Photo by Photo-Illustration The Strategist. Photos: Retailers
Now that I’ve covered the Black Friday shopping holiday for several years, I can say this with confidence: Whether you’re shopping for gifts or just for yourself, fashion deals can be hit-or-miss during the post-Thanksgiving buying crush. It’s so tempting to view every discount as a Very Good Deal, but not all coupon codes are created equal. I should know: As the writer tasked with helming many of the Strategist’s fashion stories — including writing about the best button-downs, high-waisted jeans, and shapewear — I’m quite discerning when it comes to what’s marked down during Cyber Weekend.
At most retailers, especially larger ones, anything less than 20 percent isn’t really worth your time. However, pricing trends are always considered and we assess all the deals to ensure that they match our expectations. If a deal has a high probability of being discontinued, 30 percent or more discount is possible. It is really love something, don’t dillydally.
For this list of the best Black Friday fashion deals, I focused on showcasing retailers we’ve written about before and expert-recommended items that have the Strategist seal of approval — like Ottessa Moshfegh’s favorite pajamas and the ever-popular Levi’s we’ve dubbed the “Goldilocks of jeans.” Personally, I’ll probably do most of my shopping at Olympia Gayot’s J.Crew — I’ve already purchased this crystal-collared crewneck, but plan to keep browsing the site in my downtime.
Just so you know: I’m done checking this post for the night. But I’ll be back on deal-hunting duty on Cyber Monday. So see you soon — and if you’ll be shopping in other product categories like toys, kitchen, or beauty over the weekend, For more information on Black Friday deals, be sure to read our complete guide and subscribe to our newsletter.
Abercrombie’s denim is popular with both petites and taller folks, like Strategist writer Latifah Miles (who’s five-foot-ten). Get 30% off your purchase while stocks last.
These jeans are so comfortable that content creator Amy Serrano wore them for “a round of high kicks with the Radio City Rockettes.”
If you missed out on the all-in-one retailer’s Early Access Sale in October, our eagle-eyed editors have spotted lots of even Better discounts this Black Friday (here’s our exhaustive guide to the sale).
The virtues of Champion sweats have been repeated to us many a time, and you can’t beat the under-$25 price tag on these.
If you need another dad sneaker, lots of New Balances — including this Very ’90s pair — are between 30 and 50 percent off.
It only happens once a year: Get 30 percent off (almost) everything that’s full-price. Additional 50 percent discount on sale items
A classic ribbed pullover in an on-trend color of Schiaparelli shocking Pink.
Athleta beat Lululemon in our survey of 1,000 senior citizens. The label is also a favourite of fitness professionals. Take 30% off your order
JoAnn, a senior woman from Texas, praises the joggers’ dressier, rib-knit waistband.
“They’re supersoft and move well with your body, and they also give light compression and support so they look awesome on [almost] every type of figure,” says FitHouse strength instructor Nina Marchione of these workout leggings.
Baggu is a big hit with Strategist staffers — and if you’re not yet a convert, now’s your chance to get 20 percent off sitewide during Cyber Weekend.
Liza Corsillo, Strategist Senior Writer considers the laptop sleeves her best purchase of last year. The “ultrapadded” design protects her computer while also being slippery, so it “slide[s] into a backpack or purse quickly and easily.” (And the “neon-rose” version is beloved by Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio.)
Banana Republic has undergone a similar overhaul to J.Crew. And if you’ve been waiting for some Deep Black Friday Discounts: 40% Off Your Full-Price Purchase
It’s one of those pieces you can throw on that makes you appear more polished than you are.
And while you’re at it, you can get an extra 20 percent off at Banana Republic’s outlet store.
The Haydens are my favorite work pants — and this is the cheapest I’ve ever seen them go for.
In the past, Brooklyn’s fine-jewelry maker offered 15% off on almost all items during Black Fridays. So it’s big news that this year, for the first time ever, much of its site is 20 percent off. Catbird’s jewelry section is full of (literal and figurative) gems, but check out its (admittedly smaller selection of) home and beauty goodies for clever stocking stuffers (like this chocolate caviar tin).
This is the cheapest you’ll ever see the company’s signature signet ring (which never leaves my finger).
Cos will be hosting its Black Friday sale, with 25% discount on sitewide.
