Mar. 2023 Update: Curious about the next big Nordstrom sale? The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale will start July 11, 2023 — but also keep an eye out for their Half-Yearly Sale, usually the last weekend in May. Unfamiliar with the NAS? Check out this page for more info on why it’s the best sale of the year.) Sign up for our newsletter to stay on top of all the major workwear sales, or check out our roundup of the latest sales on workwear!
The below content is about the 2016 Nordstrom Black Friday sale.
The Nordstrom Thanksgiving Sale is so good for workwear it’s a bit of a downer to remember, ah yes, I’m supposed to be buying for other folks too. So I thought I’d put together a few quick gift ideas if you’re on the hunt — with Nordstrom’s very customer-friendly, open ended return policy, they’re great for everyone. CYBER MONDAY UPDATE: Don’t forget, Nordstrom is offering an extra 20% off select items through the end of today! (updated prices in red below).
(Check out our other favorite Black Friday Sales here.)
Pictured at top: cardigan
Pictured below: pillow / glasses / hat / bubble bath

- Barefoot Dreams. I’ve heard great things about the drape front cardigan for YEARS, and finally got the circle cardigan during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and I’m hooked on the super, super soft material — it’s a nylon/rayon blend that feels like cashmere but is machine washable. In addition to lots of cardigans and wraps for the women in your family (note: they come in plus sizes also!), they also make manly-looking plaid pillows (pictured above) and throw blankets. The cardigan at top is now $54-$68; the pillow is $39.
- Drinkware. Personally, I’m a total sucker for anything art deco, like these $41 double old fashioned glasses (now sold out, alas, but check out this set of whiskey glasses and decanter, now on sale for $40)— but they’ve got a ton of nice glasses on sale.
- Cashmere beanie. Kate and I were just talking about how it’s so hard to find a stylish winter hat — you either look like you’re 20 or you look like you’re 60. This cashmere beanie is highly reviewed, and on sale for $26 — it looks like a great gift idea too. It comes in ELEVEN colors. They have a ton of hats on sale though.
- Bath and beauty stuff. A bubble bath/gel is always a safe bet (this Philosophy special edition one is marked to $12 from $18, which is a pretty great deal) — but there’s a ton of fun makeup markdowns in the sale. (PLUS, there’s a “mystery beauty gift with purchase” today.) Makeup can be hard to buy for grown women — but if you’re on the hunt for a teenager or a makeup addict, there’s a lot of fun things in the Nordstrom sale. (I for some reason am drooling over most of the MAC Star Trek collection, mostly 40% off — doesn’t this illuminating powder look like a much more affordable version of Guerlain’s Meteorites?). Hmmn: this $17 shower cap looks great for the blowout addict on your gift list (now sold out, alas).
Ladies, what are you hunting for as far as gifts go? Have you gotten anything great at the Nordstrom sale?
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Workwear sales of note for 5.26.23:
- Nordstrom – The Half-Yearly Sale just started! See our thoughts here.
- Amazon – Memorial Day Sales! Lots of discounts on Amazon Essentials and more.
- Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off lots of sale styles (prices as marked).
- Anthropologie – Extra 40% off sale.
- Banana Republic Factory – 50%-70% off everything + extra 25% off purchase (ends 5/31).
- Boden – Sale, up to 50% off.
- Brooks Brothers – Extra 25% off sale; already up to 70% off (ends 5/31) – also mix & match sale with men’s shirts, 4 for $249.
- Cole Haan – Up to 50% off sale styles (ends 5/31).
- Eloquii – 400+ styles starting at $19; up to 50% off everything.
- Express – Summer kickoff sale, 30-50% off everything (plus $35+ steals) (ends 6/1).
- H&M – Up to 60% off online and in-store.
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off “dressed up” styles (lots of cute dresses!).
- J.Crew Factory – 50% off everything, no exclusions.
- J.McLaughlin – The Sale Event, extra 30% off.
- Loft – 40% off full-price styles
- M.M.LaFleur – Short but sweet sale (ends 6/1).
- Madewell – Get 30% off your purchase.
