The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale – How to Prepare for It

It’s that time of year again! Well, not really. But it is time to start thinking about how to prepare for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Why? Because I believe if you’re going to shop this mega pre-fall sale, it’s wise to shop it smart. And smart women prepare ahead!

Truthfully the beginning of the famed Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023 is just over two weeks away. What??? Yes, July is the traditional month for the sale, and once again we’ll get a preview of the sale. And that begins Monday, July 3rd this year. Wowsa!

What is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?

Unlike most of the sales we’ll see pop up in the summer weeks, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is not a summer clearance sale. It is a pre-fall sale, stocked full of brand new trending and classic fall and winter merchandise.

You’ll see brand new merchandise from brands like

• Madewell
• Vince
• Caslon
• AG
• Mother denim
• Frye
• Frame
• Halogen
• Coach
• Veronica Beard
• Levi’s
• Zella
• Marc Fisher
• Franco Sarto
• Nordstrom Signature
• Eileen Fisher and so many more.

Prices are generally marked down 30-40%. You’ll find great deals on:

• handbags
• shoes & boots
• premium denim
• sweaters
• activewear
• sleepwear
• coats & jackets
• lingerie
• jewelry
• and home items

Nordstrom also features some great beauty buys during this annual sale. Prepare to find many of your favorite brands discounted and offering gifts with purchase. I know we’ll see specially priced gift sets from Clinique, Estee Lauder, Lancome, Kiehls, Jo Malone London and Bare Minerals, to name a few.

It may seem early to be thinking about your fall wardrobe. But the huge savings they offer on these new items and wardrobe basics makes the #NSale worth shopping. The key is shopping the sale smart. And I’m here to help you do just that!

See my 2022 Fall Wardrobe HERE. Much of it was purchased in the #NSale last fall at savings up to 50% off. In fact, you can see in the diagrams below how much of my wardrobe I purchased in the sale. Those yellow circles represent huge savings in my closet.

And the savings may be even more significant in my collection of seasonal accessories, as seen below.

You don’t have to purchase as much as I did last year to see significant savings in your closet. I’ve got lots of tips to help you stay within your budget while taking advantage of this mega sale. Keep reading!

When is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023?

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens to everyone on Monday, July 17, 2023. BUT cardholders will get to shop the sale significantly earlier!

All Nordstrom cardholders can shop Early Access during the week and a half before the sale opens to everyone. Your first shopping date depends on your Nordy Club status, which is determined by the amount you have shopped at Nordstrom in the past year. Icon status, the top tier, begins shopping Tuesday, July 11th. Just one day later, Ambassadors can begin shopping on the 12th. Then cardholders with Influencer status (nothing to do with being an influencer/everything to do with having a Nordstrom Card!) will get to enter the sale on Thursday, July 13th. The Anniversary Sale is open to everyone July 17 through August 6. Prices go up August 7. And they really will go up! See the chart below for Early Access dates for each level of Nordy Club Cardmembers.

BUT you may have noticed in the calendar above that EVERYONE gets to preview the sale starting July 3rd. That feature was introduced during the summer of 2020, and it was so helpful. The preview allows you to shop smart. More on shopping smart below. Keep reading!

You can check your current Nordy Club status here after you sign into your Nordstrom account.

About the Preview

But just because the preview begins July 3rd does not mean you’re seeing the whole sale at that point. I noticed last year that they added new items to the sale daily leading up to the first shopping days. That’s why I suggest you stick with me. Trust me, I’ll spend hours each day scouring the #NSale Preview for new items they’ve added.

The biggest benefit of the Preview is that you can begin adding items to your Wish List during this time span. So you’ll need a Nordstrom account, whether you have a credit card or not, in order to use the Wish List feature.

Why the Hype?

Look, I don’t mean to make a bigger deal of this sale than it really is. However, if you’ve shopped the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale before, you know the benefits are substantial.

