How I shop the Nordstrom Anniversary sale + my top picks

For only a couple weeks, Nordstrom offers shoppers brand new arrivals (both summer and fall included) at eye-popping sale prices. When the 25 day sale window closes, all items shoot back up to original prices.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
Early Access: Thursday, July 12 – Thursday, July 19

Public Event: Friday, July 20 – Sunday, August 5

I feel like I have the inside scoop on these sales because honestly, it's what I was smothered in for 15 years.  I started my career in fashion at the age of 18 working at Nordstrom and from then on, I always had some sort of ties to the store.  After I left my role as the activewear manager at Nordstrom Westside, I went into wholesale and I started selling brands to Nordstrom. Throughout the last 15 years,  I launched a denim line storewide with them, I helped grow the Nicole Miller business to over a million dollars a year and introduced them to over 10 different brands.  I always loved working with the buyers at Nordstrom because they kept it real and honestly, they just know their shit.  The understand who the Nordstrom girl is and they know how to find the best styles at the right prices for that girl.  If I'm not shopping at a small boutique the only big box retail store you'll find me in is Nordstrom.  

They just get me.

1. Free People Boyfriend Blouse [under $100]

2. Current Elliot ripped straight leg jean

3. Current Elliot Printed Tee [under $100]

4. OAD mini convertible satchel

5. Rose Gold Birkenstocks

6. Rag & Bone Ankle Jean

7. BB Dakota Faux Leather Jacket [under $100]

8. Leith Henley Woven Shirt

9. Nixon Rose gold Mesh strap watch

10. Spanx Faux Leather Legging

11. Free People cardigan

12. Rag & Bone Oversize Aviators

13. Boyfriend Sweatpants

14. Madewell Warm-up hoodie

16. Mother Crop Fray jean

17. Steve Madden studded mustard mule [under $50]

18. BB Dakota chambray dress [under $100]

19.  BP Stripe pullover [shoot. This sold out, but hoping they get more.  It was my favorite]

20. Hanky Panky Undies

21. Madewell Waffle Cardigan

22. Rails Military Jacket

SO, the anniversary sale, why is it such a big deal?  This sale is one that you literally can't miss.  It shouldn't even be called a sale really, it should be called a pre-fall must-have wardrobe update.  All of the styles that are "on-sale" are NEW fall styles, not styles that they've been on the selling floor and they are marking down!  They are NEW trends and the only reason they are on sale because the buyers have negotiated with their favorite or top-selling brands to offer that brands KEY or BEST selling styles to the loyal customers of Nordstrom for a limited time. That's right, these are styles that were already planned to be on the floors for fall, at full price.  But to show appreciation to the customers and to celebrate another year of success, Nordstrom brings them in early, for you and offers them at a super low price until they are gone or the two-week sale is over, and then they go back to regular price.  It's a win-win for everyone because Nordstrom gets a head start on knowing what the consumers are really looking for, for all the fall trends; and the customers get to try out things they love but might not typically buy because they are on the expensive side.  So when I shop the sale, I tend to go for the staples, the things I love and will love for years to come vs the trendy, in the moment items.   

Here's how I shop it to make sure I get all the key things and don't overspend my wad

First I shop the accessories and beauty because this is the right time to buy the same foundation or lipstick you always buy but at a discount.  You know you're buying it anyway so why not stock up when you can get it cheaper? 
Then I go straight to lingerie and buy my favorite overpriced Hanky panky underwear that I literally have been wearing since I had my first job at Nordstrom in 1999. I can't wear anything else.
Then it's off to the shoes.  THIS. IS. THE. TIME...to get that signature boot that you'll wear through the holidays.  I always get a new pair of booties and over the knee boots at the sale, because you know once the weather turns, you'll be like, I need a new pair of boots, these are thrashed from last winter.  Trust me, get a boot at this sale!

Ok, then to the clothes...the main event if you will.  I can only shop this category one way, or I get overwhelmed with all the goodness and give up.  
SO, what works best for me is to search brands I know I love and I know fit me well first, then I narrow it down from there.  

Mother
Current Elliot
alice + Olivia
rag & bone
Vince
Free People

I always end up with 1-3 pairs of new jeans, a skinny, a crop and a boyfriend or flare. 
I love picking up one special occasion dress at the sale because then when that holiday work party coming up, or when you have a wedding that you "have nothing in your closet" to wear, you'll have the perfect dress and you will have gotten in for $200 vs $400-$500.  
At this point if I haven't overspent my allowance (jk) I will check out the handbags, because one can seriously never have enough handbags, am I right?  SO that's how I did it.  Out of the items above, I got 10 things which should of been almost $1300 and I only spent $850- $140  [because, Nordstrom notes].  If you don't know about the Nordstrom CC, you need to get on it.  You get $20 for every $1000 you spend.  Even if you pay off the card right after you buys something on it, it's worth having!

SO, let me tell you that again $1300 worth of new fall goodies for $700.  This.  This is the reason why the Nordstrom one time a year, Anniversary sale is such a huge deal.