It’s July, or as I like to call it, Nordstrom Anniversary Sale time. I ran a poll in my Facebook group and on Instagram and almost all of you said you were interested in the sale and my top picks this year, so here it is!

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is not like all other sales. Typically sales happen towards the end of the season when retailers are trying to make space for the new season of merchandise. Basically, a sale usually means it’s leftovers.

But the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is different. With this sale, fall merchandise (for the upcoming season) is being sold BEFORE the season begins, and at an extreme discount! So this is really the sale of all sales.

This year, the sale runs from July 15 - July 31

Before you shop the sale, remember this: you don’t need to buy something just because it is on sale. If you wouldn’t buy it at its regular price, don’t buy it just because it’s on sale. Those are the pieces I always find collecting dust in the back of client’s closets with the tags still on.

Please don’t waste your precious time or money on a bad buy. If I’ve said it once I’ve said it 1000 times. It is not a good deal just because you get it on sale. If it hangs in your closet with the tags on, it was a waste of money! Period. The end.

The Nordy Club is the Key

Make sure you have a Nordstrom Card. Cardholders get early access, meaning they get first dibs at the good stuff. Sign up for a Nordstrom Card HERE.

If you’re already a Nordy club member (cardholder) you will get sale access depending on the amount you spend annually at Nordstrom. The first access (Icons) is given to the shoppers spending $15k a year at Nordstrom – so needless to say, that’s a very limited number of people.

Early Access Dates:

Icon status (spend $15k+ annually) - July 6

Ambassador status (spend $5k+ annually) - July 7

Influencers status (spend $2k+ annually) - July 9

Even if you are not a Nordy Club member, you can shop right now! Well, it’s more like browsing, but it’s better looking than in the past years. Online, you can preview everything that’s part of the sale. This year, they released an Anniversary Sale Digital Catalog, so that’s a great place to start looking if you don’t have access to the sale yet.

Use my picks below and in the next few weeks, to help narrow it all down – otherwise, it can be super overwhelming. Trust me, I’ve spent HOURS sifting through it all.

Shop Online

It’s quicker, more efficient and sad to say, the stores (unless you’re in a MAJOR city), just don’t have all the merchandise these days.

2-Day Shipping is Worth It

Pay for 2-day shipping. It’s $12 and tends to push your order up in line to help your chances of getting what you want.

Use the Wishlist Feature

How to use the wishlist:

1. Make sure you’re signed in to your Nordstrom account

2. When you see an item you like, pick out the size and color you desire

3. Save it to your wishlist

Then you’re locked and loaded. When your access opens, all of your items, size, color, etc. are ready to go! Another reason the wishlist is amazing is because if something on your wishlist is sold out, you will be notified when it’s back in stock, so add to your wishlist even if it’s out of stock!

Don’t Fret (Too Much) About Selling Out

I’m not telling you to wait forever. But two things to keep in mind… Nordstrom reserves merchandise for different key days AND people buy a lot and then return. So something that might be showing as sold out can get restocked and be available a few days later.

If it’s sold out - put the same item in a different size in your cart. That’ll help when you go back to check and see if it’s been replenished. No promises, but it’s a helpful trick.

Stick to Basics

The Nordstrom Sale is not a time to experiment. In fact, the offerings are generally rather basic, but in a good way.

Shoes are the first to go

Shoes tend to be the first things to sell out at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, so if you have shoes on your wishlist, order them as soon as you have access! But remember, there will probably be people who order and return, so make sure the shoes are on your wishlist. This way, you’ll get notified when they’re back in stock!

Replace the things you LOVE

I use this sale as a time to replace the items I’ve worn so much they’ve literally worn out. Sneakers, boots, P.J’s, t-shirts, bras, camisoles – the things I wear to death that I know will get used. And that I know I’m getting for a great price.

Use the Filters

Don’t go page by page through the sale, that’ll take forever! Use the filters and narrow your search down by items you need (denim, sneakers etc) and/or by brand. If you know AG jeans fit you well, then start by seeing what is available by that brand.

Shoes are often the first to sell out. I noticed a few themes. Booties, strappy sandals and some sneakers too. Shoes are a place to spend more if you can, because this is where quality matters.

Coats and blazers are typically bigger ticket items, so they are great to grab when on sale. They also are the items many folks are looking for, so they can go quickly.

While I’m a big believer in basics, if you have those boxes checked, then it’s time for a fun piece to add personality and interest. There are a lot to pick from this year.

Jeans and pants can be a woman’s arch nemesis - Happily, the NSale has some of the most popular and most universally flattering pairs included.

Tops are a category that needs more variety than other clothing types. Think about it, folks are more likely to remember the top you wore than the pants. I like to recommend a 3:1 tops to bottoms ratio for a well balanced wardrobe.

These categories might not seem to go together, but they kind of do. They’re the adjunct items that add to the whole look.

These are the items I refresh every year (or two) during the Nsale. They get a lot of wear, and are a bit more function than fashion. And quality makes a big difference, so being able to purchase better brands at a lower price is a true benefit.