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.]

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. And, 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

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.

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

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.]

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

Electronic-music aficionado or not, you’ve probably caught wind of this mysterious, helmet-clad, hype-generating duo known as Daft Punk as of late. Hedi Slimane of Saint Laurent Paris shot them for the new issue of Dazed & Confused (above)…Our friends at GQ managed to score an in-depth Q&A with the elusive hitmakers…And Spin has posted a virtual smorgasbord of articles, from an oral history of the Frenchmen’s first show on US soil to a retrospective of their 19 savviest samples (highlights range from Barry White to Barry Manilow).

The recent flood of Daft Punk buzz (leading up to the pair’s first new album in eight years, Random Access Memories) started about two months ago with brief snippets debuted during Saturday Night Live and at Coachella—like the one below, featuring Pharrell Williams and ’70s studio legend Nile Rodgers:

Next came a series of interviews that revealed not only the dream team of collaborators Daft Punk hand-picked for their new project, but also the return to analog equipment and old-school studio techniques they embraced—a bold departure from the electronic movement they helped birth almost two decades ago. (Our favorites are below; watch all eight episodes here.)

Then, yesterday, an official video from Daft Punk depicting “The Robots” in the flesh, unwrapping the first copy of their new record and cueing it up on the turntable in their trusty spaceship:

…That last development happened to coincide with a surprising opportunity to LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE NEW ALBUM FOR FREE.

(Click the link above to visit Daft Punk’s site—then click the album cover to open iTunes, where you can stream the full album and pre-order prior to its May 21 release.)

 
— — —
 

The Hedi Slimane-designed, sequined dinner jackets Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo wear in the pics abouve (yes, there are humans under there after all) are cool and all—but we tend to favor Daft Punk’s biker phase. Emulate their robo-moto look with one of our favorite leather jackets below—but as far as fully automated cyborg helmets go, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

PS Paul Smith | Field Scout | Dsquared2
Armani Collezioni | Topman | Kenzo

[Photos by Hedi Slimane for Dazed & Confused. Music videos © Daft Punk, Daft Life Limited under exclusive license to Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment. 'The Collaborators' interview series by The Creators Project, a partnership between Intel and Vice. Individuals featured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

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.]

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.

Husbands, sons, and devoted baby-dads: You’ve already got your Mother’s Day gifts in the bag, right? RIGHT?!? The big day is this Sunday, but don’t worry if you’re behind schedule. Get an idea of last-minute gifts you can pick up at your nearest Nordstrom store here: Gifts for Mom; and you can always have a Nordstrom e-Gift Card zapped to your inbox in a matter of hours. (Within four hours, to be exact. Keep that one in mind for birthday and anniversary emergencies, too.)

Material gestures aside, that thing they say is true: It’s the thought that counts. With that in mind, we tapped our very own Nordstrom Restaurant team for a breakfast-in-bed recipe guaranteed to impress.

Bonus tips: Sneak out of bed early (set that alarm, sir), accentuate your gourmet griddle-action with black coffee and stiff mimosas, add a sappy card hand-made by you and the kiddos—and you’re sure to be remembered as the best husband in history.

(click recipe to enlarge and print)

For more great recipes, shop: Nordstrom Family Table Cookbook

Our Nordstrom Flavors Cookbook, which includes the recipe above,
is also available upon request at Nordstrom Restaurant locations.

[Photo by Noel Barnhurst.]

The Met Gala is a high-profile party in NYC that marks the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual fashion-related exhibit at the Costume Institute.

It also produces a red-carpet spectacle that, whereas other red carpets engender class and decorum, encourages celebrities to dress and act as zany as possible.

The theme of this year’s Met exhibit is Punk: Chaos to Couture (check out coverage on our women’s blog). The first favorable outcome of this auspicious motif was a series of fashion films from event sponsor Vogue. Dubbed Punk Stories, they included British model-of-the-moment Cara Delevingne displaying her patented mix of good humor and bad attitude (above) and Ukrainian-Canadian bombshell Daria Werbowy, barely recognizable (but still stunning) in a bleached buzz-cut and various other punk-inspired transformations (below).

