What to Buy First in the 2022 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

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As you maaaaay have heard, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has begun — and it can be overwhelming! After writing about it for so many years, I tend to know what sells out quickly — so I thought I'd round up what to buy first in the 2022 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

If you're not familiar with the sale, this is the time of the year when Nordstrom, for a limited time, puts new fall merchandise on sale — prices go back up after the sale ends. As I noted yesterday in our post, this year the sale is tiered, with different consumers getting access at different times. All of you Icon Cardmembers (who've spent $15,000 net) have already been shopping since July 6 — luckies! — and today is the first day that Ambassador Cardmembers (who've spent $5,000 in net purchases) can shop. Influencer Cardmembers get access on July 9 (which is most likely 98% of cardmembers; you only have to spend $500 net). (This is my personal tier, if you're curious.) The sale opens to everyone (including non-cardholders) on July 15.

As always, sifting through the NAS sale takes forever because it is a massive sale– so I thought I'd focus on the things that will go first, in my experience. (Some things have already been selling out (!)– but may come back into stock if/when people start returning things. Goodbye, Good American scuba blazer and cute Reiss asymmetrical top, we knew thee well – and only lucky size 4 left in this $265 blazer.) If you can't shop yet, add items to your wishlist (instead of a “add to cart” button on the individual product pages, there's a “add to wishlist” button) — I know from previous experience that Nordstrom will email you when the wishlist item comes back in stock.

Like I said, this is a massive sale, so there will likely be a few posts on here over the next few days and weeks — you can keep up with all of our picks at this link.

#1 Thing to Buy First: Your Favorite Smaller Brands

Some brands have a ton of inventory in the sale (especially Nordstrom brands like BP., Halogen, and Caslon) — but the smaller brands may only have 5-15 pieces, and limited inventory and sizes at that. So my top tip is to peruse the brands for sale and start there. Some immediate brands I'd look at first include Reiss, All Saints, FARM Rio, L'Agence, Cinq à Sept, Nili Lotan, and Veronica Beard. (There's also really limited inventory for Boss.) Some picks that are still in stock:

Pictured above: Reiss / All Saints / Veronica Beard / FARM Rio

(Readers, what are the smaller brands that you'll be stalking first?)

#2 Thing to Buy Early in the 2022 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Lingerie

Lingerie is always among the MOST-BOUGHT items, particularly Natori! (This bra is ALWAYS one of the top sellers because I think it’s exclusively sold during the NAS.) There are also great deals to be had from True & Co, Commando, Wacoal (this strapless bra is one of the highest rated of all the strapless bras), Chantelle, Hanky Panky, and Spanx. Yes, you can find lucky sizes of all of the bras on sale at various points in the year, but this is one of the only times where you'll be guaranteed to get a great price on your size and preferred color.

Pictured above, some of the reader favorites (and TOP sellers) every year for the NAS: (1st row, L-R): 1) pink (HUGE favorite) 2) black super comfy wireless bra 3) teal bralette 4) purple // (2d row, L-R) 5) pink brief 6) beige thong (HUGE favorite, so is this brand’s) 7) teal thong 8) purple cotton brief

 I'm surprised but pleased to see that there's a ton of period underwear in the sale this year, also, including from brands Proof and Saalt. (If you've never used these products in the past, here are some of my thoughts on the pros and cons of period underwear — TLDR is I like them, and they're especially great if your period's arrival is unpredictable.)

#3 Thing to Buy First: Beauty Sales

I've gotten some great deals over the years because I bought in the first few days, and when I went back to recommend them to readers the products were sold out! They really do go quickly so if you're interested, take a swing through the beauty sale. Some of the ones I'm keeping an eye on:

Favorite beauty deals in the 2022 NAS: 1) Charlotte Tilbury 2) NARS Afterglow 3) Le Labo parfum 4) Too Faced mascara 5) Dior Addict 6) NARS blushes in Orgasm (also some great deals from Living proof, Supergoop!, Kiehl's, La Mer, and Clé de Peau Beauté)

Also Buy First: Work Basics

They're not exciting, but something else to take a look at on the early side — particularly if you feel like you're in a less common size — is the boring work basics like black work pants.

Some of our long-standing favorites (all in regular and plus sizes!): one (big reader favorite last year) / two / three (Kat's favorite) / four / five (also this long-standing comfy reader favorite!)

For the Parents: What to Buy First in the 2022 NAS

If you’re expecting (or have small kids), there are lots of nice strollers on sale! I always stock up on kids’ shoes and winter brands like The North Face and Bogs in the sales since the Nordstrom return policy is so amazing. This year there are also a lot of great high chairs, car seats, playards, rockers and more. (And some really cute Little Giraffe blankets that make a perfect gift.)