After a week of looting and pillaging by cardholders, influencers, and frequent shoppers, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is finally open to the public. Here are the best pieces chosen from the remaining selection.
Searching through the Nordstrom sale yesterday, I was amazed by how many pieces were completely sold out. Since Nordstrom switched to the tiered system a few years ago, there has always been disappointment with the choices during the public sale, but I’ve never seen the cupboard this bare. Luckily, there are still a few pieces that you can get excited about.
Outerwear // I don’t know how I missed this Sam Edelman trench coat the first time. It’s so crisp and classic. I adore it. Very Olivia Pope in case you’re looking for a D.C. throwback. For a cool casual piece, this faux leather vest from Levi’s is worth a look. This Bernardo puffer is packable and a great piece if you travel to colder climates for work.
Other picks? This olive wool coat from Sam Edelman is cool. I also love this Barbour coat in your choice of three colors; it screams British aristocracy in the best possible way.
Dresses // Need a classic dress for cocktail parties? This French Connection dress has a sheer layer over a body con dress for an elegant look. For a body skimming fit, I sized up, and it’s fitted but not tight. For a more playful look for cocktail, this Moon River dress is really fun in the copper color.
The En Saison mixed media dress from last week’s post is still available. I also like this Maggy London a-line dress in cream with a black side panel. Plus? This Ciebon utility dress caught my eye.
Work Separates // Do you need blouses and tops for work? This Nic + Zoe top in a dramatic black print was the first one to grab my attention. Great on Zoom, great in the office. This staple Boss top is one that will be in your wardrobe for years. So will this drape front Boss top. This Halogen pleat front shell is perfect under a blazer.
As for pants, I was concerned these Good American pants would be too heavy to actually wear, since they’re scuba material. The malbec color is fantastic. These black Halogen pants are worth a look. Plus? This Wit & Wisdom ankle pant would look great with a simple blouse or sweater.
This Spanx blazer is still available. Plus? This boucle jacket from Nic + Zoe should be in your cart.
Athleisure and Loungewear // I didn’t spend much time on lounge and workout gear in my last post, but there are still a few notable pieces for sale. These Zella live-in pocket joggers are perfect for weekend lounging. These also come in plus. They’d look great with this relaxed slub Zella tee.
Lunya’s silk pajamas are beloved. This tee and short set is worth a look. And, of course, my favorite pajamas are fully stocked.
Shoes // Heartbreaking. They’re so picked over that you’re only chance is to sort by size and pray.
Want to look back at last week’s guide to my favorite picks? You can find it here.
I am a little sad about this sale. I told myself last week that as long as I bought underwear and lotion, I would have covered my needs. I logged in yesterday to shop and every pair of the underwear I usually buy was sold out in my size. The universe is laughing at me.
Have a favorite thing you bought at the sale? Add it to the comments.
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Completely agree with you about the sale! It is hard to have your eye on something. Most likely when it is your day to shop, it will be gone. I had a few things earmarked and was able to shop as an influencer-all sold out.
I picked up the Alterna anti-aging shampoo/conditioner/moisture cream set. I don’t know about the “anti-aging” stuff but it works well on my dry hair.
My Nordstrom reward level is Ambassador, so I received access on the 2nd day (July 10th). However, I waited until the 3rd day to buy anything because I wanted to time out using a double points bonus day with my husband being able to make it into the store to get a new suit fitted. By the time I logged in to place my order at 7:30AM on that 3rd morning, 90% of my list was sold out. Yes, including my underwear. My shampoo; also sold out.
BTW, I am not an influencer. I just happen to live in an area with Nordstrom being the best “department store” option for my family. I also take full advantage of all my double points days to build and use my notes to purchase 1 or 2 big ticket items a year that keep me at the ambassador level (example: dyson hairdryer one year, or a Canada Goose coat another year).
The tiered system has ruined the NAS. It has not been good for years.
I had access on the 10th. All but the lotion that was on the wish list was sold out. I’ll keep checking back, but for all the hype – what a let down.
