Once a year the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale comes around. It is my absolute favorite sale of the entire year. I have a unique perspective because not only do I LOVE to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, but I also have the inside scoop as a Nordstrom Employee.
There really is no other sale like the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. For those of you who don’t know, I worked at Nordstrom before having Michael. Believe it or not, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale brings in higher sales than CHRISTMAS. The deals are sooooo good. Since Michael was born I have been a stay at home/work at home mom, until the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale comes around. These days, they bring me back every year to work with my past clients and top clientele in the store during the sale.
If you aren’t familiar with the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, lets fill you in. Nordstrom partners with top brands and designers to bring brand-new fall & winter styles at discounted prices. After the sale, all prices go back up to regular price. Nothing on sale is old, which I love! You are getting first picks on clothing, handbags, shoes, baby gear, makeup, and accessories for the whole family for next season.
7 Insider Tips to Shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Dates:
Early Access: July 13-20. Public Sale: July 21- August 6.
1. Shop Here First
You are going to see a TON of different sale roundups, however there are really no other anniversary sale roundups like mine. Here’s why: I have access to try everything on before the sale actually starts. I try on every single pair of jeans for you guys, since it can sometimes be difficult to tell from a photo how something fits. I have special PDF’s with every single item in the entire sale! Plus, I can see actual inventory numbers, so I always share with you guys which items have a high sell out rate. I have been shopping this sale for 5 years now, and even prior to being a Nordstrom employee, I lived for this sale! And to make things even better this year, I have partnered with several brands who are a part of the sale. They have already sent me inventory, which I will be testing out and sharing my thoughts on the blog and trying on for you over on Instagram Stories!
You guys can trust me to share the best of the best Nordstrom Anniversary sale picks. I typically pull an all nighter when the clock strikes midnight in order to get things ready for you! It really is like Christmas in July, and I get giddy just thinking about it! Things I am sharing with you are actual things that I love, rather than just trying to get you to buy anything and everything on the sale.
2. Do Your Homework
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale catalog is like GOLD. If you didn’t receive one in the mail, no worries! You can access the online catalog here by clicking on the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale banner. Circle, screenshot, or flag your favorites because the items in the catalog will go quickly. The good news is, what’s in the catalog isn’t even half of what is a part of the sale. You guys are going to go crazy this year, because there are SO many good items not listed in the catalog!
Clear out those items in your closet that you didn’t touch last Fall and Winter to make some space for new pieces that you will actually wear. (I sell my gently used clothing on Poshmark to create more space in my closet AND to create extra spending money.)
Make a list of items you feel you need to complete your wardrobe. I will be sharing my checklist the night before the sale, so check your inbox! (If you aren’t subscribed to my newsletters you will want to subscribe here at the bottom of the page.)
3. Get Early Access + $20 To Shop!
Early Access is July 13-20 for Nordstrom card holders only. Public sale starts on July 21, and I will be doing a round up of the top items that are still available when the public sale starts. You can learn more about the Nordstrom card options here. If you sign up for the credit card, you will be able to shop the sale during Early Access in special large tents set up throughout the store. (Only cardholders are able to enter the tents.) You will also receive $20 in the mail for signing up. I have the Nordstrom Retail Card and I absolutely love it! Theres nothing like getting points that turn into free money to use in the store! In fact, I have $40 that I’m applying towards my Anniversary order! My Nordstrom card is the ONLY credit card I own besides my beloved American Express. I’ve never been much for having multiple credit cards, but the benefits of the Nordstrom Card are impossible to pass up!
4. Don’t Let it Sell Out
The number one tip I have for you is if you see something you’re debating, buy now and decide later. Like I said, I will be sharing a list of items that have a high chance of selling out. The good news is that you can take advantage of free shipping. If there is an item you are stressed about selling out, just buy it and finish the rest of your order later. I wouldn’t let my all time favorite item sit in my cart too long.
If an item sells out, be sure to check back on the first day of public sale! They typically restock a few of the top sellers for the public sale!
5. Shop Online
You guys, shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale can sometimes feel like Black Friday. Some people love the rush, but I have to say that online has a higher stocked inventory than the stores. Sometimes a store will literally get ONE handbag that was featured in the catalog. You may think you are going to be ambitious and be the first one when the doors open to run and grab it. The truth is that the stylists grab it for their customers and it is no where to be found. While you were in stores, guess what.. The purse sold out ONLINE. The only difference is that 20 people online were able to get their hands on it.
Other benefits to shopping online are that you can receive free returns. Grab it while you can, try it on, and decide later. I personally find it much easier to scroll through the sale online rather than thumbing through sales racks.
6. The Secret “Check in Stores” Feature
I’ll admit that shopping the sale in stores CAN be super fun, especially because it can be nice to have instant satisfaction with your purchases at your fingertips. But here’s a BIG tip for those of you who prefer shopping in stores. It’s a little trick that most people don’t know about. It isn’t really advertised, but you can actually buy something online for in store pick up. Below the “Add to Cart” button on Nordstrom.com, there is a little tiny button marked “check in stores.” (Try it with an item here.)
Some people may have appointments to shop in stores, which is when this really comes in handy. You don’t need to try everything on, and sometimes (every time) the store can be chaos during the sale. I love to use this feature for basics that I am restocking up on, kids clothing & shoes, makeup, and basics for the husband. Anything that requires no trying on or that I already know my sizing in, I pick up in the store without the hassle of trying to find it. I can guarantee you shopping for yourself in stores will be a little hectic and take longer than planned. Why not have the rest of your purchases perfectly packaged at the concierge desk waiting for you!?
7. Get Top Picks Straight To Your Inbox
Lastly, full disclosure, you guys will seeing LOTS of different breakdowns of the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. They will be divided up in categories such as My Must Have Basics, Best of Kids, Women’s, Shoes, What’s Actually in My Cart, 50 Finds Under $50, Atheisure Wear, Best of Beauty, etc. You can get these all straight to your inbox by subscribing at the bottom of the page here.
Stay tuned for my Anniversary Sale Shopping Check List!
