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Michael Bastian

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.]

The Ivy Style exhibit at The Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) is ongoing through January 5, 2013, giving you plenty of time to make your way to New York City to observe this immaculate collection of menswear, old and new, firsthand.

If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in the NYC area on November 8-9, in particular, we recommend reserving a seat at Ivy Style: A Fashion Symposium. The Museum at FIT has recruited a dream-team lineup of speakers for this two-day talk on all things prep: Michael Bastian, the CFDA’s 2011 Menswear Designer of the Year; family descendants of Ivy meccas J. Press and Chipp Clothiers; experts on British Ivy, Japanese Ivy and Black Ivy [see one of our favorite blogs, Street Etiquette, put their spin on the latter topic here]; and even authors of renowned menswear blogs The Daily Prep, Maxminimus, and The Trad.



The Ivy aficionado we’d be most excited to hear speak, though, is Mr. G. Bruce Boyer, a preeminent voice in menswear for more than 35 years, as well as a special consultant and co-curator of the Ivy Style exhibit. A prolific author (and a style icon in his own right), you can learn more about Boyer and get a glimpse of his work on The Sartorialist, A Continuous Lean (via the Ivy Style blog), and in the video below, courtesy of Put This On.

 

[Top image is the cover of the book that accompanies the exhibit, courtesy of Yale University Press; purchase it here. Clothing images courtesy of The Museum at FIT. G. Bruce Boyer video courtesy of Put This On.]

September 18, 2012

GQ Selects: October Look #1

Proof positive that fall fabrics like wool and tweed are not inherently stuffy. Here’s all you’ll need for running around on a crisp Saturday (your sportcoat doubles as outerwear)—and then heading straight out to drinks that night:

 


1. Gant by Michael Bastian Tweed Blazer. “If you’re going to invest in a sports jacket this fall, tweed is the way to go. The woven wool is ideal to wear as a jacket during those crisper days ahead, and as a work-appropriate sportcoat when the temperature really dips. Michael Bastian gets it right again with this tweed-herringbone Gant number, featuring a great fit and some personality, courtesy of plaid elbow patches. It’s a bit prep, a bit professorial, and perfect for the colder months ahead.”
—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director
(shop this item)
 


2. Vince Wool & Linen Henley Sweater. “A henley is one of your most versatile pieces for the fall. Alone, it’s a fitted upgrade to a lifeless long-sleeve tee, and under a button-down, it becomes a layering piece with depth, thanks to the button placket. This one from Vince is a wool and linen mix, which makes it exceptionally lightweight without being too flimsy. It still has the rugged spirit of the original, but wouldn’t look out of place under a fitted sports jacket.”
—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director 
(shop this item)
 


3. Todd Snyder ‘Officer’ Wool Cargo Pants. We strongly believe in the wool cargo pant this season at GQ. This pair from Todd Snyder is part of the new breed out there, cut slimmer than their standard-issue inspiration, but rendered in a seasonal-weight wool. Think of these as your new chinos. The pants match up with everything a pair of tailored khakis would, but add a dose of military edge that feels right for fighting through the colder months.”
—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director

(shop this item)

 


Nordstrom’s picks to complete the look: Pendleton Cap | Polo Ralph Lauren Socks
Clarks Desert Boot (one of last month’s GQ Selects)
 
 

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 fourth edition of GQ Selects, we’ve chosen 12 fall essentials from the October issue. Check back each month for more.


“Michael Bastian is the epitome of American fashion. It’s how a guy should dress.”
—Tommy Fazio, Nordstrom Men’s Fashion Director

Amidst all the head-turning street style and jaw-dropping fashion theatrics inside the women’s shows yesterday, Michael Bastian quietly confirmed his status as master of all things menswear.

True to his signature cutting-edge, vintage-inspired aesthetic, Bastian covered all the bases, from tailored suits to court-ready athletic gear—all the while reaffirming that when it comes to men’s style, the devil is in the details. Clockwise from top left:

1. Two-tone jeans and bengal-stripe sneakers.
2. Lightweight windowpane suiting and streamlined man sandals.
3. Utilitarian extra pockets and Björn Borg grooming.
4. Cut-off shorts (a Bastian mainstay) and belt buckles bearing the models’ names.

Go to GQ.com to see the full collection full-screen.

 

Here are some extra shots our social media guru, Lily, snapped at the show:


Pre-show chaos.


Intent onlookers, front-row.
 