Then, there’s the wild red carpet and ensuing after-parties. We’re no fashion police when it comes to womenswear—but we know what we like. Here are the ladies (and a couple men) we thought went the most “punk rock” at Monday night’s Met Gala:

Nicole Richie spray-painted her coif grey for the night (and rocked some high-end Topshop).

Alexa Chung wasn’t afraid to push Gerard Butler around.

Kelly Osbourne, Cara Delevingne, Rita Ora—you guys look great, but Miley Cyrus, of all people, was the one who hit the punk-rock nail on the head.

Taylor Tomasi Hill of Marie Claire donned some serious spikes—and while Thom Browne didn’t exactly wear his punk-rock spirit on his sleeve, we know he has it in him.

We’re not sure about the blue faux-hawk, but Zachary Quinto’s eyebrow game, as usual, was on-point.

Rooney Mara’s attire for the evening wasn’t overtly punk—but if her anti-establishment Girl with the Dragon Tattoo character is permanently burned into your brain, like it is ours, you’ll agree that she’d look pretty tough even in a bathrobe and bunny slippers.

Kanye West performed, in his now-signature punk-inspired Givenchy gear.

Anne Hathaway went bleach-blonde, reportedly just for the night. For a girl-next-door type like her, that’s punk-rock enough to fit the theme in our book.

And then, there was the part where Jennifer Lawrence photo-bombed Sarah Jessica Parker. But Lawrence acts crazy even at the Oscars and on live TV, so “punking” SJP is par for the course. (Note Marion Cotillard and Lena Dunham cracking up in the background.)

For more punk-inspired fashion, go inside the Met’s exhibit
on our sister blog, The Thread.

[Photos and videos via Vogue.com, except for Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Lawrence via NYmag.com. Still photos by Pablo Frisk, except Cyrus and co. by Taylor Jewell, Kanye West by Kevin Tachman, Hathaway by Larry Busacca. Individuals pictured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

The Alexander Wang five-step plan for fashion-world domination:
1. Move from San Fran to NYC at age 18 to attend the esteemed Parsons school of design.
2. Drop out.
3. Create a killer debut women’s collection that makes boutique buyers salivate and converts the world’s hippest models, actresses and it-girls into steadfast devotees.
4. Win GQ Designer of the Year 2011, promptly upon your first foray into menswear.
5. Get named creative director of illustrious, 99-year-old fashion house Balenciaga.

That last point is a whole other story, so let’s focus on #4. Wang won over GQ with his T by Alexander Wang line of so-called “basics”—T-shirts, tanks and hoodies that, thanks to their meticulously slouchy “anti-fit” and superior fabrication, are in fact anything but basic.

These days, Wang is punctuating those high-end essentials with streamlined statement items, like the black-on-black cotton/leather shirt-jacket hybrid seen in the photos here. (You could call it a basic in the sense that you’ll wear it every day for years to come. As far as street-cred style points, though—it’s pretty exceptional.)

A few more favorites from the T by Alexander Wang collection (click images to shop each piece):

And, for your viewing pleasure, a sampling of the A-list it-girls and -guys Alexander Wang attracts—featuring A$AP Rocky, Azealia Banks and more:

 
SHOP: T BY ALEXANDER WANG FOR MEN

[Photography: Robin Stein. Styling: Ashley Helvey. Model: Gus Drake.
See more images from this series in our recent Rick Owens post, and on Nordstrom's Tumblr page.]

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

Tomorrow marks one year since the day rapper, musician, film director, human rights activist, and all-around hero Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch (above, right), of legendary hip-hop trio the Beastie Boys, passed away. So pour out some Pacifico this Cinco de Mayo weekend, and cue up Paul’s Boutique on your turntable. Here are a few Beastie Boys classics to get you started—a couple of which showcase MCA’s considerable skill on the bass guitar.

