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Plus, save on hair growth serum and Apple products.
I save all of my end-of-summer, early-fall shopping for Labor Day weekend with the hope that all of my favorite things would finally be marked down. Fortunately, this year’s long weekend sales have not disappointed.
Given that fall is just around the corner, my biggest goal was to stock up on some staple pieces for less—many of which I found at Madewell and J.Crew for up to 65 percent off. I also discovered can’t-miss discounts on Ugg boots, Coach bags, Apple AirPods, and a wrinkle-smoothing serum that Oprah swears by. In short, everything you might need ahead of fall is on sale this weekend.
While there are hundreds of sales on the internet right now, these are only eight I plan to shop.
8 Best Labor Day Weekend Sales
- Madewell Long Weekend Sale: up to 65% off with code LONGWEEKEND J.Crew Long Weekend Event: up to 46% off Gilt Ugg Sale: up to 37% off Coach Outlet Labor Day Sale: up to 72% off Nordstrom Labor Day Sale: up to 45% off Act + Acre Long Sitewide Sale: 30% off Tula Back to School Sale: up to 40% off Amazon Apple Sale: up to 40% off
Below, shop my top picks from each sale, with deals starting at $11.
Madewell Long Weekend Sale
Orig. $128 $96 at Madewell.com
- Best Deal: Belted Mini Shirtdress, $45 (Originally $128) Fall Must-Have: Button-Front Denim Jacket, $66 (Originally $138) Editor’s Pick: The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean, $96 (Originally $128) Puff-Sleeve Babydoll Top, $36 (Originally $88) The Perfect Vintage Jean, $69 (Originally $128) V-Neck Balloon-Sleeve Maxi Dress, $111 (Originally $148)
Almost everything at Madewell is marked down, with 25 percent off newer fall staples and an extra 40 percent off already-marked down items using the code LONGWEEKEND. The first thing I added to my cart are these wide-leg jeans in black. The color and silhouette are both perfect for fall, plus, Madewell’s new denim rarely goes on sale, so I’m not going miss this opportunity. Other styles I’m considering are this 65-percent-off shirtdress—it’s easy and chic—and this classic denim jacket that I think I can get years of wear out of.
Orig. $128 $45 at Madewell.com
Orig. $138 $66 at Madewell.com
J.Crew Long Weekend Event
Orig. $118 $70 at Jcrew.com
- Best Deal: Demi-Boot Crop Jean, $75 (Originally $138) Trending Shoe: Logan Crisscross Mary Jane Ballet Flats, $105 (Originally $178) Editor’s Pick: Pointelle V-Neck Cardigan, $70 (Originally $118) Jolie Eyelet Top, $71 (Originally $118) Open-Back Puff-Sleeve Top, $42 (Originally $70) Drawstring Cotton-Blend Pants, $75 (Originally $128)
While J.Crew has marked down its sale section by an extra 50 percent with the code WEEKEND—which is a great place to grab wardrobe staples and late-summer styles—I’m shopping its sale on new fall arrivals, some of which are up to 46 percent off. The best deal is on the Demi-Boot Crop Jeans, which have a subtle flare and slight crop to elongate the leg. But I’m also loving the open-back black top (IMO, the perfect elevated basic), pointelle striped cardigan, and the Logan Crisscross Mary Janes; they’re a fresh take on the trending shoe.
Orig. $138 $75 at Jcrew.com
Orig. $178 $105 at Jcrew.com
Gilt Ugg Sale
Orig. $100 $79 at Gilt.com
- Best Deal: Classic Ultra Mini Platform Booties, $100 (Originally $160) Best-Selling Style: Classic Ultra Mini Leather Suede Classic Booties, $100 (Originally $140) Editor’s Pick: Classic Suede Slipper, $79 (Originally $100) Classic Suede Slipper, $79 (Originally $100) Brisbane Chelsea Boots, $110 (Originally $170) Classic Dipper Suede Classic Boots, $117 (Originally $170)
Gilt’s new Ugg drop includes some of the brand’s most famous boots and slippers at discounts you rarely see—all you need is an email address to create an account and access the deals. The bright yellow Classic Ultra Mini Platform Booties are the most discounted style at 37 percent off. But if you prefer something a little more neutral, these chocolate brown suede booties are just $100 while the Classic Suede Slippers are $79.
