Nordstrom's annual anniversary madhouse sale started last Friday, July 19. Forget to get in line in the wee hours of that morning? Us, too. And when we finally stopped by that afternoon we were met with a pretty picked-over selection in some places.

To help you avoid disappointment and make the most of the sale going forward, we enlisted Northwest regional director of personal stylists Randy Trogler to share his insider tips.

1. Shop with a personal stylist. "Our stylist team knows the store inside and out, and they know all the product available for Anniversary," he told us. "Make an appointment with a salesperson to take full advantage of the sale."

2. Brave the brick and mortar—you'll find the most product in stores. Plus, if you're unable to find the right size or item, an employee can help locate it in a nearby store or order it for you and ship it for free. (But select items are only available online, so check there too.)

3. This year's sale isn't only about fall. Find end-of-summer pieces and transitional staples on sale next to fall trends.

4. "Now is the time to step out of your comfort zone," instructs Trogler. Tons of trends are on sale so why not make some bold moves, and make them soon: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale lasts through August 4.