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May 24, 2013

Honor Thy Father: Vintage Dad Pics

Last Father’s Day, we were enjoying a blog called Dads are the Original Hipsters—a celebration of the fact that men today, once we’ve grown up a little, tend to realize that not only are our dads NOT complete dorks; they in fact achieved a pinnacle of coolness that we of the next generation can only hope to emulate.

This year, we decided to cut out the middleman and crowd-source our own vintage dad pics from right here at Nordstrom HQ. We think the results are even better than the blog mentioned above (maybe we can get a book deal, too).

Check out our first round of favorites below, in all their mustache-having, strike-bowling, motorcycle-riding glory. More amazing photos to come next week, so stay tuned—and don’t forget to pick up a killer gift for the dads in your life by Sunday, June 16.


They Looked Like Movie Stars. “This is my grandpa at age 17. He played professional water polo for the Georgian national team (former USSR), and this picture is taken at the pool during practice. His name is Zurab Chachava. Photo is circa 1950.”
—Nini Gabunia, Digital Image Editor


They Wore Rad Camp Shirts. “We lived in Germany for a bit when my Dad was in the Foreign Service. This was on his 31st birthday, in June 1982, on a trip to Lake Chiemsee near Salzburg. You’re right, the shirt is darn good…Clearly where I get my love of men’s oxfords.”
—Kate Bellman, Site Merchandising Manager, Women’s Designer & Weddings


They Snagged the Drumstick. “My dad is Richard Hermstad, front left. Such a ham. This photo is mid- to late- ’50s.”
—Kara Hermstad-Buckaloo, Copy Manager, Selling Content


They Had Hair Like Frank Zappa. “This was probably 1974 or ’75. We were at Lake Wapapello with Unet and Joan. Thelma and her siblings owned a lake house and one of Unet’s uncles owned a pontoon boat that was made out of half of a barge (we were huddled on the barge when the photo was taken). Notice the Budweiser beach towel draped over your dad’s shoulder.”
—Mom of Lindsey Bollinger, Men’s Accessories Assistant Buyer


They Were Up to Something. “My dad in a plaid suit! So fancy! About 1963-ish.”
—Ashley Newcomer, Web Designer



They Knew a Thing or Two About Love.
Top: “This is my dad with his friends and brother in Coco Solo, Panama, 1953. The car is a ’53 Plymouth.”

Left: “The sepia-tone headshot was in ’59, when he went to visit my mom in Presidio, Texas. Presidio is a border town in way, WAY west Texas, and he went across the border to Ojinaga, Mexcio, to get that picture made and gave to my mom. They were courting at the time. They married in August 1960.”

Right: “On the back of this photo is written, ‘For Mother Celine with immense love. Your children love you very much. Gracie and Raul.’ Mama Celina was my grandmother—my father’s mother. My mom, Gracie, wrote this note and when she writes, ‘Your children love you very much,’ she is referring to herself and my father.”
—Tony Balquin, Creative Director, Online Marketing


They Built Decks in Denim Jackets. “I think I was about 3 or 4, so this was around 1978 or ’79. He was building the back deck at our house, and it’s still there! Kool-Aid has been replaced by cocktails, but it remains a great place to enjoy some afternoon sun. I could ask my mom for more details, but knowing my family, there was probably a nail through a foot or trip to the emergency room involved. As for my dad—he’s everything anyone could ask for and more.”
—Kirsti Kling, Senior Web Designer


They Were Heroes. “Enclosed, please find a WW2 photo of my dad, Loren Hughes, relaxing in his barracks in England. He just passed this last January at age 92.”
—Michael Hughes, Digital Image Editor


