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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.

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April 30, 2013

Seersucker & Stiff Drinks: Summer Occasion Guide

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]
 

Hero
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

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April 9, 2013

Peace, Love & Tank Tops: Music Festival Checklist

Summer’s upon us, and with it—thanks in part to our ahead-of-their-time, Hendrix-digging forefathers at Woodstock, above—a season rife with obscure music genres like chillwave, mathcore and grub-step (we made that last one up). In other words: Summer Music Festivals.

Depending on your fest of choice, the forecast is likely to include sweltering heat with a 97% chance of attractive people everywhere. Hence, you’ll need some warm-weather essentials like tank tops, T-shirts, shorts and sunglasses—and handsome ones at that, ideally with colors and patterns that stand out from the proverbial crowd. Click the images below to shop our Editor’s Picks for front-row festival style:




Now that you have your basic style needs covered, here are a few more things you’ll need before shipping out to Bonnaroo, Sasquatch or Lollapalooza:

1. A Plan. Starting at square one? Our friends at GQ put out a handy decision tree for finding the right fest for you a few years ago—which remains hilarious, and accurate, today. And, if you’re headed to this weekend’s festivities in Indio, California, you might want to pack Fuse’s mood-based cheat sheet.

2. A Camera. Because when you’re in the middle of a remote desert, your phone battery will probably deplete itself posthaste searching for a signal. And you never know when something like this might happen.

3. Protection. We mean sunscreen, of course. What’d you think?

4 & 5. A Lighter to Wave…and a Change of Clothes. Because if past music festivals are any indication, things could get epic—or messy—at any given moment:

 

SHOP: FESTIVAL STYLE

 
 
 

[Intro image: Associated Press, via The New York Times.]

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September 6, 2012

Topman’s Offbeat Prints: Online in 4 Days





The countdown to Topman and #Britishstyle continues. Over the past couple weeks we’ve offered sneak previews of Topman’s dressier side—from tailoring with a twist, to go-to shirting and textured knits.

Today, we have a glimpse of Topman’s more casual side: conversation-starting T-shirts in geometric, naval and Hawaiian motifs; weekend-staple denim shirts and jean jackets; and button-ups adorned with globe-spanning Navajo and Ikat prints.

Click here to see if and when Topman will hit shelves at a store near you (some starting as early as tomorrow), and check back on Monday, September 10 to shop Topman online, right here at Nordstrom.com.

 


Topman to go. Yes, that’s an ice-cream truck, and yes, it’s filled with free Topman
merchandise. Check back next week for updates as the Topman street team
road-trips this thing from Miami to Austin.

 

[Merch photos by Strath Shepard, Men's Online Creative Director.
Truck photo courtesy of Topman.]

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August 31, 2012

Buyer’s Tip: Old Tee = New Tank

One of our favorite menswear sites recently made fun of this practice. But when it’s done with a spirit of preservation (say, rescuing your vintage concert tee with the dorky, tight neckline from getting Goodwilled), we think there’s something to be said for giving old favorite T-shirts a new lease on life—with scissors.

Eric Yanez, a buyer for The Rail department, showed us three ways to chop a T-shirt into a tank top in no time at all. He used new T-shirts—but use your imagination and picture a rare gem from the back of your drawer.

See instructions below, plus ideas for how to wear them this Labor-Day weekend (perhaps your last chance to exercise the right to bare arms for a while).

General Tips: 
- You can use a ruler and marker if you want to get technical…But Eric just eyeballed it.
- Use the part of the scissors near the hinge to cut through thick seams easily.
- Once you cut off the first sleeve, use it as a rough template for the other side before you toss it.

 
 


Style 1: Classic Tank Top. For the most straightforward approach, simply cut an inch or two inside the sleeve seams, and take off the ribbed collar as well. Works for a backyard BBQ, but bring an extra layer in case the after-party heads downtown.

Shop: The Poster List T-shirt | Reyn Spooner button-up shirt | Zanerobe swim trunks

 
 


Style 2: Beach Bound. [Black lines = front of shirt. Red lines = back.] This one cuts in further in back—advisable for the beach, poolside, and anywhere else clothing is optional. Make sure you follow the red lines above for the BACK only.



Shop: Bowery Supply T-shirt | Maui & Sons swim trunks

 
 


Style 3: Muscle Tee. Lose the sleeves but keep the neck intact. A good option for the gym, where you want to stay cool while keeping some fabric between you and the machinery.



Shop: Altru T-shirt | 1901 oxford shirt (also in green) | Original Paperbacks shorts

 

 —  —  —

Final Tip: When in doubt, heed the advice of menswear designer and all-around class act Ms. Eunice Lee: Tank tops, like flip-flops, are more at home at the beach than in the city.

SHOP ALL: Ready-Made Tank Tops | Future-Classic T-Shirts

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August 27, 2012

Lost in Hollywood: Evan Tetreault











 

Take a natural talent for capturing quiet moments amid chaos. Mix with a pure love of the game (revealed by the camera-geek Q&As on his Tumblr). Add muses who channel retro Hollywood starlets as effortlessly as they knock back beers with the boys, and voilà—you have Boston photographer Evan Tetreault’s picturesque vision of LA. Filled with awe, dappled in late-summer sun, and wistfully nostalgic, it’s California how the world longs to see it: Perfect.

 

Tetreault made two pilgrimages out west this summer. Check out a few photos above, and his LA travel notes below.

Best Coffee Shop: Intelligentsia in Pasadena. They even have a craft beer and wine bar. Crazy.

Best Food: A Mexican spot in Santa Monica, can’t remember the name. Then there’s In-N-Out…

Best Record Shop: Amoeba—they have a huge vinyl, VHS, and punk/hardcore poster section.