 

Shop current collections: Michael Bastian | Gant by Michael Bastian

[Runway photos courtesy of GQ.com. Behind-the-scenes photos by Lily Wyckoff; see more of her NYFW coverage on Nordstrom's official Instagram.]

Our NYC pop-up shop collaboration with GQ opened its doors last night. In town from Seattle, our men’s team was there nabbing comp drinks, celebrity spotting, and enjoying some immaculate menswear shopping. More coverage to come, but for now, here’s a first look at what went down opening night at the GQ & Nordstrom Men’s Shop.

UPDATE: The online pop-up shop is now live. Check it out.


CFDA Award winner Michael Bastian.


The library curated by NYC’s best, Dashwood Books.


Aziz Ansari and our event specialist, Flavia.


Custom Ping-Pong table.


Street-style sensei Nick Wooster.


Warby Parker has the coolest glasses at an accessible price point.” —Tommy Fazio


Field Scout designer Ryan Hartman, Russell Westbrook of the OKC Thunder,
and one of our national merchandise managers, Tina.


Mimosas and pinball.


All in all a good night. More pics to come.
 

[Photos by Danny Mankin and Melia McGee, Men's Online Merchandising; Lucinda Carmichael, Men's Studio Producer; and Lily Wyckoff, Nordstrom Social Media. Follow Nordstrom's official Instagram.]

“Think of moleskin as corduroy without the ribs. We love it for fall because the fabric is warm and has a weight to it but, what we don’t like is that it is often stiff and hard to break in. Fear no more, though, as this pair from Gant by Michael Bastian has been washed and the result is like wearing a pair of sweatpants. They’re cut skinny and have a bit more personality than a standard issue pair of cargo pants.”

—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director

 

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 third edition of GQ Selects, we’ve chosen 20 favorites from the September issue. Check back every month for more.

Michael Bastian once again takes a classic piece, in this case a chest-stripe sweater, and makes it elegant, youthful and somehow look new for the season. 

Every guy looks good in a chest stripe because it enhances the male physique; it makes guys look broader and their shoulders stronger without a single trip to the gym. The trim fit is incredibly flattering and marries up great with denim or a camel coat as we showed in the magazine. A beautiful investment for fall.

—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director

 

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 third edition of GQ Selects, we’ve chosen 20 favorites from the September issue. Check back every month for more.

Our Men’s photo team wrapped their grueling five-day marathon of a shoot in NYC with an all-star lineup of our favorite Designer Collections brands. Check out exclusive previews below, and keep your eyes peeled for the new deliveries to hit the site in the weeks and months to come.

And, in case you missed it, check out Instagram pics from the rest of the shoot here:
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Sneak Peek


“NYC is amazing tonight.”Tommy Fazio, Men’s Fashion Director


Michael Bastian Spring 2013.


“This Billy Reid suit is my new favorite.” —Tommy


Shipley & Halmos goes collegiate.


Bonobos.


Michael Bastian’s perfect field coat. Coming soon.


Steven Alan: makers of the perfect plaid shirt.


Stripes and camo by Gant.


Field Scout. This one’s already live on the site.


“Five days on a shoot will do it to you.” —Tommy

 

Most of the clothes seen here are not available yet. But you can shop current collections here:
Michael Bastian | Billy Reid | Shipley & Halmos | Steven Alan

[Instagram pics by Tommy Fazio, Men's Fashion Director. Check out Nordstrom's company-wide Instagram here.]

Whenever I think of clothes with a lot of spirit I think of Michael Bastian. This is a case in point where he’s taken a simple Bengal-stripe shirt and amped it up in this tomato orange color that matches wonderfully to greys, navies and earth tones.

Bastian’s button-down collars tend to be a bit higher and longer, so they sit well under a cardigan, tweed jacket or your dressiest suit, with or without a tie. It’s a shirt that’s anchored in a classic menswear piece but has a bit of continental flair.

—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director

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

Michael Bastian keeps surprising us with these pieces that have an old-man-cool element to them. The windowpane is one of those patterns we thought was dead forever, and then Michael brings it back and recolors it in this rust and olive, out of a scratchy wool.

“It works as a piece of outerwear in the early fall, and then when it’s freezing outside, you can pair it with a shirt and tie and wear it in the office or a turtleneck and jeans on the weekend—it’s incredibly versatile. Because of the way Michael has cut it and fashioned it, it’s something incredibly nontraditional, but it still has that traditional appeal.”

—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director

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