The Labor Day Sales Are Endless—J.Crew, Abercrombie, and Gap Are the Winners
Chic sweaters, classic outerwear, and so much denim.
With Labor Day officially on our doorsteps, we have one last weekend to put our summer wardrobes to good use, and I, for one, am planning on it. I currently have a suitcase packed with breezy dresses, bikinis, and cover-ups for a trip to the beach, but I wouldn't dare leave on vacation without scoping out the best Labor Day sales. The holiday may be a fun way to say goodbye to summer, but it also happens to be one of the best weekends to shop outside of Black Friday.
To usher in the best season of fashion (a.k.a. fall), practically every retailer out there has a sale going on this weekend. So before you start your Labor Day festivities, I promise it's worth doing a little shopping to prep your wardrobe with the latest fall trends. To prove it to you, I've rounded up the must-have discounted pieces from some of my favorite retailers—J.Crew, Abercrombie, and Gap. Sure, these brands are reminiscent of earlier days strolling around the mall, but they have seriously stepped up their game since the early aughts, as you can see below. From J.Crew's quiet luxury sweaters, Abercrombie's elevated basics, and Gap's trendy denim, these OG mall brands have got you covered for fall.
Ahead, you'll find all the need-to-know details of each brand's sales as well as my top picks for the season ahead. Happy shopping!
J.Crew Sale Picks
J.Crew is a brand that has truly nailed the quiet luxury aesthetic in recent collections, as made evident by the gorgeous sweaters, tops, and bottoms below. If you're hoping to incorporate more stealth wealth into your wardrobe, now's the time to do it with up to 60 percent off select styles, no code necessary.
Haven't you heard? Red is the It-color of fall, which is why this chic sweater is the first thing on my wish list. Not only will this poppy bright shade make you stand out from a mile away, but you'll also get so much wear out of this hybrid piece. Think of it as a slightly more elevated everyday cardigan to wear with all of your denim and trouser looks.
A crisp button-down shirt is one fashion item I can always justify buying, even when I already have multiple hanging in my closet. They are the piece I can turn to time and time again when I have no idea what to wear. Simply throw this shirt over a ribbed tank, add your favorite necklace stack, and pair with some straight-legged denim and you're good to go.
By now I'm sure you know that Gen-Z has all but canceled skinny jeans. As a Millennial myself, I can't fully say goodbye to the denim style, so instead I'm favoring slim straight styles like this. It gives you that same figure-hugging look you love, without that skin-tight feeling you hate.
Another style It-girls can't stop wearing? Loafers. The shoes have been around for the last few seasons and they've already made their return for fall. Wear them with jeans or trousers if you're more into classic styles, or try them out with dresses and skirts with a pair of socks. The combo may not seem like a good match, but the look proves TikTok's "wrong shoe theory" can work.
My mantra for fall 2023 is "the more denim, the better." Sure, my closet may be full of jeans, denim skirts, and a trusted denim jacket, but I have yet to lay my eyes on a denim shirt I've coveted, that is, until now. Come fall, I'll be wearing this soft shirt with every pair of jeans I own for a cool double denim look. Then when the weather warms up again and I need to swap out my denim jacket for something lighter, this is the topper I'll be turning to.
While cardigans truly never go out of style, something tells me they will be even more popular this season, especially in more structured shapes. Forgo slouchier styles for a relaxed fit like this one. It features a slightly cropped fit and is versatile enough to go with just about anything in your fall wardrobe whether its jeans, trousers, or skirts. And please take a moment to appreciate those pretty gold buttons!
I'm willing to bet you have at least one wedding on your calendar before the end of the year. Well, I found a stunning on-sale number to consider for your wedding guest dress. Not only is this navy shade to die for, but the strapless neckline is very of the moment. Pair it with chunky gold jewelry for an added wow factor.
A classic denim jacket like this one will go very far in your wardrobe. Come fall, throw it on for chilly mornings and breezy afternoons, and then when the temps really start to dip, wear it over your favorite chunky sweaters. Even in the spring and summer you'll reach for this staple jacket to top off your sundresses.
Abercrombie Sale Picks
Abercrombie is my go-to brand for elevated basics and, of course, jeans. Plus, plenty of their pieces can easily be dressed up or down for any occasion. For Labor Day weekend score 25 percent off select styles with an extra 15 percent off applied in your cart, which includes some of their just-released fall collection.
Give your black blazer a break this season and opt for a pinstripe option. We promise it's just as versatile, yet the print will give you a trendy edge over your corporate friends. This one features a boxy, oversized fit so layering is a breeze, plus the look is effortlessly cool.
