In case you haven’t heard, Nordstrom’s biggest sale of the year is coming up in just a few weeks. The sale runs July 20th – August 5th. However, if you are a Nordstrom cardholder, you can access the sale beginning July 12th! I highly recommend early access if you are a Nordstrom fan. The most popular items fly off the shelf (so to speak) very quickly, and while they are supposed to refresh the stock before the sale opens to the public, that did not happen last year for many of the best items. I set aside a large portion of my annual clothing budget for this sale simply because it’s so good, and most of my favorite pieces are purchased during this sale. As you start thinking about how to prepare for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, here are some key pieces to keep in mind:
Designer Denim
If you are in the market for a new pair of jeans, this is the sale for you! Most pairs included in the sale are $75-100 off and they are the newest styles and colors. It might be possible to find designer jeans for less at Nordstrom Rack or Saks Off 5th, but stores like that are hit or miss because you never know what you are going to find. Last year I picked up AG raw hem jeans and the year before, I got Rag and Bone Dre boyfriend jeans. They are still two of my favorite pairs.
Handbags
Whether you’re in the market for a designer bag or a less expensive tote, Nordstrom has you covered! There is a great selection of bags in the freshest fall colors. Need a new wallet? They have those too.
Boots and Booties
With fall fast approaching (I can’t believe I just said that… didn’t summer start just last week?!), it’s the perfect time to stock up on boots and booties! I got this pair of Jeffrey Campbell booties last year after much hemming and hawing and I couldn’t be happier. You can see this year’s version here. They were my most worn fall and winter shoes. This year I’m in the market for a pair of tall boots. Should I get black or brown?? Decisions, decisions.
Outerwear
If you need a new jacket, this is the time to invest! Here in the Bay Area, I don’t tend to wear heavy coats very often. However, last year there was a cute suede jacket by Blank NYC that was super popular and wearable in any climate!
Fall Wardrobe Basics
This includes short and long sleeved t-shirts, sweaters, button downs, etc. This Lush raw edge tee was all the rage last year and I bought it in two colors. It’s still a fave. They often put the super soft Rails plaid shirts on sale too, so if you’ve been eyeing one, this will be a good time buy. I own two and you can see how I styled one of them here.
Intimate Apparel and Loungewear
You know how some brands simply never go on sale or if they do, it’s an odd color in a size you don’t need? Not at this sale! You can find the best brands in all the colors at good prices. Two years ago I bought two lounge sets by Make + Model. They are cozy and wonderful and I’m thinking it’s time for a new set!
A Really Great Dress
My black dress from this post is from the Anniversary Sale two years ago. I didn’t even know why I was buying it, except that you can never have too many little black dresses in your closet! Sure enough, it was perfect for a work dinner in Colorado one chilly November evening. I believe this dress cost less than $50! A great investment for sure.
Makeup/Skincare
There are often value sets of both skincare and makeup products. This year, there is a Dior skincare set that saves you $100 if it happens to contain products you need. There are also eye shadow palettes, brush sets, and more! Two years ago I lucked out when my favorite Dior Lip Glow was part of the sale!
Kids’ Shoes
This might seem random, but my older son has a somewhat wide foot and can be tricky to fit. He does better with brands that are available in a wide width, which means my selection is limited. I bought both boys tennis shoes during the sale last year and set them aside for the first day of school. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did this!
A Splurge Item
For me, this was the Barefoot Dreams circle cardigan. At $90 on sale, this is the most I’ve ever paid for a cardigan and I bought it thinking there was no way I would keep it. Whoops! Whether it’s a cozy cardigan, designer jeans, or a new purse, this is a good time to invest in that one special item you’ve been eyeing.
If you take the time to prepare for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale by doing a simple inventory of your closet, it will save you a lot of time when the sale starts! There is so much good stuff and it can be kind of overwhelming if you don’t know what you are looking for. This advice is actually helpful for shopping in general. I always have a mental list of items I want to add to my wardrobe to make the time I have to shop more focused and efficient.
Although it pains me that I won’t be able to shop the sale in person this year, I will be scouring the website when the sale goes live and keeping you posted with my favorites! If you don’t already follow me on Facebook, make sure to do so now as I’ll be posting a lot of updates there. What are you in the market for? Let me know in the comments!
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