Orig. $160 $100 at Gilt.com
Orig. $140 $100 at Gilt.com
Coach Outlet Labor Day Sale
Orig. $118 $33 at Coachoutlet.com
- Best Deal: Large Corner Zip Wristlet, $33 (Originally $118) 1,600+ Five-Star Ratings: City Tote Bag In Signature Canvas, $119 (Originally $398) Editor’s Pick: Val Duffle Bag, $135 (Originally $398) Mini Rowan Crossbody Bag With Leopard Print, $135 (Originally $328) Eliza Top Handle In Signature Canvas, $175 (Originally $478) Laurel Shoulder Bag, $207 (Originally $428)
Coach Outlet is always my go-to for affordable high-end handbags, and during its Labor Day weekend sale, they’re even cheaper thanks to an extra 20 percent off at checkout. This 72-percent off wristlet is the easiest purchase you’ll make all weekend at just $33, but I can’t stop thinking about this crossbody bag: it’s oversized, slouchy, and includes the chicest belted strap. Of course, you also can’t go wrong with the now-$119 City Tote Bag in the brand’s monogrammed canvas—there’s a reason it’s loved by more than 1,600 shoppers.
Orig. $398 $135 at Coachoutlet.com
Orig. $398 $119 at Coachoutlet.com
Nordstrom Labor Day Sale
Orig. $59 $32 at Nordstrom
- Best Deal: Caslon Wide Leg Pull-On Linen Blend Pants, $32 (Originally $59) Oprah-Favorite: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Serum, $148 (Originally $185) Editor’s Pick: Tory Burch Clover Court Sneaker, $174 (Originally $248) Bobbi Brown Skin Full Coverage Longwear Concealer, $26 (Originally $35) StriVectin Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Plump Serum, $62 (Originally $89) Mother Hustler Roller Skimp Flare Jeans, $194 (Originally $258)
Nordstrom’s end-of-summer sale includes more than 30,000 markdowns. But despite the overwhelming number of options, I managed to find a number of standout deals. I love the ease of a wide-leg pant, and this $32 style isn’t just convenient, but “as comfortable as pajamas,” according to fans. I’m also grabbing these classic Tory burch sneakers and the Sunday Riley line-plumping serum Oprah and beauty editors reach for while they’re on rare sale.
Orig. $248 $174 at Nordstrom
Orig. $185 $148 at Nordstrom
Act + Acre Long Sitewide Sale
Orig. $86 $60 at Actandacre.com
- Biggest Steal: Daily Hydro Scalp Serum, $17 (Originally $24) Hair Growth Must-Have: Cold Processed Stem Cell Scalp Serum, $60 (Originally $86) 900+ Five-Star Ratings: Cold Processed Balancing Shampoo, $22 (Originally $32) Stem Cell Conditioner, $29 (Originally $42) Scalp Detox Oil, $34 (Originally $48) Microbiome Cooling Scalp Serum, $48 (Originally $68)
For most hair concerns—from hair loss to dryness and even scalp irritation—Act + Acre has you covered. And right now, its entire lineup is 30 percent off. The must-have item from the brand is its often-sold out Cold Processed Stem Cell Scalp Serum, which shoppers say filled in their bald patches while making their existing hair softer. Pair that serum with the accompanying shampoo to really jump start hair growth. And for an itchy scalp and dry strands, make sure to grab both the Cooling Scalp Serum and just-dropped Hydro Serum.
Orig. $32 $22 at Actandacre.com
Orig. $24 $17 at Actandacre.com
Tula Back to School Sale
Orig. $42 $25 at Tula.com
- Best Deal: Smoothing and Firming Primer, $25 (Originally $42) 3,700+ Five-Star Ratings: Cooling and Brightening Eye Balm, $29 (Originally $38) Beauty Editor-Approved: Brightening Serum Concealer, $19 (Originally $32) Lip Treatment Tinted Balm, $11 (Originally $18) Advanced Hydration Body Moisturizer, $29 (Originally $38) Overnight Oil Concentrate, $44 (Originally $74)
The beauty editor-loved brand Tula just launched its Back to School Sale, with up to 40 percent off skin care and makeup. When it comes to skin care, I’m immediately adding this firming oil and brightening under-eye balm, which is loved by more than 3,700 shoppers, to my cart. And for makeup, I’m grabbing the firming primer one shopper said makes them look 10 years younger, as well as an editor-loved, skin care-infused concealer.
Orig. $38 $29 at Tula.com
Orig. $32 $19 at Tula.com
Amazon Apple Sale
Orig. $129 $89 at Amazon
- Best Deal: Apple iPad 9th Generation, $199 (Originally $329) 547,000+ Five-Star Ratings: Apple AirPods 2nd Generation Wireless Headphones, $89 (Originally $129) Editor’s Pick: Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones, $399 (Originally $549) Apple AirTag 4-Pack, $80 (Originally $99) Apple Watch SE, $189 (Originally $249) Apple iPad Mini 6th Generation, $380 (Originally $499)
Like Nordstrom, Amazon is filled with tens of thousands of deals, but its secret Apple sale is the only one I’m shopping. Right now, everything from the brand’s AirPods Max headphones to its Apple Watch are majorly marked down. And while Apple isn’t exactly cheap, there are a handful of under-$200 deals, including this 40-percent off iPad, these $89 AirPods, and the four-pack of AirTags.
Orig. $329 $199 at Amazon
Orig. $549 $399 at Amazon