Jack Spade

May 1, 2013

Inside Jack Spade’s NYC Showroom

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.]

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March 21, 2013

Let Her Borrow: Your New Spring Sweater

Has your wife or girlfriend ever borrowed your coat or wandered the house in your favorite hoodie? If not, you might need better clothes. ‘Let Her Borrow’ is a new series in which Kristina Zias, a menswear expert at our Grove store in LA, shows off her favorite new items from the Nordstrom Men’s Shop.

“With spring around the corner but indecisive weather now, I’m eyeing a few of the new sweaters in our Men’s Designer department. Beware though, guys: They’re made for you, but if your girlfriend gives you one as a gift, she might have ulterior motives. [maniacal laugh.] Here are my three key sweaters for the season: The hoodie, crewneck and quarter-zip.”
—Kristina Zias, Nordstrom at The Grove, Los Angeles

1. The Hoodie: U Clothing. “One of our newest Men’s Designer labels, this London-based brand took a basic zip-front hoodie and did it right, leaving no detail unnoticed. The cotton/terry blend has a really impressive, luxurious feel to it, and the metal hardware detailing adds some edge. It’s lightweight and perfect to throw on without thinking twice.”
[Shop: U Clothing Hoodie | All Men's Hoodies]

Editor’s picks to complete the look:
7 For All Mankind Chinos | U Clothing Hoodie (same as above)
Herschel Supply Co. Backpack | Fred Perry Henley

2. The Crewneck: Jack Spade. “This sweater’s bold, red-and-pink stripes are perfect for spring—but you can wear it all year. Pair with shorts and Chucks for day-time weekend wear, then switch it up with a collared shirt, jeans and loafers for a dinner date. I’d even like to see it grunged-up with some camo pants and chukka boots.”
[Shop: Jack Spade Crewneck | All Men's Crewneck Sweaters]

Editor’s picks to complete the look:
Saltbox Corduroy Shorts | Jack Spade Sweater (same as above)
Zack Bracelet | Jack Spade Pullover Shirt

3. The Quarter-Zip: Gant by Michael Bastian. “This cotton pullover sweater is extremely cozy, with intricate stitching that has a serious preppy vibe that I love. It’s a classic sweater to throw on over any outfit when the sea breeze kicks up this summer.”
[Shop: Gant by Michael Bastian Quarter-Zip | All Men's Zip-Up Sweaters]

Editor’s picks to complete the look:
Obey Chinos | Billy Reid Shirt | Victorinox Swiss Army Watch
Gant by Michael Bastian Sweater (same as above)

SHOP: ALL MEN’S SWEATERS | SPRING ESSENTIALS

[By Kristina Zias. Photos by Laura Matsko.]

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November 16, 2012

Thanksgiving Inspiration: The Cosby Sweater Project

Thanksgiving is next week, and there’s pretty much no better time to wear a sweater: The weather’s finally nice and crisp, the vibe is quasi-dressy but comfortable—and a soft, forgiving knit lets you load up on yams without popping a shirt button.

The festive occasion (coupled with the fact that you’ll be surrounded by friends and family, rather than the judging eyes of strangers) means the time is also ripe to break out something more…obscure. And when it comes to sweater inspiration, Bill Cosby is king. For proof positive, visit The Cosby Sweater Project, an ingenious mix of TV nostalgia and original artwork by Chicago illustrator Kelly Tucker. Here are a few of our favorite recent entries:

To find sweaters with Heathcliff Huxtable levels of swagger, you might need to hop a time machine to 1985 (or at least locate your nearest thrift store). But we have hundreds of modern interpretations, from eye-catching to classic. Here are some ideas to get you prepped for the big day next Thursday:

Fair Isle. This pattern has been quote-unquote “on trend” for a few seasons now—but given that it’s derived from a Scottish island that’s been occupied since the Bronze Age, you can bet it will stick around for centuries to come.
Shown: Topman | Jack Spade | Grayers

Cable Knit. The safest sweater choice for the pattern-phobic among us. Safe need not be boring though, with options of the crewneck, turtleneck, and shawl-collar variety.
Shown: A.P.C. | Michael Kors | Rag & Bone

