How To Shop The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Like A Stylist
In case you haven't heard, the famous Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is set to start on July 12th. I get that it becomes a little much with so many bloggers promoting it, but in truth, it's actually a great time to buy IF you know what you're looking for.
Everybody, from shoe lovers to beauty product addicts, can save money on items they will eventually purchase or have been eyeing for awhile with a little strategy.
These are my seven smart shopping tips for taking on the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale with intention...just like a professional wardrobe stylist!
Note: Some of the below links are affiliate links which means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1. a Nordstrom Card Gets You Early Access to the Sale
Early access means the ability to buy the top items before anyone else. Card holders get to shop for a full week before the sale opens to the public which is plenty of time for hot ticket items to sell out. Plus you get double the points to earn rewards (i.e free money) towards future purchases and a $40 gift card if you purchase something the same day you're approved.
I WISH WISH WISH that Nordstrom still had their debit card. I actually called customer service to get one and they informed me they no longer offer the debit card. Credit cards aren't for everybody but if you've got healthy credit habits (or a penchant for shopping at Nordstrom), the Nordstrom card seems like a good one to have for occasions such as this.
You can apply for a Nordstrom Card HERE.
2. Ask Yourself 'What Is My Uniform?'
The best shoppers buy what they know fits well and what they'll wear time and again. Do you live in jeans and flats? Are leggings your go-to for working out and day-to-day wear? Does your job dictate you wear a specific style of clothing? This is the time to be honest about your lifestyle and dressing habits.
Don't try to be something you're not and waste money on a trendy item you know deep down you'll barely wear, if at all. Now is the time to spend -- and save! -- on new fall denim, a nice coat, booties in a different color, or refreshed activewear.
3. Take Stock of Your Closet and Makeup Drawer
Sometimes when we shop, we get caught up in the moment and forget what we actually need. Maybe you need an item you don't own yet, or maybe it's something that needs replacing badly. Make a quick list in your phone of prioritized items so that you'll have something to reference when you start browsing.
Since the Anniversary Sale is one of the first glimpses into fall fashion, take a second to think back to what you didn't get last year that you wish you had. For example, I wanted a gray coat to wear with soft fall/winter neutral. I'll be sure to look for that during the sale.
4. Start Browsing the Catalog
You might have received the Anniversary Sale catalog in the mail, but if not, it's also online! Each pictured item is linked with information on brand, price, and other available sizes/colors.
You can take a look at this year's catalog HERE or by clicking the image below.
5. Use The Wishlist
A great way to make shopping more intentional is to utilize the Wish List feature on Nordstrom's website. Once you create an account, you can save any online item to your Wish List. The Wish List tracks all your favorites, lets you move an item straight to your shopping bag, and informs you when something has sold out or goes on sale.
Before you make ANY purchase, add the item to your Wish List first. Once you see everything that's caught your eye in one place, you'll be able to weed out what you actually don't like as much as you initially thought you did. It's like a gatekeeper for impulsive purchases.
What's more, the Wish List lets you shop your favorites and saves them until you're ready to purchase...like during the Anniversary Sale when prices are at their lowest.
6. Make A Pinterest board
Until the sale goes live on July 12th for cardholders and July 20th to the public, you won't be able to save items you find in the online Anniversary Sale catalog to your Wish List. However! There's a genius work around -- make a Pinterest board dedicated to saving your Nordstrom sale picks.
Just click the hyperlinked item in the catalog (or the items I've selected below) to go to the product page. Until the sale goes live the product will be listed as sold out. You can still save it to Pinterest, though! This allows you to save everything you like without forgetting something, and weed out what you don't want after all. Fill your board with all your picks that you can reference when the sale opens up. The pin will click right through to the product page and it will be listed at the sale price.
7. Find Your Favorites
I've already picked out some of my favorites from the sale that I'm already itching to snag (shocker!). I used all the tips above to create my list of favorites, some of which you can see below.
Be sure to follow me in the Like To Know It App so you can see all the goodies I share once the sale goes live. My plan is to focus on updated wardrobe staples within a certain price range, perhaps sprinkled with a splurge or two. I will share some looks on Instagram but some will be published exclusively to the app.
(Also comes in camel)
By following these steps you'll learn to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale like a pro! No more will you fall into the trap of impulsive or competitive shopping. Competitive shopping means buying something just because you know lots of other people are shopping it at the same time. It gets your adrenaline pumping...but it may also lead to regret.
The good news is, even if you get caught up in the excitement or buy something that doesn't end up working out, Nordstrom has one of the BEST return policies of any retailer, even during the sale.
It's crazy to already see fall clothing and shoes hit the shelves but it never hurts to get a head start, especially when the prices are so good!
xxBrooke