• You get a first peek at the fall fashion trends, if nothing else.
• Nordstrom offers FREE SHIPPING, no minimum purchase required.
• Nordstrom offers FREE RETURNS and they make them super easy. So shopping online for this sale is just as effective as shopping in the store if not better.
• The Nordstrom website is super easy to navigate.
• Nordstrom ships faster than most any other retailer you’ll order from.
• You’ll accumulate 1-3 points per dollar towards Nordy Notes that you can then spend on other Nordstrom merchandise.
• You can schedule 1 or more of your Personal Double Points Days during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale so you’ll accumulate points toward Nordy Notes even faster.

How to Prepare to Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Obviously, you’ve got some time to prepare for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. And don’t worry; I’m not turning all my focus to the sale anytime soon! But, besides alerting you to this year’s sale dates, I do want to map out a few brief strategy tips that can help you prepare for this annual sale so you can shop it smart…if you want to shop it at all.

Tip #1 – Definitely enroll in the Nordy Club.

It’s free and safe and requires nothing from you other than basic account information. As you make purchases at Nordstrom (during the sale and all year long) you’ll accumulate Nordy Notes that you can spend on merchandise with no limitations. Having a Nordy Club account will also enable you to use the Wish List function starting June 29th.

Tip #2 – Consider getting a Nordstrom Credit Card.

Taking out a credit card is a highly personal and important decision, so I don’t want to pressure you to do this at all. But if you shop Nordstrom consistently and don’t mind another card, I think it’s worth the leap. You’ll have to have a Nordstrom card in order to shop the sale early at all. And honestly, by the time the sale “goes public” many sizes are sold out and some items will be gone completely.

I keep my Nordstrom card paid off every month, and that’s the only way I suggest having this store credit card. You will earn Nordy Notes three times as fast and you’ll unlock other benefits as well.

And right now when you apply for and activate a Nordstrom card you can unlock a $40 bonus note that you could use in the sale. You’ll be able to use the card right away, there’s no annual fee and you will get early access into the sale on July 13th.

Tip #3 – Follow me @dressed_4_my_day on Instagram.

In Instagram stories I will be posting about the sale (restocks, unique finds, fit information, etc.) in “real time.” So if you have a question or need a tip while shopping the sale, you’ll be able to access me there fast. I’ll definitely be spending the better part of the early access shopping days in my Instagram stories feed.

Tip #4 – Follow me in LTK

Over the past year I’ve begun devoting more of my shopping guidance to the LTK app. That just makes sense because it is a shopping app. The LTK shopping app is so easy to use, and it’s a great place to meet other influencers (petites, plus sizes, etc.). If you’re one of my shoppers, definitely download the LTK app in the Apple Store or the Google Play store. Once you download it, follow me @DressedforMyDay.

Tip #5 – Start thinking now about your fall and winter wardrobe.

Look, I’m not suggesting you obsess over this sale starting now. Don’t do that! But when you have a moment between now and next Monday, July 3rd, spend some time mapping out your fall and winter wardrobe. Consider wardrobe essentials you need to update or replace (classic blazer, cardigan, jeans or coat), holes you want to fill (a nice quality handbag perhaps?), pricier wish-list items you want to look out for (leather jacket, blazer or boots) and the colors you want to stick to. You want to participate in this slightly overwhelming sale with a strategy or sit it out all together. Otherwise you might end up with impulse purchases you regret. It’s easy to get caught up in the buzz unless you have a strategy and stick to it.

Tip – You can print out my Fall/Winter Wardrobe Essential List from my Subscriber Only Printable Library…if you’re a subscriber. (The access code is always at the bottom of the daily and weekly newsletter!)

Tip #6 – Subscribe to the Dressed for My Day newsletter now.

I offer lots of benefits to my subscribers. And if you receive my daily or weekly emails you’ll know exactly when I post all of my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale posts.