Subtle Pattern. A middle ground between solid and full-on Fair Isle. (Woodland creatures are cool and all…but this miniature Moby-Dick reference has its tongue planted even more firmly in-cheek.)
Shown: Z Zegna | Jil Sander | Gant by Michael Bastian

Chunky Cardigan. Less dressy than the others, but a clear winner in supreme coziness. The shawl-style collar acts as a built-in scarf, when you need to run out for more firewood (or an extra pie).
Shown: Dale of Norway | Pringle of Scotland | Pendleton Portland Collection

Ready to get your Cosby on?
SHOP ALL SWEATERS

…And if you’re up for a second helping of Thanksgiving spirit,
check out these appetizing pants by Bonobos:

[Artwork by Kelly Tucker, via The Cosby Sweater Project. View more of Tucker's work at i draw pictures. Cosby Show stills courtesy of Carsey-Werner, Viacom and Paramount. Individuals featured do not endorse Nordstrom.]

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November 1, 2012

GQ Selects: November Look #5

The final look from our November-issue edition of GQ Selects proves, once again, the power of accessories. In this case, a dapper tie and tie bar, at a combined cost of only $30, give you the power to invest in a truly killer suit—as well as a high-quality laptop case that lends a subtly rugged touch to your most polished office attire.

The Tie Bar Woven Tie. “For the man who has a closet overstuffed with striped ties, this wool-and-silk rendition from The Tie Bar offers a heftier helping of stripes that amps up any basic shirt-and-suit combination.”
—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director
(shop this item)

Editor’s Note: The exact tie featured in GQ has sold out.
Luckily, we have plenty more ties by The Tie Bar—and all at a mere $15.
Shop color variations of the bold stripe above here, or shop all ties by The Tie Bar.

Jack Spade ‘Tech Oxford’ Slim Laptop Briefcase. “Everything is slimmed-down these days, from our cell phones to our laptops, but so many guys are still lugging around bulky, oversized briefcases. Jack Spade thankfully catches men up to the times with this scaled-down brief. It’s slim without skimping on utility, thanks to the exterior zip pouch, interior pockets, and a durable nylon shell.”
—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director
(shop this item)

The Tie Bar Woven Tie. “I’m a believer that just as you shouldn’t leave the house without a pocket square, you shouldn’t without a tie bar if you’re wearing a tie. You can never go wrong with a tie bar. It’s that extra detail that’s going to set you apart from the person next to you, whether it’s with a sharp suit or a shirt and tie with a hoodie thrown on top. Aside from looking smart, it’s a functional piece that will keep your neckwear in place throughout the day. This one-inch-long accessory is going to you give you miles’ worth of style.”
—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director
(shop this item)

Nordstrom’s picks to complete the look:
Canali Chalk-Stripe Suit | Ted Baker Trim-Fit Shirt | Salvatore Ferragamo Oxford

Each month, the editors of GQ, in collaboration with Nordstrom Men’s Fashion Director Tommy Fazio and the Men’s Shop, will select key items from the pages of GQ to feature right here on Nordstrom.com.

For the latest edition of GQ Selects, we’ve chosen 15 favorites from the November issue—from immaculate outerwear to unexpected accessories. Check back each month for more.

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October 3, 2012

Bruce Pask Ponders our Fall Catalog

Bruce Pask: Men’s Fashion Director of T: The New York Times Style Magazine, certifiably sharp dresser (as evidenced here, here and here), and mastermind behind the styling of our Fall 2012 Men’s Shop Catalog.

Visiting our Seattle headquarters for just a few days this past summer, Pask offered a moment (a rare commodity, between rapid-fire styling sessions, non-stop meetings, and trying to nab a table at the Walrus and the Carpenter for that evening) to chat with us about his favorite pieces from our Fall Catalog.

