Here’s How to Navigate Black Friday Sales Like a Fashion Editor

This is my eighth Black Friday covering the sales as a shopping editor, and the one thing that I’ve learned over the years is to never go into the sales blindly; always have a plan. I like to prepare for the shopping holiday like it’s the Olympics, and I spend the entire year gearing up, making sure my wish lists are carefully curated. Don’t worry if you haven’t bookmarked your favorite pieces yet. You can use my cheat sheet below to make sure you don’t end up having buyer’s remorse once your packages arrive in the mail.

Below, I’m sharing exactly how to navigate the Black Friday sales like a fashion editor.

Hit the Big Retailers

This will make your life easier as they’re one-stop shops for pretty much everything, from closet essentials to statement-making party dresses. Remember that wish list I mentioned earlier about prepping beforehand? If you haven’t already, create an account and start saving the pieces that speak to you. Even if they’re out of your budget, you never know when they might end up on sale. And do not, I repeat, do not remove them from your wish list—ever. Even if they sell out, restocks happen often, as well as returns. That’s how I once scored a major markdown on a Loewe dress; someone returned their purchase in my exact size during an end-of-the-season sale. Because it was on my wishlist, I received an email notification that it was back in stock and, yes, it was automatically discounted, too. Here are the best places to start building your wish list now along with the must-have finds already on sale.

Schutz Maryana Boots

Now 50% Off

Loewe Anagram Sunglasses

Now 32% Off

Khaite Melbo Mixed Media Coat

Now 40% Off

Toteme Leather-Trimmed Cotton Jacket

Now 30% Off

The Frankie Shop Solange Knitted Pencil Skirt

Now 30% Off

Nili Lotan Perah Cropped Wool Cardigan

Now 30% Off

Saks Fifth Avenue’s Best Black Friday Deals

Loewe Flow Runner Low-Top Sneaker

Now 40% Off

Favorite Daughter The Favorite Blazer

Now 40% Off

Dries Van Noten Claudio Striped Top

Now 55% Off

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Focus on Your Favorite Brands

Next, zero in on the must-have brands on your list, just to make sure you don’t miss any exclusive deals. Not to go all business school on you, but your favorite brands can offer steeper discounts because there are no wholesale markups baked into the price of products—a.k.a. there’s no middle man. That means you could find even better deals on their websites. Here are some of the not-to-miss sales happening directly on our favorite websites.

Glossier Glossier You

Now 20% Off

Glossier Balm Dotcom

Now 19% Off

Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation

Now 21% Off

Solawave’s Best Black Friday Deals

Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand Kit

Solawave Eye Recovery Pro Kit

Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Face Mask & LightBoost Kit

DeMellier’s Best Black Friday Deals

Use code BF20 for 20% off

DeMellier The Midi New York

Use code BF20 for 20% off

DeMellier The Vancouver Bag

Use code BF20 for 20% off

Madewell’s Best Black Friday Deals

40% off with code MADEBETTER

Madewell The Essential Medium Bucket Tote

40% off with code MADEBETTER

Madewell Merino Wool Pullover Sweater

40% off with code MADEBETTER

Madewell The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean

Dôen’s Best Black Friday Deals

Mejuri’s Best Black Friday Deals

25% off order $150+

Mejuri Charlotte Bold Hoops

25% off order $150+

25% off order $150+

J.Crew’s Best Black Friday Deals

J.Crew Fair Isle Sweater

Now 41% Off

J.Crew Cashmere Wrap

Now 44% Off

J.Crew Dreamy Pajama Pant

Now 53% Off

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The Time for Splurges Is Now

Last but certainly not least, save all of your big-ticket items for this moment. Rare deals on furniture, home décor, and tech gadgets typically happen on Black Friday. If you have items that you were going to splurge on anyway, you might as well get them now while they’re on sale. For example, I’ve had the Samsung Frame TV on my mind for a long time, and it’s on super-sale this year. Plus, if you don’t already have a Dyson Supersonic dryer, you’re really missing out. It’s been my secret to getting salon-worthy blowouts at home, so this is the time to snag it while it’s on sale.

Amazon’s Best Black Friday Deals

Samsung 75” Class The Frame QLED 4K LS03D

Now 40% Off

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Now 38% Off

Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer

Now 23% Off

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Shop More Black Friday Sales on ELLE Fashion

Alexis Bennett Parker is the Commerce Content Lead at ELLE.com. In this newly created role, she oversees all shopping-related stories online, from fashion-forward trend pieces to the most coveted beauty buys on the market right now. Alexis has worked in the publishing space for 11 years, and seven of those years have been dedicated to helping shoppers make informed purchases—no buyer’s remorse here! Before joining the team at ELLE.com, she worked in the editorial departments of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle, to name a few magazines. Not only has Alexis worked closely with several brands and tested hundreds of products over the course of her career, but she’s also won awards for her work as a shopping journalist. Namely, she was an honoree at the Pynk Magazine Gala in 2023, received the Condé Nast Commerce Content Award for Best Article by a New Hire in 2021, and was included on the Top 40 Under 40 Heir’s List in 2018.