Happy Anniversary, Nordies: The Shopping Guide to Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019

It’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale time, and given the weather this past week, we may have a few more shoppers interested in fall clothes than past years. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is highly anticipated as both a sneak peek of fall trends on the racks and a chance to get these new items at deep discounts. These are not items brought in specifically for the sale or last season’s trends. These are items that will become the regular stock, and go to full price once the sale is over. Cue the stampede.

Nordstrom has created a shopping experience club, The Nordy Club, which you can join for free. If you have a Nordstrom card, you get even more perks. The Nordy Club’s membership is tiered so that the more you purchase the more insider fun you get, including alteration credits, bonus Nordy Notes that act as cash, special invitations and front-of-the-line access to sales. This sets the stage for who can shop the sale early and when.

Image courtesy of Nordstrom

The sale’s official dates are July 19 to August 3, 2019 but being a card member allows you to shop the sale a full week prior, ensuring that you get first pick of the things you covet. This year Nordstrom invited their top “Icon” customers to shop in stores on July 9, followed by the “Ambassodors” on July 10 and so on. Nordstrom Early Access for cardmembers runs starting today, July 12-18, with the sale for the general public beginning July 19.

Here are some tips to consider before you come to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

Get a Stylist who Knows the Merchandise

What was the smartest thing I did this year? I made an appointment with a Nordstrom stylist, which is a free service and so completely worth it.

Even being an experienced shopper and a style writer doesn’t make me feel less overwhelmed about what goes on at this sale each year. It is a bit like the “summer fashion Olympics” to me. You must schedule a few weeks ahead, but when I arrived, the stylist, the chic and lovely Mariane Hale, had pulled things she felt I would want to see and also introduced me to some things I may not have spotted in all the racks. Even a fashion writer needs some guidance sometimes, and working with someone who knows the store’s merchandise helped me focus and make my time spent both efficient and really fun.

Take a Good Look in Your Closet Before You Go

Whether you work with someone or not, take a look in your closet before you step out the door. Does your denim need a refresh? Do you need a great raincoat with a hood, a stylish pair of boots, or work wardrobe “not so basic” basics?

You don’t need to Marie Kondo your closet before you go, but knowing where the gaps are in your wardrobe helps you shop with a purpose. Personal lists can help you stay on target, but still allow you to keep an open mind about other tempting additions. Also, keep all the tags on your new purchases until you wear them. This will save you from regret in case you change your mind.

Keep Your List Simple

I went to the Nordstrom Flagship on July 10—full disclosure: I am an Ambassador status in the Nordy Club, which allowed me to check the merchandise out early. My list wasn’t super specific, but really helped me stay focused on the trends that compelled me and the outfits that I wanted to complete. Here’s what it looked like: