Nordstrom’s Quiet After Half-Yearly Sale for Men
It’s over! It’s all over! It’s only just begun!
Wait, what?
Well, kinda. The Norstrom half-yearly sale expired on Sunday, but that’s precisely when Nordstrom quietly marks down what’s left over even further. Sure, sizes can be scarce, but what was 30% off often gets a cut to 50% off. And being that Nordstrom carries some awfully good brands (both in-house, and out), that means you can get a real steal now that the checkered flag has waved. And as always, these things ship and return free, even though they’re now marked down to “we don’t want to see this again” prices. Strike-through prices below reflect what the item was going for during the half-yearly sale, if that price has since changed.
Dockers Trim Fit Seersucker Gingham Blazer – $72.49 ($97.15, $145)
Was almost a hundred bucks, now under $75. Partially lined. That’s key. Non functioning buttons as well. Potential here for a warm weather, super casual beater sportcoat? Paired with off-white 5 pockets?
1901 ‘Carson’ Derby – $49.96 ($66.96, $99.95)
Quite possibly the best summer shoe $50 can buy. Really, really appears to be not only the B.R. Owen, but also the DSW/Aston Grey “Dien”. And that’s great if they are… since the construction, feel of the suede or nubuck, and not overly thick sole makes for a awfully nice summer buck. Of course they’re glued instead of stitched, but they feel great, look great, and hold up well. Available in three different colors. Made in Brazil.
Bonobos Straight Leg Washed Chinos – $43.98 ( $58.96, $88)
About as cheap as you’ll find the Bonobos flagship pant. Lightweight cotton in their signature fit. Available in 8 different shades, but sizes are extremely scattered, so know that going in.
Bonobos SLIM washed chinos – $43.98 ($88)
Seems like these recently got dumped into the sale section… at half off. More sizes to pick from than the straight fits (although these are going pretty quick too).
Allen Edmonds Ft. Collins Derby in Bourbon – $162.49 ($217.75 $325)
Hell of a deal if you’re in the market for a derby in bourbon. Looks like this one is built on the 333 last (has a bit of a chisel toe to it). Appears to be like a cross between the Kenilworth and the Hanover wholecut. Three pairs of eyelets, open derby-style lacing., and should do great with dark wash denim and a cotton sportcoat. Sizes are going pretty quick.
Wallin & Bros Trim Fit Blazer – $147.49($197.65, $295)
Via Reader Andrew, who’s 5’9″ 180lbs, a 38r in Suitsupply’s Napoli,and bought this Wallin & Bros blazer in 40R: “Jacket tail is shorter in length but that’s the modern look that it’s going for. Has a nice taper to it and I don’t think it needs to be taken in at sides at all. As it says in the description, it’s unlined which is a nice feature. Wool is a little scratchy. Comes with a lapel pin that’s easy to remove. It got a big thumbs up from my fiancé so it has that going for it! The taper off the rack is the real selling point on this one.”
Di Milano Uomo Flat Front Wool Trousers – $49.94 ($155)
The good news? They’re all wool, and now 65% off. Bad news is that waist sizes start at 33. Sorry to all the slimmer fellas. Mid rise. Unhemmed, so, know that going in they’ll need to be sewn up by a tailor.
TBNY Double Monk or Wingtip Oxford – $162.49 ($199.90, $325)
Now half off. Sure, not quite as beefy as Allen Edmonds in terms of construction, but To Boot New York delivers on the sleekness. And that price is super friendly. Made in Italy. Double Monks also come in black.
Cole Haan Grant MTO Drivers – $87.98($109.90, $176)
Three shades to pick from (including the “gull grey” pictured at top), boat shoe style lacing, and a nubby sole & heel. Now marked down further, to under $90.
Nordstrom Smartcare Wrinkle Free Trim Fit Dress Shirt – $32.49($42.90 $65)
HANG ON HERE… Huge thanks to Eric M. for passing along the above pic, and pointing out that this season’s trim-fit Nordstrom Smartcare shirts are not the same as last. According to Eric, this year’s shirts have shorter collar points(by about .5″ per point) and the new material is noticeably scratchier. Dang. Those are two of the main reasons why Nordstrom’s baseline trim fit dress shirts were so good (decent sized collars and smoothness of fabric, despite being easy-care). Not sure if this applies to all their shirting, or just the solids with the black label that are made in Hong Kong.
