Hello, friends! It’s that time of year again — time for the sale that I anticipate all year long! If you’ve been following along, you probably have heard of the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, but if you haven’t (or need a refresher) I’m here to share all of the deets.
What Is It?
The sale happens once a year (usually in July, but this year August) when Nordstrom brings out its fall collections. Unlike other sales, these items are marked down from the beginning and once the sale ends they go back to full price. This is the perfect time to pick up key pieces for fall and winter and — if you’re feeling proactive — maybe even a few Christmas gifts.
When Can I Shop?
In the past Nordstrom gave cardholders “early access” to start shopping the sale about a week or so before opening to everyone. This year the same concept applies, but Early Access is broken down into tiers. Here are the key dates that depend on your cardholder status:
So the sale technically starts on August 4 (at least for some) and ends August 30. On August 31 prices on the products go up to what they would normally sell for.
Tips For Shopping
For some this sale can be completely overwhelming. There are tons of bloggers and influencers who will try to convince you that you need practically everything. Not only is that unnecessary, it’s unlikely. My biggest pet peeve with the sale is that items do tend to sell out fast.
So, with that in mind, it helps to go into the sale with a strategy. Take inventory of your closet for fall/winter. What are you missing? What could you use more of? Or, is there something you just have to have? I like to run through these categories — my fall staples — and make decisions from there:
- Basic tees/tanks
- Neutral cardigans (black, beige, gray are my go-to)
- Denim
- Jackets
- Black booties
- Beige booties
- Black boots
- Beige boots
- Coats
- Activewear
Figure out what exactly you need from the sale and purchase fast. The nice thing about the preview is that you can see what the sale prices are going to be. So, figure out your budget and your shopping strategy so that you can quickly make a purchase before things sell out.
While shopping online is usually your best bet, I wouldn’t overlook going into the stores (as long as you can do so safely!). Two years ago I wanted a pair of beige, knee-high boots and they sold out almost immediately. I was able to go into the store and a sales associate found me the absolute last pair in my size at a random store in California! They shipped them right to my house and they’re still a closet staple of mine!
Home/Beauty Products
While I like to focus on clothes and shoes, the Anniversary sale also has some great home and beauty products. If you’re looking for some nicer (pricier) home goods, now is the time to snap them up! Barefoot Dreams blankets tend to go fast, but they are so, so worth it.
A lot of beauty brands also come out with limited edition products/tools. You never know what you might find and this is a category that’s definitely worth investing in!
Exciting News!!
Now that I’ve talked your ears off (or eyes since you’re reading? food for thought) I wanted to share some exciting news in my personal life. I will be moving to New York, either late August or early September, to start a masters program in strategic communication at Columbia University! With all of the craziness of COVID-19 and the pandemic, I decided on a whim to apply and officially accepted an offer last week. I’m still finalizing details, but I will definitely keep all of you updated! I can’t wait to bring you on this new journey with me to one of my favorite cities. I’ve dreamt of living in NYC since middle school at least and it looks like that is finally becoming a reality for me.
Anyway, this post is getting to be a clunker, so I’m signing off! If you have any questions about the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, ask away in the comments and I’ll get back to you.
xo,
Carey