Congrats, you've officially made it to summertime. To celebrate, Nordstrom has slashed prices on some new top-rated picks over in its sale section. Save up to 40% off on top brands like Free People, Tom Ford, UGG, Steve Madden, and more in the cult-favorite retailer’s sale section.
Whether you're in need of some breezy dresses, fresh kicks, or sweat-wicking activewear, this sale has something for you. We clicked through everything from pastel heels to R29-reader-favorite sunscreens and found what’s really worth our dollars. Scroll ahead to cash in right now — and take advantage of these super hot deals.
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, but if you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Sam Edelman Kia Ankle Strap Sandal, $, available at Nordstrom
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, $, available at Nordstrom
Free People Maggie Distressed Shorts, $, available at Nordstrom
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen, $, available at Nordstrom
Circus by Sam Edelman Miranda Platform Ankle Strap Sandal, $, available at Nordstrom
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil, $, available at Nordstrom
Open Edit Side Ruched Skirt, $, available at Nordstrom
1.State Off the Shoulder Sheer Chiffon Blouse, $, available at Nordstrom
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, $, available at Nordstrom
Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne, $, available at Nordstrom
Free People Makai High Waist Cutoff Shorts, $, available at Nordstrom
Ray-Ban Erika Classic 54mm Sunglasses, $, available at Nordstrom
Free People Elora Tonal Windowpane Check Minidress, $, available at Nordstrom
Steve Madden Lipa Sandal, $, available at Nordstrom
Levi's 501® Ripped Straight Leg Jeans, $, available at Nordstrom
LOVEAPPELLA V-Neck Jersey Maxi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Faux Shearling Run Star, $, available at Nordstrom
Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20, $, available at Nordstrom
BP. Oversize Cotton Blend Shirt Jacket, $, available at Nordstrom
Ugg Scuffette II Slipper, $, available at Nordstrom
Diptyque Eau des Sens Eau de Toilette, $, available at Nordstrom
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One question that haunts many queer fashionable people come June is “What am I going to wear for Pride?” Whether it’s your first parade or your hundredth, dressing for the biggest gay party in your city is a big deal. We suggest not leaving it all until super last minute — we know you do unless you’re a queer Virgo — and start your wishlist now.
Confused if you should go big or subtle? If you want some major rainbow inspo, we got you. From UGG sequin jackets to rainbow-covered bralettes, these are all the pieces we’re loving just in time for the big parade. Don’t get it twisted though: We would wear all of this on the daily — you know . . . because we’re gay year-round. Keep scrolling to see what queer Refinery29 editors (plus, one of their partners) are wearing to Pride this year.
“It’s not Pride month without all the glitter. We Are Fluide, the beauty brand that showcases its queer employees and clients year-round, was kind enough to send me its Pride Galaxy Box, which includes a random assortment of the brand’s signature colorful makeup AND the Pride Glitter Trio. Have you seen anything more perfect for Pride? I haven’t!” —Mercedes Viera, Associate Deals Writer
“My girlfriend wore this to Queens Pride last weekend and was thrilled not to have to take a purse. With six roomy pockets, she was able to store everything from stickers to buttons to emergency cash to sunscreen on her person. Plus, for someone who is paler than anything, she was able to stay covered without feeling weighed down or too hot with the light and breathable fabric. It’s parade-perfect.” —Charlotte Lewis, Sexual Wellness Content Producer/Writer
“At Pride, there’s no greater advantage than to go hands-free. I was so incredibly jealous of my girlfriend’s boiler suite with its multitude of pockets, that it made me realize I need to invest in a rainbow belt bag (fanny pack, whatever!) for the rest of my Pride month events. Having both hands available is a real treat when you’re double (or triple) fisting water, iced coffee, and whatever other beverage you may grab along the way. This one from Coach is a bit of a splurge, but a girl can dream, right?” —Charlotte Lewis, Sexual Wellness Content Producer/Writer
“Target was also kind enough to send me some of its Pride goodies after I wrote about the collection, and this tote bag was among them! You might not think it just by looking at the photo online, but this thing is huge — which is perfect for everything you could possibly want to bring to Pride! Plus, the poem is absolutely beautiful.” —Mercedes Viera, Associate Deals Writer
“When lesbian TikTok influencer Mac Rose (@officialmacrose) announced she was collaborating with Adore Me for a new Pride collection, I knew I needed it — ASAP! This unlined bralette is rainbow enough to wear to pride AND subtle enough for every day.” —Mercedes Viera, Associate Deals Writer
“I’ll be wearing them because they’re super comfy for being on my feet all day walking around and dancing. I also love the classic Chuck look with a slightly more retro feel with the Chuck 70. Plus, the dark root colors go with my majority earth-tone wardrobe.” —Andie Kent, Associate Social Editor
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. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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Last month, creator @kaiageber chronicled in a Twitter thread a new aesthetic emerging in street style: the “weird” girl. Using photos of influencers and model Bella Hadid, the thread explored how mismatched accessories, mini skirts, fluffy details, knitted pieces, and clashing textures became the It-look of the season, seemingly throwing all the arbitrary fashion rules out the window. “Is it anti-fashion? Are people trying too hard just to look ugly?” the creator asked.
