NAS catalog sneak peek - YouLookFab Forum

BrieN

I browsed through a catalogue yesterday in store. The sales associate said it would be in my mailbox on Tuesday.

Hoping for some guidance from Angie on the sale. I know I need some of these items, but it is hard to think about Fall as we deal with 90degree days.

8 years ago

Anonymous

Is that it? Doesn't even cover half of the departments/categories. Maybe I missed something ....

Does anyone know if the Canadian stores do NAS? Curious what the prices will be like.

8 years ago

Beth

Veteran

Gah. NAS is the biggest temptation of the year. And we're getting ready to start gutting our master bath at the same time. MUST BE STRONG.

(will lose all self-control by day 2)

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Laura, my preselection shopping apps with clients have been booked for a month already.

Lisa, not at all. The NAS catalogue shows less than a few percent of what is actually available at the sale.

8 years ago

Beth

Veteran

Angie makes a really good point. Year after year, my catalog arrives after great anticipation, and it usually disappoints. And then the sale opens and the website is full of fabulous things!

8 years ago

Peri

Veteran

I had a blast with NAS last year. The most fun I ever had shopping. All of it online though, my Nords never fails to disappoint.

I've been contemplating already too! I did so well last year though that I have no specific needs cataloged. Between NAS and some Dec-Jan shopping I really filled all my cold weather wish lists. And in no way got tired of the things since we had a freaky warm winter even for the south. I'm sure I will find a few wants, but I need a major strategy to keep from having so much fun this year!

8 years ago

Anonymous

Thanks! Makes me all the more excited.

8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I am NOT READY! I'm horribly seasonally confused this year. I'm only just feeling summer, having missed spring entirely. And ok, the official start was just a few days ago, but I don't get that either. Didn't that used to be called MIDsummer? I feel like I need to get on the ball here.

8 years ago

deb

Veteran

I do not have my catalog. I need tock one up.

8 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

Last year's NAS was my first. The Converse wedge sneakers I scored last year were an unexpected total win -- I wear them all the time.

And Rachy, yes! I'm so seasonally confused. Though I guess that's normal for SF. Tonight I wore my ultra-thick sleeveless turtleneck, probably a whole sheep's worth of yarn. I didn't wear it all winter because it was too hot...

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am starting to get excited!! I have a pile of credit at Nordstrom's from stuff I returned after last NAS....yippee!!

And I also have a list of needs/ wants.

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Like others, I've been saving for the NAS, and thinking about my Fall & Winter look. I think I will go more graphic - IF I can stay within the vibe of my style adjectives, moniker and persona:

Urban Pretty

Modern, Soft, Dressy, Crisp and Retro.

I really don't want to stray from my Modern Retro style sensibilities, and Hard Edge is not my thing.

8 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'm seeing some things I like. That Frye crossbody, lovely ponchos, interesting Converse.

8 years ago

BrieN

Veteran

I am keeping an eye out for beautiful cognac brown knee high boots that will fit my rather athletic calves

8 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

NAS seems to be a pretty big deal. I know it's an annual sale at Nordstrom that starts later in July, perhaps earlier for those with a Nordstrom credit card (which I do have), and it includes things from spring/summer as well as new items for fall/winter.

What else do I need to know? Plan ahead and think of some items to look for? I see that there are LOTS of older postings with "NAS" in the subject line. I'm not asking anyone to try to summarize years worth of info here....just asking for simple/basic info. Or point me to some older postings if that's the best way for me to learn about it.

Thanks!

8 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Chris, NAS is Nordstrom's big annual sale, and it's focused on fall/winter items, so new items at the beginning of the season as opposed to a clearance/discount at the end of a season. It's in late July/early August every year and you can get access to sale items, both in store and online, a week or so early if you have the Nordstrom CC.

It's always been mentioned a lot here on YLF since Angie is based in Seattle, and in the last few years it's gotten a lot more traction on social media and become more of an event. IMO the actual deals have gotten less amazing overall as it's grown, but of course it depends on what you're looking for and there always are a few bargains to be had.

The catalog I posted the link to is only a fraction of the items that they'll put on sale when the time comes. Usually once the cardholder preview time starts, members will start posting info about items and the discussion/K/R frenzy will begin.

If you have a local store and a card, you can call and make an appointment for a time to see the NAS areas - some stores let you browse on your own as long as you have a card, but some require you to have an appointment for the first few days of the cardholder preview.

8 years ago

Marilyn

Veteran

Lisa.....Yes, the Canadian stores do the NAS. I was in the Ottawa store yesterday and the SA in lingerie made sure I was aware of it.

8 years ago

Jaime

Active Member

Just got my catalog and again, it disappoints. I agree that there is always much more when the sale starts. In the past couple of years though I have learned to be careful with what I buy at NAS. So much of it is on sale a couple months later at a better discount than the sale. When I tried to get Nordstrom to price adjust for me, since I had still not had a chance to wear the items, they were very hesitant.
Also there are many items that are made for the sale and of inferior quality-I have found this with bags and jeans in particular and also some higher end shoes. That being said, I have found great deals on things like Frye boots that never go on sale. And definitely lingerie.

