Nordstrom: Following, Bending & Breaking the Rules

• Easy, soft-washed linen goes everywhere.

• The island time skirt, easy wrap is shaped for relaxation.

• The island mist shirt, soft & roomy in a light, richly embroidered linen.

• The indispensable jacket, classic jean jacket style goes everywhere.

Of course, any serious catalog maven immediately will recognize that this last headline was lifted directly from the TravelSmith signature item, “The Indispensable Black Travel Dress.” But, hey! Peggy and I founded the newsletter Who’s Mailing What! on the principle that in direct mail, you should see what others are doing successfully and then “steal smart.” All in all, these may be the most evocative catalog headlines since those of copywriter Donald Staley in the glory days of The J. Peterman Catalog.