Oh, the NSale. You know, the Nordstrom sale that puts serious markdowns on NEW fall merchandise. Soon you will see blog posts and your Instagram feed will be filled with what you should buy, and photos of girls wrapped in scarves and sweaters even though it’s 100 freaking degrees and still July! You will probably be sick of it long before it’s over but nonetheless compelled to buy, so here are a few tips for shopping this sale.
Tips for Shopping the Nsale
1. Know when you can shop.
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale includes three early-access shopping phases for eligible Nordstrom cardmembers:
- Icon
- Ambassador
- Influencer
The public sale begins after the three cardmember phases have opened.
Each shopping phase begins at midnight Eastern Time. If you live on the East Coast, you may want to stay up until midnight on the day your access begins—especially if you have your eye on an item that is likely to sell out quickly. West Coast shoppers can begin shopping at 9 p.m. Pacific Time on the previous evening.
Before the sale begins, check your Nordstrom account to confirm your access level and the date you’re eligible to shop.
This year Icons shop July 14, Ambassadors July 15, Influencer cardholders 16th, and public access starts July 18 and runs until August 9.
2. Make a list.
Check your closet and see what fall items you have, need to replace, or need to fill in gaps in your fall/winter wardrobe. A list will also be helpful in following tip #6. Check out the catalog here. Now that previews are available online you can make a wish list for quicker shopping.
How to Prepare Before You Shop
A little preparation can help you shop more efficiently and avoid impulse purchases.
Before your access begins:
- Download the Nordstrom app and sign in to your account.
- Confirm your shopping access level and start date.
- Look through the sale preview and add potential purchases to your wish list.
- Make a list of the gaps in your fall wardrobe.
- Set a budget before the sale begins.
- Turn on app notifications for restocks and late-arriving products.
A wish list doesn’t mean you need to purchase everything on it. Think of it as a way to organize your favorites, compare similar options and decide which pieces will add the most value to your wardrobe.
Shop With Your Real Wardrobe in Mind
The excitement surrounding the Anniversary Sale can make almost anything look tempting. However, the best purchases are pieces that work with your current wardrobe and fit your actual lifestyle.
Before adding something to your cart, ask yourself:
- Can I wear this with at least three items I already own?
- Does it fill a genuine gap in my wardrobe?
- Will I still want it when fall arrives?
- Does it suit my lifestyle and personal style?
- Would I consider buying it if it weren’t part of the sale?
3. Shop early.
Get a Nordstrom card so you can shop early access. Most of the hot items will be sold out by the time public access rolls around.
4. Shop often.
Things sometimes get restocked, so keep a watch on your wish list if something has sold out. You may also come across something you missed the first go around. Also take care of your must haves as soon as you put them in your cart. You can go back and browse more later.
5. Shop online and order multiple sizes.
It’s frustrating to get something, have it not fit and then have it sold out before you can make an exchange. Shipping and returns are free, so why not?
Fit tip: Did you know that in some cases you can float between regular and petite sizes? For example a 10 regular is roughly the same as a 12 petite. So the 8 regular should be the same as a 10 petite. Of course all brands are different. Don’t ever be afraid to try a range of sizes. It’s just a number. Also, you might wear regular pants and petite tops because of a shorter torso or smaller shoulders or you might wear regular tops and petite pants because of shorter legs. I shop and wear both petite and regular sizes.
6. Don’t go hog wild.
Stick to your budget. This is something you will rarely see in posts on shopping the Nsale, but don’t go hog wild. I shamefully admit I still have a top in my closet from last year that didn’t get worn. That leads to another related point about not going hog wild. Shop for YOUR fall, not fantasy fall. It will still be hot until November or so here, hence why I never wore that top. I will not need tons of new sweaters and scarves. And I’m not dressing up in sweaters and scarves in this heat to take photographs and write blog posts so you will click my links and buy something.
