Main Content

Essential Items

June 18, 2013

Kanye West, Minimalism, and Leather Moto Jackets

Kanye West has been compared to Pink Floyd, Steve Jobs, and even Mozart. (That last article drew a lot of fire in its comments section, of course…as well as a few lucid arguments from music majors who backed their opinions up with historical facts and classical theory.)

Whatever you think about the man and his music, you have to admit that he’s been influential—in pop culture at large, as well as in the realm of menswear. GQ ran a retrospective on West’s style today, which points pretty clearly to the fact that (ethical qualms with floor-length fur aside) the rapper/producer’s present-day wardrobe choices are his wisest, and most relevant to the rest of us, to date.

See above. West’s tough, monochromatic minimalism seems right in step with the bluntly reduced electro thump of his new album, Yeezus, out today. In his recent NY Times interview, West says a lamp by minimalist architect/designer Le Corbusier changed his entire point of view. He also says it takes him a fraction of the time to get dressed these days—proving what we’ve known for a while now: Throw on a leather jacket with anything, from a T-shirt to a tie, and you’re good to go.

[We're not saying West did or would wear these particular jackets; but if you'd like to recreate his minimalist MOTO look, start here. Pierre Balmain | A.P.C. | Just Cavalli]

The image up top is from West’s performance on Saturday Night Live last month—one of the darkest, most jarring, and most fascinating things that’s happened on that show maybe ever. (Well, there was this.) We can’t exactly show the video here, but if you can handle some controversial political topics, click here.

Here’s a few more live music performances, some from Kanye, some from SNL, and some from 20+ years ago, whose style tips you can take to heart today:


West and Jay-Z performing their Watch the Throne single ‘Otis’ at the MTV Video Music Awards. Kanye reps DENIM ON DENIM, with a touch of AMERICANA in the form of a hanky in his back pocket. (Oh yeah, and the giant US flag-inspired backdrop, designed by Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci as part of the duo’s album art.)


At his previous SNL appearance, performing ‘Runaway’ off My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, West definitely got our memo on BOLD BLAZERS (or, maybe, it was the other way around).

 
Kanye West famously wore a women’s blouse by Céline at Coachella a couple years ago. Bold move—and we won’t fault him for it. For the rest of us though, vintage grunge heroes like Pearl Jam, promo’ing and dress-rehearsing for SNL in 1992, are probably better role models for summer FESTIVAL STYLE.


Meanwhile, for more BOLD COLOR (colour?), surf-inspired gear, tank tops, high tops and wildly printed pants, Living Colour in 1989 take the cake. (OK, fine, we just like this song.)

 
 

[Intro image via Gorilla Vs. Bear. Video clips © NBC and MTV. Individuals pictured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

June 12, 2013

Custom Duffels by Michael Bastian & More

It was just last week that we mentioned the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) and its uncanny knack for a) honoring our favorite menswear designers in the biz, most recently Thom Browne, and b) throwing parties that draw highly photogenic crowds.

The CFDA’s noteworthy deeds continue this week with a collection of one-of-a-kind weekend bags that the non-profit organization, along with Details magazine, commissioned from top menswear designers including Michael Bastian, Rag & Bone, Todd Snyder and Billy Reid.


[The plain, military-surplus duffel each designer started with.]

The bags are being auctioned on eBay through this weekend only. As of this posting, Todd Snyder’s is the most hotly sought after with 23 bids. But you know how these things work: The auction ends June 17; now’s your chance to stake out your favorite bag, then swoop in at the last minute to drop the winning bid.

Check out our favorite bags below, and pop over to eBay to see about scoring a one-of-a-kind work of art (slash piece of luggage). All proceeds go to the CFDA to benefit new and emerging designers.


Michael Bastian. The 2011 CFDA Award winner patched up his bag like an Eagle Scout sash full of merit badges; but in a Jack Kerouac-like twist, the obscure mementos look like they’ve been collected throughout a road scholar’s lifetime of strange trips.
Shop Michael Bastian | Bid on This Bag


Rag & Bone. Sleek black leather contrasting the faded olive give this duffel—by the English-bred, New York-based duo behind Rag & Bone—the look of a refined  doctor’s bag. Perfect for carting a change of clothes uptown to hit the gym before or after the office.
Shop Rag & Bone | Bid on This Bag


Marc Jacobs. Win this auction, and you get not only a cool bag—but also dozens of what appear to be hand-doodled buttons to pluck off and pin to your jean- and leather-jacket lapels.
Shop Marc by Marc Jacobs | Bid on This Bag


