sales

A Huge List of Sales: Cheap COS and Fashion Crocs

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

Yesterday, the Strategist sales Slack was in a frenzy over all the impossibly good deals at Nordstrom Rack: a half-off Cotopaxi backpack, an UGG throw for 75 percent off, and True Botanicals for under $15? We were floored — so scroll on to find everything that caught our eye.

In more Nordstrom news, the retailer’s Summer Beauty Event started yesterday, and we had one of our seasoned beauty writers find her top picks from the sale here. And earlier this week, our kitchen-and-dining writer did a deep dive into Zwilling’s anniversary sale, where the deals are extremely steep. I’ve called out a few of my favorites from their coverage below. Then, I did my own sniffing and dug up a ton of other excellent deals, including a pair of Le Bon Shoppe around-the-house shorts that two Strat staffers own and a very elegant little Staud bag for $120.

Finally, it’s a little late for Father’s Day gifting, but if your dad doesn’t mind receiving his gift not quite on time, there are still plenty of excellent options from my roundup of the best on-sale Father’s Day gifts.

Dusen Dusen makes some of our favorite fun-patterned towels for both bath and beach, and they so happen to be 30 percent off right now as part of the Summer Sale at MoMA Design Store.

Lightweight, fast-drying, and just so nice to look at.

It’s not that Stanley bottle — it’s even cuter (and 25 percent off).

These all-cotton boxer shorts would also make nice pajama bottoms.

This weekend only, everything is 20 percent off at Tower 28 — and you might want to stock up, because orders over $50 are 28 percent off. We crowned the MakeWaves mascara our best-in-class pick for a (less expensive) curling mascara. Strategist writer Kitty Guo says it is especially adept at coaxing her straight and downward-pointing lashes sky-high with just a few swipes.

Strategist beauty writer Tembe Denton-Hurst stans the brand’s lip gloss, which has a nonsticky-but-still-glossy feel. “I keep the clear in heavy rotation but also like the nude shade Cashew, which gives my lips the slightly pink tinge I’ve been searching for since I saw Christina Milian’s glossy lips in Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” she says.

Coola’s fragrance-free sunscreen is one of our top picks for dry skin. “It has a lot of antioxidants,” says dermatologist Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, “so it helps the skin repair itself.”

And don’t forget to protect your lips! Coola’s SPF lip balm is just under $10 at Amazon, but it’s a little bit cheaper at Ulta, where it’s $9 apiece when you buy two.

The tinted version of the above balm is a favorite of Strategist senior editor Crystal Martin. “The colors are really cute,” she says. “You can throw it on and look a little zhuzhed up but not trying too hard.”

Strategist writer Rachael Griffiths took a spin through Nordstrom’s beauty sale and wrote about her favorite picks. R+Co’s hair-care products pop up throughout our hair-care coverage, and we especially like this color-safe shampoo with moisturizing juniper-berry extract.

One of the best deals she spotted: a glowy Anastasia Beverly Hills foundation for half-off.

Once a year, Tonymoly offers a mystery bundle of its best-selling sheet masks for $10 — which shakes out to just $1 per mask!

For your summer-travel plans, here’s a teeny instant camera from Polaroid that takes “magical” photographs that are about the size of a business card, according to former tech writer Jordan Bowman.

Can’t decide between a duffel bag and a wheeled suitcase? With this rolling duffel from one of our favorite luggage brands, Samsonsite, you don’t have to choose — and it’s over 30 percent off.

This is a really good deal for a Patagonia backpack!

Cotopaxi’s tote-backpack hybrid is 53 percent off when you buy it in this eye-catching rust color.

Another nice backpack on sale, if you prefer something subtler. Over at Ban.do, orders under $50 are 20 percent off with the code 20FORU, and orders over $50 are 25 percent off with the code 25FORU.

COS has a sale right now with up to 50 percent off (or even more, for some products). This is a really nice-looking dress that is somehow 70 percent off and somehow still in stock in all sizes.

These sandals somehow look both casual and dressy.

I am enamored with this structured Staud bag, which is just over $100. It comes in four colors.

The Strategist Slack chat has spoken: Swim skirts are making a huge comeback this summer.

Since this looks a bit sheer, it’d be nice as a swimsuit cover-up if you’re going straight from the beach to a restaurant.

Several Strategist staffers love these ultracomfy sweatshorts. Senior editor Winnie Yang says the flared shape is flattering and functional, and because they fit over a knee brace, they’ve been great during her recovery from ACL reconstruction.

I’m also partial to these ultrabright shorts from Sweaty Betty, which are on sale in several shades of pink.

Victoria’s Secret is having a sale. If you’re not looking for underthings, might I suggest this stretchy co-ord set?

$50

Some of our best summer sandals are these shockingly un-Croc-like platforms. A big selling point for Strategist junior writer Bella Druckman, who recommended the pair, is that they’re especially easy to clean: “Even if they get dirty, they won’t stay that way for long,” she says.

Plenty of good sunnies from Le Specs on sale at Ssense. Here’s a good pair for days you don’t want to deal with eyeliner.

These could easily pass as a (three times as expensive) pair from Bonnie Clyde.

$100 for 2

Catbird just added a lot of nice, dainty jewelry to its sale section. Our fashion writer Ambar Pardilla tipped me off to these teeny heart-shaped studs, which are made entirely from recycled 14K gold. (Trust her: She literally wrote the guide to the best stud earrings.)

More hearts, but this time in sterling silver and necklace-shaped.

A “fresh linen”–scented candle if you’re still locked into Snoopy mania.

I’ve had my eye on Jiu Jie’s silly pillows for a long time — I especially like this one with a neon-green, crushed-velvet fabric.

The best deal in today’s roundup, in my opinion: A fuzzy, trippy throw from UGG for 75 percent off.

If the thought of lukewarm beer sends a shiver down your spine, get this insulated koozie from Brümate, which is now 30 percent off. Strategist writer (and our resident beverage expert) Dominique Pariso likes a similar version to keep White Claws ice cold.

eufy HomeVac H11
$36
$36

An inexpensive handheld vacuum from Strategist-approved brand Eufy for removing all traces of sand from your car post–beach day.

Most pet fountains are woefully ugly and need to be plugged in. Our best overall pick is neither — and since it’s battery-powered, you can bring it outside so you and your pet can both have an after-work drink on the patio.

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

A Huge List of Sales: Cheap COS and Fashion Crocs