The very idea of anything sweater-related right now, as we wilt in what feels like the center of the sun, is almost too much to bear.

And yet… if you want to take advantage of Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale, fall fashion must be on your mind—at least a little. The sale ends August 3rd, and some of the best pieces go quickly.

You may be wondering, “What’s the big deal about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, anyway?” You hear about it every year, but what actually makes it different? To answer that, we turned to personal stylist Bobbi Schwartz of Be Iconic Style, who broke it down for us:

“The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens to all people, regardless of their Nordstrom status, on July 12,” Bobbi explains. “Icons (those who spend $15,000+ per year), Ambassadors ($5,000+), and Influencers ($500+) all have staggered early access to the sale. The sale ends on August 3, and any items that haven’t sold within that time frame revert to their original pricing.”

Unlike most sales, which are designed to clear out last season’s leftovers, this one gives you discounts on new arrivals—pieces for fall and winter that are just hitting shelves. That might make it worth cranking up the A/C, grabbing a (seasonally confused) hot cocoa, and browsing with a cooler-weather mindset.

Bobbi has a full list of her top picks over on her site, but to help ease into fall without overheating, we decided to focus on one cozy essential: the cardigan.

Read more: Fall Is Coming: Get Deals on Cardigans Now

Why the Cardigan?

We asked Bobbi which styles are worth scooping up this season—and she generously pointed us to a few in the Nordstrom sale. But since even the discounted versions can be a little spendy, we’ve also rounded up a few lookalikes at more accessible price points, so you can be up-to-date, whatever your budget.

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The Cardigan as a “Third Piece”

“In dressing, just like in art, odd numbers tend to be the most visually appealing,” Bobbi explains. “When putting a look together, you want three elements. You have your bottom—pants, a skirt, shorts—and your top, from a tee to a tailored blouse to a pullover. That third piece is what brings it all together. Cardigans are possibly the strongest third piece you can add. They create polish and finish instantly.”

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Shorter Is In

While longline cardigans are resting for the moment (don’t toss them—they’ll be back), shorter styles are leading the charge this fall. “Both cropped and mid-length cardigans are trending,” Bobbi says. “You’ll see luxurious fabrications like cashmere, rich textures like boucle, and even bold prints. Cardigans are going to play a major role in this season’s trend register.”

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V for Victory

Bobbi’s #1 tip? Always go for a V-neck.

“V-necks lengthen and slim the torso,” she says. “If you button just the button at the breastbone, it creates a beautifully flattering silhouette. If you have a defined waist, it shows it off. If you don’t, it creates the illusion of one. Either way—it flatters everyone.”

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Cardigans Worth a Look

Bobbi’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale picks are below, along with similar, less expensive versions we found on amazon.com (Note: For the amazon items, Pretty may earn a small commission if you buy from our links.)

Nordstrom:
Give your waist a nice cinch with this Veronica Beard Ansonia Stripe Cotton Cardigan.

Similar:
This cropped, ribbed cardigan is available on amazon for just under $31.

Nordstrom:

Cozy, chunky, and collared: Vince Block Stitch Cardigan

Similar:
This one from amazon is a summer weight (great for the summer to fall transition), comes in several colors, and is currently on sale for under $20!

Nordstrom:

Half cashmere, half silk, all luxury: Lafayette 148 New York Patch Pocket V-Neck Cardigan

Similar:

Amazon customers say this button-front, V-neck cardigan with patch pockets feels like cashmere.