Reading · Alyson Haley's Substack

This page did not load. You can still read it on the original site — the toolbar below keeps your place in the directory.

Before you add anything to your cart, let's talk about whether this sale is actually worth your attention.

Every year around this time, I hear the same thing:

“The sale just isn’t what it used to be.”

Alyson Haley's Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

And honestly?

After spending over a decade covering the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I understand why people feel that way.

There are certainly more filler items than there used to be, and I think it’s easier than ever to get caught up in buying something simply because it has a red sale tag attached to it.

So this year, I went into the Preview with one question in mind:

If I were shopping with my own money (which I always do; nothing I share from NSALE is ever gifted), what would I actually recommend?

I’ll admit ... my first impression wasn’t especially promising.

I found myself scrolling through page after page thinking, “Oh no...this might be a disappointing year.”

But then something changed.

Once I slowed down, stopped looking at every single product, and focused on the brands and categories I genuinely love, I started finding far more than I expected.

No, I don’t think every category is equally strong this year. [The shoe selection didn’t thrill me, tbh.]

No, I don’t think everything deserves a place in your cart.

But do I think the sale is still worth shopping?

Absolutely.

Just maybe not in the same way it was ten years ago.

The way I approach the sale has changed, too.

Instead of asking, “What can I buy?” I now ask, “What would I happily pay full price for in a few months?”

Those are the pieces worth paying attention to.

What I’m Looking For This Year

I’m prioritizing:

timeless wardrobe staples
natural fabrics whenever possible
pieces I’ll wear repeatedly
beauty products I already use
items that rarely go on sale

I’m skipping:

overly trendy pieces
poor fabric compositions
mediocre discounts
anything I wouldn’t have considered if it weren’t on sale

That shift in my mindset, toward shopping and how I want to curate my wardrobe in general, has changed how I viewed this sale as well as this years’ Preview.

A quick favor before you shop...

Before we dive in, one small favor to ask: if you decide to shop any of my recommendations, I’d be incredibly grateful if you started by clicking one of the Nordstrom links in this post. It doesn’t change your price at all, but it does help support the many hours that go into combing through thousands of products so I can narrow them down to the ones I genuinely think are worth considering.

Thank you for allowing me to keep creating resources like these year after year.

SHOP THE NORDSTROM SALE

Categories Worth Your Attention

» Sweaters and knitwear: This is usually where I stock up. I always seem to need one more lightweight layer, a neutral cardigan, or a knit in a color I don’t already own once fall rolls around. I’d much rather buy them on sale now than pay full price a few months from now.

2026 Haley still loves shoes just as much as 2018 Haley.

» Shoes & Boots: One of the strongest categories every year. Whether you’re looking for a classic riding boot, an everyday suede style, or something with a block heel, this is where I always spend some time browsing. Last year’s suede block heel boots were one of the most-loved picks, and I’m expecting to see a few similar styles this year.

My picks from 2025 but a good preview of what’s typically included and what pieces I lean toward.

» Beauty: The beauty exclusives are easy to overlook, but they’re one of my favorite parts of the sale. Brands like OSEA and Necessaire release limited-edition sets you can’t buy any other time of year. If you already use one of these brands, it’s worth checking here before adding anything to your cart.

» Kids: The baby and kids section is one of the best parts of the sale. Think Nuna car seats, UPPAbaby strollers, Stokke high chairs, and other big-ticket items that rarely go on sale. If any of these are on your list, it’s worth deciding what you want before your shopping window opens.

My Biggest Takeaway

If you’ve been wondering whether the Anniversary Sale is still worth shopping, my answer is yes … but only if you shop it intentionally.

The value isn’t just about filling your cart with as much as possible.

It’s found by identifying the handful of pieces you’d genuinely miss if you waited until October and had to pay full price. Or you’d be upset to see completely sell out .. because you know you’d wear it multiple ways, multiple times.

That’s exactly what I’ve tried to do in this roundup.

I hope these edits save you time, help you avoid the overwhelm, and make your shopping experience a little more enjoyable.

Okay … now, let me break down my picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Preview.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Best of Coats, Sweaters & Basics

I have a soft spot for anything a little too cozy, and this cardigan is exactly that kind of piece. Over leggings at home, could even pop it on over a slip dress for an ‘undone’ look, and it works both ways.

Always one to love a British feel, and a proper trench is about as classic as it gets. Belted at the waist so it gives you shape and you could it just as easily wear it over jeans and a tee as you do over something dressier. An easy way to make a basic outfit look finished.

I’m a sucker for cashmere, I own a few pieces and this one’s going into regular rotation with the rest. Cashmere holds up so well year over year that it will always have a section in my closet. You all know my love for my brown crewneck cashmere sweater [seen here] — this one is included and is, basically, identical.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Best of Denim, Bags & Boots

This bag caught my eye because the color is close to the color ways I typically gravitate toward, but what drew me in was the texture. Suede isn’t something I normally lean toward, but here I am, such a pretty piece.

I’m always on the hunt for the right pair of jeans, and this pair is close to it. High-waisted, straight through the leg, cropped right at the ankle so they work with boots or flats. Still searching for my forever pair, but this one’s in the running.

Being petite, a knee-high boot can easily overwhelm my frame. Love that the pointed toe on this pair keeps the line long and narrow, and the block heel would make these easy to walk in all day.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Best of Kids

The cute little pattern on these joggers got me. Cars on boys’ clothing can get so cliché so fast, but this print does it the right way, subtle enough that it doesn’t feel like a costume.

We bought this stroller when I had Lawson and I truly love it. It has been great for his first year and will grow with him. It’s easy to fold and the ride is smooth over pretty much anything I push it over. If you’re stroller shopping, this is the one I’d point you toward.

But, if there was ever a stroller I’d shout from the mountain tops about for the rest of my life … it’s this one. It’s our travel stroller and has traveled to multiple countries, stored in many an overhead bin on plane journeys, and handled countless cobblestones and jagged sidewalks with no issue. We have the original version on the trip with us now and I can’t say enough great things about it.

This little machine has come in so handy this past year, at home, at the grandparents’, in a hotel room. Lawson sleeps through anything with it running.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: My Top Picks

I will be refining this list as I have more time to really peruse the Preview and put my personal Wishlist together but here what has initially stood out to me.

I was instantly drawn to this blazer. I love anything with a herringbone pattern and this one makes me want to transport immediately to the English countryside or a Connecticut Fall Festival.

This is exactly the sort of coat I always gravitate toward. Clean, classic, and one you’ll pull on over just about everything once the temperatures drop.

A good everyday ankle boot will get me every time. The heel on this one really makes it wearable, and I love the shape of the toe on these.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Best of Beauty

These hair towels are the one beauty buy that upgraded my routine without adding a single extra step. It cuts drying time down by half, which matters more than I expected. Love that there are two, so one’s always clean and ready.

The scent of this SALT & STONE body wash is heavenly. The lather goes a long way, so a little turns into a full wash every time. The duo is such a steal and means you won’t get down to the last drop and scramble to reorder.

Okayyy, these brushes have a similar vibe to the viral La Bonne Brosse brushes.

Alright .. whew! My wrist is burning from all of this typing so I’m off now to get back to our trip here in the UK but, I’d love to know what has stood out to you during the Preview. What’s going on your wishlist?

Let me know below and I’ll be back soon with more NSALE content before it opens next week to card holders!

x. H