Our Editors Pick the Best Stuff From Nordstrom’s Epic Anniversary Sale

It’s a crazy time (when isn’t it?) but we’re grateful it’s summer, the season of simple pleasures: basking in the sunshine, sipping on various alcoholic beverages served in hollowed-out tropical fruit, jetting off on our long-postponed vacations, and on top of it all, impeccable deals left and right. If you need to shop for vacation essentials, wardrobe upgrades, or home swag, now is the time. Earlier this week, we were blessed with Prime Day sales (on Amazon and otherwise), but the bargain lords never sleep, because now Nordstrom wants to join the party with its annual Anniversary Sale. The event is a two-week-long shopping bonanza, laughing in the face of Prime Day’s mere two days of deals.

Being a department store (and frankly, so much more, now that it’s a powerhouse online retailer), Nordstrom has quite the selection of clothing, shoes, accessories, home goods, and even tech that we’d love to fill our carts with—Theraguns, designer duds, as-seen-on-TikTok cult-fave makeup, and home goods that look like they belong in Architectural Digest. It can be a little overwhelming, so we sent our staff on a hunt through the forest of offerings to bring you back only the finest fancy hand wash, checkerboard sheets, and Guy Fieri shirts. From July 15–31, now is your chance to score mad hot deals that will make you look hotter, smell sexier, and even cook better. We’re suckers for deal-hunting, so leave the panning-for-gold to us; our editors put together this epic list of all the steals and thrills we’re throwing into our shopping carts. 

Stagg EKG Electric Kettle

I use my Fellow Stagg kettle every morning. I hate using traditional kettles because a) they take forever and b) the shrill whistling noise they make when you reach boiling point gives me anticipatory anxiety. In addition to the fact that this electric kettle is fast, beautifully designed, and silent besides a tiny “click” when you reach your desired temperature, it also has some high-tech features like holding your water at a specific temperature and toggling between Fahrenheit and Celsius. I was lucky enough to get mine as a gift; you can get yours for $50 off. —Hilary Pollack

Expandable Tumi Luggage

If you’ve always wondered what brand wealthy people and celebrities are having their assistants tote around the airport for them, it’s more than likely Tumi, and for good reason. The brand is synonymous with high-quality luggage that will last you a lifetime, and the classic hard-sided carry-on is over $200 off right now.  You’ll fly through TSA, and never trip over a shitty suitcase with a broken wheel ever again, because where Tumi really exceeds other brands is its luggage’s ability to glide effortlessly, with very little effort, no matter how full you’ve packed it. —Becca Blasdel

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil

Kiehl’s is eternally respected (and popular) in the skincare game because all of its products are thoughtfully formulated, gentle, and high-quality—but the Midnight Recovery face oil is a best-seller for good reason. I love using this stuff when I travel; it smells amazing and glides on for non-greasy moisture when you’re on a plane, just hopped out of the shower, or are headed to bed. Bonus: The lavender scent is super-relaxing. —Angel Kilmister

Versace socks for your Birks

Normcore won, and socks with sandals are one of the aesthetic’s trademark moves for looking Larry David-cool. I wouldn’t normally spend the kind of money that’s required for Versace socks, but these beauts are 40% off and will look chef’s kiss diabolical with these 90s Tevas or leather Birkenstocks. —Mary Frances “Francky” Knapp

Nars Orgasm Blush Duo 

I look like I rose from the dead in the morning, but this blush brings me back to life. It's a staple among the beauty world, and I can definitely see why. I’ve been using it since high school and still repurchase it every time I run out. You can snag two now for $40 instead of $64. —Nicolette Accardi 

Nike Offline 2.0 Mule Sneakers

I love the entire concept of a sneaker mule, or mule sneaker, or whatever you want to call this oddly charming Frankensteinian slide. It’s technically “men’s,” but IMO, the gender assignment of clothing should be purely optional; more of a suggestion, really. Also love the creamy neutral color palette here; very Yeezy/Skims and I feel like you could throw these on to wear around the gym locker room, or dress them up with an interesting pantsuit. —Hilary Pollack

Le Labo Shampoo

Le Labo’s scents are amazing, but I prefer to experience them with some subtlety. (Bros who are positively dousing yourselves in Santal 33, please exercise some restraint.) Le Labo also makes surprisingly great deodorant, conditioner, and shampoo, the latter of which I love for both its woody, unisex fragrance and its gentle cleansing, and it’s best enjoyed when on sale, like most things. —Hilary Pollack

On-trend checkerboard sheets

These 100% cotton percale sheets are the perfect way to dip your toes into the big checkerboard decor trend without shelling out thousands for a new rug, or having to completely change around your room vibes to try out a ska-inspired look. Although we’re partial to the green lichen color, the subtle blue pearl gray is also lovely for a more muted color palette. —Becca Blasdel

