How to Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Like a Pro: My 2026 Picks for Home, Beauty, Steve & Me
For many, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is the most anticipated (or most hyped) sales event of the year. What sets it apart is that it’s not last season’s leftovers “Most” of the items are new fall arrivals and special-edition items at prices that disappear the moment the sale ends.
I’ll be honest, I don’t need any more of anything at this point in my life. But I know how many of you genuinely look forward to this sale every year, so I still spend hours scrolling through the preview the way I always do. This year, instead of just doing my usual roundup , I decided to break it down by categories, Steve’s list, mine, my home faves, and beauty faves. Consider this your shortcut so you don’t have to scroll all 100-plus pages yourself. Let’s chat about How to Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Like a Pro: My 2026 Picks for Home, Beauty, Steve & Me.
How to Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Like a Pro: My 2026 Picks for Home, Beauty, Steve & Me
Begin on the Sale Page
Start here on the sale page to preview the sale for the best deals. The general public has access to the sale on July 12. The other tiers are for nordstrom cardholders (loyalty programs that depend on how much money you spent with Nordstrom in the last year). For early access Icons are first, ambassadors, influencers and
Create a Budget and Wish List
If you create a budget and a nordstrom anniversary sale wish list, you won’t be tempted to make impulse buys, or purchase items you will regret buying. Create a wish list of the designers you like and search there first. Favorite the items you love within the sale before your turn to purchase. Many of the items will go quickly, so don’t wait long.
Check Out your Favorite Brands first
Nordstrom house brands such as Caslon, Zella, Halogen and Treasure and Bond, are the most budget friendly options and will give you more bang for your buck.
Popular Designer Merch Tends to Sell Out First
Trendy brands tend to sell out first but there is a wide range of products to choose from. Frank and Eileen, All Saints, Veronica Beard, Theory Rag and Bone, Tory Burch, and more.
Shop Wardrobe & Home Staples
This is the best time to shop for wardrobe staples, essentials or investment items with exclusive discounts. Look for the best sweaters, accessories, and beauty exclusives. Steer clear of trendy items that won’t stand the test of time. Most of the items I selected are not what I would consider trendy. I think we are beyond that at our age. We own our own style and know what we like that works for us. There are always a few gems in the sale. I peruse this sale for hours and all of a sudden something will pop upnin once of the categories and I think this is really good.
How to Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Like a Pro: My 2026 Picks for Home, Beauty, Steve & Me
My Picks-slide the bar up and down to view all
I don’t shop this sale for the $12 t-shirt. I shop it for the pieces I’d normally talk myself out of at full price, the coat, the boots, the denim that actually fits right. I also try to steer clear of anything too trendy. I think we’re beyond that at our age. We know our own style and what actually works for us, sale or no sale.
This sale is a great time to shop coats, blazers, cashmere,designer denim, booties and bags.This coat is the standout of the sale in my opinion. The red to die for!!
Home Picks: What’s Worth Bringing Into the House
The home category gets buried under all the fashion coverage, which works in your favor if you know where to look. To be honest I think this is their strongest category this year. Unlike the other categories there are some great finds here.
Beauty Picks: The Exclusives Actually Worth Stocking Up On
This is the category you really shouldn’t skip, because it’s the one full of things you already buy at full price the rest of the year. Yes they do clump them together to get you to buy more, but if you sift through the offerings there are some really good bargains in the gift sets etc.
Steve’s Picks: What He’s Getting (Whether He’s Asked or Not)
Steve is not a man who shops for himself, which means the Anniversary Sale is when I do it for him. He will not read this post, and he will act surprised in October when a jacket shows up.
A good leather jacket. If your husband has been “thinking about” one for two years , this is the sale that makes the decision for him.
This chapter of life doesn’t mean buying less, just means buying right don’t you think. If you find something you love buy it, but don’t buy for buyings sake. We are beyond that.
You might enjoy my coverage of past Nordstrom sales here.
Consider this your comprehensive list. You won’t be getting a dozen ‘last chance!’ emails from me. This is the only one you’re getting from me, and everything on it actually earned its spot. As always, I’m doing this alongside my pals Mary Ann and Annie, so once you’ve been through my picks, pop over and see theirs too. Between the three of us, we’ve scoured this entire sale so you don’t have to.
Some great finds, Cindy! We had a few crossovers, like that detangling brush and the Le Labo Set, but other than that, you found some things I didn’t even see. And Steve’s picks too…I’m sure he’ll love them!
