It’s almost time for one of the biggest retail sales of the year: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Not only is this the most asked about sale in the blog world, but it’s also one I’ve thoroughly enjoyed covering throughout the years.

I am able to pre-shop it for the blog so I can review what I purchase along with size, fit, etc. for you all. And it’s such a fun day that I look forward all year to! My sister and I head to Nordstrom, try on what feels like dozens of pieces, give our honest feedback to one another, and shop for fall. The reason this sale is so “big” is that it features two types of product: NEW fall merchandise that goes back up in price come August and Nordstrom staples they can barely keep in stock. Think Barefoot Dreams Blankets, Glopro kits, Diptyque gift sets.

This is when I thoroughly stock my gift closet, buy denim for the family, get my fall footwear, and more. Today, I’m breaking down the sale details so it doesn’t feel so frenzied.

Sale Dates To Know

• Friday July 12: If you are a  Nordstrom cardholder early access begins at 12:30 PM ET. My blog post will be up around that time, so check it at lunch!
• Thursday July 18: Last day of early access!
• Friday July 19: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens to the public!
• Sunday August 4, 2019: The sale ends and on August 5th prices go back up. 

Throughout this time, there will be sale coverage on COF that correlates to what I’ve purchased, my reviews, as well as reader requests!

HOW TO SHOP EARLY ACCESS

A huge perk of owning a Nordstrom Card is getting to shop early access! Many people ask if all things sell out by the time public access is here, and there isn’t an across-the-board answer. It depends on the amount of inventory in an item, returns, what they have in online inventory vs. in-store. In my experience blogging the sale, some things will sell out day 1 or day 2 of early access and not be restocked when it comes to public access. I see this happen a lot with designer items- like the blush and gold Phillip Lim bag part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale back in 2014 and it sold out and never came back in stock.

Having your Nordstrom Card is great because you also get your Nordy Club points, your Nordstrom Notes, and can use point days while shopping the sale. To apply for a card see here.

How To Prep For The Sale

• First and foremost, assess your budget and closet. I save for this sale all year since I’m able to get wardrobe essentials like coats and dress shoes for my family at a better cost. But please note, I will never encourage you to shop for a sale just because it’s a sale if it isn’t wise in your budget at the time!
• While you take a look at your budget, try my 50/50 rule when it comes to making a list of what you need! Here’s an excerpt from a blog post I wrote sharing this:
  • I take my budget and I do the 50/50 rule. As women, it’s easy to see the word “sale” and go down the rabbit hole. You end up with 14 pieces you hate, return them all and wonder, “Should I have ever shopped the sale in the first place?”To combat this, I take 50% of my budget and buy “for sure” items. Items that are my exact size, items that I know I will love and items that I know I need. These are things like booties, jeans, coats, handbags. Then I take the other 50% and buy those, “maybe” items. Items that may not fit just right or that seem a little bit out of my style comfort zone. These always end up being my favorite pieces because I either find a product I love or a style I learn I really like! However, if they don’t work it’s okay! Nordstrom has free returns. And I don’t feel like shopping the sale was a total flop and I’ll go return those items.
• As you assess your closet, be sure to check a few of my blog posts on cleaning out your closet! This is an oldie but goodie blog post on cleaning out your closet and here is another! Once you clean out what you have, purge, and donate, be sure to take inventory. Here’s a blog post on 25 Wardrobe Staples I recommend and here are 10 COF Wardrobe Staples. Make checklists on what you love and what you need. Then, do the same for family members, and your gift closet. You may come out with a hefty list, but I’ll allocate specific expenses for each family member and items accordingly. For example, Maxi most certainly needs coats for fall more than I do since she doesn’t fit in her coats from last year. However, being in toddler sizing, her coats cost less than mine. So I’ll prioritize her coats before mine, but I’ll keep in mind I may spend $50 on her’s and then $150 on mine. I’m actually taking this weekend to go through closets and allocate our budget for those items. I promise you’ll be so glad you took time to do this because you will feel like you didn’t just buy whatever and really used this as a great resource for your family.
• Be sure to use your double or triple points on the day you shop, when you checkout online you just click to use that!
• Head to my blog the first day of early access and public access- even if you aren’t a card holder! The reason I shop the sale early and prep for this on my blog is to give you sizing and details, so you can confidently shop online and make it easy! This sale is quite large and going through it all can take A LOT of time and this is my job to feature it all for you. 🙂 Plus, things will sell out, restock, and get more reviews so keep your eyes peeled. I’ll be sharing lots of different content, but if you aren’t shopping the sale, don’t worry! I have prepped even more content not sale related, so you can still enjoy the COF community and posts, without feeling bombarded with sale information if it isn’t your thing.
• Don’t forget items outside of clothing! The sale features home, beauty {so much good beauty}, gifts, etc. The gift sets are incredible because you can break them up during the holidays. I know it’s July and that seems ridiculous, but come November, you know you’re always a few gifts short for random holiday parties and hostess gifts. I’ll be sharing my picks for gifts, so don’t skim over those.
• Make your wish list now, so when you come to COF on the day of the sale, you can quickly add those items, and then browse the rest. I’ll share what is on my list below.

Dolce Vita Booties | Glopro Kit {read my blog post here} | Cowl Neck Sweater | Pillow Talk Lip Set {read my blog post here} | Diptyque Set | Leopard Cardigan | UGG Slippers | Hat | Satchel

Items On My Radar

After skimming {okay, more like studying} the catalog, these items are what I’ve pulled on my wishlist! Some fit the “for sure” list like coats and gifts, and some fit my “want” section. Nordstrom says plaid, animal prints, brights, and skinny jeans will be huge for fall. I’m not sure I’m ready to drop the cropped denim and go back to skinny jeans just yet, but this is a great trend guideline to follow. If you are wanting to find any trendy pieces during this sale, I’d look to plaid, animal prints, and brights! For example, this leopard pleated midi skirt will be major! If you loved this skirt I wore all last fall, I’d snag it up! And this leopard cardigan is not only an item I’m asked about all the time on the blog, but it is an Anniversary Sale item that sells out something like 7+ times each year!

Here’s a list I’ve got with pieces to look for and gift closet ideas, like the Diptyque gift set! 5 luxury candles for $55 is a wonderful price for holiday gifts because you’re spending $10 a person when you divide them all up!

1. Zella High Waist Leggings
2. Dolce Vita Leopard Shoes
3. BP Leopard Cardigan
4. Diptyque Gift Set
5. Pillow Talk Set
6. Sam Edelman Boots
7. Zella Hybrid Jacket
8. Ugg Peach Slippers
9. Vince Camuto Long Coat
10. Chelsea 28 Cowl Neck Sweater

When it comes to brands I like to buy during the sale, I always get my Neulash last serum! I’ve never had lash extensions and just use this nightly for major length. It’s one of my most repurchased beauty products. I’ll also be getting another Barefoot Dreams blanket as those typically go on sale during this time. That is our favorite blanket in our house and now Maxi loves to sleep with is each night, so mama needs one to sleep, too. 😉 Also, look to brands like Hanky Panky and Natori that sell out at the beginning of the sale, as you refresh your undergarments!

I hope this overview was helpful was you prep for the sale! I’ll see you here in the afternoon on July 12th as I share my finds so you can see fit and my review before buying!

Last Year’s Post On The Sale | My Favorite Dress I Bought Last Year From Sale