Nordstrom Smartcare Trim Fit Check Dress Shirt – $32.49 ($42.90 $65)
For example… these… will they suffer from the same drawbacks as the solid mentioned above? These say “made in China” instead of the more specific “Hong Kong”… and they seem to carry the old labels. Well, at least they ship and return free.
Michael Kors Stretch Wool Trim Fit Suit – $247.49 ($495)
“Elastic-infused wool” and cut in a trim fit. Kors stuff usually walks the middle ground between traditional fits and super-slim fits, plus their tails don’t end up chopped. Wish they had more colors than just “taupe” though.
Allen Edmonds “Player” Lace-Up – $214.90 ($335)
No additional discount as of post time, but still a fair price for a pair of AE wingers. Available in Walnut, and should go very well with summer pants, a light cotton blazer, and open collar shirt for not-too-dressed-up outdoor weddings.
Dockers Alpha Khaki in “Fog wash” – $39.98 ($68)
Fogwash = a softer hand to the fabric. But is it softer, like, moleskin and thus more appropriate for cooler weather? Can’t say that’s likely, with the super summery colors. Might be a nice way to mix it up if you’re a guy who can fit in the slim legs of alphas.
Cole Haan Air Madison Single Monk – $129.97 ($245)
Single monk. Good color for summer, and should go great with jeans when it cools off.
Barbour Ouston Weatherproof Waxed Slim Fit Jacket – $174.49 ($349)
Far from inexpensive, even when half off, but hardly anything (if anything) from this heritage brand ends up in the “cheap” category. Black waxed cotton. Straightforward.
1901 Triple Check Trim Fit Dress Shirt – $24.75 ($32.90 $49.50)
Excellent price for an in-house, trim fit Nordstrom brand. and the two color + white check look offers some busyness without going over the top. Especially liking the patriotic “red grenadine” (right).
Wallin & Bros. ‘Justin’ Double Monk – $74.98 ($100.49 $150)
Sizes are just about gone. Made in Italy. Construction feels very solid. A little darker in person than on the Nordstrom website. These’d be one way to bring black into your wardrobe up top (sweater, cord blazer, etc…), without resorting to black shoes (since these lean grey).
Bonobos Standard Fit Blazer in Chino – $98.98 ($132.66 $198)
Unstructured, casual, and now half off. Standard fit isn’t their slim fit… but a drawback to their slim fit is the even shorter tail. So the Standard is probably the better option for most (unless you’re super slim, and vertically challenged). All sizes left in the standard navy.
1901 ‘Lynden’ Double Monks – $49.96 ($66.96 $99.95)
Now under $50. The “Rust” pair was just so so for the in-person, but it seems like a bunch of you guys liked these things and said so in the comments. Try the “sand” shade instead.
Brooks Brothers Slim Fit Mini Check Dress Shirt $45.98 ($59.90, $92)
Sizes are getting very limited on these. Plenty of shades to choose from, just gotta cross your fingers for your size.
1909 Brock Wingtip for Men – $49.96 ($99.95)
The derby is long gone, but there’s plenty of heat and seersucker-suit appropriate weather left in the forecast. The kind of shoe you wear a handful of times a year, so spending around $50 seems just fine.
Wallin & Bros Khakit Seersucker Partially-Lined Sportcoat – $147.49 ($295)
Earthtone seersucker? Anybody up for it? Might be a little tough to pair up pants with, but at least it’s only partially lined. Trim fit off the rack with good contour through the sides.
The New (& not on Sale) John W. Nordstrom Sterza or Fabriano – $195
Hold the flippin’ frickin’ phone. Much potential here. They’re not cheap, at $195, but they’re made in Italy and JWN’s shoes usually hold up well. Are they stitched? Eh…. probably not. But if they drop in price during the upcoming Anniversary Sale in July? Might have to pounce.
NOTE: If you did buy something during the half-yearly, and there’s been an additional markdown since, try giving Nordstrom customer service a call. Seems like they might give you a price correction on your credit card? The prices on these items don’t seem to have an expiration date, but do know that the once-a-year fall-preview “anniversary sale” is coming up next month.
Does anyone know if Nordstrom does a similar markdown after the end of their Annual Anniversary sale?
Those wool pants are certainly going fast…
I’ve had those Cole Haan single monks for about a year now and they’re not the best in my opinion. They aren’t terribly comfortable, don’t really take any polish, and make this odd whooshing sound on linoleum. They do look pretty good though.
