Labor Day is still a month away, but the three-day weekend is traditionally a great time to save on everything from skincare and beauty to clothing, shoes, bedding, cookware, furniture, and home decor. And as shopping editors who track sales all year long, there are certain things we'd recommend waiting to buy until the deals start rolling in.
The good news? You probably won't have to wait until Labor Day itself. This year, Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7, 2026, but retailers typically begin rolling out deals before the holiday weekend, with end-of-summer clearance events offering another opportunity to score major markdowns on warm-weather fashion.
So, should you finally splurge on the microcurrent facial device or red light mask sitting in your cart? What about those gladiator sandals you've been eyeing all summer, a new pair of brown sneakers for fall, or the Le Creuset Dutch oven you've wanted forever?
We're breaking down everything you need to know about Labor Day sales 2026, including when they start, what you should actually buy, and which purchases might be worth waiting until Black Friday.
Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7, 2026, which means Labor Day weekend runs from Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7.
But don't assume you need to wait until the three-day weekend to shop. Labor Day sales often begin before the holiday itself, giving you plenty of time to compare prices before checking out. There are even early Labor Day sales from your favorite retailers that you can shop right now!
Not every Labor Day discount is worth getting excited about. But if you've been holding off on a beauty splurge, fall wardrobe refresh, new luggage, or home upgrade, there are a few categories we'd recommend watching particularly closely.
We'll be watching for deals on skincare, makeup, hair care, fragrance, and beauty tools, especially from retailers like Amazon, Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and Dermstore. It's also worth keeping an eye on brands like Sunday Riley, Peter Thomas Roth, T3, KĂ©rastase, and Sol de Janeiro, along with bigger-ticket beauty devices from brands like Therabody.
Our advice: Use Labor Day sales to stock up on products you already know and love or look for markdowns on expensive beauty tools and devices you haven't been able to justify at full price.
If your closet is feeling a little bland, Labor Day arrives at a particularly good time for a wardrobe refresh. Retailers are clearing out summer merchandise while simultaneously rolling out their fall collections, which means we'll be looking for deals on everything from swimsuits, linen, and dresses to denim, sweaters, jackets, and activewear. Keep an eye on sales from Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Free People, Anthropologie, Madewell, J.Crew, Abercrombie & Fitch, lululemon, and more.
We'll be looking for discounts on everyday sneakers, ballet flats, sandals, loafers, and early fall boots from brands like Adidas, Birkenstock, Nike, New Balance, Hoka, On, UGG, Sam Edelman, Steve Madden, and more.
You don't necessarily need to wait until Labor Day weekend to save. Some retailers are already clearing out summer inventory, while others are running promotions that may be worth shopping ahead of the holiday. Below, we're tracking the best early deals we've found so far.
Right now, you can take an extra 35%, 30%, or 25% off all AE & Aerie â just for Real Rewards members (and it's free to sign up).
This 100% cotton dress is the perfect thing to wear as summer moves into fall.
Anthropologie is offering an extra 40% off sale items ahead of Labor Day Weekend. This is a great chance to score end-of-summer and early fall favorites at quite a discount!
You'll need a good pop of color on your vacation and later to factor into all your transitional fall dressing. This soft mini slouchy bag is just the perfect thing!
Aritzia's summer sale features up to 70% off right now.
An exclusive Sperry x Aritzia collaboration, these are lace-up boat shoes reimagined with a slim, modern silhouette. They come with an extra set of coloured laces for a customizable look, and theyâre constructed with a soft leather upper and outsole.
Coach Outlet has so many adorable bags on sale for up to 50% off.
The Nolita 19 is your go-to, mini shoulder bag. Crafted of Signature coated canvas, it is durable and compact. With enough space to carry your keys, card case and iPhone (up to 16 Pro Max), this women's shoulder bag keeps your essentials close at hand.
DSW has so many Adidas styles on sale right now, including the Adidas Breaknet Sleek Sneaker and the Adidas VL Court 3.0.
Designed to move easily through daily adventures, this classic silhouette is updated with lightweight cushioning for enhanced comfort. A recycled synthetic leather upper pairs with a Cloudfoam drop-in and comfort sockliner to deliver soft support from step-in to stride. Extra cushioning underfoot keeps every walk feeling easy, while adjustable laces provide a secure, personalized fit.
It's time to suit up! The retailer is having a massive swimwear sale ahead of Labor Day. Shop one-piece swimsuits, bikinis, and more on sale.
Everything is more flattering with a bit of ruching. Especially this stretchy, smooth matte one-piece, which comes with removable straps. Choose from a few colors.
Kate Spade Outlet is full of under $100 bags and purses ahead of Labor Day Weekend.
This sculpted asymmetrical shoulder bag is just what your fall wardrobe needs! Get it for under $100 now.
Madewell is offering 30% off dresses, pants, skirts, accessories, and more with the code "REFRESH."
Channel your preppy side with this short-sleeve rugby polo, coming in our soft Club Cotton. It's cut with a cropped, boxy fit and features a woven collar, a herringbone placket with shell buttons and a half-moon patch at the back.
The retailer is in the final days of its massive Anniversary sale, so you'd better get in there now if you want the best deals at Nordstrom across all categories before Labor Day!
A Nordstrom-exclusive gift set with two iconic shades of Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss, an ultra-hydrating gloss for juicy shine and plumper-looking lips.
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The E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not E!. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.