My favorite time of the year when it comes to shopping! There is something about Nordstrom that just makes me feel so happy. From the second you walk in, you just instantly get excited. That feeling is only amplified x 100 when it is the Anniversary Sale! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, or NSALE for short, is a super unique sale that I have enjoyed shopping for the past 4 or 5 years now. In this post, I am going to dive deep into the sale, what I’ve purchased in the past, and whether or not you should shop it this year.
What is the NSALE?
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is unique. Every year, I get so many questions about why I get excited about this sale. There can be such venom behind voices when talking about this sale… which I truly do not understand. I think a lot of it is lack of education on the NSALE. The NSALE happens every year to celebrate Nordstrom’s Anniversary (opened in 1901!). Instead of calling this a sale, think of it more as a PREsale. Every item in this month long sale is NEW and will be a current trend for fall/winter 2021. Nothing is old. Everything is NEW but on a discount. This is the perfect time to stock up your new fall wardrobe with items that everyone will be envious of. Instead of waiting for Spring 2022 when these items **might** go on sale, pick them up now when they are NEW and HOT. I also love grabbing gifts and house items during this time because those are also severely discounted during this time.
TIMELINE: When to shop?
Nordstrom rolled out a new shopping window for each level of buyer. If you have the Nordstrom Credit Card, you are able to actually shop the sale EARLIER. Before you get all fired up about getting a credit card for a store, remember you do not HAVE to. The sale does go public. However, for someone with a good credit score, this is a great idea. I personally shop at Nordstrom a lot throughout the year. Just take a look at your finances and see if this is a good fit for you.
Nordstrom has 3 levels of cardholders now, all depending on how often you shop.
The levels are:
Icon: Start shopping July 12 @ 2am online CENTRAL Time
Ambassador: Start shopping July 14 @2am online CENTRAL Time
Influencer: Start shopping July 16 @2am online CENTRAL Time
Public/All: July 28 @2am online CENTRAL Time
The sale ENDS August 8th.
You can shop online or in store
Brands I’m Excited About:
Here are some of my favorite brands that normally are included in the sale! There are quite a few NEW brands included this year, too, which I am SO pumped about!
- Steve Madden
- Vince Camuto
- Nike
- Adidas
- Charlotte Tillbury
- Paige Denim
- Jack Black
- Halogen
- Converse
- Marc Fisher
- Spanx
- Olaplex
- Dagne Dover
- Ugg
- Good American
- Bracha
- p448
- Beyond Yoga
What I’ve Purchased in the Past:
Like I said, I have been shopping this sale for a few years now! I still wear everything I have purchased from these sales over the years… isn’t that something?! From pearl loafers to my new favorite bag (hello, Kurt Geiger), the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has treated me well! I love to pick up a new pair of Spanx, booties, and cardigans. My most popular white booties were also from this very sale!
I remember the first time I bought from the NSALE and I was soooo skeptical. I just didn’t fully understand the hype. I thought there was NO way these items would be hot commodities in a few months. Well almost every item I have purchased, people have wanted them after the sale and they just are simply sold out everywhere. A lot of items sold during the NSALE are also exclusive to this sale! Imagine that…the perfect fall booties ONLY available for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale? Insane.
The slide show to the left are a few of my pieces I have bought throughout the years. Still own everything and still love everything. Which item is your favorite? Also, take about some THROWBACK blog photos!
NSALE Tips:
1. Take Inventory of your Closet: This is by far the best piece of advice. The next few days leading up to the sale, go through your closet and see what you ACTUALLY need. For example: naturally, I gravitate towards booties. Y’all, I am obsessed! I am constantly adding to my cart. In reality, I have like 5-6 different pairs of booties…so do I actually need any? No. Instead, I should focus on cardigans because I have only ONE. See what I mean? Take a look at your closet and write down what you actually need.
2. Set a Budget: Sticking to a budget is something that I think is super important. There is absolutely no need to go into debt because of a sale…lol! Sometimes I will buy a lot just to try it out and see if I like it, but then return. As long as you don’t keep EVERYTHING if you are over your budget…that’s fine right? But in all honesty, set a budget that you are comfortable with. Look at your bank account and set a budget based on your shopping habits, what you need, and just what makes sense for you.
3. Add items to wishlist: Something I love about Nordstrom is that you can add items to your wishlist even if you aren’t able to shop yet. This is great because you can add items in your size/color and then the second you are able to shop the sale, just simply check out! A lot of items (as you will see) sell out INSTANTLY, so you definitely want to try to get your hands on as many items as you can. Like I said, you can always return.
4. Buy Fast: Of course, don’t just buy random stuff that you don’t actually like (see list above), but again, this sale sells out fast. There is nothing worse than eyeing something in your cart for a day or so, finally making the decision to pull the trigger, and then it is sold out. That happened to me with the platform converse shoes. I was drooling over them for a few days, but wasn’t sure if I could rock them. Finally, I just said DO IT and then they sold out and never restocked. I am still hoping they come back this year so I can (fingers crossed) get them.
5. Keep your eyes in your lane: Something that happens every year; the trigger buy. That is why the first 4 steps are so important in my opinion. Stick to what you need. These amazing sales can be so tempting. I mean, sometimes items are on sale that you just can’t believe the deal. But, take a step back and ask yourself, “do you need this?”. Even watching bloggers and other friends buying all these fun things. While of course I want you to use my blog and get some good information, find amazing items, and use me as your shopping guide, if I buy something that you don’t actually want, spend your money on something you DO!
What I’m Shopping for This Year:
I have no idea what will be included in the sale this year! I guess I’ll know in a few shorts days. As of right now though, after taking a look at my closet, here are some things I am hoping for:
- Platform Converse (lol, still wanting them)
- Cardigans!
- Cool Blazer
- Cognac OTK boots
- Slingback heels
- Cape Coat
- Trench Coat
- Oversized T shirts (DayDreamer style)
- Workout Clothes
- NEW SNEAKERS!!
- Christmas gifts