Best Spot to Shoot: I traveled to the Mojave Desert, out to this canyon where they shot a couple scenes of Star Trek, which was truly breathtaking. Between that and the beaches and canyons in Malibu, it’s really hard to choose.

Best People-Watching: Hollywood. Between the crazies and the superheroes, it’s inevitably entertaining.

Weirdest Moment in LA: Probably when this drunk girl I had never met before gave me the keys to her tricked-out Mercedes SUV for the night with a full tank of gas, just asking for me to pick her up “later.”

 

Photos ©Evan Tetreault. View his Portfolio and follow him on Tumblr.

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August 13, 2012

Weddings 101: Be a (Somewhat) Civilized Guest

Attending a wedding (or ten) this summer? We have plenty of thoughts on what to wear. (Suits | Dress Shirts | Ties | Oxfords)

More importantly, though, we’re prepared to offer some simple tips on how to act—and how not to—thanks to a little help from seasoned event planner Gina Marie Lillie.

This week, it’s the people who make or break a legendary wedding: the guests. Check back later for advice for Best Men and Grooms, and in case you missed them, read our Tips for Groomsmen.


 
 

GUESTS

Pre-ceremony drink limit:
Two. (If they’re serving, that is. Tailgating in the parking lot is strictly forbidden.)

Priorities:
1. Being a civilized guest
2. Having a good time
3. Your date

{Gina’s Tips}
DO: RSVP. The bride is basing the amount of food and beverage on who checked
what box on those little postcards. Send yours or face bad karma.
Or worse: an annoyed bride.

DON’T: Show up empty-handed. If you’re a friend of the bride, stick to the
gift registry. Friend of the groom? Get him something personal
you know he’ll actually enjoy.

DO: Put some thought into what you wear. Is the wedding indoors
or outdoors? Day or night? Beach or church? When in doubt, overdo it.

DON’T: Ditch out on the garter toss (if you’re single). Dance with a grandma, even.
You’ve been fed and boozed for free; the least you can do is help make sure
the party’s a blast for everyone involved.

B&W photos ©Ryan C. Jones, a wedding photographer based in Fresno, CA. View more of his work here.

Color photo ©Ryan Brenizer, a wedding photographer based in New York City. View more of his work here.

Both have been featured on Fearless Photographers—a unique directory of the world’s best, boundary-pushing wedding photographers. Check them out if you’re planning a wedding of your own. (Your fiancée will be impressed.)

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August 7, 2012

Surf Worship: The Photography of LeRoy Grannis






“What he recorded is the surf scene exploding in a riot of Technicolor. California in the 1960s…held a mythical place in our imaginations as the land of endless sun, surf, and possibilities. LeRoy Grannis will go down as one of the men who helped create this mythos.”
—The Selvedge Yard contributing editor, Eli M. Getson

Read the whole story, with many more photos, at The Selvedge Yard; and buy Grannis’ book here.

—  —  —

Now that you’re inspired to hit the beach, bust out the kiddy pool—or given the recent heat, just stand in front of the fridge wearing swim trunks—shop key swim trends, in long, medium and short inseams.


Stripes: Quiksilver | Insight | Hugo Boss
 


Prints: Toddland | Insight | Orlebar Brown + Nick Wooster
 


Solids: Quiksilver | Sundek | Marc by Marc Jacobs

 

[Surf photos ©LeRoy Grannis, via The Selvedge Yard.]

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August 3, 2012

Postcards from the Edge: Justin Blyth


 

“Live fast die last.” “Burden of dreams.” “Blood dries darker.” Given the cryptic notions that title his image collections, Just Missed Us—the name of Amsterdam-based art director/designer/animator Justin Blyth’s photography site—could mean anything.

For the sake of conversation, though, we’ll take it at face value: the full contents of a note you might find, if you tried to catch up with Blyth and co. at any one of the globe-spanning locales where they seem to briefly but wholeheartedly set up shop.

From beaches to back alleys, secluded forests to crowded bars, Blyth’s images are a good reminder to have fun while you’re here—wherever here is. (And to take pictures, to prove it all really happened.)

 

Photos ©Justin Blyth. View more of his photography at Just Missed Us, and follow him on Twitter.

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July 26, 2012

Weddings 101: Rise to the Occasion, Groomsmen

Attending a wedding (or ten) this summer? We have plenty of advice on what to wear.

More importantly, though, we’re prepared to offer some simple tips on how to act—and how not to—thanks to a little help from seasoned event planner Gina Marie Lillie.

This week, we’re speaking to the man of the hour’s official posse. Check back later for tips on being a top-notch Guest, Groom, and Best Man, too.

 

GROOMSMEN

Pre-ceremony drink limit:
Four. (Have a blast! But don’t forget where to stand up there.)

Priorities:
1. Groom’s mental health
2. Guests’ comfort
3. Bridesmaids’ relationship status

{Gina’s Tips}
DO: Be the ultimate wingman. Keep the groom grounded, in good spirits and
looking forward to the marriage (not just the wedding).

DON’T: Scare the poor sap with jokes about how life as he knows it is over.
He’s not laughing—he’s hyper-ventilating.

DO: Get him to the church on time. No wife needs a trump card as powerful as
“You screwed up our wedding” to whip out during arguments.

DON’T: Shirk your responsibilities. Take people’s coats as they arrive.
Answer questions. Valet Grandpa’s truck if you have to. And do it all with a smile.

Photos ©Victor Zerga. Victor is a wedding photographer based in Seattle. View more of his work here.

Victor has been featured on Fearless Photographers—a unique directory of the world’s best, boundary-pushing wedding photographers. Check them out if you’re planning a wedding of your own. (Your fiancée will be impressed.)

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