the weird girl aesthetic. is it anti-fashion? are people trying too hard just to look ugly? does it only work on bella hadid? let’s discuss pic.twitter.com/lRZZJ0JoAK
But while the trend seems to be booming now, its roots are also a product of the Y2K era. The “weird girl” aesthetic is influenced by Harajuku fashion, a style that mixes a wide set of sub-cultures within Japanese fashion that is known for its hyperfeminine aesthetic and was cemented in global pop culture thanks to publications like Fruits — a late ’90s street style magazine — back in the early 2000s. In its current form, it’s also tied to the recent rise of Heaven by Marc Jacobs, a youth brand launched in 2020 that embodies the grunge maximalism that earned the designer a name in the 90s, capitalizing on the nostalgia that’s made a new generation unearth these styles online and IRL. Take, for example, the brand’s spray painted baby tees, chunky platform boots, tulle skirts, pacifier-shaped earrings, and psychedelic graphics on everything from hoodies to sweaters and crop tops. It’s “schoolgirl” meets “rave kid.”
Yet the elements of this current trend go beyond Harajuku style, though. While the trend does embody the contrasting and fantasy-like nature of this Japanese style (which given the 20-year fashion cycle was bound to come back soon), it also derives from the reality we’ve lived over the past two years, thanks to the pandemic, and the fashion items we’ve used to cope. Think about it: Thrifting and vintage shopping have become the go-to sources of fashion, while knitting crochet tops, hats, and jackets are popular pastimes. Tie dye, a signature psychedelic print of the ’90s and early 2000s, made a triumphant comeback as many were bored during lockdown, managing their anxiety by hand-dyeing T-shirts at home. Fantasy fashion has also grown during this time, with brands like Selkie, Teuta Matoshi, and Lirika Matoshi offering dresses fit for a Disney princess (and people actually like one in their everyday lives). Victorian fashion, cottagecore, fetishcore… One aesthetic after the other promising the key to cope with a messed-up world.
The trend is also influenced by a return to maximalism in fashion, following years of low-key leisurewear and neutrals. “I think that maximalism is something that absolutely found its base online in what people wore during Covid,” says Alexandra Hildredth, a TikTok fashion creator who goes by @guyfieri.superfan on the app. She points to TikTok creators like @tinyjewishgirl, who has over 800,000 followers, becoming increasingly popular for their maximalist, anything-goes approach to fashion, pairing a butterfly-shaped bag with a plaid skirt, a pink corset with a beach-ready orange maxi skirt, or a knit crop top with a horse-print silk midi skirt. “I definitely don’t think that that [the weird girl aesthetic] could have arisen without those creators […] really paving the way in maximalism because there is a logic towards the weird girl style.”
But what exactly is “weird” about contrasting styles meshed together in one outfit? “I think it’s people who are not used to seeing these styles from actual subcultures who have been wearing it for years who gave it the name,” says Mosley. “Because they had never been around people that dress that way.” Some creators are also pointing out that the name ignores the trend’s roots and casts its wearers in a derogatory way. TikTok creator @glitterpenperspective said in a recent video that calling the trend “anti-fashion” because of its wear-all-at-once nature was wrong because “it’s fashion history,” referring to how Harajuku fashion paved the way for this phenomenon. Mosley also saw a wave of people upset over the name “weird girl aesthetic” in the comment section of her explainer video, and she agrees the name lacks the historical and social weight behind this trend. “Maybe it’s Fruits’ Girl Aesthetic,” she says.
After two years of an accelerated trend cycle that brews one aesthetic after the other with no end in sight, the “weird” girl emerges: She wears her cottagecore corset with her tie-dye skirt, accessorized with the Y2K-ready platform thong sandals and Minnie Mouse-branded shoulder bag, along with one too many acrylic rings and rhinestone hair pins, because she’s realized that arbitrary fashion rules have no place in our current world. If she’s “weird,” we all are, too.