I’m looking at some AE shoes for the office with a suit and somewhat casual settings. Do the Players fit that bill or am I better off going with the strands?
I definitely called and got price adjustments yesterday. They only do them if they have your size currently in stock though, so probably worth while to call ASAP.
Joe – are the TBNY double monks full grain? I really like them, but they sure look shiny/plasticy. Is that due to Nordstrom’s photo or is it due to corrected grain leather being use?
A few more sizes of (nearly?) identical pants available at the “People Who Viewed This Also Viewed” link:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/di-milano-uomo-flat-front-trousers/3763861?origin=related-3763861-0-1-2-item_page.PP_3-RR
IIRC, TBNY uses full grain leather. They’re very nice in person – nothing like the JCP plasticy boots.
I agree with this assessment. I had high hopes for them, but did not find them comfortable either (in spite of all the comfort “technology”) and they felt like they added 2 inches to my height that I wasn’t looking for. Bought from Amazon for $100 but sent ’em back.
Are these also on sale in brick and mortars?
I don’t think they do, at least, not on the Anniversary Sale goods. Those are all upcoming fall releases (or, more appropriate for fall stuff like dress shoes & wool blazers) and prices actually go back UP to full retail on that stuff once the sale is over.
Just called and got price adjustments on four shirts and the derbys. Which I promptly used to gobble up all of the bonobos slim fits
Can anyone comment on how the Nordstrom Trim Fit compares to Charles Tywhitt Extra Slim or Brooks Brothers Extra Slim?
Traditionally speaking, the Players are too casual to be worn with a suit (they’re blucher/derbies, and they’re brogued, and they’re brown). You could probably get away with because in a lot of workplaces in the US, most people would not find anything objectionable. But it would not be technically correct.
The Players would perform admirably in “somewhat casual settings.”
Nordstrom is great with price adjustments. I bought the Wallin & Bros blazer prior to the additional $50 markdown and they gave me the $50 back. I just got another $10 back on one of their smartcare dress shirts that I purchased pre-additional markdowns. My girlfriend also had a dress that was marked down another $20 that they gave her back. You don’t need to call though – I’ve just done the Live Chat on their website and they take care of it.
Nordstrom is great with price adjustments. I bought the Wallin & Bros blazer prior to the additional $50 markdown and they gave me the $50 back. I just got another $10 back on one of their smartcare dress shirts that I purchased pre-additional markdowns. My girlfriend also had a dress that was marked down another $20 that they gave her back. You don’t need to call though – I’ve just done the Live Chat on their website and they take care of it.
Yes sir, they should be. If your local B&M store doesn’t show it, Nordstrom will match.
Just got a price adjustment on a couple shirts! As long as the item you ordered is still in stock you are good to go! Fantastic customer service and practically no wait to get to a real life human!
If you fancy a trip to the store, I’ve had a price adjustment on shirts that were no longer in stock on the website. They just scanned the item and credited the difference to my form of original payment.
So if I wear them 50% of the time with a suit, am I better off going with strands? I work in a pretty traditional suit and tie environment, so walnut shoes will be pushing it a bit already.
I just did the live chat as well. Thanks for the tip. I was able to get credit back on the Smartcare shirt even with the one I previous ordered is now out of stock.
I’d say they’re a little bigger than BB Extra Slim. I’m a 42L jacket, 16×36 shirt, athletic build with broad shoulders and relatively trim waist.
The ES from BB is too narrow for my shoulders and maybe a little snug on my waist. BB Slim Fit is perfect in shoulders and loose on my waist. Nordstrom Trim fit is a little snug on my shoulders and perfect in waist.
Agreed. They are bigger than the extra slim for CT at least. They fit more like a CT slim, if not a touch bigger there.
Yup, though I have to say CT did not it me at all. Just something about the cut was off/too trim for my shoulders to arms.
Thanks guys. Much appreciated.
How are the Di Milano Uomo trousers and the 1901 derbys? Thinking about getting both. What color pants would the gray or navy shoes go with? And how formal could they be?
Anyone have any insight as to how those 1901 Dubs fit? Or if 1901’s shoes run TTS generally?
Honestly, Nordstrom CS is the best in the business in my opinion. They respond incredibly quickly, are helpful, nice, and dare I say excited to price adjust if they can. Whoever is running the CS show there is earning their keep and then some.