When I can actually wear it, it will probably be sold out. Or something better will come along. Case in point – I bought a cardigan one year that was very popular during the sale. A few weeks later, I found one at Old Navy that was just as good and cheaper. The Nordstrom cardigan got returned. So keep in mind, this is not the only store that will sell fall merchandise and not the only time to buy it. Some of the things I bought also did not sell out and were on sale later too. SO….. stick to that list from tip #1 and if you really need new boots, or can wear them to get a decent cost per wear over time, go for it. Have fun with this sale, but don’t go hog wild.
7. Take advantage of the app!
Get restock notifications through the Nordstrom App. Know when things are restocked and shop on the go with the app.
8. Shop online and use the Contactless Curbside Pickup option.
This is the best way to avoid crowds AND get the things you want quickly. Also, consider paying for express shipping if you aren’t doing a pick up for must have items. Sometimes orders get cancelled, but paying for expedited shipping helps with this issue.
Sold-Out Items Can Now Be Added to Your Wish List
One of the most common frustrations with the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is how quickly popular merchandise sells out. Some of the most-wanted pieces may disappear during the cardmember access period before the public sale even begins.
Nordstrom has made a helpful change this year: shoppers can add sold-out items to their wish lists.
This is important because Anniversary Sale items frequently come back in stock. Inventory can change as returns are processed, additional shipments arrive or shoppers remove reserved items from their carts.
Previously, once an item sold out, you couldn’t add it to a wish list. Now you can save it and keep track of its availability instead of repeatedly searching for it.
Watch for Backordered and Late-Arrival Items
Nordstrom is also allowing backorders on select products this year. Some merchandise may be listed as a late arrival, meaning it isn’t currently ready to ship but may become available later.
If you’re interested in one of these items, add it to your wish list and download the Nordstrom app. The app can notify you when the product becomes available to order.
These notifications can make it much easier to purchase an item that was unavailable when your shopping window first opened.
The Best Pieces to Buy at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
This is one of the best times to invest in pieces that cost more at full price — quality jeans, good boots, a well-made go-to jacket. These pieces are true wardrobe workhorses. They offer an excellent cost per wear and can instantly make your outfits look more polished and elevated. Buying them at a discount before the season begins also means they’ll be ready to wear as soon as the weather changes.
The categories that make this sale genuinely worthwhile, year after year: jeans and denim, boots and booties, jackets and coats, work pants, workout clothes, and beauty items. I generally focus my attention on shoes, jeans, undies, beauty, and sometimes a new piece of jewelry, especially Kendra Scott. Some other jewelry brands that catch my eye and would be worth shopping at a discount: Jenny Byrd, and Ana Luisa – both have classic, minimalist designs you can wear for years to come. Baublebar has fun things and many will be sell outs.
My Favorites and Recommendations
Keep a check on my ShopMy page for updates, etc. I set up a section just for the sale, divided into sections. As I create outfit ideas, you will be able to find them under the Outfit Inspo section (worth checking out even if you aren’t shopping the sale. I have outfit ideas from a variety of retailers.)
Jeans and Pants
Wit and Wisdom is one of my all time favorite brands for jeans that fit my pear shape body, so I always check the selection and most years a new pair goes into my closet. Petite options are a plus too.
Madewell is another popular brand, and their jeans and other items across all categories will go fast, so if they are your favorites, remember to follow the steps above to snag them.
Flats and Sneakers
Flats and sneakers can be the most wearable in early fall for those of us with warm weather fall seasons, so having a pair you can wear right away will be a cost-per-wear effective item.
Boots and Heels
A great pair of fall boots can be a good investment to shop during this sale. And who says comfort shoes aren’t stylish? Check out this Vionic bootie.
Any of the Blondo waterproof booties are a great investment.
Blazers and Jackets
Also something you may get more wear out of, unless you are in a warmer climate. It still may be worth snagging a lightweight jacket. A couple of my favorites that I pull out over and over came from the Nsale.
Beauty Products
The beauty exclusives are always a great deal. If there is something you use and love, stock up. Want to splurge on something new to try? Now is the time. Share with a friend if it comes in multiples.
Other items worth purchasing- these pajamas. I’ve started getting a new set every year, but I haven’t worn out last years, even with frequent wear. Bombas socks are also amazing- I can’t wear these out either.
What’s on your wish list?
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