- Ministry of Supply – 25% off sitewide (ends 6/1).
- Sephora – Up to 50% off select beauty.
- Shopbop – Up to 50% off designer sale!
- Sue Sartor – Lots of cute dresses on sale!
- Talbots – Extra 40% off all markdowns (ends 6/1)!
- Theory – Up to 60% off + an extra 20% off.
- Universal Standard – 25% off sitewide (ends 6/1).
Other noteworthy sales:
- CB2.com – Up to 50% off everything!
- Joss & Main – Up to 60% off, plus an extra 20% off with code.
- Tuft & Needle – Save up to $775 on mattresses. (Reader favorite bed brand; Kat really likes hers!)
- West Elm – Memorialy Day Sale, up to 60% off.
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Anonymous
I am trying NOT to buy my favorite perfume gift set at Nordstrom, but the mystery gift makes it a struggle.
Anthro also has some high-end cosmetics on sale, if anyone is shopping there.
Ellen
I ate at Rosa’s yesterday in Chapaqua. It was GREAT, but guess what, she had it all catered by a Deli! Can you imagine, home cooked Turkey from a Deli? I could do that, but she was a hero, at least to Ed. Dad said the turkey was VERY salty, and the soup was even saltyier. FOOEY! I think I can do Thanksgiving like that, but my apartement is NOT big enough for 20 people. DOUBEL FOOEY!
Wildkitten
Where can I sell barely-used fairly high-end cowboy boots?
Ellen
Yay! I am so glad to be abel to help Wildkitten. Go to EBAY. You can sell everything, including your cowboy boots. Here’s an exampel for you:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rancho-Loco-Red-Leather-Handmade-Ladies-Cowgirl-Cowboy-Boots-Size-6B/262622465010?_trksid=p2045573.c100506.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D38530%26meid%3D4f913ea6c7114d8ebbb342ff337eb6b3%26pid%3D100506%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26
If your feet smell, or if you stepped in Poopie in NYC, do NOT sell them. Give them to your cleaneing lady. That is what I did. YAY!!!!
Anonymous
This Canadian has been very bored at work the last couple days since this s!te is so quiet!
anon
+1
Ellen
Plus 2. I have been catcheing up on my legal reading this weekend, but onley 1/2 or so is billeable. So I have been reviewing Corporette and see how many of us HIVETTES are attorney’s at law! Kat can appreciate how difficult it can be for us as legal profesionals when we attempt to shop on line. It is SO refreshing to have a place like this to go where we can share tip’s on how do be more efficient! YAY Kat and Kate !!!!
Anonymous
I need to talk about Gilmore Girls!!! I mean, those last four words. I can’t believe it. I had heard that it was cliffhanger-y, but I never imagined it would be that dramatic!
Virve Georgeson
I loved the Cashmere Beanie. So many beautiful colours, and it has the perfect draped look. As you commented it is difficult to find a casual hat that is fashionable and that is neither too juvenile or too aging. It is also difficult to find a beanie that flatters your face and does not lie too flat on the head if you don’t have thick hair. I know if I bought the featured beanie I would immediately DIY it to suit me better. An easy way to add thickness to the beanie around the face area is it to tack sew a piece of foam or folded microfiber under the front edge of the hat. The piece that is tacked on should be about 3 x 10 inches and reach from ear to ear inside the hat. The tacking should be only for about an inch right at the front and top middle of the hat to allow for the hat to stretch without pulling because the hat is stretchy but the added piece is not. Doing this DIY to your beanie will also make it warmer around the top and sides because of the additional layer of wind proof material . I have used this DIY hack successfully on a knitted hat that I have worn a lot for cross country skiing – it worked well for that, so I think it should work well for the beanie too.
Gift Ideas?
I’m looking for gift inspiration for a close friend. She’s a former roommate throughout law school, now 32 year old big law associate, amazing cook and baker but never has time for it anymore, loves her cat, has a fun/quirky sense of humor, appreciates tier three shoes, but buys most everything she wants for herself as soon as she wants it. Any ideas?