Tommy Hilfiger. It’s amazing how some blue dye and leather accents can make an Army/Navy bag look incredibly luxe—as with Hilfiger’s unmistakable play on one of our favorite trends for summer: unapologetic Americana.
Shop Tommy Hilfiger Watches | Bid on This Bag


Billy Reid. Alabama-based Reid devised one of the most functional duffels of the bunch—complete with longer handles to toss it over your shoulder during endless airport treks, and a strap on the end to easily nab it from the overhead compartment (or the flatbed of a truck).
Shop Billy Reid | Bid on This Bag


Ovadia & Sons. Twin brothers Shimon and Ariel Ovadia offer a wry twist on their signature mix of preppy and military influences, with aeronautical patches affixed in a jaunty, haphazard manner.
Shop J. Press York Street by Ovadia & Sons | Bid on This Bag


Duckie Brown. Where other redesigns sought to urbanize the source material, this one embraces olive green’s earthy side, with a wooly blanket pattern that recalls visions of summer camp.
Shop Florsheim by Duckie Brown Shoes | Bid on This Bag


Todd Snyder. This Iowa-born designer chose to pursue the ‘Navy’ side of Army/Navy, with a sailor-inspired creation that turns the conventional duffel on its ear. Rugged natural leather and sturdy rope make it ready for a long boat ride—preferably to the Bahamas.
Shop Todd Snyder | Bid on This Bag



And two more auctions we’re eyeing: Richard Chai (top) and Public School—we don’t carry these guys, but they made some of our favorite bags of the bunch. The former utilizes a rare color scheme we suddenly hope to see more of: olive green x neon blue.

The latter, in always-appropriate black on black, looks like a cross between Michael Jackson’s jacket from Thriller and some space-age survival gear from our recent favorite sci-fi film-festival throwback.

 
 

[Intro photo by Donnell Culver for We Are The Market. Duffel photos via Details.com.]

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

June 5, 2013

The Right Watch for Every Dad & Grad

We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating (especially now that our new Men’s Watch Guide is live): A stylish timepiece is a perfect one-size-fits-all gift for any man for whom you find yourself shopping.

However, while knowing his size is a moot point, understanding his taste and interests—and selecting a watch to match—is of utmost importance. Read on, and if any of these Dad and Grad archetypes sound familiar, pull the trigger.

 
For the DAD: who has a humidor and religiously reads the business section.
For the GRAD: who deserves some swag to impress the CEOs with whom he’ll soon be interviewing.
SHOP: HUGO BOSS WATCHES

Our Favorite: Croc-embossed leather and rose-gold make this Boss Black Chronograph one of the richest-looking watches we’ve seen for under $400.

 

 
For the DAD: who’s as comfortable at yoga class as he is at the hardware shop.
For the GRAD: who double-majored in engineering and English lit.
SHOP: JACK SPADE WATCHES

Our Favorite: We love a classic camp watch—especially from a brand with roots at your local lumber yard. Jack Spade’s version goes beyond standard-issue with a smart, smirking pop of color.

 

 
For the DAD: who digs Eames and Gehry, and vetoed your mom’s wallpaper choice.
For the GRAD: who skipped flipping burgers in favor of summer internships at art galleries and architecture firms.
SHOP: MOVADO WATCHES

Our Favorite: Every watch from this brand reads as a minimalist objet d’art—but Movado’s ‘Museum’ offers the sleekest, most sculptural take on a rubber wristband we’ve seen.

 

hero 
For the DAD: who can fix anything, be it a leaky faucet or a crying granddaughter.
For the GRAD: who’s as resourceful on a road trip as he is in the classroom.
SHOP: VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY WATCHES

Our Favorite: With a telemeter, chronograph, date function, luminous markers and more, Victorinox’s ‘Infantry – Vintage’ is like the Swiss army knife of watches—all in sleek, tasteful black and steel.

 


For the DAD: who DVRs Formula 1 races and spends every Saturday in the garage.
For the GRAD: who drives a beater, but has been drooling over Hot Wheels since he was out of the womb.
SHOP: SCUDERIA FERRARI WATCHES

Our Favorite: Black on brown is a bold choice—perfect for a man who lives for precision dials upgraded with luxe leather, whether on his car or his Scuderia Ferrari Chronograph.