1. Burberry Peacoat. “You can’t go wrong with that, I think it’s an amazing piece. It’s really trim, the arms are slender, it’s really well-cut.” (shop this item | shop all peacoats)

2. Wolverine 1000 Mile Boots. “I own them and love them. They just go with everything, they’re such a neutral. They looks great with jeans, with khakis—and then you can also use them to ground a dressier look, and it shows a bit more character than just a dress shoe. They’re also really well-made.” (shop this item | shop all boots)

3. Jack Spade Cardigan. “Some guys are afraid of cardigans, because they think of Fred Rogers, or they think it’s too groovy, but this piece has such versatility. It looks great under a sport jacket, it looks great on its own, you can wear it with a T-shirt or with a woven. It’s a uniform piece that you can go back to again and again.” (shop this item | shop all cardigans)

4. Billy Reid Overcoat. “That Billy Reid coat is beautiful—double-breasted, wool melton, great shape. It’s a great length because it’ll go over a sport jacket. I like pieces where you can get a lot of use out of them—it’s a really dressy coat, but you can also do it more casually, like we did here.” (shop this item | shop all overcoats)

5. Gitman Ties. “We’re just using them for styling, but we used them a lot—all those Gitman neckties, those skinny wool tartans and foulards, I think are great.” (shop Gitman ties | shop all ties)

Bonus Tip: A New Perspective on Pocket Squares. “The thing I love about these [above] is that they’re not just this white sliver coming out of a pocket. There was a point when that meant something and kind of evoked something, but I think it’s time we reinvestigate what a pocket square’s supposed to do. A darker, tonal, wool pocket square—and kind of casually, but artfully placing it in—I just think it gives such a boost to a tailored look.” (shop pocket squares)

[Quotes by Bruce Pask. iPhone photos shot this past summer during style-out sessions for the Fall Catalog.]

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July 18, 2012

GQ Selects: Jack Spade’s Gold-Standard Raincoat

“For us, this is the gold standard when it comes to buying that raincoat that you’re going to wear over a business suit, on the weekends, on every trip imaginable. The color is perfect because it references a traditional tan raincoat, but the people at Jack Spade have warmed-up the hue to make it more skin-tone friendly. It’s cut trim and a bit shorter than normal, which gives it a more contemporary edge, and the orange interior ensures you’re not wearing your dad’s old vintage raincoat.

“Form follows function in the details, like bonded seams that keep out the water, and gussets under the armholes that help the rubberized cotton breathe. There’s no lining, so it’s easy to throw on over your heaviest flannel wool suit or fisherman sweater or even a hoodie. This is a raincoat fit for running errands or for a meeting with the CEO.”

—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director

For the second edition of GQ Selects, we’ve chosen 16 Fall essentials from the August issue. Check back every month for more.

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June 20, 2012

GQ Selects: Jack Spade’s Clean-Cut Rucksack

“Jack Spade is sensitive to the fact that guys don’t want a lot of bells and whistles. I appreciate that what Jack Spade does is make products that are simple, but never boring. This rucksack, which is different from a backpack because of the drawstring and single closure, comes in this amazing red that would look incredible with a khaki or navy cotton suit or even an army jacket and jeans on the weekend.

“The durable matte-nylon material makes it easy to clean, so it works for the office or the beach, and the lined interior is equally suited for an iPad or six-pack of beer. You don’t feel like a college kid wearing it, or a mountain climber, just like a cool guy who wants some color in his wardrobe without incorporating it into his outfit.”

—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director

Each month for the next six months, the editors of GQ, in collaboration with Nordstrom Men’s Fashion Director Tommy Fazio and the Men’s Shop, will select key items from the pages of GQ to feature right here on Nordstrom.com.

For our inaugural edition of GQ Selects, we’ve chosen 12 killer items from the July issue. Check back every month for more.

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June 18, 2012

Designer Collections at 33–60% Off

Our Half-Yearly Sale for Men kicked off last week, and it just keeps getting better: Designer Collections markdowns go even deeper starting this morning, with many items up to 60% off. In other words, the time to pull the trigger on that coat, blazer or bag you’ve been eyeing is NOW.

Check out some editor’s picks below (all at 33–60% off) below, or shop all sale clothing, shoes and accessories.

Spring Jackets: Rag & Bone lamb leather | Rag & Bone windbreaker | John Varvatos