Photo: 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. (Though whenever possible, we consider pricing history and trends and assess the latest deals accordingly.) For discounts of 30 percent and higher, or when a deal is rare or you 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, be sure to check out our full guide to the best Black Friday sales, and sign up for our newsletter for even more deals coverage.
Abercrombie’s denim is popular with both petites and taller folks, like Strategist writer Latifah Miles (who’s five-foot-ten). Stock up while the brand is offering 30 percent off.
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. Plus, get an additional 50 percent off sale items.
This classic ribbed pullover comes in a very on-trend shade of Schiaparelli shocking pink.
In our poll of 1,000 seniors, Athleta beat Lululemon as the most-mentioned brand of choice. And the label is a favorite of fitness pros as well. Now, take 30 percent off your purchase.
One senior named JoAnn praises these joggers for their 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.
Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo considers this laptop sleeve the best thing she bought 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.)
Like J.Crew, Banana Republic is going through its own revamp. And if you’ve been waiting for some deep discounts, the brand is offering 40 percent off your full-price purchase for Black Friday.
This is one of those easy-to-throw-on pieces that make you look more put-together than you actually feel.
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.
On Black Fridays past, the Brooklyn-based fine-jewelry-maker has offered 15 percent off almost everything. 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).
Those into Scandinavian style should turn to Cos, which is hosting its annual Black Friday sale with 25 percent off sitewide.
Since this jacket is reversible, you’re really getting two coats for the (discounted) price of one.
The underwear-maker is offering up to 60 percent off select colors of its best-selling bras.
Amanda McMillan, a restaurant general manager in Brooklyn, favors the “French-girl-lingerie-under-structured-boxy-menswear look” of this bra.
Like Baggu, Dagne Dover is a big name in the bag space. 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 is taking up to 50 percent off some of its most popular styles. (You can also read our roundup of everything we recommend worth buying from the brand, at any time of 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.
This oversize thermal caught our eye, especially for its 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. (You should check out our full guide to the sale, too.)
The Paloma bra earned a coveted spot in our best bras guide. Natalie Holloway, co-founder of Bala, wears hers for intense workouts, while Strategist contributor Brodie Lancaster counts it among her most-worn 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.
This is our pick for the best overall Oxford shirt. “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.”
The beloved maker of striped tees is having its first-ever Black Friday sale, with select styles majorly marked down.
This rugby is made from deadstock for a slightly 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.
If your undies drawer needs an update, Knickey is offering 25 percent off sitewide.
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. Take 40 percent off with code BLACKFRIDAY20.
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.
If your taste is designer, Net-a-Porter is a gold mine. Its Black Friday sales includes up to 50 percent off labels like Mara Hoffman and Missoni.
The French sneaker label is a favorite of present and past Strategist folks. And for under $100 right now, these Campos are too good of a deal to pass up.
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.
These Hokas have been a top-clicked item on our site. We crowned them the very best 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.
Great Jones founder (and former Grub Street senior editor) Sierra Tishgart wrote an entire ode 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 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-patterned pullover is pretty festive, without crossing over into ugly Christmas sweater territory.
Shopbop is offering one of its best deals of the year: 25 percent off sitewide with code HOLIDAY. (Plus, if you’re an Amazon Prime Member, you get free two-day shipping if you link your account.)
The cropped cut of this coat keeps it fresh instead of fusty.
The luxury retailer recently opened up its annual sale to the public (it was previously private for subscribers), with up to 50 percent off the likes of Isabel Marant and Bottega Veneta. It’s a real “don’t dillydally” situation — the site is a hypebeast heaven — so shop this one sooner rather than later.
These are similar 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.
Take 25 percent off with code BLACKFRIDAY at the discount designer company.
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. Sizes are going fast, so you know what to do.
Content creator Carrie Carrollo calls the brand’s Heattech line “the gold standard” — and this T-shirt is just begging to be layered.
Another sitewide sale, this time from Urban Outfitters: Take 30 percent off your entire purchase.
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 are the Docs approved by the Clash themselves.
Everything on the site is now 25 percent 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.
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.
