Nordstrom’s Half Yearly Sale for Men – The Top 1%
Nordstrom isn’t like Macy’s which seems to run a sale every week. Their prices are also unlike Macy’s, and even on-sale their merchandise can get steep. But with that said, if you’re going to upgrade your wardrobe, now’s not a bad time to do it through Nordstrom.
Their Half Yearly Sale for Men is a select merchandise sale, and the items they’ve marked down range from cheap to teeth achingly expensive. Dressed up, casual, somewhere in-between… and much of it is marked down by 30% or more. There’s over 2,400 items on sale. Here’s what might be considered the top 1 – 2%.
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Allen Edmonds Lombard Wingtip – $199.90 
($285.00)
Proof that the Nordstrom half-yearly sale for men is the real deal. Allen Edmonds rarely fall under $200. And if they do? They’re some weird style that seems like it was an experiment. Not the case at all here. Plenty of sizes for these blucher wingtips. 270 Goodyear Welt construction means they’re slimmer than most AEs. Made in the USA.
Calibrate Seersucker Sportcoats – $199.90 ($345 & $295)
So you’ll be attending some event in blazing hot weather, but you don’t want to invest in a full seersucker suit. Either of these jackets make for a nice compromise. The stripes on the navy are much more showy than you see here. Add in a noticeable peak lapel and it’s not a quiet jacket by any stretch.
J. Fold “Substation” Work Bag – $116.90 ($175)
Rugged but still urban looking. Canvas exterior with leather trim. Well played check interior. Double top grab handles are perfect. Doesn’t fit huge laptops though, just 15″ max.
Hawkeye Supply Co. Knit Ties – $12.90 ($19.50)
Maybe a little wooly for some parts of the country, but downright professorial and ready to be worn with jeans. Three dark color options are up for grabs. Try the navy with a grey blazer and almost white pants this summer.
Hugo Boss Card Case & Money Clip Set – $62.90 ($95.00)
These’ll work. Knock out both your card case and money clip needs with one swipe. Still a little pricey at above $60 but the dark metal money clip with the embossed HUGO logo is as good as it gets.
1901 Trim Fit Poplin – $38.90 (reg. $59.90)
So who’s got the sartorial onions to pull off the orange? The blue is pretty bright too, and would do just fine in an attempt to steal a certain power forward’s style. From the trim fit Nordstrom house brand 1901
J. C. Rags Extra Trim Fit Cotton/Linen Blazer – $131.90 ($198.00)
Description says it has “understated shoulder pads.” Perfect. Combine that with the linen/cotton blend and that small ticket pocket, and you’ve got one unique wear anywhere this summer casual blazer.
Jack Spade Card Case – $42.90 ($65.00)
Jack Spade excels at clean basics with one or two details that jump. In this case, and on this case, it’s a plain as can be stamped logo. Not a bad option for a younger pro.
1901 Knit Cotton Ties – $32.90 ($49.50)
Knit ties and cotton ties both work with everything from suits to jeans. These just happen to be a combination of knit and cotton. Perfectly spaced stripes, nice color options.
Cole Haan Penny Loafer – $119.90 (reg. $188.00)
A great shoe for summer that you can wear sockless and keep on wearing right into fall. Penny loafers used to look schlumpy. Orthopedic even. They’re finally starting to slim down and get better toes. Like these.
J. Fold Trooper Weekend Bag – $129.90 ($195.00)
Trapezoid shaped canvas with leather trim. 22.5″ wide so big enough to serve as a true weekend getaway bag. Also comes in Navy or Charcoal.
Calibrate Khaki Cotton Sportcoat – $129.90 (reg. $195.00)
Is the highly similar GAP version not working out for you? Might give this one a shot. Nordstrom house brand, leans trimmer in fit, and a jacket you’ll reach for a lot when you’re looking to upgrade a casual look.
Public Opinion Wool/Silk Striped | Cotton Mini Stripe Tie – $12.90 (reg. $19.50)
More ties that avoid that glass smooth all silk look. A good way to inject some southern seersucker feel into your lineup without actually wearing seersucker.
1901 Suede Laceups – $64.90 ($99.95)
Summer suedes are everywhere this year. The price and lighter sole on these from Nordstrom’s 1901 make for a pretty tough to top combination.