Some time back you did a blog on curtains from pottery barn for your rental house and sons house.
may daughter just moved to a condo and needs window treatment.; I think your window treatment
was terrific. Unable to pull up blog.
Would like to see the article again
Thanks
Jacquie
Hi Jacquie
Here are links to the posts where I mentioned the Pottery Barn curtains. I used them in our fixer upper for decorative purposes only. The shades provided the privacy. If you do wish to use the curtains for both I would suggest getting the room darkening version
https://cindyhattersleydesign.com/sunday-fun-pottery-barn-linen-curtains-more/
https://cindyhattersleydesign.com/fixer-upper-living-room-before-and-after/
That being said in this home I tried the regular panels and was not happy with them unless they were room darkening. I have since replaced the PB curtains with two pages. See the link below. I just ordered a pair for our guest room as well and will be featuring them in the next couple of weeks.
https://cindyhattersleydesign.com/the-best-custom-curtains-that-wont-break-the-bank/
I hope that helps!
Thx for the work in pulling this together – I don’t need any more of anything at this point. This sale gets a lot of momentum with many blogs.
Hi PJ
I understand. I purchased one thing in the sale that I probably did not need. However, many love the sale, so I always like to cover it.
What is the white sweater you are wearing?
Hi Linda
Here is the link to the sweater. I am sorry I didn’t post it. I love that sweater but it is too hot here currently to wear it!
https://go.shopmy.us/p-21050691
What’s going on with your turned in foot?
Hi Jude
I do not have a professional photographer. I have 10 seconds to get in position for a shot. They are not always optimum. I do my best.
It’s another example of photo poses. I have seen similar several times. I think it’s a cute fun pose!!
So great to be receiving your posts with the new company!
Thank you Cindy!
Hi Pam
Thank you so much for your support!!
I love clothes and was tempted by every single piece you showed. I retired at the end of 2024. I made a point of looking at what clothes I wore and what I didn’t. I finally had a “garage sale” of the clothes I didn’t wear and cleared my closet and attic closet. It also cleared my mind.
Now, I love something special every now and then but how many of us have eight black pairs of pants? I had seven (SEVEN!} jean jackets. It had become shopping just to collect and not for what I really needed and wanted. This is how I felt when I read this post. Do we really need a strategy to shop a sale? I love your blog but found this one a little silly…. especially for women who aren’t easily talked into buying any and everything. I think I’ve matured. At age 70.
Hi Becky
I hear you. That is why I tried to choose items that will hopefully stand the test of time, and add a little fun to your wardrobe. Many women enjoy this sale, and that is why I cover it.
Wow Cindy – great post and I appreciate all the work (and great tips)!
Thanks so much Barb!!
Wow! The amount of work this most have been! Thank you!! I put a a couple more things on my wish list after my exciting purchase of some slippers 🙂 I have coveted your Slade jacket for quite sometime, but I thought it only came in black.( I am one of those that looks atrocious in black.) I appreciate your link to beige on sale. I always find something enlightening , interesting , or helpful on every one of your posts especially since we recently moved to the Sacramento area from New Mexico. A grandbaby will do that. Stay cool.
Hi Robyn
I coveted that Slade jacket for so long before I pulled the trigger. Actually Kim from Norcal Style convinced me! I just found the caramel one on ebay for very little, so now I will own two!
Some really nice choices here , putting them on my wish list. On another note, a few weeks back you wrote about your happiness with the Two Pages curtains that you ordered. I am interested in knowing if you ordered black out or room darkening , as we are about to redo our bedroom. I find that when we stay in hotels with the black out curtains i sleep so much better. So now is the time for me to decide on this feature and get more needed sleep !
Hi Carol
I linked to the exact curtains that I ordered. I ordered the black out version per my friend Kris!
These clothes and accessories are for people with lots!! of money or retirees with monies to spare..nice blog but every time I read it has clothes that no longer is available or out of reach for regular women with limited income..sorry but I’ve been reading ur site and love ur showing s.but thx
Hi Linda
I try to provide a mix of the reasonable items offered in the sale as well as the more investment pieces. I also feature stylish items from H&M, Target, Zara, and Old Navy. The Nordstrom Sale is not for everyone. I totally understand that, but many people like to shop it, so I do my best to feature those items that I feel are a good investment.
Wow…love how you’ve styled everything. I think I need to hope on one of the jackets!!!
Hi Mary Ann
I love the jackets too!