68% of American women donning garments that are a size 16 or higher, it started to seem quite bizarre that I was relegated to the dark, unkempt corners of the  Forever21, H&M, and Target for mostly all of my wardrobe needs through high school, college, and early adulthood. I’d learn about innovative brands conserving resources and using the coolest eco-fabrics, while  I couldn’t even buy a decent pair of jeans until I was 25. The designers I spent my time studying barely had Black people in their runway shows let alone anyone above a size 2. 

Somewhere along the way, Instagram started booming. That’s when I began my journey of body acceptance which was greatly impacted by following Black and plus-size models with bodies similar to mine I started seeing on my feed. While also providing a level of empowerment, Instagram was also a place that served as a reminder of the exclusion of plus-size bodies in the fashion space. The absence of brown-skinned thicker bodies continued with most retail stores and brands on the platform championing such exclusions in their marketing. 

Unrequited affection is painful, and I simply won’t spend any more excess energy, time, and mind space on trying to fit into the picture-perfect fashion industry girl. 

Chichi offor, Associate Writer, r29

When were things finally going to change? I thought it could maybe be once I was working in the industry. Once I used my large frame and Black body to take up space and show that I belonged there just as much as anyone else. I’d survive the internship at a luxury fashion company where the loud fatphobia and racial microaggressions ran rampant. I’d hear whispers of a size 4 Black model being “too big” for their clothing from superiors while standing right in front of me to curvier employees self-criticizing their own bodies to fit in. For three years I’d apply to hundreds of media industry positions, to get turned down and finally have to reckon with the fact that my qualifications only went so far if I looked the way I did. Then to finally cover fashion as a full-time staff member of a large media company while mainly getting pitched designers with collections that barely ever went above a size L. 

I have seen some changes in the industry, and a bit of growth that hints towards a potential for a shift. It’s becoming a lot more common to see larger hips and belly fat on my Instagram Feed and Tiktok FYP.  Independent brands like Zellie For She are starting smaller operations that cater to bigger Black bodies from the outset. However, the reality is only 8% of clothing stores cater to plus-sizes. Although the appearances of plus-size models this fashion month quadrupled compared to last season (from 19 to 81), that’s still only 1.81% of  4,471 models that were casted in NY, London, Milan, and Paris. To top that off many brands that use larger models in their advertising on their runway don’t even actually carry plus-sizes. With the landscape seeming so abysmal, at what point does one cut their losses? I don’t hate it, but I’ve had to recognize what’s in front of me. Unrequited affection is painful, and I simply won’t spend any more excess energy, time, and mind space on trying to fit into the picture-perfect fashion industry girl. 

A few years ago, it started with unfollowing every brand that didn’t carry sizes I could wear. Then it progressed to include unfollowing most white straight-sized style influencers, brands that don’t have POC (especially Black folk) in their marketing imagery, and brands that refuse to use larger bodied models. I don’t follow trends as closely, and I don’t care much for spending time analyzing runway collections and fawning over once head-turning designs from brands that exclude Black people AND fat bodies.  Even if it seems small. These changes served as intentional mental cleanse that has added clarity to my day-to-day life. While there will be times that the negative noise breaks through, I know at the very least that I’m worthy of being seen.

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The Birkenstock x Manolo Blahnik Collab Is A Luxe Take On Everyone’s Favorite Sandal

It’s hard to imagine a world where Manolo Blahnik’s most famous client, Sex And The City’s Carrie Bradshaw, would wear Birkenstock sandals. But even CB herself might rethink the “ugly shoe” after seeing the Spanish designer’s new collaboration with the German sandal brand. 

On Thursday, the two dropped the six-piece collection — the first of a two-part collaboration — which includes beloved Birkenstock models, such as the Arizona and the Boston sandals, redesigned in velvet textures and featuring crystal detailing. 