Nordstrom Smartcare Trim Fit Dress Shirt – $32.90 ($49.50)
Did extremely well in the slim fit dress-shirt palooza. Won’t be as trim as some would like (still has some room in the body that’ll need tailoring) but the cotton is top notch and the shirt looks terrific. Also available in in French Cuff.
Richer Poorer Bold Socks – $7.90 ($12.00)
The bold sock trend has cemented itself in men’s style and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. Just keep the rest of your getup toned down and they’ll be a nice addition.
Timberland Boot Co. Tackhead – $169.90 ($295)
One mean looking work-boot from Timberland’s upscale line. Major points for that leather cap toe and the toothy, nasty, incredibly aggressive outsole.
Calibrate Lavender TRIM fit Dress Shirt – $45.90 (reg. $69.50)
You can wear lavender. In a sea of light blue dress shirts (which really, you can’t go wrong in) a lavender will stand out. Pair it with a lighter gray suit and a black tie and you’ll look nothing like an easter egg. Plus a few women are guaranteed to tell you they like your shirt. Micro stripes on this thing, and as trim fit as a shirt gets off the rack.
Calibrate Grey Stripe SLIM fit Dress Shirt – $45.90 ($69.50)
UPDATE: This is one of Calibrate’s “Slim” fit. Their slim fit shirts have smaller, more modern spread collars, and even less room in the body than their trim fits. Might even be too tight for some. Trim fits are a true trim, and my 165lb frame probably wouldn’t have needed tailoring at the sides when I tried one on. Slim fits are EXTRA trim. Credit to James III in the comments for noticing the difference.
Meanwhile, over amongst the not so purple shirts… Grey stripes never get the love the deserve. Could look extra sharp with a navy blazer and almost white chinos.
Calibrate Blue Small Windowpane TRIM fit Dress Shirt – $45.90 ($69.50)
The safest play of the three Calibrate dress shirts on sale. The light blue mini windowpane will give a darker more conservative suit just the right amount of color and pattern for this time of year.
1901 Thick Stripe Ties – $32.90 ($49.50)
All silk, 3″ in width, and a complete prep staple. Consider breaking away from the expected colors and grab one of the green ties.
Filson Small Carry On – $173.90 ($260.00)
They call it a small carry-on, but at 15.5″ wide it should handle the majority of smaller laptops. Looks like you’re ready to hop a seaplane for some North woods expedition.
Ibiza Collection Cotton Sportcoat – $229.90 ($395.00)
Side vents, white buttons, and of course those stripes. A real kick in the pants… for a blazer. When you want to stand out, uh, not-so quietly. Expensive even at 40% off.
Calibrate Nubuck Wingtips – $89.90 ($130)
Finally. Seemed like these things would never go on sale. Much, much trimmer profile than a standard suede buck. Comes with a nubuck upper instead of suede. From the Nordstrom house brand Calibrate.
Thomas Pink “Rod Bundle” Sterling Silver Cufflinks – $129.90 ($195.00)
Still expensive at well over $100, but, they are sterling silver. Just enough texture to the links. 3/4″ wide means they’ll keep your cuffs secure but aren’t enormous either.
Magnanni Penny Loafer – $199.90 ($295)
As pretty as a loafer can get. Made in Spain, where they’re awfully familiar with good looking things.
Zanerobe Board Shorts – $39.90 (reg. $60.00)
This is how you do color at the beach. Especially the pair on the left. A 7.5″ inseam is a rare middle ground find. One major drawback: No liner in these (which I know some of you do prefer)
Nordstrom Trim Fit Herringbone Texture Tuxedo Shirt – $65.90 ($98.50)
Holy crap, there IS such a thing as a trim fit tux shirt. Egyptian cotton woven in Italy, trimmer fit (but still might need tailoring) and the herringbone provides the expected texture without a goofy pleated front.
Allen Edmonds Weybridge Oxford – $214.90 ($325)
The rogue of the AE World. Much too out-there for the conservatives who buy old-school/clunky Allen Edmonds shoes in droves. Risky, but… damn.
The Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale for men launched Friday 6/17 with no word on an end date.