But this year I’m doing something different. I’m sending out a special Kay’s #NSale Nsiders newsletter to those who want my full coverage of the sale. You’ll receive

• additional shopping tips
• updated availability reports
• updated product reviews from me
• early notification of my #NSale bonus blog posts
• quick response from me to your #NSale questions

You do have to be subscribed to my daily or weekly newsletter to also get the Kay’s #NSale Nsiders newsletter, but you can always unsubscribe after the sale if you’d like.

Sign up for the Kay’s #NSale Nsiders one of two ways:

• If you already subscribe to my daily/weekly emails…click on “update your preferences” at the bottom of your next email and select the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale option.
• If you aren’t already a subscriber…sign up HERE and select either daily or weekly PLUS the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale option.

You can check out my previous years’ NSale coverage HERE.

I’ll admit, the first year I covered this sale I was in over my head. But in 5+ years as a style blogger I’ve learned my way around the block. I’ll be able to navigate you through this sale so you don’t get sucked into the hype. I know the brands, the appropriate price points, the best buys and the general sizing information you’ll need at your disposal.

Tip #7 – Set a budget.

This sale can be a little overwhelming and the hype can escalate. Definitely set yourself a spending limit based on your needs and personal budget.

Tip #8 – Make a shopping list.

Refer back to tip #5 and start making a list now of the things you might want to look for during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I suggest making your list before the sale opens. You’ll be enticed by ads then. If you make your list now or at least over the next week and a half, you’ll be able to map out the items you know you need to fill out your wardrobe the way you want it.

Be sure to take into consideration your personal style essence, lifestyle and color choices. (Click through for posts on those topics!)

Tip #9 – Use the Wish List feature during the Sale Preview days.

You’ll have the ability to “shop” the sale well before it goes live. You can then add the items you hope to purchase to your wish list. You won’t be saving them to your cart, mind you. And those items can sell out. But you’ll have them prepped (including size and color choice) and ready to purchase when the sale begins and you have access.

Tip #10 – Plan to shop the sale Online.

I’ve shopped the sale online for many years, but I also shopped it in-store for the past three years. Let me tell you, shopping in-store was generally a big disappointment. The inventory was only a small fraction of what is available online. And many items were not available in all color or pattern options in-store either. Finally, sizes were likely to be picked over and sold out in-store. And it’s just hard to locate everything in the store.

I definitely prefer shopping this sale online. So let me help you navigate that! And if you have a store nearby, I simply suggest ordering online and requesting curbside pick-up when available. But be aware that not all items will be available for immediate curbside pick-up.

We’re getting to the nitty gritty now. Hang with me! This is important stuff if you’re shopping the #NSale.

Tip #11 – Prioritize your list and make multiple orders.

Once your level of access to the sale opens up, items will start selling super fast. I suggest you prioritize your list and shop accordingly. And as you add one or two or three items to your cart, place an order. Then you can continue to shop and place more orders. Since there is no charge for shipping, it makes sense to go ahead and place multiple orders quickly and in order of priority to you.

Bonus Tip – Pay for Expedited Shipping on Favorite Purchases

I learned this tip a couple of years ago, and it definitely paid off. Items are selling so fast that inventory control sometimes gets behind. If you purchase expedited shipping your order gets put ahead of others, insuring that your order is shipped before inventory is depleted. Yes, that cuts into your savings. But if you’re ordering a big ticket item that means a lot to you – say a leather jacket or designer handbag – it may be worth it.

Alright, that’s more than enough information to take in right now…more than a week ahead of the sale! But I did want to go ahead and give you these tips so that you can mark your calendar and begin to plan accordingly…if this is your jam!

Look, I know that many of you, like me, are trying to streamline and minimize your wardrobes. And I know you don’t want to make so many purchases in the future. I get that and I’m right there with you. That’s exactly why it makes sense to be smart about these things. I know and you know I’m going to shop this sale. You probably are, too. So let’s do it smart!

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