The 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale was not just another “add to cart and emotionally recover later” shopping event. It arrived during a year when most of us were spending more time at home, dressing from the waist up for video calls, rediscovering loungewear, and pretending that buying a fancy candle counted as a personality reset. Honestly? Sometimes it did.
Unlike typical clearance sales, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is famous because it discounts new-season fall merchandise before prices go back up. That made the 2020 sale especially interesting: shoppers were looking for comfort, practicality, beauty staples, cozy home upgrades, and wardrobe pieces that could survive both couch life and the occasional socially distanced outing.
This guide rounds up the best 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale favorites across fashion, beauty, shoes, activewear, home, and accessories. Think of it as a smart, stylish rewind: what people loved, why those items made sense, and which buying lessons still hold up today.
What Made the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Special?
The 2020 sale felt different because everything in 2020 felt different. Nordstrom moved the sale later than usual, with the public event beginning in August instead of its traditional July rhythm. The sale included online shopping, in-store shopping, early access for Nordstrom cardmembers, wish-list planning, daily deals, beauty exclusives, and a heavy focus on items that could fit real life.
And real life in 2020 meant leggings, soft cardigans, skin care, sneakers, pajamas, candles, and anything that made the living room feel less like a waiting room for bad news. The best Nordstrom Anniversary Sale favorites were not always the flashiest pieces. They were the items shoppers could wear, use, wash, repeat, and still feel slightly more polished than “I found this hoodie under a laundry pile.”
Best Fashion Favorites from the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
1. Barefoot Dreams Cardigans and Cozy Layers
If the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale had a mascot, it might have been the Barefoot Dreams cardigan. Soft, drapey, and dangerously close to socially acceptable blanket-wearing, Barefoot Dreams pieces were everywhere during the sale. The CozyChic Lite Circle Cardigan and similar styles became shopper favorites because they worked for lounging, errands, travel, and chilly home offices.
The appeal was simple: comfort without looking like you had surrendered. A Barefoot Dreams cardigan over a tee and leggings instantly created the illusion of intention. That is the sort of fashion magic we all needed in 2020.
2. Spanx Faux Leather Leggings
Spanx Faux Leather Leggings were another major 2020 Anniversary Sale favorite. They had the stretch and comfort of leggings but looked more styled than basic workout pants. Shoppers loved them because they could be dressed down with sneakers and a sweatshirt or dressed up with ankle boots and a long sweater.
Were they technically leggings? Yes. Did they give off “I made an effort” energy? Also yes. That dual personality made them one of the smartest wardrobe buys of the sale.
3. Zella Live In High Waist Leggings
Zella Live In High Waist Leggings were a classic Nordstrom Anniversary Sale pick for good reason. They were versatile, affordable during the sale, and available in inclusive sizes. In 2020, when athleisure became less of a trend and more of a national uniform, Zella leggings felt especially practical.
They worked for workouts, walks, grocery runs, desk days, and those ambitious moments when you put on fitness clothes and then simply carried laundry from one room to another. Still counts as movement.
4. Madewell, Free People, and Everyday Tops
Madewell and Free People were strong brands to watch during the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Shoppers gravitated toward relaxed tees, oversized sweaters, soft blouses, denim, and easy layering pieces. These were not “wear once and forget” purchases. They were closet builders.
The best tops from the sale had a casual-but-cute personality. They looked good with jeans, leggings, joggers, or under a jacket. That flexibility mattered because people wanted clothes that could transition from home to errands without needing a full outfit meeting.
Best Shoe Favorites from the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
5. Ankle Booties
Ankle booties were a major category in the 2020 sale. Brands like Steve Madden, Vince Camuto, and other popular names offered fall-ready styles that paired well with jeans, leggings, dresses, and skirts. Neutral colors such as black, tan, taupe, and snake print were especially popular because they stretched across multiple outfits.
The key was choosing a bootie that looked current but not too trendy. A walkable heel, clean shape, and versatile color made the best pairs feel useful long after sale season ended.
6. Sneakers from Nike, Adidas, Veja, and More
Sneakers were another smart 2020 sale favorite. Nike, Adidas, Veja, and other brands appeared across editor picks and shopper lists. In a year when comfort took priority, sneakers were not just gym shoes. They became everyday shoes, walking shoes, work-from-home sanity shoes, and “I need fresh air before I start talking to the toaster” shoes.
The best sneaker deals were the ones that balanced comfort and style. White leather sneakers, running-inspired pairs, and neutral athletic shoes were especially easy to wear with leggings, denim, joggers, and casual dresses.
