Nordstrom Men’s Style Guide Fall 2010

Nordstrom What to Wear Now guide – Fall 2010

Macy’s did one.  Nordstrom has done one before with Michael Buble.  So now that fall is fully underway, it only makes sense that Nordstrom would once again thrown their hat back into the style guide ring.  Their what to wear now guide is pretty slick, offering up 5 basic cool weather pieces and three sub-options/styles for each.

Click on over to see what they’re suggesting, then c’mon back for reaction and more-affordable picks for each one.  But remember, it is Nordstrom.  Not Macy’s or Kohl’s.  So prepare yourselves for a bit of sticker shock on even the more affordable options.
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1. The Old-School Heritage Pattern Blazer – YES

Nordstrom Pick: BOSS Black Tweed Blazer – $395
Nordstrom’s More Affordable option: Varvatos Star USA Tweed Blazer – $195
Nothing really new here.  A blazer cleans up any look.  Jeans, chinos, whatever.  It gives you shape, and a tailored blazer will set you apart from everyone else.  Tweed is huge this year, and a dark gray tweed is a sharp take on the usually beige or brown standard.  They’re also suggesting subtle glen plaid (which on the blazer they’ve picked, is almost invisible) and tartan.  All good choices, the tweed is the safest.
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2. The Leather Jacket – NO

Nordstrom Pick: BOSS Black ‘Fandis’ jacket – $795.00
Nordstrom’s More Affordable Option: NONE Try this (faux) one from Express instead for $103
Leather jackets are like hats and denim jackets.  They seem like a great idea at first, but then you hardly ever wear them.  That is, unless you’ve got a motorcycle, and then of course you’d want a killer leather jacket.  They suggest either a Moto (yes) Fatigue (no) or Bomber (depends) style.  Moto is probably the best, slimmest looking, but they’re just so damn pricey.  Try a faux leather jacket if you’re really dying to mix one in with your wool and cotton coats.
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3. The Cardigan – YES

Nordstrom Pick: HUGO ‘Shalon’ Double Breasted Wool Cardigan – $325.00
Nordstrom’s More Affordable Option: NONE Try this already featured shawl collar by L.E.C. for $50
Cardigans are tough, because they can go really wrong, really fast.  Nordstrom suggests the cable knit (Not with that belt, is that a bathrobe?) original (yes) and shawl collar (yes).  If you’re packing any extra poundage in your mid section, the original cardigan might not be the best idea.  For shawl collars, keep that collar trim like your suit lapels, and embrace cardigans made of cotton sweatshirt material as a great alternative to hooded sweatshirts.  If you’re looking for a sporty arm stripe that’s on the border of too-preppy, Urban Outfitters has these for $44.00.
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4. Pants that aren’t Blue Jeans – YES

Nordstrom Pick: Mavi Jeans Bootcut Cords – $88.00
Nordstrom’s More Affordable Option: Dockers D2 – (which you can get cheaper here for $42.99)
Overall a yes.  But like cardigans, these are tricky.  No to their suggestion of utility pants.  No to those slim cargos that have been showing up.  But yes to cords and flat front well cut chinos.  And a big yes to patterned heavier fabrics like wool herringbone or subtle plaid, paired with a simple blazer.
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5. Boots:  Civilized Biker, Lumberjack Work Boot, Rugged Dress – YES, NO, and YES

Nordstom Pick: Timberland Earthkeepers Side Zip – $170.00
Nordstrom’s More Affordable Option: Calibrate Kent – $140.00
Is anyone else getting the feeling that in a few years we’ll all look back at the contrast sole lumberjack moc-toe boots and label those as a fad?  Stick with something less clunky, like those Timberland Earthkeepers.  Expensive, but the burnished tan and brown options are pretty close to perfect.  Nice cap toe too.

All in all, pretty standard yet still solid stuff from Nordstrom.  Best in show has to go to those Timberland side zips.  Agreements, disagreements, and everything else goes in the comments section below…