8 years ago

Anonymous

That's interesting , Jaime....your comments on items made for the sale. I don't have any experience with NAS other than last year when I ordered a bunch of stuff and kept only one dress. Some of it was Vince knitwear, and I recall being surprised (and not in a good way) at the low quality of the two sweaters I had ordered and how disappointed I was that for Vince pieces, they were really blah. I also remember trying to find them on Vince's general website, and couldn't. I didn't realize Nordstrom did some exclusives with some of their labels, but it makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. I also found the dress that I did keep ,on sale for less than I paid during NAS about a month later. And I hadn't even had a chance to wear it yet. It's a fun start to the season, I agree, but I don't see how it's the be-all and end-all when the season hasn't really even begun yet and there is so much more to come.

I think you have to be very disciplined during this marketing promo and not get caught up too deeply in thinking this is the best that the season will have to offer. I guess I say this because of my experience with it last fall. Not going to do that again.

8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

Lisap--- that was my experience 2 years ago, so last year I went in with a much more focused mindset, it had robe something I could wear before October, when the 1st fall markdowns happen, or something so fabulous that I feared it would sell out.

8 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Several of my favorite items were NAS purchases.
A few tips:

Some items sell out very fast. Some items show up again after people rethink their purchases.

I don't purchase enough to shop the very first day, but my Nordstrom was empty near the end of the day, so I was able to sneak peak some of the areas that night. That scouting helped me plan where to go first when I shopped.

My Purchases:
I love my Longchamps tote. It has a horizontal zipper, so it can be extremely large (great for carrying books, magazines, a sweater, etc.) or regular large, as I carry a lot on a daily basis. Some people use the tote as their carryon.

I also love my Sam Edelman fringe booties and my Alexis Bittar earrings. Unfortunately, Nordstrom isn't carrying, or is phasing out, Alexis Bittar.

I did purchase a few less expensive jewelry items that I returned on Day 2 as I realized I didn't love or need them.

8 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Last year I ended up returning much of what i bought. I find NAS to be a good preview of mainstream trends, but also that the items are mostly suited to places with a warmer autumn than I get in New Hampshire. I think some of the best values are in shoes and bags and often the more interesting pieces are in the Nordstrom house brands.

8 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Temptalia is starting to post some info on the beauty deals from some brands; I'm sure they'll be posting more as the sale gets closer.
Laura Mercier:
http://www.temptalia.com/laura.....ore-241069
MAC:
http://www.temptalia.com/mac-n.....ore-241070

8 years ago

Anonymous

Thanks for posting these, Laura. I am very interested.

8 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I'm planning on making a move into management and will need to upgrade my wardrobe. I'm looking forward to the NAS!

8 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Got my catalog today. I see some things I like, but, like Rachylou, I'm far from ready to think about fall yet. I'd like to get into summer first.

8 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

The clothes seem much more fall than winter to me. And it doesn't get that cold here.

8 years ago

Anonymous

LisaP and KKards make very good points. I admit to getting caught up in the excitement/adrenaline rush. I don't make very good decisions under those circumstances.

Having said that, the Kut from the Kloth Ponte Pants I bought last NAS were one of my most successful purchases. I wished they were offered in more colors at that time. Sadly, in my climate, those pants can only be worn about half the year. Since I am consciously trying to shop for my climate this year, ponte pants are not even on the wish list (unless they come in RED).

I learned the hard way that I can only be successful if I shop from a list. I take advantage of the card-carrying Forum Members that post their NAS purchases and provide reviews (I am not a card holder). Some of my best purchases were either Forum recommendations or seen in a WIW.

8 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Amy, good to see you! Glad the career is going well.

I'm trying to remember what items I've gotten from NAS that have been clear winners. I lost my purchase logs in a computer crash earlier this year, unfortunately. Last year I bought a pair of Kut denim flares that have been worn consistently, if not a ton. They were available in both misses and plus, and I think both went on sale afterwards eventually, though I'm pretty sure that the 14W never came back in stock (it always gets snapped up asap), so I'm glad I pulled the trigger on that one right away. I ordered several knit blazers I ended up returning and a top or two.

I think some of the best deals are in the higher-end Nordstrom brands - Classiques Entier, Nordstrom Collection - and other workwear mid-priced brands, Lafayette 148, Boss, Eileen Fisher, occasionally NYDJ, etc. There are always a few really inexpensive pieces from Caslon or Pleione every year, but they tend to be lower quality and I suspect they're made specifically to be a loss leader for the sale.

There are always a few really good deals in shoes - AGL flats, Aquatalia winter boots, a pair of booties or flats from one of the Nordstrom brands. And some good handbag and leather goods deals - I got a nice wallet last year, and a wristlet, and a couple pieces of costume jewelry.