If the suit is light enough, I say you could get away with the Strands. I’ve worn my walnut ones with a medium gray suit lots of times, (I’m in a “traditional”, but not super-formal work environment). If it’s a darker suit, walnut probably would look pretty out of place. Whenever I wear suits that are any darker than that one, I switch to bourbon or black shoes.
Those TBNY wingtips are oxfords, brah.
Given the time of year, thought I would plug one category that hasn’t been mentioned at all – swim trunks. I’m a big fan of the penguin earl/fixed waist trunks which they have in sale but sizes are really limited. They do have a decent amount of Bonobos trunks on sale though and sizing seems to be solid. It’s only at the 33% off level right now but still good deal if you are looking. I had a Bonobos bathing suit last year that I liked a lot but it’s now too large on me. I can vouch for quality though. http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&keyword=bonobos+#keyword=bonobos&type=keyword&page=1&category=s6000743&defaultsize3=&size=&width=&color=&price=&instoreavailability=false&lastfilter=searchcategory_6000743&sizeFinderId=0&resultsmode=&segmentId=0&keywordSortEngine=ABS
Yes. Yes they are. Think I had my neurons crossed after putting together the Ft. Collins from Allen Edmonds.
The sizing guide on the Nordstrom website said they ran a little short. I’m typically a 9.5 in most shoes, in the AE Mora 2.0s and Strands I’m a 9, so settled on a 9.5. Fits well.
I would go with the strands. It’s more of a dress shoe with a casual bent (i.e. color and brogueing) rather than the player, which as a derby wingtip is basically a nice casual shoe. I’ve got a pair of the walnut strands and get away with them with a suit but have since been polishing them with the bourbon color to get them just a bit darker for that very reason.
Well dang. Must have struck out with the first person I spoke to.
Anybody have any experience with the Bonobos chino blazer? The Bonobos site has the Khaki version on sale as well, with 20% off for first time customers. Wondering how chopped that tail would be on a 5’11” frame?
http://www.bonobos.com/khaki-washed-chino-blazer-for-men
Good to know, thanks for the feedback.
I can confirm Nordstrom will refund you the difference if you got something last week. Pair of AG pants I got dropped another $28.00 and their online chat people gave me the difference. Took all of 5 mins.
Curse this website… I just bought 4 pairs of 1901 suede shoes in different styles. (I don’t plan on keeping more than 2, though.)
I ran into the “too small armholes/couldn’t lift my arms up” problem with the Bonobos chino blazer. I’ve run into that problem with a few blazers from different makers; I find it quite bizarre since I’m a slim guy and don’t have particularly broad shoulders or large triceps.
FYI on those Bonobos chinos: they have the contrast back pocket lining which some folks (i.e. me) don’t like because it accentuates the pocket slits when you’re bending over.
I confirmed with Nordstrom this morning that the 1901 line of shoes is a stitched sole not a glued sole. Just an FYI
Anyone knows if the Wallin & Bros wool blazer has padded shoulders? Unlined = no pads usually but the picture makes it look padded.
Just curious, is this as low as it gets or is there another drop?
Sorry I never comment on here. But I am a Mens Department Manager at Nordstrom.
The above white (also comes in blue) Nordstrom dress shirt is a special purchase shirt for our half yearly sale. That is why there is a little bit of a pattern to it, the one you said was “old” is our perenial shirt that we carry all year round.
Also to answer Willncarolina’s question, No there is no additional mark down after our Anniversary sale. In fact everything goes back up to full price after the Anniversary sale. Anniversary sale has items that are brand new for summer, fall and winter as well as items that we carry all year round that will mark down 33%
Pre-select for Nordstrom card holders starts on the 10th and the public sale starts on the 18th
As far as price adjusting goes. Within 14 days we can price adjust. The simple fact is at some point everything is going to go on sale eventually. You purchased the item when you needed it. If you didnt need it then you should have waited for the sale. Our sales are not hidden or a secret. The dates are set far in advance. Ive never used thst policy of if your size is still available then you can get a price ament but i like it a lot. It just makes sense for both consumer and retailer
Yes i just tried mine on. I had “mixed” emotions so I asked a couple of girl friends what they thought. One said the contrast pocket lining was sexy, the other thought that the contrast slits were actually my boxer briefs showing through the pants. LOL. I am keeping them…..sort of unique.
I just got them. So far….I love them. Love the color, love the fit, love love. Will I love in a year? Who knows.