Best Beauty Favorites from the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
7. Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Sets
Charlotte Tilbury was one of the standout beauty brands during the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Lip kits, eye sets, and glow-focused makeup bundles attracted shoppers who wanted luxury beauty without paying full luxury prices. Pillow Talk-themed sets were especially popular because the shades were flattering, wearable, and easy to use.
Beauty sets made sense because they offered more value than buying products one by one. They also made great gifts, assuming you could resist keeping them. A heroic challenge, truly.
8. Kiehl’s, La Mer, and Skin Care Value Sizes
Skin care was a huge part of the 2020 sale. Kiehl’s, La Mer, Dr. Barbara Sturm, BeautyBio, and other premium brands appeared in exclusive sets and jumbo sizes. Shoppers who already loved certain cleansers, moisturizers, serums, or masks used the sale as a chance to stock up.
The smartest beauty strategy was not to buy every shiny product with a discount sticker. It was to focus on items already in your routine or sets that allowed you to test luxury formulas without committing to full-size prices. Your bathroom shelf may enjoy drama, but your budget prefers boundaries.
9. Hair Tools and Hair Care Sets
The 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale also featured hair care and styling tools from brands like T3, Drybar, Olaplex, and Slip. These items were practical because hair tools rarely feel exciting at full price, but a good discount can make the upgrade easier to justify.
Popular picks included curling irons, blow-dry tools, strengthening shampoo sets, and silk pillowcases. These were not impulse-only buys; they were long-term beauty investments. A silk pillowcase, for example, sounded fancy but also worked as a small everyday luxury. Plus, it made going to bed feel like a wellness decision instead of just collapsing horizontally.
Best Home Favorites from the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
10. Candles and Home Fragrance
Home fragrance had a big moment in 2020, and the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale leaned right into it. Candles, diffusers, and fragrance sets from brands like Diptyque, Nest, and Jo Malone helped shoppers make their homes feel calmer, warmer, and more intentional.
When your living room became your office, restaurant, movie theater, and emotional support cave, a good candle suddenly felt important. It was not just decor. It was atmosphere in a jar.
11. Barefoot Dreams Blankets
Barefoot Dreams blankets were another favorite home buy. Like the cardigans, they had that ultra-soft reputation shoppers loved. They made excellent gifts, but many shoppers bought them for themselves because 2020 was not the year for pretending we did not deserve a blanket upgrade.
A good throw blanket is one of those purchases that quietly improves everyday life. It lives on the couch, joins every movie night, and becomes suspiciously hard to share with family members. Buy one and suddenly everyone in the house develops “blanket opinions.”
12. Smeg and Kitchen Finds
The 2020 sale also included stylish home and kitchen items, including Smeg pieces that brought retro charm to countertops. These products were popular because they combined function and visual appeal. A kettle or toaster may not sound thrilling until it makes your kitchen look like it has its life together.
Kitchen deals were especially appealing in 2020 because more people were cooking at home. Even small upgrades could make everyday routines feel less repetitive. When breakfast happens in the same kitchen for the 97th day in a row, a cute appliance starts looking like interior design therapy.
Best Accessories and Intimates Favorites
13. Natori, Wacoal, and Comfortable Bras
Intimates were a smart category in the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Brands like Natori, Wacoal, Chantelle, and Hanky Panky frequently appeared in sale coverage and shopper recommendations. These were practical purchases because bras and underwear are basics people actually use every day.
The best approach was to buy styles you already knew fit well or to use Nordstrom’s return-friendly shopping experience to test new options. A pretty sale price is nice, but a bra that fits properly is basically a household peace treaty.
14. Handbags and Small Leather Goods
Handbags from brands like Tory Burch, Rebecca Minkoff, Kate Spade, and Longchamp were also worth watching during the 2020 sale. Crossbody bags, totes, and small wallets were among the most useful picks because they fit everyday life instead of special-occasion-only fantasy shopping.
The strongest bag deals were neutral, functional, and not overly trend-dependent. Black, cognac, beige, navy, and soft metallics offered the most mileage. A bag that works with 20 outfits beats a bag that only works with one imaginary vacation outfit.
How to Shop the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Favorites Smartly
Start with Basics, Then Add Fun
The best Nordstrom Anniversary Sale strategy is to start with basics: leggings, bras, sneakers, skin care refills, jackets, sweaters, and home items you know you will use. After that, add one or two fun pieces if your budget allows.
This keeps the sale from turning into a chaotic cart full of “future me will figure it out” decisions. Future you has enough emails. Be kind.