In other Beastie news, remaining members Mike D (Michael Diamond) and Ad-Rock (Adam Horovitz) have signed on to write/curate an experimental memoir of sorts. The New York Times describes the upcoming book as “in keeping with the group’s hypereclectic style…a pastiche of voices, images, irreverent humor and pop-culture reference points.” Look for it in fall 2015.

[Top photo by Ari Marcopoulos, via Pitchfork.com. Videos © Beastie Boys, Capitol Records and Grand Royal. Bottom photo via the internet. Individuals pictured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

You know how a lot of product crossovers are woefully misguided? Like green ketchup, or clear Pepsi? Then, there’s that rare individual who can do no wrong—one minute, his records are going multi-platinum; the next, he’s acting in Oscar-worthy films, hosting SNL every five minutes, and making out with Mila Kunis on-screen.

Well, Jack Spade is basically the Justin Timberlake of the menswear game. The brand started in 1997, selling durable bags (in hardware stores—a telling detail) that were the epitome of form-meets-function. Today, they produce a full line of apparel that’s every bit as ruggedly stylish as their cult-favorite briefcases and duffels.

We had a chance to visit Jack Spade’s showroom in New York recently, for a preview of the Fall/Winter 2013 collection. Check out a few snapshots below (click to enlarge):

…While you’ll have to wait a few months before the Fall goods above land online, you can pre-order items from Jack Spade’s Pre-Fall Collection right now. A few of our favorites are below—along with killer Jack Spade accessories that are available for purchase immediately. (Know your camo: That cool geometric motif on the card case is inspired by Swedish M90.)

SHOP: JACK SPADE

…And check the launch date of more upcoming collections
on our new PRE-FALL DESIGNER TIMELINE

[Showroom photos by Sunny Chang at Treasure & Bond.]

Inspired by our new Summer Suiting Guide, we decided to apply our five favorite looks to real-life situations. You know, the important ones—when T-shirts and shorts simply won’t cut it. Here’s how to look your best this summer, when the stakes are as high as the temperature.

1. SUMMER IN THE CITY. We were about to suggest this kit for the warm-weather “morale-booster” benevolent bosses often pencil in around now—but seriously, this is what most of us should wear to work all summer long. Lightweight blazer + clean-cut jeans + a pop of color = business casual done right.

Beverage of Choice: Local microbrews, if your workplace knows how to plan a party. Otherwise: Sparkling cider it is.

Pro Tip: See that buttonhole on your jacket lapel? It does in fact serve a purpose. Drop in a lapel pin for extra style points.

[Shop: This Look | More Shirt & Tie Combos]
 

2. BRUNCH DATE. Breakfast in baggy sweats is for amateurs. Play your cards right—with a shirt that buttons, shoes that aren’t sneakers, and a “third piece” (i.e., a vest, blazer or cardigan) to tie it all together—and that special someone you’re meeting for breakfast might stick around for dinner, too.

Beverage of Choice: Bloody Mary—or black coffee, depending on how the previous night unfolded.

Pro Tip: Skip the tie if you so choose…Unless your brunch date is your mom on Mother’s Day, in which case it’s a nice touch.

[Shop: This Look | More Vests]
 

3. YACHT CLUB. The blazer-with-shorts look is everywhere as of late—but we can’t think of a scenario it’s more befitting than a classy affair on the water. Don’t own a boat (or have a friend or father-in-law who does)? The same rig would be spot-on for a dinner date at a high-end seafood spot.

Beverage of Choice: Something with rum? Or a refreshing Jamaican lager, if the sun has you parched.

Pro Tip: If you’re actually on a boat (as opposed to just near one), trade the dress shoes for boat shoes.

[Shop: This Look | More Sportcoats & Blazers]
 

4. KENTUCKY DERBY. “The fastest two minutes in sports” is this Saturday. Whether you’re Louisville-bound, or just looking for an excuse to sip whisky on your friend’s party-ready patio—be sure to channel your inner Southern gent with dandified finishing touches and flashes of go-to-hell color.

Beverage of Choice: Mint Julep. It’s official.

Pro Tip: We’re digging the subdued take on summer color above—but feel free to go all-in with a loud-and-proud madras or windowpane plaid.