They Had Swag—Literally. “My dad, Jim, when the beard was still pretty bushy. (He does more of a goatee thing now.) This must be the Oregon Coast, a couple-hours’ drive from where I grew up in Portland, circa 1982. Based on the logo, I’m guessing that trucker hat was corporate swag—he was an engineer/salesman and sold giant boilers to factories and whatnot in the ’80s. The Häagen-Dazs shirt, I have no idea—maybe he just likes ice cream—but the fit is pretty on-point. And the wire aviators are just excellent. Dad, do you still have this stuff?”
—Justin Abbott, Senior Editor, Men’s Shop Daily


They Dressed for the Occasion. “He was living in California on his own and going to college at the time, around 1982. His parents were still in Vietnam, and he was loving the freedom and was just having fun. My mom took these photos.”
—Donovan Nguyen, Web Designer


They Understood the Value of Teamwork. “My dad, Clarence Roy Sumner: Pro bowler, rocket scientist, and the most sarcastic individual I’ve ever know. [He's the least creepy one, on the right.]”
—Angela Sumner, Video Producer

 

Have a rad vintage dad pic of your own?
Tag it #NordstromMen on Instagram, and we might feature it here.

And don’t forget, Father’s Day is June 16.
SHOP: GIFTS FOR DAD

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May 24, 2013

SIFF Movie Picks: Flight of the Storks

The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is the largest and most highly-attended event of its kind (and, in our opinion, the coolest—screening everything from alluring art flicks to twisted sci-fi). During the 39th-annual fest, now through June 9, we’ll be sharing favorite films hand-picked for us by the SIFF team. Nab tickets if you’re in Seattle, or look for them on DVD and in theaters near you if you’re elsewhere.

FLIGHT OF THE STORKS
Director: Jan Kounen

From SIFF.net: This stylish, globetrotting psychological thriller plays like David Fincher’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo mixed with the amnesiac, wrong-man madness of Christopher Nolan’s Memento to create a tale of diamonds, dames, and killer storks. (More info)

From Carl Spence, SIFF’s Artistic Director: “A powerhouse in France, Kounen has never received the international recognition that he deserves. An art-school graduate who started working in animated short films, he has been a favorite director of mine since his first feature, the hyper-stylized gangster film Dobermann [1997, starring Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci]. His chameleonic directorial skills were further illustrated by chronicling the infamous love affair of Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky, his mystical reworking of the Western genre with Blueberry (aka Renegade), and a portrait of the modern advertising world with 99 Francs. His latest film, Flight of the Storks, is based on the hugely popular crime-thriller novel by the same name, published in fifteen languages, by the author whose work also provided the basis for Mathieu Kassovitz’s The Crimson Rivers.”

Screening in Seattle:
May 25 – 8:30pm AMC Pacific Place
May 27 – 10:00am Harvard Exit

 

SIFF is pleased to offer Nordstrom customers
COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS to the Seattle screening on May 25!
Available while supplies last. Register for free tickets here.

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May 23, 2013

Memorial Day Recipe: Step Up Your Grill Game

Here’s another great recipe from our friends on the Nordstrom Restaurant team. For the long weekend ahead, we wanted a next-level flavor sensation for all you outdoor grillers out there, whose sophisticated palates are ready to transcend standard-issue frozen dogs and hockey-puck patties. Introducing Char Siu Pork Chops.

So stock up on oyster sauce, five-spice and fresh chops on the way home from work—and prepare to knock your friends’ star-spangled Vans off with your BBQ prowess this weekend. (Oh, and don’t forget ice for your Igloo and plenty of thirst-quenching beverages. We’re thinking this meal would go equally well with Bud Light, Tsingtao, or your favorite high-brow canned brew.)

 


(click recipe to enlarge and print)

 

Nordstrom cookbooks are available
upon request at Nordstrom Restaurant locations.

 
 

[Excerpted from the Nordstrom Family Table Cookbook. Photo by Noel Barnhurst.]

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May 22, 2013

Highlight Reel: Dapper Trash-Talker Reggie Miller

Preposterous comebacks. Dodging head-butts. Staring down Spike Lee. Those are just a few of the reasons hall-of-famer Reggie Miller earned the nickname “Knick Killer” during the knock-down, drag-out, no-holds-barred NBA Playoff grudge matches known as Knicks vs. Pacers throughout the 1990s. The clip above explains in more detail.

