You may have noticed some posts from our friends at the Strategist on the Cut. They’ll be dropping in every now and again, sharing their expertise on the basics you don’t have time to research and the weird and wonderful things you don’t yet know you need.
You might be preparing for the onslaught of Prime Day deals starting on Tuesday, October 14, but there are lots of great sales happening right now, if you want a little warm-up. That includes friends and family sales at Kate Spade and Bloomingdale’s, deep discounts on in-season outerwear at Backcountry, and sales-on-sales at Urban Outfitters, Macy’s, and even ASOS. But if you’re just looking for some Amazon deals, there are some early Prime Day picks for you, too. And for even more up-to-date coverage about Prime Day, and all of our sales coverage, sign up for our email newsletter.
Take 30 percent off just about everything at Kate Spade, including already-on-sale picks, like this cheery cherry wallet.
Bloomingdales is also in the midst of a friends and family sale, with discounts up to 25 percent on full-price and already-on-sale items — including this high-powered Nutribullet that’s great for smoothies.
If you’ve been wrestling with a bout of maskne, here’s a silk face mask from the same brand as our favorite silk pillowcase, which is also a top pick among those with sensitive skin.
Like Shaun White or Chloe Kim on the half-pipe, Backcountry is shredding … prices on lots of winter gear, including this very cozy-looking knit beanie.
Temperatures are dropping, but outdoor hangouts still seem like the safest way to see friends and family, so now’s a good time to invest in a warm parka, like this hooded one from Massachusetts-founded outdoor company Penfield.
Another sale-on-sale — this time, at Urban Outfitters, which is offering an extra 30 percent off. We found the men’s and women’s sections to be fairly picked over, with limited sizing and stock. But we did dig up these fun, glittery-yet-somehow-still-neutral Feiyue sneakers.
Really, the home section is where the best deals are to be found at Urban Outfitters right now — like this surprisingly stylish body pillow (that’d make a great gift for a pregnant person).
Here’s a nice-looking storage basket for bedding that you could also use as a cuter-than-usual laundry hamper.
If your work-from-home setup could use better lighting, here’s a fun table lamp.
A trench coat is the ideal piece of outerwear for transitional weather, and this one, from Coach, is built to last a lifetime of rain and sleet and wind (even though it’s already 55 percent off and an extra 20 percent off at checkout).
Take an extra 25 percent off this already-on-sale cast-iron Dutch oven from Martha Stewart when you use the code FALL at checkout. (It also comes in a very chic matte black and a not-too-bright cherry, if this Marseille blue isn’t quite your taste.)
This cotton sweater is available in sizes extra-small to extra-extra-large in ten different colors (though we like this very autumnal red).
Keep your wallet, keys, cell phone, hand sanitizer and an extra face mask in this cute, little vegan-leather backpack for your next socially distanced outing.
We love the look of a high-waisted, wide-legged pant, and these from Zella seem especially comfortable for lounging on the couch but still nice enough to wear while running errands. (But don’t dillydally: Sizes are already selling out.)
It’s rare to find a pair of Jack Purcells on sale, and these leather ones will lose their bright-whiteness fairly quickly but are much sturdier (and slightly more weatherproof) than the classic canvas.
Here’s an easy-to-clean, hard-to-tear-through, bagel-shaped dog bed. If the duck canvas is a little too workwear for you, it also comes in navy and burgundy.
If you haven’t bought a space heater yet, now’s a good time, because the weather’s not getting warmer for a while and Wayfair is having a sale on them. We spotted this compact one, which is a nice WFH companion, especially if your landlord refuses to turn on the heat yet.
Take 25 percent off this already deeply discounted, plus-size sweater at ASOS with the code ASOSSALE25PLS at checkout. (But fair warning: It is final sale.)
Though Prime Day doesn’t officially start until Tuesday, there’s a bunch of (surprisingly good) Prime Day deals to be had, including 32-inch smart TV that makes streaming a breeze. But if you’re in the market for something else, check out our roundup of the best early Prime Day deals.
We’ve written about the muslin swaddles from Aden + Anais plenty of times on this site: They’re a must-have for a stay-at-home dad, a favorite of the founder of a maternity company, and a much-appreciated baby shower gift.
Dyson vacuums topped our list of best vacuums for pet hair, and this bagless model, equipped with a HEPA filtration system and a variety of pet-hair-busting attachments, will keep your apartment fur- and dander-free.
And finally, a pair of noise-canceling headphones from Sennheiser, the maker of our pick for the best-sounding truly wireless earbuds.
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.