Although the partnership between the luxury footwear designer and the utilitarian sandal brand may seem odd on the surface, Blahnik is a longtime wearer of Birkenstocks. “Birkenstocks have been in my wardrobe since the very beginning (of time!!) – I have loved and worn mine for many years,” he said via press release. So much so that back in 2020, Blahnik, alongside his niece and the company’s CEO, participated in Birkenstock’s Personality Campaign, which illustrated famous Birkenstock wearers. For Birkenstock, it’s just the latest in a stint of high-end designer collaborations which have included designers like Rick Owens, Proenza Schouler, and Jil Sander.

Known for his signature pumps and embellished party shoes, Manolo Blahnik’s touch is apparent in the hues selected — pink, blue (reminiscent of the pair Mr. Big used to propose to Carrie in the first Sex And The City movie) and black — and the luxurious fabric choices. “This is a unique collection, fusing our trademark designs with the flair of Manolo Blahnik, to create pieces that embrace a bold and directional aesthetic that takes both to a new level,” said the German shoemaker’s CEO Oliver Reichert. In other words, the grocery store run has never looked so glamorous. 

Although they come at a hefty price tag more in line with Blahnik’s offerings than Birkestock’s (ranging from $680 to $810), this is just the first drop, with a second installment coming in June 2022, which gives fans time to save up. Unless they sell out, that is.

The Birkenstock x Manolo Blahnik collaboration is available at Manolo Blahnik locations and online. 

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Who Is 2022’s Bare Midriff Trend For?

The return of Y2K trends to fashion’s zeitgeist has ruffled many. Two decades later, it feels like the toxic body standards promoted by midriff-exposing tops and low-rise jeans, and the ultra-thin celebrities who wore them in the ‘00s, haven’t changed that much. For proof, see the comeback of the torso-baring trend shown on the spring 2022 runways that featured few plus-size models. It begs the question of: Who gets to participate in this trend revival? 

The answer should be: everyone. But given fashion’s slow progress when it comes to body diversity on the runways, when a trend that’s only shown on thin models goes so viral even fast fashion and mass retail chains try to copy it, it’s hard not to question the industry’s intention. At Miu Miu, where low-rise mini skirts and ultra-cropped blazers and button-up shirts dominated, no plus-size models were cast to showcase the torso-baring looks. This was also the case at Blumarine, which has been credited for leading the Y2K comeback in recent years.

“It’s really not surprising to see that there was little to no body diversity when it came to showing this trend,” says Gianluca Russo, a fashion writer and the author of Power of Plus. “In fashion, the people who lead the trends have remained the thinnest people.”

Even when brands cast plus-size models in their lineups, the styling choices they’re given often exclude them from participating in some of the skimpier trends. “You can see the stark difference in how plus-size versus straight-size bodies are represented,” says Russo.

While there are various factors that go into the looks chosen for each model, take, for example, the spring 2022 Balmain show, which included a slew of midriff-exposing looks on straight-size models. Meanwhile, Precious Lee modeled a long-sleeved, midi black dress. The same was seen at Versace, where thin models walked in low-rise metallic mini skirts and cropped tops, while Lee sported a flowy button-down shirt and capri pants. “Brands get commended for having size inclusivity on the runway,” says New York-based stylist Ansley Morgan. “But most of the time, [the plus-size models] are in some sort of stretchy piece of material.” (Refinery29 reached out to both brands for comment on how they choose looks for models; Versace declined to comment and Balmain has not responded at the time of publication.)

There are some exceptions, though: At the spring shows, Paloma Elsesser sported a floss-string bikini top with a pair of mid-rise pants at Maryam Nassir Zadeh, while Lee sported midriff-exposing crop top and high-waisted tulle skirt look at Christian Siriano and a mini dress at Brandon Maxwell. 

Yet, when it comes to the viral looks the fashion world has fawned over the past few months, there has been little plus-size representation in media. 