A trash-talker of epic proportions, Miller backed up his foul mouth, somewhat ironically, with a subtle but deadly-accurate shooting touch that was akin to poetry in motion. These days, his menswear game is just as legendary.

Check out Miller’s on-screen style highlights from last year’s postseason below—and tune in tonight at 8:30 Eastern to watch this year’s young and hungry Indiana Pacers (whose elimination of the star-powered NY Knicks last week must have made Miller smile) take on defending champs the Miami Heat in game 1 of the Eastern-Conference Finals.


Miller’s bold but tasteful color combos (and slim, perfectly tied four-in-hand tie knots)
put him in a league of his own amongst sportscasters.


Dark suit, pale-blue shirt, striped tie. When you nail the details, you can keep it simple
and still be the best-dressed guy in the room (even when the room seats 20,000).


When your dress shirt fits perfectly, you look just as sharp sans jacket.
(A smart pattern mix of stripes and dots doesn’t hurt, either.)


Instant visual proof: A khaki-colored suit helps you stand out from the crowd come summer.


Bold stripes bring a sport-inspired element to your suit.


In a sea of blue suits, the one with confident, shoulder-enhancing peak lapels is the clear winner.


You would almost think that Miller and Marv Albert planned this ahead of time—but Reggie’s subtler
suit stripes, sharper fit and nonchalantly puffed pocket square give him the advantage.

 

SHOP: SUITS | DRESS SHIRTS | TIES

And, if you’ve got an NBA-sized physique, shop Big & Tall.

 
 

[Video clip from 'Winning Time: Reggie Miller Vs. The New York Knicks,' directed by Dan Klores, part of ESPN Films' 30 For 30 series. TV captures via the NBA and TNT. Individuals pictured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

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May 21, 2013

Arrested Development’s Triumphant Return

Emmy-winning, cult-favorite comedy series Arrested Development returns to airwaves this weekend, after a seven-year hiatus. Fans of the deadpan, intricately scripted, often ad-libbed show—who have been salivating for a next chapter since the show’s untimely 2006 cancellation—are no doubt chomping at the bit to start streaming the 15 new episodes this Sunday, when they’ll become available simultaneously on Netflix.

We asked Laura Oxford, a men’s writer here at Nordstrom.com and our resident expert on high-brow sitcoms (i.e., the kind without a laugh track), to suggest a few classic Arrested clips from the first three seasons. Unfortunately, everything she suggested was wildly inappropriate for a family-friendly site like ours—so you’ll have to settle for the official Arrested Development season 4 trailer instead:

Arrested vets who had lost interest in Netflix’s usual mix of obscure nature shows and appalling horror films (Human Centipede, anyone?) now have an irrefutable reason to renew their subscription. Newbies who want to catch up still have plenty of time—we did the math, and you’ll only need to carve out about 26.5 hours between now and Sunday to stream the first three season’s worth of inside jokes and interwoven story lines.

In related news, Jason Bateman—the barely sane center of Arrested Development’s off-kilter universe—looked damn sharp in last month’s GQ:


Cast & Crew. Our new favorite sweater is a crewneck sweatshirt. It nails a high-low balance that goes as well with a blazer as it does with Vans (and sugar-free Red Bull).


Class Act. You might have noticed polo shirts are getting dressier—to the point that they’re right at home alongside a pocket square and monk-straps.


Knit Wit. Finding the right knit tie for summer is nothing to joke about. Neither is losing your left no-show sock.


How Refreshing. Compared to the comedic chops required to master the spit-take, pulling on a pair of crisp white jeans this summer is a walk in the park.