[Shop: This Look | More Finishing Touches]
 

5. OUTDOOR WEDDING. The last thing summer-wedding attire should be is stuffy, so ditch dark colors in favor of lightweight seersucker (shown) or cotton khaki. The punchy red tie above could prove a bit much; opt for a bow tie in subtler hues if you prefer not to upstage the man of the hour.

Beverage of Choice: Champagne, if you’re wooing bridesmaids. The champagne of beers, if you’re chilling with the groomsmen.

Pro Tip: Beach wedding? Skip the shoes but keep the suit. Just because the groom’s uncle is wearing a Hawaiian shirt, doesn’t make it right.

[Shop: This Look | More Suits]

…And for more warm-weather tailored essentials, from
no-sweat suits down to the last dapper detail, shop our complete
SUMMER SUITING GUIDE

Thomas Campbell is a soft-spoken guy with larger-than-life ideas. He grew up skating and surfing in California in the ’70s and ’80s, a scene in which, he says, exploring different forms of do-it-yourself creativity was second-nature—be it making music, taking photos, drawing graffiti, or writing a ‘zine.

Campbell parlayed the creative ethos of his youth into a full-time career—or, more accurately, a self-sustaining lifestyle. He lives in Santa Cruz, travels the world, meets interesting people, and “makes stuff.” His artistic output ranges from sculptures to films to paintings—to the the swim trunks and T-shirt below, made in collaboration with California surf and skate brand Element.

Campbell—who was profiled alongside other likeminded, DIY, oddball geniuses like Shepard Fairey and Harmony Korine in the 2008 documentary Beautiful Losers—has also put out three surf films, which are widely revered for their break from the aggro, adrenaline-rush intensity of “extreme sports” in favor of a more meditative, nostalgic homage to surf culture. Beautifully photographed at locations spanning the globe, these excerpts from Thomas Campbell’s Sprout (2004) and The Present (2009) should offer a welcome respite from your Monday-afternoon malaise:

SHOP: ELEMENT | ALL SURF & SKATE
 
 

[First video via Element; surf-film excerpts © Thomas Campbell and Woodshed Films, via YouTube. Individuals featured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

From multi-functional footwear to workwear staples, our GQ Spring Trend Report series has covered a lot of ground thus far. Today’s installment takes a 180 from last week’s soft, sun-washed colors to focus instead on a look with rugged military roots: disruptive pattern material—more commonly known as Camo.

Below, GQ Creative Director Jim Moore and Deputy Editor Michael Hainey offer tips on incorporating small doses of this powerful pattern into your wardrobe:

Take their advice to heart as you check out our camouflaged favorites below, and browse additional options here: MORE CAMO
[Note, the camo jacket up top is by Rag & Bone, and will be available for pre-order starting mid-May.]

Scotch & Soda Jacket | WeSC Tank Top | Vanguard Shirt

Diesel Backpack | Obey Five-Panel Hat | New Balance 884 Running Shoe

Splendid Mills Jeans | Scotch & Soda Chinos | Dockers ‘Alpha Khaki’ Chinos

Bill Adler 1981 Reversible Belt | Ivy Prepster Pocket Square | Jack Spade Travel Kit

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

The behind-the-scenes video above, shot while filming the dapperly appointed, slo-mo-wood-chip-scattering clip we screened for you a couple weeks ago, happens to feature quite a deft display of acting prowess. That’s because Nick Hounslow, the English actor/model astutely studying that woodcarving-for-dummies book, happened to know a thing or two about chainsaws before we ever hired him.

“I build furniture as a hobby,” Nick said. “I started back in England, where I would make tables and benches or use old crates to make bookshelves and things. I learnt to use a chainsaw to cut up huge old railway sleepers [the wood logs used to lay tracks] before assembling them into furniture. It was more of a hobby—something to do in between acting jobs and modeling gigs. It really helped me ground myself and became a form of therapy.”

