Nordstrom vs. Topman – Store Wars Rd. 1

STORE WARS:  Nordstrom vs. Topman

Starting March 15th and running through April 4th, Dappered.com is hosting a bracket based tournament with the purpose of eventually crowning the all around Affordable Men’s Style Retail Champ for 2011. For a full introduction see this post. To see the updated bracket, click on the image to the right. Make a case for your preferred competitor in the comments section, but don’t forget to vote at the bottom of each match up. On with today’s showdown.
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Strengths:  The upscale mid price-range department store.  Just before you hit Bloomingdale’s/Saks/Neiman Marcus territory, there lies Nordstrom.  The last outpost of reasonable pricing just before you hit that unmoving gold-plated wall of luxury but still plenty of upscale names at Nordstrom.  Their house brand dress shirts are top notch.  In-house brands like Calibrate, 1901, etc. also great.  Their Half Yearly Sale for Men.  The Rack.  Great shoe selection.  Nice watch department.  Easy to use website.

Weaknesses: They’re in the middle for sure, but sometimes they lean a little hard towards the high end.  Sales can be few and far between.

Strengths: Their in-house shoes and outerwear can sometimes hit the mark for a relatively small investment.  Sometimes.  They also provide a steady stream of ready to mock Ridiculous Models for the weekly caption contest.

Weaknesses: They just seem to look all too starving hipster most of the time.  Air ties?  Drop crotch pants?  I know they’re British, but they look like Oliver Twist meets coffee shop open-mic poetry night.  Can someone at least smile?  Or at least pretend they don’t have rickets?  Cripes.  A lot of their stuff is just plain laughable.  They offer some pieces you can use as additions.  You never build around them.

Your votes determine who goes on to the next round. Cast your ballot below.
UPDATE: Well that was easy.  Nordstrom wins in dominating fashion.
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