 
 

[Intro photo by Art Streiber for Entertainment Weekly. Bateman photos by Peggy Sirota for GQ. Individuals pictured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

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May 20, 2013

Street Etiquette: Picks by Joshua & Travis are Still in Stock

In case you missed our previous post, be sure to check out the curated selection of items Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs of acclaimed style website Street Etiquette hand-picked from the Nordstrom Men’s Shop. Sizes on a few pieces are beginning to run low, so get them while the getting’s good.

Joshua and Travis made their picks in the form of distinctive outfits—of which, a few of our favorites are below. To see how we kicked off our collaboration, rewind to our Street Etiquette at New York Fashion Week coverage.


1. Mixed Media. The guys of Street Etiquette have a particular knack for combining influences. Here, Joshua achieves a rare athletic/punk/sartorial/military vibe.
The North Face Jacket | BLK DNM Jeans | Oliver Sweeney Boots | Insubordinate Lads Leather Tote


2. Gym Dandy. Joshua raises the bar on lifting weights with a high-end tank (by this guy), shorts that actually fit, and the proper electronics to blast your tracks and time your sets.
T by Alexander Wang Tank Top | Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones | Adidas Shorts | G-Shock Watch


3. Cozy Camo. Who else could make sweats and activewear look this interesting—let alone this dressed-up? Travis noted that he would finish this one off with Nike Frees.
The North Face Windbreaker | Thom Browne Sweatpants | Nudie T-shirt | Michael Kors Hoodie


4. Short Order. Travis went all Wooster with this shorts-suit—and added his own twist with a pop of color at the wrist and expert-class pattern mixing (plaid suit, dotted shirt).
John Varvatos Star USA Blazer and Shorts | Hugo Boss Shirt | Jack Spade Watch

 

Stay tuned for more collaborations between ourselves and Street Etiquette in the future. Until then—
SHOP: STREET ETIQUETTE PICKS

 
 

[NYFW photos by Street Etiquette and Joshua Woods.]

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May 18, 2013

Movie Madness: Seattle International Film Festival 2013

Vying for the attention of a foxy film buff? In the Seattle vicinity and searching for something to do? Or are you simply a cinema-appreciating citizen of the world, with a thirst for knowledge about the latest, greatest, weirdest developments in moving pictures?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, you should know: The Seattle International Film Festival (aka SIFF)—the largest and most highly attended fest of its kind—is happening now through June 9.

Think film festivals are too artsy-fartsy? Consider this: Alien (yes, that Alien) world-premiered at SIFF in 1979—

Not sure about you, but that’s most definitely our kind of film festival. Planning a special evening tonight (Saturday, May 18)? If your date is the prim and proper type, try ‘Mad Men’ meets ‘I Love Lucy’ French rom-com Populaire:


[Get tickets for Populaire here.]

…If, on the other hand, the object of your affection has a freaky side, treat him or her to a midnight-screening of homegrown horror compilation V/H/S/2:


[Get tickets for V/H/S/2 here.]

As if three weeks packed with 447 SIFF films weren’t awesome enough, the festival includes An Evening with Kyle MacLachlan—complete with a Q&A, screening of the ‘Twin Peaks’ pilot, and reception (we hope they serve black coffee and cremated bacon). Check out SIFF’s tribute to one of our generation’s finest, oddest actors below—along with a choice ‘Twin Peaks’ scene:


 

For info, showtimes, and to purchase tickets,
visit SIFF’s official website.

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May 17, 2013

Indoor Street Style: 5 Days of Shirt & Tie Combos

Dapper men here at Nordstrom HQ have illustrated militaristic fall trends and noble Movember mustaches for you in the past. Today, we felt some shirt-and-tie inspiration for the summer months ahead might be in order.

Here’s Rory Arakaki from our Men’s Shop buying team, showing that a creative mix of colors and patterns makes as much sense with a beat-up jean jacket as it does with a suit—any day of the week:


Monday: Classic Prep. Navy blazer, khaki trousers, striped tie. Every guy probably has a version of this in his arsenal already—but basing your combo on a micro-check gingham shirt, instead of plain white, will set it apart from the crowd.