Food for thought. Next time you’re stressed, skip yoga and hit up the hardware store. Here are a few fruits of Nick’s labors:

He called this “a REALLY rough attempt at a garden bench using a chainsaw.” Don’t be so hard on yourself, Nick.

A refurbished-fruit-crate bookshelf—before and after.

Our favorite: a coffee table Nick made for a friend. If you thought that boxed-up Ikea one you brought home was heavy, think again. “It weighs a ton!” Nick said of his minimalist creation. “And sadly, my poor dad broke his finger underneath it, helping me lift it!” Luckily, no fingers were harmed in the making of our ‘YOUphoria’ chainsaw video.

Find some YOUphoria of your own at THE RAIL

Mark your calendars for our biggest sale event of the year: Anniversary Sale, your rare chance to save on Fall goods before they ever hit regular price, starts July 19.

Sound like a ways off? Trust us, it’s coming up quick—our team was already pulling together Anniversary-Sale outfits to photograph for the website last week. Here’s an exclusive glimpse at some of the rich fall textures and patterns you have to look forward to.

Chalk stripes x longwings? Check. Patent x camo? Why not.
Yes, our Men’s Team looks good even while locked in a conference room all day.
(That’s one of our female stylists on the right—don’t worry,
we’re not hopping on the meggings trend quite yet.)

Stay tuned for more Anniversary Sale updates as they become available.

Do your best to ignore the souped-up Rolls Royces, the gyrating flappers, the sinister-sounding Kanye West / Jay-Z / Frank Ocean beat (which would have been infinitely cooler here if a handful of mediocre action flicks didn’t already use it), the hypnotic visual overload director Baz Luhrmann made famous in 1996′s amped-up Romeo & Juliet remix—and even try to look past Carey Mulligan’s beauty mark, if at all humanly possible.

Instead, feast your eyes on the impeccable menswear Great Gatsby costume designer Catherine Martin created in collaboration with 195-year-old American institution Brooks Brothers. Delving into the brand’s archives, Martin nailed every detail—from straw boater to gold collar pin to powder-pink peak lapel.

Watch a behind-the-scenes mini-documentary on the film’s costume design here, and catch The Great Gatsby in theaters May 10.

SHOP: BROOKS BROTHERS

…And for more sartorial inspiration for the season ahead,
check out our new Summer Suiting Guide.

[Trailer courtesy of Warner Bros and Village Roadshow Pictures. Still images are captures from the Brooks Brothers video about the film's costume design. Individuals pictured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

[Ghostly Grease Ice. "Ethereal swirls of grease ice appear turquoise against the midnight blue of the northern Baltic Sea near the Aland Islands (red) between Finland and Sweden. An early stage of sea ice formation, grease ice consists of a viscous mix of tiny ice crystals and resembles an oil slick on the ocean's surface. Wind and currents constantly shape and reshape grease ice into surreal, ghostly patterns."]

[Jordan. "Meandering wadis combine to form dense, branching networks across the stark, arid landscape of southeastern Jordan. The Arabic word 'wadi' means a gully or streambed that typically remains dry except after drenching, seasonal rains."]

[Delta Region, Netherlands. "Along the southern coast of the Netherlands, sediment-laden rivers have created a massive delta of islands and waterways in the gaps between coastal dunes. After unusually severe spring tides devastated this region in 1953, the Dutch built an elaborate system of dikes, canals, dams, bridges, and locks to hold back the North Sea."]

[The Syrian Desert. "Between the fertile Euphrates River valley and the cultivated lands of the eastern Mediterranean coast, the Syrian Desert covers parts of modern Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq."]

[Mayn River. "The Mayn River, seen here with what is thought to be a portion of the Anadyr River, flows through the far northeastern corner of Siberia."

[Kamchatka Peninsula. "The eastern side of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula juts into the Pacific Ocean west of Alaska. In this winter image, a volcanic terrain is hidden under snow-covered peaks, and valley glaciers feed blue ice into coastal waters."]

