Please note: This post contains affiliate links. You can learn more about my product selection process here.
Black Friday deals can be overwhelming. (Trust me, I should know, I’ve worked at two coupon sites.) Every brand you’ve ever heard of comes out of the woodwork trying to entice you with a sale, and it’s easy to get swept up in the madness. The truth of the matter is, however, most sites aren’t offering … all that much. Sure, 30% off sounds exciting —until you realize it’s really only $7 off at checkout. I’ve shopped enough of these sales throughout my career to know that most of them? Kind of bogus.
Obviously, if it’s something you’ve been eyeing forever, use often, or planned to buy anyway, any discount is better than none.
Still, I (try) to limit myself to things that *really* constitute a “deal. Does the site rarely go on sale? Is the item something I truly want? Is it significantly discounted? If the answer to all three is no, there’s a good chance it’s just the marketing talking.
There are some diamonds in the rough, however, and to help you avoid a serious case of buyer’s remorse, I’m sharing the 20 things I picked up for Black Friday myself—and believe you me: There are some serious gems on this list.
The Best Black Friday Deals of 2025
1. Madewell
- The Black Friday Deal: Up to 70% Off Sale + 40% Off Full Price
- What I Bought: Textural cutaway cardigan, The top-zip leather mini shoulder bag
- Also on Sale: Drawstring suede shoulder bag, Greta suede double-strap ballet flats, Longline cardigan
I wasn’t planning to shop Madewell’s Black Friday sale, but frankly, the prices were too good to resist. The sale section is already marked down by up to 70% (!), but you also get an extra 40% off with code LETSGO. I picked up a nearly $80 cardigan that I know I’ll get lots of use out of for less than $50 and a new bag that looks just like a $498 Parisa Wang one I’ve been eyeing for just under $100.
2. H&M
- What I Bought: Scarf-Detail Coat
- The Black Friday Deal: 30% off sitewide + up to 60% off gifts
I could not believe my luck when I saw that this scarf-detail coat, which I desperately longed for the instant it hit my Instagram ads, on sale for less than $50 for Black Friday. I’m a little hesitant to share it in case I ordered the wrong size and need to repurchase (H&M is all over the map for me when it comes to sizing), but it’s just too good to gatekeep!
3. Ulta
- The Black Friday Deal: Up to 50% off
- What I Bought: Naked Sundays BeautyScreen Foundation Tint
This is one of those instances where the discount isn’t all that impressive ($11—woo!), but I needed a restock and was going to buy it anyway. This foundation tint with SPF 50 has totally replaced my regular foundation, and I wear it every single day. It’s super lightweight—I feel like I’m wearing about half of the makeup I usually wear when I have it on—yet it offers incredible coverage and doesn’t settle into fine lines.
4. Heaven Mayhem
- The Black Friday Deal: 30% off + 70% off select styles
- What I Bought: The Icons Gift Set
- Also on Sale: Laptop Case
Seemingly every influencer on the planet practically lives in these Heaven Mayhem knot earrings, so naturally, I’ve been über curious about them. I figured now was as good of time as any to pull the trigger while they’re on sale. Better yet, I got them in a gift set that includes a charming little book-shaped jewelry box that doubles as décor. (Psst—my beloved croc cherry laptop case is also on sale.)
5. Bandolier
- The Black Friday Sale: Up to 50% off + free leopard tote with $125
- What I Bought: Cora Pouch Set
- Also on Sale: Donna crossbody phone case
I work with Bandolier for my day job, but I also just truly love the brand’s phone crossbodies. I find myself reaching for them over my purses the majority of the time. The built-in wallets are just so convenient, and the wristlet straps (which I actually prefer to the crossbody ones) make it a breeze to hold your phone hands-free. While the discount on this newly released Cora set is pretty minimal, the freebies alone are worth it: I got a $49 leopard tote gratis and a free $49 snowflake wristlet during a limited-time add-on special, so I actually saved $122! Other styles, like the Donna (which I also have and love), are 50% off.
6. Ring Concierge
- The Black Friday Deal: 30% off sitewide
- What I Bought: Ring Concierge x Coco Coco Tassel Earrings
- Also on Sale: Ring Concierge x Coco Coco Pearl Ring
This collab between Ring Concierge and Coco has had me in a chokehold from the moment it dropped (I’m a sucker for a good silver ring), so naturally, I had to have these statement earrings at 30% off. While they’re a bit more fragile than I’d like—the ring is nice and sturdy, the earring backs bend easily—I love that you can remove the tassels for a more everyday look, giving you two for the price of one.
7. The Horse
- The Black Friday Deal: 25% off sitewide
- What I Bought: Benny leather fold clutch
As one of my most-trusted style crushes, I put a lot of stock in Coco Schiffer’s fashion recs, and she raved about this cool girl underarm clutch from The Horse. She’s quite a bit taller than I am, so TBD if it looks as chic on me as it does under her arm, but I’m incredibly hopeful!
8. Cider
- The Black Friday Deal: 25% off + up to 70% off select items
- What I Bought: Velvet Bow Mini Dress, Houndstooth belted mini dress
Cider’s sale isn’t particularly mind-blowing—most styles are 25% off, though I’m sure if you dig through the dregs of the sale section long enough, you can find the elusive 70% off pick. I’ve had my eye on this holiday party dress and little plaid number long enough that I decided it was time to pick them up.
9. Gap
- The Black Friday Deal: 50% off sitewide + extra 10% off
- What I Bought: GapStudio vegan patent leather mini dress
Zac Posen has been killing it for Gap, and his campaign with Gwyneth Paltrow and Apple Martin immediately piqued my interest back in September—particularly when it came to the patent leather pieces. That said, I was hesitant to drop $150 on an outfit that I likely won’t wear too often. For 50% off plus an extra 10% with code FRIDAY, however? Sold!
10. Victoria’s Secret
- The Black Friday Deal: 40% off sitewide
- What I Bought: Ivy fleece oversized sweatshirt, Henley cami, Panty pack, Flannel pajama pants, Long tee jama set, Boxy pajama shorts
Once a year, I splurge at Victoria’s Secret, because frankly, the sales are too good not to. (That, and the fact that my pj’s are usually looking ratty as hell by December.) Besides—who couldn’t use a fresh pack of undies? Everything is 40% off right now, plus, you can usually find a code floating around to stack. (Or just sign up for emails to get an extra 15% off.)
11. Nordstrom
- The Black Friday Deal: Up to 60% off select styles
- What I Bought: ASTR semisheer velvet midi dress, Avec Les Filles jewel embellished top
There are some seriously good deals to be found in Nordstrom’s Black Friday sale right now. I picked up this little ASTR number (every girl needs an elegant LBD) and I thought the jeweled neckline of the Avec Les Filles top made for a nice little piece for the holidays.
12. Lola Blankets
- The Black Friday Deal: 55% off sitewide
- What I Bought: Desert Dune baby blanket
Now *this* is a sale. Lola Blankets is offering a whopping 55% off its entire site—no catches, no “up-tos,” just more than half off in your cart. I’ve written about this blanket before, because I’m truly obsessed with it—it feels like you’re cuddling with a furry animal, but it’s all synthetic. While they make absolutely massive ones that will cover your bed, your couch, you name it (you could wrap yourself up like a chalupa with another person and still have room to spare), stock is running low on the best colors in the larger sizes. I’ve got my eye on this baby version for the couch, which goes from $109 to $49.50. in your cart.
What did you buy for Black Friday? Let me know in the comments below!
Xo, Nicole
