What to Buy from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2026

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is one of the most highly anticipated sales of the year. It’s one of the few times you can grab new items for the next season at a discount. Items always sell out quickly, but if you plan ahead, you can snag a great deal!

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2026 Key Dates

Sale access is staggered with cardholders getting first dibs. Within cardholders there are tiers, based on how much you’ve spent at Nordstrom throughout the year.

Cardholders

Icons: July 14

Ambassador: July 15

Influencer: July 16

General Sale Access

July 18

I recommend viewing the preview and building out your wishlist. When your sale access opens, you can quickly add the items to your cart. It’s competitive – I always wake up early, whenever my sales window opens up. Many popular items will sell out quickly, but keep checking back for your wishlist items as often more stock is released throughout the sale.

What to Buy and What to Skip

What you choose to buy or not buy is totally up to you. But when it comes to the Nordstrom Sale, I primarily focus on jeans, pants, and shoes, as well as a few items that I know I love buying, such as these pajamas. I also use the opportunity to purchase back-to-school shoes and clothes for my boys. Beauty products sometimes fill my cart, but I stick to brands I already love and use.

I find that some brands also run sales simultaneously. Madewell, for example, is also sold at Nordstrom and there are Madewell pieces in the sale. I would recommend checking their site too to see if the item is a lower price or possibly in stock when it’s sold out on the Nordstrom website. The same thing goes for Levi’s, Spanx, and Wit & Wisdom. I think it’s a great time to grab boots, but a lot of the time, the boots will go on sale again later in the season. I personally find it hard to buy fall things when it’s not fall – my brain just doesn’t work that way. But if you’re good at planning ahead and thinking about the things you may need to refresh this season like a pair of boots or sneakers, it’s a great way to get a pair at a discount.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks 2026

I’ve rounded up a few things that caught my eye from the sale. I try my best to not just add anything and everything to the list. For example, I’m not as big into grabbing sweaters, but premium jeans from MOTHER and Paige are part of the sale, and you don’t see those discounted often. This season in particular, I’ve noted more petite sizing offered in the jeans, so that’s exciting.

Sale Jeans and Pants for Petites

I’ve rounded up the jeans that are petite sizing from premium brands, as well as Wit & Wisdom, which I’ve had success with in the past. I prefer to try things before I recommend them, but in the case of this sale, I can’t get a hold of them before it opens. I will, however, be sharing a review of the general fit of a couple of the jeans from Paige that are included early next week, ahead of the sale.

Petite jeans and pants from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2026 | sale picks from the N sale 2026

Sale Boots & Sneakers

If you need a new pair of boots or sneakers for fall, there are a few great options on sale. In the past I’ve been sucked in to buying shoes that I wouldn’t actually wear because everyone was buying them. I say this as a reminder to check yourself before buying into the hype. If you’re not into knee-high boots – don’t buy them. I included three pairs here, not to encourage you to buy all three, but instead to show three options that I think could be good staple pairs for the fall and winter season. Depending on your style, whether you want something with a heel or something low-heeled, any of these would be great. I also included three pairs of sneakers from On, one of my favorite sneaker brands. I also saw some Hoka sneakers included, just not styles I gravitate toward, so I didn’t include them on my first look. I may, however, change my mind when I see what’s offered in store. I also added two pairs of shoes that would be great work staples from Sam Edelman.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale shoe picks for the 2026 sale | discount boots and sneakers

Sale Tops & Jackets

I tend to go for staple items from the sale, but a couple of tops caught my eye as well. I included two jackets from North Face, a raincoat, and a puffer because they tend to be a good fit for petites and good quality. The bubble hem jacket would be a great staple for fall. The brand tends to fit me well and starts at XXS, so I have high hopes for it. There are a lot of beautiful tailored coats as well, but I don’t have any experience with their fit, and they aren’t petite sizing, so I didn’t include them.

Tops and Jackets from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2026 | N Sale 2026

Sale Essentials and Accessories

Last, a few essentials and accessories. First, the aluminum-free deodorant that actually works for me without irritating my sensitive skin. Next, my favorite pajamas! The fabric is light, stretchy, and cooling. The cropped pants are full-length for me and so comfortable. Last year I bought these slippers from the sale and love them. Last, a suede bag that would be a great staple if you’re in the market for a new one.