As an ambassador cardholder, I’m pretty sure I did not loot or pillage or engage in other pirating activities because I paid for everything that I purchased. I get that the tiered sale makes it harder for non-cardholders to buy popular items, and that can be frustrating; but that’s also sort of the point – it’s a perk for cardholders and a marketing ploy to create exclusivity and incentive to become part of the club. That is the way of retail these days, and other things as well. My family and I are doing a Disney cruise later this year (life with elementary school-aged children), and the opportunity to make reservations for activities onboard and at port is based on how many Disney cruises you’ve done. For people brand new to Disney cruising, they’re literally last in line – by months – and lots of activities and excursions are sold out by the time their window opens. And this is after dropping a couple of grand (and then some) to book the cruise itself. That does not deter people from booking a Disney cruise for the first time.
There is also an easy fix here: get a Nordstrom card, if only for the early sale access. Sale access is not a random lottery (like San Diego Comic Con or Disneyland Oogie Boogie), where you can literally spend hours virtually waiting and still come up empty handed. (I know, I’ve done it!) You could do a lot worse than getting a card. My guess is, the tiered sale is not going away anytime soon.
I have the card any the few things I had on my wish list were still sold out by the time I had access. I understand rewarding frequent customers and some bean counter has probably figured out that people with “X” status make “Y%” of the sales dollars and it’s the law of diminishing returns after that. Take care of those that spend the most and those who are left without don’t really move the needle much anyway. Airlines use the same model for status.
I agree with CP. While I understand it is annoying for things to run out, the sale is the whole point for the card privileges. I don’t think this should be shocking to anyone. I also don’t think it’s going anywhere, and it’s actually a great business model- if people want something, in this case earlier access to the sale, you need to get the card. A lot of things function this way. Is there hype? yep. Do things sell out? yep, almost everything. but like others said then we just go without it. so we either buy into the sale and all involved or don’t. Up to each of us
Sure. But what about the people, like my Mom, who have second day access as a 40 year cardholder and still got nothing on their list? They didn’t just mess with the non-cardholders, they had nothing for second day people.
Years ago, I love the sale and bought several things. Now? I got two bras. It’s not worth the annoyance of searching, wishlisting, and hoping an item comes back in stock. I’ll just pay full price.
I had a few things on my wishlist and by the time I had access on the 11th everything was sold out. I guess that’s the universe telling me I didn’t need it anyway.
I’m a cardholder and was able to shop the Sale on 7/11. First, I really wasn’t overly impressed by what was on sale to begin with. I set an alarm to wake up and shop at midnight eastern time. Still, almost everything I had loaded to my wish list was already sold out. It was not worth losing sleep. Did I still buy things, yes, but not like I had in the past. The last couple of years has been the same, so the Anniversary Sale is losing its luster for me.
I had my usual bra & undies restock on my list too this year, but the colors I prefer weren’t included in the sale in the first place, and it’s not saving money if it’s not the thing you actually want.
I ended up with a Fresh soy cleanser restock and a Longchamp expandable tote; I bought a dark color of the latter during a prior NAS and LOVE it for plane travel to get space for souvenirs, but wanted a lighter neutral for summer trips.
Boy, I feel weird commenting on this post. I don’t have a card, and have only purchased a couple of things from Nordstrom’s in my whole life (and I’m a grandmother). That being said, I love seeing Belle’s posts! Many of these things are out of my budget, but it’s still nice to “window shop.” Truly my children and I have mostly taken to eBay, Posh and Mercari. Things are used, therefore cheaper, and we feel like maybe we’re helping the environment in perhaps a small way? Of course if people didn’t purchase new goods, there would be no used goods! Thank you for sharing what you find – I appreciate that as well!
For shoes – I have the Gentle Souls suede sock bootie from last year’s NAS, and this year’s version (Elbert Block Heel Bootie) is still fully stocked in basic black. Yes, it’s boring, but classic and functional (super comfy with the soft suede, cushioning, and low heel).