 


For the DAD: whose vinyl collection is rivaled only by his predilection for old-school Atari.  
For the GRAD: who’s sending résumés to record labels, rather than accounting firms.
SHOP: G-SHOCK WATCHES

Our Favorite: Hints of luminescent green on this G-Shock ‘Classic’ remind us of the Indiglo LED on our dad’s vintage ’80s Ironman.

 

 
For the DAD: who talks loud, dresses well, and never stops moving—whether he’s on or off the clock.
For the GRAD: who majored in business but isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
SHOP: NIXON WATCHES

Our Favorite: While Nixon’s ‘The October’ is fully office-ready, styling inspired by submarine instruments lends a rugged vibe that pulls double-duty for weekend excursions, too. 

 
 

For more gift ideas, shop:
OUR NEW WATCH GUIDE | ALL WATCHES | ALL GIFTS FOR DAD

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: , , , , , , , ,

May 29, 2013

Ladies Love: Pants That Pop

Kristina Zias is a menswear expert at our Grove store in LA. You’ve seen her discuss (and model) men’s sweaters and polos in the past. For today’s post, she recruited a friend to model her favorite summer essential for men: The anti-jean. In anything but blue.

 

“Let your pants do the talking. Slim, tailored pants with a pop of color are a necessity in every man’s wardrobe this season. Besides adding character and fun to any outfit, pants like these, done right, cause the wearer to exude total confidence—and isn’t that what style is all about?

“Choose a couple colors, and wear them all summer in place of dark jeans. Dress them down with a T-shirt and Chucks for daytime, or dress them up with a blazer and button-down for after dark.”

—Kristina Zias, Nordstrom at The Grove, Los Angeles


Vince straight-leg five-pocket pants in ‘Vermouth’


(L): Joe’s ‘Brixton’ in teal, at selected stores only.
Shop similar: Joe’s ‘Brixton’ fit | Teal jeans by Rag & Bone & Warriors of Radness

(R): AG Jeans ‘Matchbox SUD’ slim straight-leg pants in ‘Banana’


(L): Diesel ‘Safado’ in mauve, at selected stores only.
Shop similar: Diesel ‘Safado’ fit | Purple-ish jeans

(R): Hugo Boss slim-fit chinos in White

 

SHOP: MORE COLORED JEANS | ALL MEN’S JEANS

 

Not sure what to wear up top? Keep it neutral.
These T-shirts, sweaters and jackets will balance colorful pants nicely—as well as white ones.

Editor’s Picks to complete the look:


Alternative baseball jacket | Jack Spade polo | Z Zegna sportcoat | Rogue linen jacket


Pringle of Scotland sweater | Alternative tank top | Vince T-shirt | Rag & Bone hoodie


Moncler polo | Vince long-sleeve T-shirt | Calibrate cardigan | Just Cavalli leather jacket

 
 

[Photos and commentary by Kristina Zias.]

1 COMMENT

Click For More: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: , , , , , , , , , ,

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.]

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 13, 2013

Sustainable Denim + Swedish Rock = Nudie Jeans

Swedish denim brand Nudie knows its way around a killer fit (see their spring 2013 lookbook image above)—but their philosophy runs way deeper than just looking good. Last year, Nudie achieved the difficult goal of converting to 100% organic cotton.

The eco-friendly journey doesn’t end there: Nudie takes impressive steps to extend the life of your jeans by offering tutorials on how to patch your pair at home and opening a brick-and-mortar repair shop in London. They even offer wrecked jeans a chance at reincarnation with amazing projects like handwoven recycled-denim rugs.

The images below illustrate the ironic beauty of Nudie’s craftsmanship—despite the outwardly gritty appearance, the dyeing and recycling processes being depicted are sustainable and environmentally conscious. (For a video of Nudie’s recycling process, check out our previous post on selvedge denim.)



Besides being a clear leader in sustainable jeans, Nudie also has its finger on the pulse of independent music. Here’s a live performance from Nudie’s store in Gothenburg, Sweden, by a band from the same town called The Shy Lips (who, according to their own Facebook page, have been producing the “Finest Swedish indie rock since 2012″). For many more in-store shows by the likes of Little Dragon, Band of Horses, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and more—check out Nudie’s website.


 

SHOP: NUDIE JEANS | ALL MEN’S DENIM
 
 

[Video and images courtesy of Nudie Jeans; Nudie production images photographed by Ulf Lundin. Individuals featured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: , , , , , , , , ,

May 10, 2013

Personal Stylist: Summer Essentials Under $100

Need to look your best at an important event? Want to tweak your wardrobe with key updates each season? Or maybe you just want some quick advice during your lunch break.