Since this jacket is reversible, you’re really getting two coats for the (discounted) price of one.
Select colors of the bras that are most popular with underwear makers will be discounted up to 60%
Amanda McMillan, a restaurant general manager in Brooklyn, favors the “French-girl-lingerie-under-structured-boxy-menswear look” of this bra.
Dagne Dover like Baggu is big in the bag market. Whether you’re in need of one for commuting locally or traveling internationally, get 25 percent off sitewide with code BFRIYAY25.
Strategist writer Arielle Avila was “never been a big backpack person” until she tried out this one. It easily holds her laptop as well as notebooks and pens in an interior sleeve, with a number of other pockets for everything else.
Strategist editor Maxine Builder likes the brand’s fanny pack, which has a little logo on the backside “in relatively small print” so it’s not as flashy as many others.
Everlane offers discounts up to 50 percent on some of their most sought-after styles. (You may also see our list of the best Everlane products, which we highly recommend buying at all times of the year.
Emma Wartzman, the Strategist’s kitchen-and-dining writer, says this turtleneck hugs you without being “Uniqlo Heattech–tight.”
For “Feel Good Friday,” as the company calls it, you can get 50 percent off select styles.
We were attracted to this large thermal, particularly for the exaggerated sleeves.
It’s a twofer deal over at Gap: Get 50 percent off plus an extra 10 percent off at checkout.
“These thongs from Gap are what I believe to be peak underwear,” says our former deals writer Leah Muncy, who compliments their “universally flattering V-waist” and high leg.
Rarely does this much-beloved athleisure brand have sitewide sales — but now is one of those rare times. Get 40 percent off, with select (read: already marked-down pre–Black Friday) styles up to 70 percent off. Check out the full sale guide.
Paloma’s bra was a top pick in our list of best bras. Natalie Holloway is the co-founder and owner of Bala. Strategist contributor Brodie Lanca uses hers to do intense training. Brodie Lancaster considers it one her favorite WFH bras.
These leggings are Girlfriend Collective’s top seller, made for high-impact workouts with four-way stretch — and we’ve heard them described as “insanely comfortable.”
During J.Crew’s Black Friday Event, you can get 50 percent off plus an extra 10 percent off your entire purchase (which will appear at checkout) with code FRIDAY.
We chose this Oxford shirt as our top choice. “They’re not disposable-feeling, but they don’t feel precious, either,” says photographer Mikael Kennedy, who even wore one on his wedding day.
Author Ottessa Moshfegh’s favorite pajamas are also now half-off. Former Strategist writer Hilary Reid (who owns an earlier version of the set) says “they have a slight air of formality to them — they’re the kind of pajamas I imagine wearing while trying to finish the last half of Swann’s Way or while reading a newspaper in bed.”
Beloved maker of striped T-shirts is hosting its first Black Friday Sale, where select styles will be marked down.
The rugby’s body is made out of deadstock to create a trippy effect.
The denim house is having its best deal of the year, offering 40 percent off everything in honor of what it’s cheekily calling “Indigo Friday.” There are a number of specially priced “doorbuster deals” on top-selling items, too. And the discount prices are conveniently listed on the site, so you don’t have to do checkout math.
We dubbed these Ribcage jeans the “Goldilocks of jeans,” with Builder describing them as “deliriously high.”
Strategist style columnist Chris Black calls the 501s “perfect for every occasion.”
The irreverent indie label Lisa Says Gah is offering 30 percent off sitewide when you use code GAH30 — so to stock up on horse-girl tees and not-preppy sweater vests.
This slip dress — printed with roses, bows, and strawberries — is still in stock in every size.
Many of the athleisure company’s best sellers are up to 50 percent off for Black Friday. We also have a whole post dedicated to the brand’s very best deals.
The Energy bra earned the title of “best for high-intensity workouts” in our sports bra guide. “It’s great for all activities but especially training and running,” explains Alexa Javens, a coach at Williamsburg workout studio Session.
Knickey offers 25% off your entire site if you need to update your underwear drawer.
Madewell is home to lots of Strategist-approved totes and T-shirts, and they’re all 50 percent off with code TGIF, as part of the brand’s sitewide sale.
Costume designer Sabrinna Fabi praises this top’s stretchability. “It just hugs your body really well, so you can show off your curves and still be really comfy,” she says.