Great Jones Holy Sheet blue sheet pans

During COVID quar I got really into baking, and because I was bored, depressed, and isolated, would often share photos of my cookies/scones/brownies/kumquat cheesecakes on my Instagram stories. Why have a boring sheet pan when you can have a fantastically colorful one from Great Jones that makes all your overhead food shots look professional? —Angel Kilmister

Dusen and Dusen bath goods

Dusen Dusen is the brand for people who like bold, fun prints—well, them and Marimekko. Why opt for a boring $20 white dollar-store bathrobe when you can wear a robe that says, “why yes, sweetheart, I would like to drink a julep on the porch at 4 p.m.”? —Angel Kilmister

There’s nothing like swapping out your old drab towels, for a set of funky, patterned bath towels in mix-and-match prints to really give the whole room a quick makeover. Add a neutral bath rug, and you’ll instantly have a more tranquil, aesthetically pleasing bathroom. —Becca Blasdel

Givenchy’s barbed wire loungewear

This once-exorbitantly-expensive collection of Givenchy barbed-wire print sweats is 70% off, and I cannot stop staring at it. Its energy synthesis is equal parts Y2K nü metal, Gatecreeper merch, and can’t-be-bothered-mysterious-millionaire-hung-over-in-first-class. Impeccable vibes, IMO. Again, this is from the men’s section, but like, all clothing is unisex if you’re not a hater. —Hilary Pollack

Barefoot Dreams In the Wild Throw Blanket

On to the coastal grandma section of editors’ picks, where everything is made of Barefoot Dreams super-soft and stretchy fleece. These blankets have a huuuge cult following, and after I got one from my sister for Christmas, I completely get why; they are literally the softest, most comfortable fabric ever. Mine lives on my sofa and is my personal cocoon. I should wash it more… or get another one. They’re usually almost 200 bucks, so $119 is actually a great price—there are a ton of dupes out there, but none quite hits the spot the same when it comes to tactile coziness. —Angel Kilmister

A tasty array of designer sunglasses

I love huge, obnoxious designer sunglasses; blame my inner Kris Jenner. The bigger, the better. —Angel Kilmister

Soeder Natural Soap

This Swiss hand wash smells incredible and has a chef’s-kiss ingredients list full of fruit oils and botanical extracts. If you haven’t joined the cult of fancy hand soap yet, what are you waiting for? 50% off? Fine, here it is. —Angel Kilmister

Kenzo’s Fieri-approved button-up

Bet you didn’t expect Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives energy at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, but that’s what we’re here for: to find you the good shit—like a genuinely sick AF Kenzo button-up that you could wear to the bowling alley, a Vegas casino, a runway show, and your own wedding all in one day. —Angel Kilmister

This versatile Alexander McQueen belt 

Bury me in this 60% off Alexander McQueen belt, or at least wrap it around my favorite pair of parachute pants on the way to the warehouse rave. —Mary Frances “Francky” Knapp

Stella McCartney Trace Faux Fur Clog

Crocs not only survived the Vibe Shift; they’re thriving like never before. For two decades they stayed the same, and now their glow-up is in our minds. But in this case, it’s also in Stella McCartney’s brain, since these clearly Croc-esque faux-fur-lined clogs she concocted are oozing with post-internet-nihilism chic. These are gonna be your fall/winter Crocs; score them now. —Hilary Pollack

Replica’s Jazz Club Set

Maison Margiela’s Replica line of fragrances is a collection of scents inspired by memories, and Jazz Club is an all-gender hit that’s also my personal fave from the line—it’s a sexy, smoky, tobacco-vanilla combo that’s become a modern classic. It’s $76 for a 1-oz. bottle, and typically $65 for a Replica candle, but this gift set with both is on sale for just $95, meaning you’re saving a pretty penny. —Hilary Pollack

SKIMS Cotton Rib Briefs

Pro tip: SKIMS actually has some great undies and loungewear, regardless of your feelings on the Kardashians (apologies for the third reference to them in this story). These are super high-waisted, classic cotton undies that also have a wink of sex appeal, which you’d probably expect consider Kim’s penchant for infusing sex appeal into everything she does. —Angel Kilmister

Crystal huggie hoop earrings 

Just because you’re not rich doesn’t mean you can’t look rich. These little glistening hoops with crystals look like diamonds and come in goldtone- or silvertone-plated. Right now, they’re $12 off—bling, bling baby. —Nicolette Accardi 

Alisa Galitsyna One Hundred Leaves Cutting Board

The easiest way to seem like a good hostess is to buy a bunch of fancy-ish cheeses, pre-cut cured meats, colorful fruits, and Marcona almonds at Trader Joe’s and then artfully arrange them on a cutting board with edible flowers. Charcuterie boards are the way. I’m speaking from experience, and also know firsthand that the first step to making your spread look like it took about five times as much time and effort as it actually did is to start with a nice cutting board. This one does all the aesthetic work for you; just add Gouda and prosciutto. —Hilary Pollack

Department stores aren’t dead yet, baby—they’re just online. Happy shopping.  

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The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.