10 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Finds That Are Actually Worth the Investment

If you’re gonna splurge, make it count

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Investments Collage
Nordstrom/Stephanie Maida for PureWow

For luxury lovers, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is on par with (or perhaps even better than) Black Friday. Yes, it’s a chance to start shopping new fall drops and emerging trends for way less, but—speaking as someone who has covered and shopped the sale for years—it’s also the ultimate opportunity to splurge on investment-worthy items that’ll last far longer than a single season. And I’m not necessarily talking about flashy designer labels. I’m referring to pieces whose quality, reputation and design give them real staying power—those timeless items that you’re not going to throw into storage as soon as their virality fades. Yes, they may come with higher price tags, but that just makes their deep discounts all the more compelling.

The Nordstrom savings event is on through Aug. 9. If you’re in the market for an ultra-plush throw blanket, durable suitcase or weather-resistant jacket with a stamp of approval from Kate Middleton, though, I suggest scooping up these coveted buys sooner rather than later.

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Beloved by royals and fashion editors, Barbour is a British heritage brand that’s renowned for its waxed cotton jackets—made to withstand the elements while still looking perfectly posh. So the fact that you can nab this classic style for a cool $175 off makes it a no-brainer. It comes complete with the brand’s signature tartan lining and corduroy collar, the latter of which can be flipped up to protect your neck on particularly wet and gusty days. Per one former PureWow editor who still wears her dad’s Barbour jacket from the 1980s, “These jackets LAST. They're well worth the price and, in my opinion, only look better with age.”

I’ve written plenty about Our Place’s nonstick, non-toxic cookware, and still I gasped when I saw it presented in these two limited-edition colorways on sale at Nordstrom. But even if we were to ignore their chic aesthetic—especially in those earthy hues with contrast hardware—this set of two Perfect Pots and two Always Pans would still be worth the splurge. Their aluminum construction is designed for fast and even heating, while their ceramic coating prevents sticking sans the presence of PFAS. Each item comes with a matching lid and its own beechwood spatula or spoon, so you can start stir-frying veggies and simmering stews as soon as you get them out of the box.

Bling it on. A glitzy tennis bracelet can elevate even the most basic fits, but if you don’t have a few grand burning a hole in your pocket, this Aurate beauty is worth dropping a few hundred on. Crafted with a sterling silver base, the bracelet features 3 carats’ worth of lab-grown white sapphires—gorgeous gemstones that supply just as much glam as a string of diamonds. It’s precisely the right size for stacking with other pieces in an arm party but is guaranteed to stand out for its brilliance. 

Alas, if you heard Marilyn sing the words “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” and took that to heart, you may not want to compromise. Luckily, you can get the real deal for less than a monthly mortgage when you turn to lab-grown. Take the stunning pavé sparklers adorning these sculptural hoop earrings, for example. They’re hand-set on 18-karat gold vermeil, resulting in a style that one reviewer referred to simply as “beautiful and sophisticated.” And diamonds, natural or otherwise, are always going to be worth the spend.

My fellow PureWow editors and I have tested a slew of LED masks over the years, and we’re firmly of the belief that they—well, the good ones, at least—are worth the dough. I’d count among those “good ones” this decidedly great one by Dr. Dennis Gross. The DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro helped pioneer the medical-grade treatment for home use, and it’s still hailed as the gold standard. The FDA-cleared device utilizes both red light and blue light to help stimulate collagen, smooth wrinkles, repair sun damage and reduce acne—and all it takes is three minutes a day. When you consider how much money you’d be spending to get those results at a med spa, even the regular price of $455 sounds like a steal. But to save an extra $115 on top of it? Add. To. Cart.

Cozy Earth may very well be the hero of bedtime. The brand gained fame for its airy bamboo sheets and pajama sets, but its bubble cuddle blanket is a fan favorite for a reason. Made from soft and fluffy faux fur, the plush blanket delivers a sense of luxury you can wrap yourself in from sofa to snooze. It spans a roomy 50 by 60 inches for full envelopment (though it can also be shared with a partner to make movie nights just that much cozier). Be warned though: Once you’re under it, you may never want to come back out.

You can never go wrong investing in a cashmere sweater, especially one with a silhouette as timeless as this one. The relaxed fit, the classic V-neck, the dream-soft knit—everything about this pick will make you want to wear it on repeat for many autumns and winters to come. I also like how lightweight Nordstrom’s cashmere is; it’s warm and luxurious to be sure, but not so heavy that you run the risk of overheating at the office. Dare I say that it calls for investing in multiples when you can nab it at this price?

There’s no denying that Béis makes sleek and stylish suitcases. But the luggage brand didn’t catapult to icon status just because it designs items that look good. The go-to for cool jet-setters has also thought of everything in terms of smart packing and efficient organization. This 22-inch polycarbonate carry-on case, for one, is packed with multiple zip pockets, a compression flap to flatten things out (and fit as much as possible), plus two drawstring pouches to stash dirty laundry or other items that need to be kept separate. But OK, I’ll admit that the glossy blue colorway—a Nordstrom exclusive—also makes it pretty hard to resist.

Lug sole + waterproof leather = your new favorite boot for the colder months. Blondo’s footwear stands apart for its high-end materials (like genuine leather and suede) and waterproofing technology that allows them to stand up to rain and slush. If you’re going to spring for any of the brand’s boots during the sale, though, I’d make it this Chelsea style. The elastic goring promises a stretchy, comfortable fit (even with thicker socks), while the thick rubber sole is specifically designed to provide traction in wet conditions. You’ll be so glad you have these to reach for whenever you wake up to a rainy day.

10. Favorite Daughter The Luca Coat

Favorite Daughter

If you use the winter as an excuse to channel your inner Nicole Kidman character, you’re going to need a long wool coat that you can tug closed dramatically after a heated confrontation on a chilly day. Enter: this elegant number, made with a blend of weighty wool and soft cashmere. It comes complete with thick lapels and a double-breasted closure to ensure you’re sufficiently covered from any icy gusts. But if that doesn’t justify the price for you, perhaps these reviews will: “Best coat I’ve ever owned,” reads one. Another, “This feels luxurious. By far, one of the best purchases made this year!”


stephanie maida

Stephanie Maida

Senior Commerce Editor

  • Oversees PureWow's coverage of sales and deals, celebrity commerce and new launches across categories
  • Has worked as a writer and editor for 10+ years
  • Studied journalism at New York University

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PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.