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They say blood is thicker than water, but for those in the queer community, the definition of family stretches far beyond something you’re born into. When you’re struggling to find acceptance or feel a sense of belonging, creating a support system or “family” of your own — one where you can be intentional about who you choose to be a part of it — is where real self-discovery and healing can begin.
This holds true for Richie Shazam, the non-binary creative multi-hyphenate who shared her story for H&M’s My Chosen Family campaign. For her, chosen family has played a pivotal role in helping her come into her own, acting as her ride-or-die support system as she faced a lack of acceptance, navigated discovering her true identity, and forged a career path that spans multiple industries.
“Chosen family is the people you choose, and the people that choose you,” she explains. “They’re seeing your rawness and vulnerability, and they’re working to help give you space to exist.”
It’s a special closeness, a deep loyalty, and a mutual understanding of the queer experience that sets these relationships apart from close friends and romantic partners. For decades, the term “chosen family” has been used to define bonds within the queer community, which was initially considered a lifeline. “Back in the ’80s and ’90s — during the historical, groundbreaking formation of queer identity — chosen family was really about survival for people that didn’t have [blood] families that accepted them,” says Shazam. “They found the people that could be their surrogate families and take care of them.”
These relationships are just as important in 2022, as LGBTQ+ folks navigate oppressive and restrictive legislation and policies, along with the hate crimes that plague the community. In a country where “Don’t Say Gay” — the bill that restricts some public schools from teaching students about sexual orientation and gender identity — exists, parents who support their trans children are threatened with investigations, and murders of transgender people, particularly those of marginalized communities, are at an all-time high, these strong support systems are what lift one another up to continue pushing forward.
For Shazam, it begins with an instinctual bond between like-minded people. Growing up in New York City, a place with thriving queer and creative communities, she found a sense of belonging outside of her unsupportive household by mingling in the spaces she’d find people with similar experiences and interests. When her family’s opposition forced her to find support elsewhere, she was able to make those important connections to others, eventually meeting her “best-friend-slash-soul-sister” Briana Andalore and her partner Ben Draghi, who star alongside her in this campaign.
“I feel very fortunate that we found each other and built on our relationships,” she says. “As humans, we’re always evolving and changing. Identity isn’t fixed; it’s constantly transforming, so finding people who are there for all of these ebbs and flows and are down to be on that journey with you and see you for who you are is so powerful. They taught me to own the authentic individual I’ve always been and really feel it from within.”
Shazam’s family comprises equally accomplished creatives who support one another, both personally and professionally (she’s collaborated with Draghi on video projects, and she often calls on Andalore to style her, including for this campaign). And she can count on them to be there for every milestone in her career, whether that’s modeling, photography, or her upcoming foray into film.
While she credits them for teaching her invaluable lessons of self-discovery and self-acceptance, they’ve also helped her traverse her darkest moments — like being rejected by her religious Guyanese family. After she left home, they were the ones to house her, give her the clothes off their backs, and feed her when she couldn’t feed herself — “You know, very real, raw things that I couldn’t ask my [blood] family for because that door had been closed. They picked me up in my most vulnerable state.”
Shazam knows she’s been fortunate in finding her people, which is why she urges queer, trans, and non-binary folks to take advantage of social media to connect with and cultivate families of their own. “For younger people coming up, it’s a lot easier to find your communities in your town or city or elsewhere thanks to technology,” she says. “There are so many powerful queer spaces and queer sanctuaries in cities across America and around the world that one can find — it’s a lot more accessible than it once was.”
Also more accessible is the help necessary to navigate the many hardships they may face, thanks to organizations like The Trevor Project. For the third year, H&M is helping fund its crisis intervention and suicide prevention resources and services to provide year-round support to LGBTQ+ teens and young adults. From June 15 through June 17, they’ll be matching all donations made on Trevor Project’s website up to $150,000.
But it’s important to remember that family is not one-size-fits-all, Shazam says, and only you can define what it means to you. Chosen family should include the people you can both laugh and cry with, who will lift you up no matter what, and, most of all, help you step into your truest self: “They should embrace all those beautiful facets of yourself that you may be scared to project onto the world, and teach you not to be scared to take up space and speak from your chest and your heart,” says Shazam. “That’s been a common thread amongst my family — and I strive to teach others the same thing.”
To hear more stories of chosen families from around the world, check out H&M’s global My Chosen Family campaignhere.
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