Nordstrom vs. Target – Store Wars Rd. #2

STORE WARS: Nordstrom vs. Target

Starting March 17th and running through April 7th, Dappered.com is hosting a bracket based tournament with the purpose of eventually crowning the all around Affordable Men’s Style Retail Champ for 2014.  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: Their big-time Anniversary Sale in late summer (which features just-in, fall-ready goods significantly marked down), and their two half-yearly sale clearances after the holidays and then once again in June. Free shipping & free returns. They price match as long as you call customer service and tell them where you saw a product at a lower price than what they’ve got. If you live near a Nordstrom Rack, then lucky you. Their in house brands, Calibrate, 1901, Wallin & Bros, John W. Nordstrom, etc… And perhaps, above all else, the way they present themselves to their customers. Clean, smart, sharp, and modern with plenty of classic style. Sure, they’re not cheap, but they often carry the stuff that’s worth saving up for.

Weaknesses: Aside from their three big sales, they can be a major stretch on the budget. Suiting and blazers usually run way too expensive. Sure wish they held sales a little more often.

How they got here: Took out JC Penney in the first round.

 

Strengths: Doesn’t get more affordable than this. One of the places that those who are on a real strict budget actually like to shop at. It’s possible to assemble an entire, good looking casual outfit from Target’s merchandise if you had to. Terrific basics like t-shirts, shorts, polos, and sometimes rumpled cotton blazers. Their substantial collar, decent enough fitting Ultimate Dress Shirt, which once you get it tailored, can be a real workhorse. Their C9 workout clothes. The simple fact that they’re extremely similar to Wal-Mart, yet shopping there doesn’t feel like you’re shopping at Walmart.

Weaknesses: While obviously affordable, sometimes the quality of their goods can feel… a little on the wimpy side. Fits can sometimes be inconsistent. You can’t wear a red shirt and khaki chinos to their store (not that you were itching to do so).  Fitting room dimensions in some stores can be about equal to that thing they used to pull the Chilean Miners out of the ground.

How they got here: Flexed some ultra affordable style muscle in round #1, and stomped Macy’s out of the tournament.

Your votes determine who goes on to the next round.  Cast your ballot below.  Voting closes at midnight ET.