[Meandering Mississippi. "Small, blocky shapes of towns, fields, and pastures surround the graceful swirls and whorls of the Mississippi River. Countless oxbow lakes and cutoffs accompany the meandering river south of Memphis, Tennessee, on the border between Arkansas and Mississippi, USA. The 'mighty Mississippi' is the largest river system in North America."]

 
—  —  —
 

These swirling snapshots of Earth’s diverse and complex surfaces (compiled by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey in a series called Earth as Art) are intended to prompt viewers to ask, “How did the earth do that?” And, though enhanced and colorized by infrared and other light spectrums not visible to the naked eye, the insane patterns of land, ocean and ice are true to life.

Ready to do your part to preserve the planet’s rare beauty? We are. Here are a few eco-friendly Editor’s Picks to help keep us all on the path to leaving a smaller footprint:

From left:
- Patagonia jacket, made with recycled materials
- Aveda shampoo & conditioner with Gold-level Cradle to Cradle certification
- Obey recycled-cotton T-shirt
- Michael Rodger sketchbook made of up-cycled vintage records (each is one of a kind)

From left:
- The North Face backpack, made with recycled, water-resistant fabric
- Hurley ‘Phantom 60′ recycled swim trunks
- Sprout compostable watch made with corn resin and tree bark
- R44 Rogan Standard Issue sweatshirt made with recycled and organic fibers

From left:
- The North Face jacket, made with recycled materials
- Kikkerland Design bike bell, hand-painted using eco-friendly paints
- Threads for Thought hoodie, made with organic and recycled content
- Areaware MP3-compatible radio, handcrafted with sustainably harvested pine and mahogany

From left:
- WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie dopp kit, made with recycled cotton
- Alternative tank top, made with organic and recycled materials
- Timberland Earthkeepers boot, with recycled materials in the lining, footbed and sole
- Quiksilver Waterman Collection board shorts, made with recycled materials

Nordstrom has always followed a simple philosophy: “Leave it better than you found it.”
See how we apply this to environmental efforts at our social-responsibility site:
Nordstrom Cares

[Images and descriptions courtesy of NASA and the USGS. Purchase Earth as Art prints here, and download a free e-book and iPad app of the series here.]

Founded in 2008, Record Store Day has become a national holiday for musicians and fans alike to show up in support of the physical, tangible experience of enjoying music. Check the official website for special appearances, participating stores—and of course, a cavalcade of rare, limited-edition record releases.

This year’s audio anomalies—most available at participating record stores only—include a new compilation from our Seattle neighbors at Sub Pop Records, re-issues by artists ranging from Miles Davis to Glasgow post-punks Orange Juice, a vinyl version of The Flaming Lips’ experimental 4 (simultaneous!)-disc opus Zaireeka, live gems by alt-metal vets Deftones, a cassette (remember those?) by MGMT, and even a Best Coast single sponsored by the makers of everyone’s favorite desert boot, Clarks. Catch a few previews below, and we’ll see you crate-digging mañana.

For this month’s installment of our Personal Stylist blog series, three female stylists from our flagship store in Downtown Seattle—Christie Coover, Nicole Jackson and Lisa Proko—fill us in on the five key items they’d love to see every man master this season.

1. Bold Color. “It’s fun to see guys wearing brights such as yellow, red, orange, and blue. This trend works in knitwear, linen, denim, even leather. If you’re nervous about executing it properly, relax. Just pair your one bright piece with neutrals—khaki, taupe, navy. Works every time. Ying and yang.” [Above: John W. Nordstrom Cotton Blazer]

Todd Snyder Sweatshirt | Gilded Age Jeans | The North Face Jacket
J. Press York Street Jacket | Grayers Pants | Penfield Jacket

SHOP MORE: BOLD BLAZERS | BOLD COLOR IN THE RAIL

2. Pumped-Up Kicks. “With our love of brights right now, we love to see color on guys’ feet, too. This looks great beyond sneakers—think boat shoes, oxfords, loafers. Speaking of boat shoes, we’re kind of obsessed. Such an easy alternative to the sneaker. A high-quality shoe with your suit is also a must—try stepping it up with a wingtip or double-monk slip-on. Women take notice when you care about the details.” [Above: John Varvatos Star USA Canvas Buck]