No matter your style goals, our expert Personal Stylists are here to help. Their services are free of charge, so read up on what they can do and don’t hesitate to book an appointment today.

For this month’s Personal Stylist post, we asked Ash Gharib, a Stylist at our Tysons Corner store in Virginia, to pull four summer weekend looks—on a tight timeline and strict budget. He aced our challenge on all counts, with each item clocking in at well under $100:


1. Earn Your Stripes. “Mixing prints gives a fresh new spin on your outfit; just keep the prints in the same color family. In this look, I paired navy patterned shorts with a lightweight, nautical-inspired shirt. Adding a hat helps tie it all together.”
1901 Star-Print Shorts, $59.50 | Glory Hats by Goorin, $29.50 | Vince Long-Sleeve T-shirt, $68
 


2. Camo 101. “Yes! Camo is here to stay—and it’s everywhere: Pants, belts, backpacks, etc. For starters, here is your basic camo pant. Orange complements the camo print perfectly. Add a casual graphic T-shirt, and accessories like this green bracelet.”
RVCA T-shirt, $24 | Zack Bracelet, $42 | Bill Adler 1981 Reversible Belt, $29.50 | Dockers Chinos, $64
 


3. Draw a Blank. “It’s not summer without a pair of white jeans. They’re perfect for your beach walk or your casual weekends. Don’t forget to cuff them up, gentlemen! Pair them with a beach-inspired tee, and try a comfortable, easy-to-match slip-on.”
Levi’s 513 Jeans,$58 | Sperry Top-Sider Espadrilles, $54.95 (also in black) | Altru T-shirt
 


4. Festival-Ready. “It started last year with ladies, now it’s time for the men: Make sure you have at least one item with a cool global print in your closet. Tanks are great to throw on with your swim trunks, or a solid pair of rolled-up shorts. Add that great fedora from look #1 and your colorful slip-ons, and accessorize with some fun shades.”
Obey Tank Top, $42 | TOMS Shoes, $43.95 | KW Sunglasses, $10 | 1901 Shorts, $49.50

 


Get in touch with Ash if you find yourself in the Virginia area and could use a hand.
And wherever you are:

Shop more Personal Stylist Picks for Men,
and call 1.877.543.7463 or click here to connect with a Personal Stylist near you.

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: , , , , , ,

May 6, 2013

GQ Spring Trend Report: Cotton Suits

We’re already five episodes into our GQ Spring Trend Report series. (View past articles here: Loafers | Jean Jackets | Sun-Washed Colors | Camo.) This week’s installment takes a tailored turn, with Jim Moore and Michael Hainey of GQ discussing an office essential when temps climb—the lightweight Cotton Suit:

Taking a cue from Mr. Moore’s thoughts on dressy cottons that bring cotton suits out of weekend-wedding territory and into the office, we pulled four suited-up looks that can span from boardroom to casual Friday this summer. Check out our tips below, and browse additional options here: MORE COTTON SUITS


1. Shady Character. In warm weather, lightweight fabrics are a must; sunny colors, however, are optional. The suit has a small glen-plaid pattern, which we offset with a large gingham check, and grounded with a solid tie in summer-appropriate knit cotton.
[John Varvatos Star USA Blazer and Trousers | Hugo Boss Tie | Calibrate Dress Shirt]


2. Quirky Khaki. You’re probably familiar with the trick of wearing your jean jacket with chinos, to avoid going double-denim. The same concept applies with your khaki suit, which benefits from the contrast of a workwear-inspired (but still dressy) shirt.
[Paul Smith London Suit | Gitman Tie | Eton Dress Shirt]


3. Room with a View. This crisp combo is boardroom-ready—and, whether it’s true or not, implies to your client that you’ll be on a boat this weekend. We like underpinning the preppy, regatta-motif tie with businesslike stripes. (Think of purple as the new navy.)
[Hugo Boss Suit | Hugo Boss Tie | Nordstrom Dress Shirt]


4. Creative Services. For the guy who wears a suit because he wants to, but doesn’t have to: Consider keeping the tie, but experimenting with shirt options. If your office doesn’t favor acid-wash? This rig would look razor-sharp with a micro-check gingham, too.
[Shipley & Halmos Blazer & Pants | Gitman Tie | Topman Shirt]

 

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

0 COMMENTS

Click For More: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

HOME