Nordstrom vs. L.L. Bean Signature – Store Wars Rd. 1

STORE WARS: Nordstrom vs. L.L. Bean Signature

Starting March 13th and running through April 2nd, Dappered.com is hosting a bracket based tournament with the purpose of eventually crowning the all around Affordable Men’s Style Retail Champ for 2012.  For a full introduction see this post.  The bracket on the right will be updated as the tournament progresses.  Click on it for the full size.  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:

Strengths:  Arguably the premier retailer for a wide variety of clothing, shoes, and accessories that land on the high end of what most would call “affordable.”  One of if not the biggest mass retailer to offer free shipping and free returns all the time.  The legendary “half-yearly” sales for men, and the additional markdowns that usually follow.  A sale section that’s usually decently well stocked.  Designer brand list has wild range.  In-house brands like Calibrate, 1901, and the plain ol’ Nordstrom line offer more than a few items with incredible looks and high quality for very reasonable prices.  Website is clean and easy to navigate.

Weaknesses: They hardly ever have large-scale sales, so those higher than Macy’s-level retail prices won’t come down real often, if at all.  Could use a few more affordable suiting options.  Their in-house brand Calibrate seems to make blazers and jackets that look a little chopped/too short.
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Strengths:  Probably one of the strongest “lower” seeds in the tournament.  Has a devoted following.  Hasn’t over-saturated itself or tried too hard.  Has stayed true to their outdoor, rugged roots, while still appreciating style and more contemporary fits.  Free shipping to you, and a real nice guarantee.  Their affordable warm weather and cold weather suiting options.  Produced the greatest duck-sweater picture of all time.

Weaknesses: Prices on some of their basics (shirts, pants, etc…) seem to run higher than competitors.  They do run sales, but the markdowns usually aren’t all that deep.  The number of items they produce seems awfully limited (but again, good on them for not stretching the brand) so if you don’t like the direction the styling for one season is headed in, you might be out of luck for a few months.  The upgraded outdoors-man look might not be everyone’s cup of tea (or flask of bourbon?)  Sleeves on their blazers seem like they often run long, and with those functioning buttonholes, tailoring can be a pain if not impossible.  Have had a few “WTF” pieces (points for taking risks though.)

Your votes determine who goes on to the next round.  Cast your ballot below.  Voting ends at midnight ET.
UPDATE:  Despite a strong following, L.L. Bean Signature falls to the #1 seed Nordstrom.  Who looks strong.
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