I'm honestly shocked this dress set is still in stock, especially considering its $23 price tag. Sure, the dress and cardigan looks fabulous worn together but consider for a moment the versatility of each piece on its own. The dress works as a base to your look and can easily be dressed up or down with accessories, whereas the cardigan can act as an extra layer for chilly days.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Abercrombie's jeans do not miss! The quality is out of this world and they're so flattering on every body shape. Their 90s high rise styles are my favorite for a snatched-in waist, perky booty, and vintage look. I'm especially loving this dark wash for fall.
You may have already guessed I'm passionate about button-up shirts and that definitely extends to this satin option—and select colorways are on sale. Whenever a cotton version doesn't quite fit the vibe, this silky top will do the trick. Wear it on a dinner date, to work, or a girl's night out. Whatever the occasion may be, this top will add some instant polish.
Sometimes your basic tees and tanks can feel a little boring. To switch it up, I recommend grabbing this top in every color. The high neck is a chic touch, while the draping is on trend and flattering. Swap all your tanks with this top and you'll instantly feel more polished, guaranteed.
On the days jeans don't fit the vibe and I'm looking for something more low-key for my look, I'll go with a pair of cargo pants. They instantly make me feel like a cool girl, plus they are so much more comfier than denim. Reviewers especially love the fit on these, with one shopper noting, "they fit so well and were the perfect relaxed fit without being too oversized."
Just like the name suggests, this hoodie is going to be an essential part of your loungewear wardrobe. Not only does it look cool, but once you feel the cozy inside, you'll understand why it has all 5-star reviews. One reviewer even wrote, "Softest comfiest sweatshirt - I live in it." Don't be afraid to wear this comfy pick outside of the house, either—I'm think this would look effortlessly cool paired underneath a blazer.
Maybe you've noticed, but everyone in the fashion crowd is wearing long skirts, and I'm predicting the trend is only going to pick up steam come fall. As someone who wears jeans on a near-daily basis, I'm welcoming this trend as a way to switch it up. Wear it with baby tees, sweaters, knee-high boots, sneakers, or pretty much anything in your closet. This can even double as a strapless dress if you're willing to try!
Gap Sale Picks
If you haven't perused Gap's offerings in a while, I encourage you to do so this weekend as the brand is offering up to 70 percent off sale styles from now until September 5. Not only that, but you can also score 40 percent off the rest of your purchase.
If there's one coat you get this fall, make it a trench coat. The style is the quintessential coat for transitional weather—it's not too light and it's not too heavy so it'll get plenty of wear in the coming months. From the khaki shade to the true-to-size fit, Gap's iteration of the classic style is everything you could want in a trench.
This sweater easily looks like it could have a designer price tag attached, but thankfully it's $63. Maybe it's the oversized fit, comfy feel, or chic stripes, but I could absolutely see myself wearing this sweater multiple times a week once the temps start to drop. In fact, I'm tempted to pick it up in every shade.
Trust me, you won't be able to get away from denim skirts this fall so why not hop on the trend with an affordable version? This trendy piece is so easy to style whether you're going for something casual or dressy (take the modeled photo as inspiration for an everyday look). Reviewers also say it has a slimming effect and hits at the perfect length just below the knees.
In just a few short weeks we'll be in peak sweater weather so you may want to stock up. Consider this long wool cardigan for your collection. It's lightweight, yet will still keep you warm on chillier days. I also love the old-school boyfriend fit—the long cut would work beautifully buttoned-up with slim-fitting pants, just like the model demonstrates.
In case you haven't noticed, jeans are baggier than ever these days and I, for one, am here for it. The fit is undoubtedly the comfiest of denim styles, plus it exudes that effortless cool-girl energy we all would love to have. This pair is also for the girls that want the baggy fit without having to deal with a low waist.
I will never get tired of a great shirtdress. Period. They may be simple, but they allow for your accessorizing style to really shine through. With this dress, I may wear it with loafers and socks one day, a leather blazer another, and I may even throw on a wide belt a different day. The styling options are pretty much endless.
Blame on the rise of quiet luxury, but classic suiting is shaping up to be one of the biggest trends of the year. Complete with pinstripes, this vest will make you feel like a bonafide fashion girl. While you may opt to shop the matching pants to complete the set, I'd argue the vest works just as well with a pair of jeans and sneakers.
Come fall and winter, I practically live in leather pants. They're about a thousand times warmer than your average pair of jeans, plus they make any look more elevated in an instant. These Gap leather-look pants are a customer favorite with nearly every 5-star review calling them out for their incredible fit and quality.