A quick look at the Instagram account @miumiuset — which is dedicated to documenting the many times celebrities, models, and influencers have sported the teeny-tiny Miu Miu skirt look — exhibits just how little brands and magazines have tried to advocate for the trend to be worn by non-straight-size bodies. There are celebrities like Nicole Kidman on the cover of Vanity Fair, Bella Hadid inside the pages of Vogue, and Zendaya for Interview. Only one image stands out: Elsesser on the cover of i-D (which is owned by Refinery29’s parent company, Vice Media Group) with her torso front and center in the photo alongside the headline, “I’m not wearing a stretchy dress. I’m wearing Miu Miu.” 

But even this cover was not without controversy. On Twitter, fashion insiders, including writer Shelton Boyd-Griffith and Fashionista’s editor-in-chief Tyler McCall, pointed out that, while they appreciate the representation, it misses the point if real plus-size women can’t wear the look modeled: Currently, Miu Miu only sells items up to a European size 48 (U.S. size 14), according to the brand’s website. (A size 16 is generally considered the lower end of the plus-size spectrum.) “Is it even worth doing if no one can actually wear it?” asked  Russo. (Refinery29 reached out to Miu Miu for comment but has not heard back at the time of publication.)

For Morgan, it’s one more example of how brands continue to purposely exclude plus-size women: “We’ve been told that if you don’t look a certain way, you can’t wear certain things. They don’t even give us the option.” She adds that brands are missing out, not just on an opportunity to do the right thing for the plus-size consumer, but also on financial gain: “There’s a lot of people who have the money and would spend it if brands just like gave them the opportunity to.”

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One thing that has changed in 2022 is that plus-size women will no longer be told about what they can and can’t wear. In the interview for i-D, Elsesser said that she is “reclaiming perceptions of what people think plus size bodies are capable of; how we’re supposed to look, or supposed to exist and occupy space in this world.” For Morgan, that is reason enough to be optimistic about the future. “Now, versus the early ‘00s, there will be plus-size people who do try it. Twenty years ago that wouldn’t have happened,” she says. “It definitely helps when you see people who look like you, but I hope to see more plus-size people wearing it.”

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Bold Orange Is Spring’s Most Saturated — & Must-Try — Color Trend

Dopamine dressing — “happy fashion” made up of bright colors, statement prints, and party-inspired silhouettes — has been one of 2022’s biggest trends. If bright hues are the cure to help shoppers fight their way out of the emotional funk propelled by two years in a pandemic, then the bold orange color trend is the juicy medicine of choice for designers this spring. 

Or at least that’s the memo coming from the spring 2022 runways, which featured ranging hues of orange, from soft sorbet colors to in-your-face neon shades. And, contrary to the (arbitrary) rules of fashion that tell us to reduce bold colors to mere “pops” in an outfit, this season designers went for it, with head-to-toe orange looks that are guaranteed to turn heads on the street. Or: help you blend in with the nearest construction site if you’re not looking for that type of attention. 

Take, for example, the Proenza Schouler spring 2022 show, which included a bold orange monochrome suit or Versace’s mesh orange dress, paired with equally citrus accessories. Collina Strada also bet big on the citrusy hue with several orange looks, including a dress with a high-low hemline, paired with cargo pants, while Prada and Christian Siriano showed their own versions of the LOD (that’s little orange dress for you). 

Street style stars are also taking note: During Copenhagen Fashion Week fall 2022 in February, photographers captured attendees in bright hues of orange, paired with everything from hot pink to vibrant blue. Meanwhile, in the celebrity world, West Side Story’s Ariana DeBose wore a dark orange one-shoulder Carolina Herrera dress for the 2022 Critics Choice Awards red carpet, while Ciara wore a monochrome bright citrus suit by David Koma on Instagram. 

For styling the trend, take cues from Valentino’s and Bottega Venetta’s colorblocked looks that paired contrasting shades. Meanwhile, Proenza Schouler complemented its suit with a bold blue handbag, while Versace accessorized an orange mini dress with neon green tights and platform heels.

For neutral-loving dressers, this trend might seem like a hard adjustment. But thanks to the many monochrome set options,  it’s easy to enter the colorful realm while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. Take a look at some of the options below to try out the trend. 

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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