Check Price-Per-Wear
A $90 cardigan worn 60 times is a better buy than a $35 trendy top worn once. Price-per-wear is not glamorous math, but it is useful math. The 2020 favorites that aged best were the ones shoppers could use repeatedly: leggings, cozy cardigans, neutral booties, skin care staples, hair tools, and blankets.
Move Quickly on Best Sellers
Popular Nordstrom Anniversary Sale items often sell out quickly, especially in common sizes and neutral colors. That was true in 2020 and remains true for similar sales today. If you know your size and the item is a proven favorite, waiting too long can lead to the dreaded “sold out” message. Few phrases are more dramatic during sale season.
What Was Actually Worth Buying?
The most worthwhile 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale favorites fell into four groups: comfort pieces, beauty value sets, seasonal wardrobe staples, and home upgrades. Shoppers got the most value from items that were already on their wish lists or filled real gaps in their routines.
Worth-it picks included Barefoot Dreams cardigans and blankets, Spanx Faux Leather Leggings, Zella leggings, quality bras, neutral booties, sneakers, Charlotte Tilbury sets, Kiehl’s skin care, luxury fragrance samplers, Olaplex hair care, and cozy pajamas. These items were practical, giftable, or genuinely enjoyable to use.
The less worthwhile purchases were the ones bought only because they were discounted. A sale price does not magically make a neon snakeskin bootie your lifestyle. Unless it does. In that case, please walk confidently and ignore me.
Final Thoughts on the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Favorites
The 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale reflected the mood of the year: comfort mattered, self-care mattered, and home mattered more than ever. The best favorites were not just trendy pieces. They were useful, wearable, cozy, and easy to justify because they made everyday life a little smoother.
Looking back, the sale’s strongest buys were the ones that blended style with function. A great pair of leggings, a soft cardigan, a reliable skin care set, a candle that made the house feel calm, or a pair of sneakers that encouraged a daily walk all had staying power.
In other words, the real winners were not the loudest deals. They were the items that quietly became part of daily lifeand maybe made 2020 feel a little less like a group project nobody signed up for.
Personal Experience: Shopping the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Favorites
Shopping the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale felt less like a normal retail event and more like building a survival kit with better fabrics. The wish list started with practical intentions: leggings, a cardigan, maybe a skin care set. Then, naturally, one candle appeared in the cart. Then a blanket. Then a pair of booties that whispered, “Someday you will go places again.” It was emotional. It was strategic. It was also slightly dangerous for anyone who enjoys free shipping.
The first lesson from the 2020 sale was that comfort pieces were not boring. A Barefoot Dreams cardigan seemed simple at first, but it quickly became the item you reached for every morning. It worked over pajamas, workout clothes, jeans, and that mysterious outfit category known as “I have a video call in seven minutes.” The value was not just in the discount. It was in how often it got used.
The second lesson was that leggings deserved respect. Zella leggings were ideal for daily movement, while Spanx Faux Leather Leggings gave outfits a more polished edge. That combination covered almost every realistic 2020 plan: walking outside, sitting inside, pretending to work out, actually working out, or dressing up enough to feel human again. The best sale favorites were the ones that met the moment without asking too much from us.
Beauty shopping was another experience entirely. The sale made luxury sets feel more accessible, especially from brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Kiehl’s, and La Mer. But the smartest move was sticking to products that made sense. A familiar moisturizer in a value size? Great. A lip kit in wearable shades? Excellent. A mysterious serum promising to make you look like you sleep eight hours and drink enough water? Tempting, but suspicious. Sale season rewards discipline almost as much as enthusiasm.
The home section may have been the surprise winner. In 2020, buying a candle or throw blanket was not frivolous; it was environmental improvement. A good candle changed the mood of a room. A soft blanket made movie nights better. A stylish kitchen piece made another homemade breakfast feel slightly less repetitive. These little upgrades had emotional value, which is why many shoppers still remember them as favorites.
The biggest takeaway from the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale was simple: buy for the life you are actually living, not the imaginary version of yourself who attends five cocktail parties a week and never spills coffee. The best favorites were practical but still fun, cozy but not sloppy, and stylish without requiring a complicated instruction manual. That is why so many 2020 sale picks still make sense today.
For anyone looking back at the sale as inspiration, the formula remains useful: choose reliable basics first, add beauty sets you will actually use, invest in comfort where it counts, and let yourself have one small delight. Maybe it is a candle. Maybe it is a cardigan. Maybe it is the blanket everyone in your house suddenly tries to steal. Either way, the best sale purchase is the one that earns a permanent place in your routine.