Cole Haan Penny Loafer | Oliver Sweeney Double-Monk | Sperry Top-Sider Boat Shoe

SHOP MORE: LOAFERS | MONK STRAPS | BOAT SHOES

3. Jeans That Fit. “Similar to a great-fitting suit [see below], women want to see guys get a spot-on fit with their jeans. Jeans are such a staple because you can wear them so many ways: Dress them up with a blazer and skinny tie, or throw them on with a soft T-shirt and hoodie. Either way, have a salesperson help you find the fit works best for your build. Pick up multiple kinds (colorful, white, skinny, destroyed) so your denim doesn’t start to look like a uniform.” [Above: PRPS 'Rambler' Slim-Fit Selvedge Jeans]

AG Jeans | Levi’s Made & Crafted | Scotch & Soda
Nudie | Diesel | DL1961

SHOP MORE: MEN’S JEANS

4. A Well-Tailored Suit. “There’s a quote floating around Pinterest right now that says, ‘A well-tailored suit is to women what lingerie is to men’…And we agree! Nothing says sharp, smart, and confident like a great-fitting suit. It’s timeless. For a proper fit, your suit jacket should hug your shoulders. Try on a size smaller than you think you are, just to see how it fits. We like a slim lapel best. It’s fun to see guys do something custom and unique to show their style, like add a ticket pocket or wear a colorful pocket square.” [Above: Hugo Boss Trim-Fit Suit]

Joseph Abboud | Canali | Hugo Bos

SHOP MORE: SUITS & SPORTCOATS

5. Eye-Catching Patterns. “Some men might be hesitant to mix patterns together—but we say go for it! As long as you vary the scale and color, you should be good to go. For beginners, feel free to start slow: Same rules apply as with bright colors, just pair your pattern with neutrals so it’s not overwhelming.” [Above: Zanerobe Shirt]

Zanerobe Shirt | Polo Ralph Lauren Shorts | Burkman Bros Shirt
Insight Shorts | Bonobos Shirt | Theory Shorts

SHOP MORE: CASUAL SHIRTS | SHORTS

 
—  —  —
 

Contributing Stylists: 

 
Nicole Jackson  •  Christie Coover  •  Lisa Proko

SHOP MORE PERSONAL STYLIST PICKS FOR MEN
…And call 1.877.543.7463 or click here to connect with a Personal Stylist near you.

What happens when you lock buyers, stylists, tailors, models, video crew, and a rack full of dress shirts in a room for three days straight? For one thing, they churn out 30+ dress-shirt fit videos (more on those later). Secondly, they lose their minds a little. We showed you Cara Delevingne and fellow bored British models do the ‘Harlem Shake’ a few weeks ago—now it’s our dress-shirt video team’s turn.

Watch for detailed fit videos on more than 30 of our most popular dress shirts coming soon—they’ll show up on the product detail pages, along with all the other vital stats you need to know before pulling the trigger. We’ll also debut a video outlining our three dress-shirt fit categories (regular, trim, extra-trim), featuring tips from Jaime Fernandez (above), shirt and tie buyer for Nordstrom.com. From the look of that spread-collar and top-notch four-in-hand knot, dude knows his stuff.

SHOP: DRESS SHIRTS | TIES & POCKET SQUARES

In other important ‘Harlem Shake’ news, none other than LeBron James and the Miami Heat put their own spin on the internet fad recently. With the best record in the league, we’d say they earned the right to drop their game faces and have fun for 56 seconds.

Did you realize the NBA Playoffs start this weekend? Time flies. The Heat start the road to defending their title on Sunday—but tune in to ABC and ESPN all day Saturday, 4/20, for killer Round 1 match-ups like Celtics v. Knicks, Warriors v. Nuggets, Bulls v. Brooklyn (is Derek Rose back yet?) and Grizzlies v. Clippers in a rematch of last year’s brutally physical 7-game series. And clear your schedule for the next month or so, while you’re at it.