Pro Tip: Rory nails the first rule of pattern mixing: Vary the scales. In this case, large stripes call for tight checks.

 


Tuesday: Smart Casual. Keep the fit snug and the color neutral, and a shawl-collar sweater can be spot-on for a laid-back day at work. Consider it a back-up for your favorite blazer.

Pro Tip: A button-down—inherently more casual than a point collar—is ideal when dressing down. Rory gets bonus points for using his purple shirt to pick up an accent color in his tie.

 


Wednesday: Vested Interest. Another great spring alternative to a suit jacket, a vest offers that much-needed third piece to tie your look together…while allowing you to push up your sleeves and get down to some serious mid-week business.

Pro Tip: This shirt’s pattern is fairly loud (especially in concert with Rory’s badass ink underneath)—so we dig how he calms it down with a solid knit tie.

 


Thursday: Purple Reign. Although this rig is boardroom-ready, Rory injects some signature personality through the addition of a pocket square, and by basing his shirt-and-tie combo in purple (it’s the new navy—embrace it).

Pro Tip: Rory’s on-point with his tie-clip placement. If you ever question your technique, GQ drew up a handy diagram.

 


Friday: Easy Rider. Rory gets an A+ on his blazer alternatives this week. Here, a classic jean jacket gets the job done on casual Friday—and was born-ready to hit the bars once 5 o’clock rolls around.

Pro Tip: A knit tie skews slightly more casual than a crisp woven one, but one thing doesn’t change: the flawless four-in-hand knot you should tighten up every time.

 


Work/Prank Balance: You might not have guessed it from his calm demeanor in the shots above, but Rory’s a bit of a live wire. This video shows him punking some fellow coworkers, by pretending to be a robot/cardboard box transformer possessed by funk—or something like that.

 

SHOP: DRESS SHIRTS | TIES & POCKET SQUARES

…And find ready-made combos, curated by our men’s team, here:
Shirt & Tie Combos

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May 16, 2013

Harley Builder Kia Karimi in Joe’s Jeans

Last month, we showed you how the lead singer of Seattle band Pickwick gets down (and annoys the neighbors). For our latest Denim Shop video profile, we got our hands dirty in the garage of motorcycle connoisseur Kia Karimi—and road-tested a sturdy pair of Joe’s Jeans.

A former pro fixed-gear bike rider who now builds custom choppers from scratch, Karimi nonchalantly says “I just love two wheels, I guess.” When he’s not wrenching on his latest creation, he works at Seattle’s small-batch, organic bitters company, Scrappy’s Bitters.

Hear about the symbiotic relationship between man and machine in the video above, and check out some outtakes from our shoot below.





SHOP: JOE’S JEANS | ALL MEN’S DENIM

…And watch more Denim Videos here.

 
 

[Still photos by Kyle Johnson.]

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May 15, 2013

GQ Spring Trend Report: Dress Polos

Only a few more of our GQ Spring Trend Reports to go. (View past blog articles here: Loafers |Jean Jackets | Sun-Washed Colors | Camo | Cotton Suits.) With the mercury continuing to rise as we head into summer, today’s installment examines how to put a modern and versatile twist on a perennial warm-weather classic: the Polo Shirt. Here’s Jim Moore and Michael Hainey of GQ with more:

With an eye on dressy details like smart stripes, contrast collars, and physique-enhancing designs at the chest and shoulder, we chose a few favorites below—any of which should hold up as well in a casual work environment as they do on the weekend. Browse additional options here: MORE DRESS POLOS
[Note, the polo shirt up top is by Fred Perry.]


Gant by Michael Bastian | Rag & Bone | Billy Reid


Zegna Sport | Band of Outsiders | PS Paul Smith

 

Look for new GQ Spring Trend Report videos in the weeks to come—
and shop all eight of our GQ-approved trends, from cotton suits to camo, here:
GQ SPRING TREND REPORT

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