Boots are traditionally one of shoppers’ favorite categories during the Anniversary Sale, and this year, tall, equestrian-style boots are especially popular, says Zhang. Most customers are looking for their staple fall boot, and some want to throw them on during the warmer months. “In the summer, you can wear boots with a flippy skirt and tank top, and then come fall, you can cozy it up with sweaters and jeans,” says Zhang. “You can start to integrate these types of pieces into your wardrobe when you buy them during Anniversary, and continue wearing them throughout the year.”
If you got rid of an old pair, it’s officially time to buy a new one. “Straight-leg jeans are coming back, like the Levi’s 501 or the AG Protégé,” says DeLeon. “They’re something that wouldn’t look out of place in the 1950s, but also wouldn’t look out of place if Jeremy Allen White wore them with a white T-shirt in The Bear.”
Rich colors like rich reds, khaki greens, inky blues are officially in. “I think it’s a very elegant palette, and they’re colors you can wear with everything else in your wardrobe,” says Zhang. “Let’s turn the rules on their heads and mix those mysterious neutrals and darks together.”
One thing experts hope shoppers take away from the Anniversary Sale this year? It’s time to be more adventurous in fashion. “With the Anniversary assortment, we’re showing customers this playful, maximalist approach, like how you can mix checks and plaids, and bring in a leopard print shoe,” says Zhang. “All those patterns can co-mingle together, and by mixing and matching them with your foundational wardrobe, you’re kind of treating the pattern as a neutral.”
Zhang describes “polished utility” as a look that pairs rugged pieces with softer, more polished elements. “It’s building that tension where you’re wearing a Barbour jacket with pearls, or pairing a pair of boots with a ladylike dress,” she says. “It’s making the classics feel more interesting.” Accessories with hardware and studding are a standout component of this look.
“Suede is such a big idea in accessories, like belts, shoes and bags,” says Zhang. “It’s a fabrication we relegate to fall, but spring suedes are happening, and now we’re excited about the idea of a summer suede happening in July so you can wear your accessories all year long. It goes back to that notion of bringing a bit of softness and texture to your more polished style.”
DeLeon says suede is especially big in men’s fashion right now, notably among people who typically wear leather but are looking for an alternative. “Starting with a suede belt is a nice way for guys to dip their toe in the water, and then maybe he’ll get a matching pair of loafers,” he says.
“The influence of sport in fashion was a very distinct part of our curation this year,” says Zhang. She’s seeing exercise apparel and footwear pop up in everyday wardrobes more often, showing that people don’t think of sneakers, sports bras and track pants exclusively for physical activity anymore.
“We’ve been in so many seasons of minimalist, quiet, quite boxy and away-from-the-body fashion,” says Zhang. “We’ll still see some of that this fall, but it’s balanced with pastels, tactile shearlings and pointelle knits. It’s almost like pajama dressing, and taking those more relaxed, feminine elements into everyday life.”
“Bags are trending toward bigger, relaxed, tote-styles,” says Zhang. You’ll find a handful of discounted options during the sale, and many of them make ideal work totes.
“For a long time, the slim-fit suit was a big trend, and it’s not outdated, but if you want to look a little more modern, go for a classic-fit suit,” says DeLeon. “It’s a bit roomier in the waist and jacket, and has higher-rise pants. It still has that nice, classic shape with clean lines, but gives you more freedom to move and has more breathability.”
If you’re shopping for a suit during the Anniversary sale, DeLorn strongly recommends trying a few options on at your local store, especially since Nordstrom can tailor pieces in-house to fit you perfectly. “Trying on clothes in stores is underrated, especially in menswear when it’s all about the minutiae,” he says. “Tailoring is so important when it comes to suits — taking an inch out of the waist, is what’s going to separate your trousers from fitting well to great.”
If you have a closet full of sneakers, a boat shoe or a loafer might be a welcome addition. Both are currently having a moment because they’re dressier than sneakers, but can be just as comfortable, so long as you buy the right pair for your feet, says DeLeon. Options with lug soles are popular in the fall.
The first Nordstrom Anniversary Sale took place in the early 1960s at its flagship store in Seattle, Washington. At the time, it was one of eight locations in Washington and Oregon, and Nordstrom was the largest independent shoe chain in the U.S, according to the retailer. The company was looking for a way to capture shoppers’ attention during the summer, a typically slow season for retail, so it debuted its Anniversary Sale. Since the event got such a positive reaction from customers, Nordstrom made it a permanent part of the business and has hosted it annually ever since.
The event has changed tremendously in the 65+ years since the first Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Its purpose is still in part to drive summer sales, but it’s become known for debuting next season’s fashion and launching exclusive products, too. Adding early access for members of The Nordy Club, which the company founded in 2007, also added exclusivity to the sale. But nothing was more transformative than launching the Anniversary Sale online in 2000 via the company’s new e-commerce site. “This was a game-changer, as it allowed customers across the country to shop the sale from the comfort of their homes,” says Chandler.
Online shopping continues to be what Chandler calls a “critical channel” for Nordstrom year-round, and customers reliably use the retailer’s app to build wish lists, track orders and browse products. Nordstrom also added digital services like virtual styling and buy online, pick-up in store to grow with the e-commerce boom post-pandemic. The retailer’s team starts planning next year’s Anniversary Sale almost immediately after the previous year’s sale is over, and it’s an all-hands-on-deck effort to continue evolving for shoppers.
Nordstrom’s Half-Yearly Sale centers around clearance merchandise, offering discounts on out-of-season items, says Chandler. The Anniversary Sale, however, is all about new products for the upcoming season.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who’s covered sales and deals for five years, including topics like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. To write this article, I exclusively interviewed three Nordstrom staff members about the history of the Anniversary sale, how the team plans it, what to shop in 2025 and who gets access.
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