Your Guide To The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2020

The biggest sale of the summer is almost here! I'm talking bigger than black Friday sales. I wanted to be able to give you all the best of the best information on the sale and how you can be prepared to shop this year, so I wrote this blog post and hope y'all are ready for the next few weeks!

What is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale? 

Typically end of summer sales happen to clear out inventory, but the Nordstrom sale includes brand new merchandise being marked down the day it releases! All Fall releases are discounted majorly before the season even starts. It's the perfect opportunity to snag sweaters, cardigans, booties, jackets and more. It truly is like Christmas in July! After the sale, all prices will go back up to full price the rest of the season.

(Last year's sale items I picked up)

What's Different This Year for 2020?

Because of COVID-19, the sale got delayed by one month this year. Typically each year the sale happens mid July, but this year it's beginning mid August. I'll get into dates below! So far I've been hearing the fitting rooms will not be open, so most orders will be placed online. This is why it will be extremely important to make sure you have all your items on your wishlist and sign up for early access so you can immediately add them to your cart as soon as the sale goes live. 

Luckily, this year Nordstrom is releasing an online catalogue that you are able to browse beginning today, (July 24th), through August 4th. In years past a very vague catalogue was sent out in the mail. 

(Have this iconic Nsale dress now in 5 colors, and my cardi from the sale last year)

When is the sale?

The sale always runs in order of highest status cardmembers, to the general public. Below I've listed the dates of when cardmembers can begin to shop as well as the general public. To see what card member status you have, just log into your Nordy account. 

If you sign up for a card now before the sale begins, you will be entitled to receive a $40 bonus note to use during the sale! (approval required) Notes are basically a coupon that are used like a giftcard. The Nordstrom card is the key! All you have to to is apply for the FREE credit card HERE. A few years ago I made sure to get a card just so I could shop the sale early. 

Is early access worth it?

Having the card is extremely crucial for the sale because stuff always sells out within the first few days. Last year, there were a ton of items that were never even restocked unless it was returned. I had a hard time getting the striped Madewell sweater. 

Is the sale worth shopping?

Nordstrom is a huge trendsetter for the fall season with this sale, and then many retailers then follow the trends. Basically if you see something you think you'll wear in October, grab it now in August when it's much cheaper. After the sale, all prices go up to full price. Literally I've seen $150 pieces down to like $49 the day they launch!!

(Sherpa and Spanx I snagged last year)

Tips for shopping the sale:

1. Set a budget: I know you will be majorly influenced by hundreds of influencers promoting the same items and you're going to feel like you need that item too. I promise, you don't. There are some bloggers who spend thousands of dollars on the sale, and that is truly just not realistic for the majority of consumers. Pick a budget, and stick to it. Do not get carried away, even though it may be hard.
2. Know what you want: Use the preview this year to your advantage. Save the items you want to your wishlist, that way they are basically already in your cart the day the sale launches. You won't be scrambling to get any items you wanted. 
3. Determine when you're going to shop: Do you want some of the first access to the new items? Or do you want to risk it and wait until the sale goes public? Again, most items do not get re-stocked so this is truly up to you whether you want to apply for the card or not! Last year to shop, I didn't even need to use my card. I just needed to have one.
4. Don't wait: If you've been eyeing something up, snag it right away. Don't think about it, because it will be gone in the blink of an eye. Nordstrom always offers free shipping and free returns, so if it ended up being something you didn't like, no harm is done! Now you won't have to wonder.
5. Set your alarm, and have fun! I highly recommend setting an alarm for the moment the sale launches to get everything you wanted! Oh, and remember, the sale is supposed to fun! Try not to stress yourself out over it. If it couldn't get an item, it wasn't meant to be and I'm sure something else will come along instead :)

(I lie, this is my favorite cardigan from last year. I watched it for hours a day waiting for returns to come back in stock lol)

How can I give you credit for my purchase?

I spend so much time finding the best, quality pieces, sharing try-ons, and putting together collages of items for you guys during this sale. I stay up countless hours writing blog posts, and putting content together to try to give you the best of the best.

With that being said, the only way I receive credit from your purchases is if you purchase through my links. I cannot express how thankful I am to those who do use my links. I make a small amount of commission, but it definitely adds eventually. (kind of like when you count all your loose change in a piggy bank!)

There are several ways you can shop my links! :

1) THE LIKE.TO.KNOW.IT APP - Make sure to download the FREE app and then follow me SERENAAJOYCE. This app is just awesome because you can shop tons of influencers and bloggers outfits by following them. 

I will be posting tons of collages broken down by category such as sweaters, shoes, home, etc.

2) MY BLOG (serenaajoyce.com)- All Nordstrom Sale picks will be able to be found HERE under the Nordstrom Sale Picks tab on my page. I am making sure to dedicate an entire page for all my sale finds that you will be able to shop so easily. I will be organizing everything by category as well.

So let me help you by being the gal you want to go to for all the NSALE finds this year! I am going to be putting in a huge amount of effort and countless hours into this sale it would mean everything to me for you to shop through my links so I can continue to do what I love.

Please feel free to ask me any questions via DM or email that you may have about the sale, and happy shopping!