Former Strategist writer Hilary Reid approves of this bodysuit, which has a thong bottom to ensure “that your tucked-in turt doesn’t budge.”
The company’s cashmere is usually splurgy, but now it’s a bit less so. Use code BLACKFRIDAY20 to get 40% off your order
Sabine Le Guyader, co-founder of Lady Grey Jewelry, and Torie Tilley, founder of jewelry brand Common Era, often steal their husband’s Naadam sweaters, like this classic turtleneck.
Net-aPorter, if you are a designer-lover, is a great place to start. Black Friday Sales include up to 50% Discounts on Labels Like Missoni or Mara Hoffman
The French sneaker brand is beloved by Strategists both past and present. These Campos cost less than $100, which is a great deal.
Select Nike styles — including sneakers and sweat shorts — are an extra 20 percent off with code BLACKFRIDAY.
You’ll find a platform version of the cult-classic Air Force 1s — which we’ve named the best white sneakers — hidden in the sale section.
Nordstrom’s Holiday Deals Event continues until November 29. The retailer has boasted that there are more than 15,000 discounts available, mostly from 25 to 40 percent off — don’t miss our full guide, but I’ve included a few longtime Strategist favorites here as well.
This Hoka has been one of our most-loved items. These Hokas were awarded the highest quality. slippers for men, and Timothy Grindle, co-founder of Canoe Club, describes wearing them as “walking on clouds.”
The athletic-apparel company is offering 30 percent off everything (with up to 70 percent off its OV Extra — a.k.a. last-chance items — section).
“It’s supportive without being clingy or constrictive, which is a fancy way of saying I don’t need to wear a bra with it,” says Builder of this sporty little number.
Sierra Tishgart, founder of Great Jones and former Grub Street senior editor wrote an entire tribute to these sweats. “If, like me, you’ve only ever worn college sweatpants with ketchup stains, they’re a revelation,” she promises.
You can get 25 percent off everything at the sustainable-clothing-maker for Black Friday.
“Normally, when people call jeans ‘comfortable,’ I want to ask them how much Levi’s is paying them to say that, but, truly, these These are comfortable,” says Strategist managing editor Kelsie Schrader about Reformation’s Cynthia jeans, which are featured in our best high-waisted jeans story.
Yes, Princess Diana’s iconic (and infamous) sheep sweater is on sale — but you’ll also find all sorts of knits for up to 75 percent off. (The company’s recent collaboration with English artist Luke Edward Hall is shockingly marked down as well.)
This Tudor rose-pattern pullover is festive and not too formal.
Shopbop offers 25% discount on all orders when you use code HOLIDAY. (Plus, if you’re an Amazon Prime Member, you get free two-day shipping if you link your account.)
This coat is cut in a cropped style to keep it fresh and not fusty.
Luxury retailer opened its annual sale for the public recently (it had been closed to subscribers). It offers up to 50% off on brands like Bottega Veneta and Isabel Marant. It’s a real “don’t dillydally” situation — the site is a hypebeast heaven — so shop this one sooner rather than later.
These boots are very similar in style to the Gannis (a.k.a. “Danish Mansur Gavriel,” as we’ve fondly called the label), featured in our best ankle boots guide, but with a more dramatic, cleated platform.
Use code BLACKFRIDAY to get 25% discount at this discount designer shop.
You can never have too many sweatpants, and these come in an eye-catching lime green — an excellent choice if you’re in want of something other than heather gray.
From now until November 27, the beloved Japanese basics maker is hosting its “Arigato Event,” with a number of discounts on fleece jackets, flannel shirts, and more. So you’re well-aware of what to do if sizes are running out.
Content creator Carrie Carrollo calls the brand’s Heattech line “the gold standard” — and this T-shirt is just begging to be layered.
Urban Outfitters is offering a sitewide discount of 30% on all orders.
We’re partial to this plushy plum shade, but this Sherpa sweatshirt comes in brown and black, too.
There are lots of markdowns in Zappos’ Black Friday section — with Strategist deals editor Sam Daly noting that the best deals are on footwear.
These Docs were approved by Clash.
All items on the website are now 25% off The H&M-owned label’s high-quality knits are always a highlight — but honestly, it’s a good place to get your holiday-party outfits sorted as well.
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