7 Denim Brands to Know: 3×1 NYC, Baldwin, FRAME, J Brand, Jean Shop, PAIGE and Raleigh Denim On one hand, you could wear the same pair of jeans every day and be fine. Probably nobody would notice. And jeans go with everything. On the other hand, with so much diversity in the field, why deprive yourself? In the short Q&As below, get to know seven denim brands our buying team is excited to be working with: 3×1 NYC, Baldwin, FRAME, J Brand, Jean Shop, PAIGE and Raleigh. Most have a little stretch built into them (helps with things like car keys). All are strong and sturdy-looking while being butter soft. SHOP: denim brands to know Low Flex Zone: Subversive Spring Designer with Porter Ray Nordstrom is based in Seattle right down the street from Sub Pop Records, the label that originally introduced the world to Nirvana. We’re big fans and old friends. Lately, rap music is ascendant in Seattle and now Sub Pop is working with one of the stars of the scene, the literary-minded Porter Ray.
To capitalize on the timing of Ray’s new album Watercolor and our new spring selection, he came through our Seattle flagship to see what was good. Turns out: a lot. Ray prefers a uniform of tapered pants, hoodies and bomber jackets. Within that framework, he picked graphic designs from brands that are a little underground and not especially glitzy – J.W.Anderson, known for androgyny; Tim Coppens, known for ’90s-era skate style – along with this season’s hottest jackets from Gucci and Givenchy. We appreciate that in his dressing, as with his music, Ray is traditional yet fearlessly artistic. There’s a frame, and he’s flexing within it. Below, see more looks as well as quotes from Ray about how and why he raps. Plus: a video about forming his view of style through the lens of a private school uniform. SHOP: Gucci jacket* | Maison Margiela sneakers* | Tom Ford sunglasses | Tim Coppens hoodie* | all men’s designer | all men’s designer sneakers
Tuxedo on Kimmel Reminds Us: Time to Shop for Prom 2017 Photo by Kyle Johnson Throwback boogie band Tuxedo never fails to change our mood. It’s just something about their music. If you didn’t catch their recent performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, increase the amount of positive energy in your life: Check out our interview with Tuxedo. And if it’s relevant to you, let their outfits serve as a reminder that it’s prom season. Now is the time to shop for that perfect tuxedo, casual suit (Topman would be ideal for 90% of high schoolers) or flawless gown. If you’re considering the suit/sneakers combo that Jake One is rocking in the image above (that’s Mayer Hawthorne next to him by the way), keep it clean and start by exploring the world of designer sneakers. More Magic: KENZO x Kahlil Joseph Parisian fashion house KENZO is back with another extremely artistic short film directed by Kahlil Joseph, whose work you know from Lemonade. The film presents an engaging story you’ll have to complete with your own imagination, starring Tracee Ellis Ross, Jesse Williams, Kelsy Lu and Ishmael Butler.
Butler also provides music (you know him from Digable Planets and Shabazz Palaces). Family friendly warning: there are a few swears. Commercial tie-in: the video shows some aspects of our current KENZO selection for women and men, such as the triangular Bermuda print and lo-fi concert flier graphics. Scene Snaps: New York, Part Five Candid snaps of the street-style scene at Fashion Week fall ’17, from our Global Trend Reporter Kristin Yamada. What to Pack for Fashion Week with Nordstrom Senior Producer Thig Gishuru There’s nothing like an upcoming trip to help you edit your wardrobe–especially when the destination is Fashion Week. With that in mind, our friends are thinking carefully and packing right. Nordstrom Senior Producer Thig Gishuru is about to attend his first Fashion Weeks ever—check for his work on our Instagram channel and here on The Thread. He’s thinking about footwear. And the fact that he doesn’t speak French. On his way out the door to New York (starts February 9) and Paris (starts February 28), here’s what he said about what he’s bringing.
The Thread: Where is your head at vis-à-vis packing for Fashion Week? What’s your thought process? Thig Gishuru: Packing for New York is always interesting because I’m usually out all day in different social situations. Especially on this trip, I might not get to change clothes in between things I’m doing. I’m packing for warmth, comfort and style—and hope the three blend together. For Paris, I’ve never been there before. In general I’m expecting cold, bright days and long nights. SHOP: Ray-Ban sunglasses | Public School pants* | OUR LEGACY jacket* (most of our current OUR LEGACY selection is available online) *available in stores or by phone; inquire at 1 (888) 282-6060 WHAT ELSE THIG IS PACKING Nordstrom in GQ: Considering the Bomber Jacket in 2017 Did you read our Senior Fashion Director Shannon Schafer in GQ? She was speaking about bomber jackets among a panel of menswear experts, discussing different brands, shapes and colors.
“The bomber jacket trend started with ’90s throwback colors of black and olive for us. Fashion colors quickly gained momentum and now burgundy is our top-selling color.” You’ll want to read the rest of her entry here. And while we’re at it: did you read GQ‘s Raf Simons interview? It’s a riveting Q&A with the legendary Belgian designer—and relatedly, our new Adidas by Raf Simons Stan Smith and Ozweego styles are some of the coolest sneakers on the planet. They go great with bomber jackets, too. Valentine’s Day Gifts with Heart (and Edge) At one point in your life you were all about the anti-Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day. Commercially motivated romance was a fraud to be avoided at all costs—even red traffic lights made you avert your course during the month of February. Then you met your sweetheart—your child, sig other or dear friend—and you couldn’t help gushing, just a little. To help you show your emotions, we rounded up the coolest, heartiest (as in bearing hearts) Valentine’s Day gifts.
But none of these are so sappy as to cause nausea. Even the teenagers on your list will approve. WEAR YOUR HEART EVERYWHERE: SHOP THESE GIFTS Animal Style: Fashion Brands with Zoological Designs Animals are everywhere in fashion for women, men and kids. Is it the Gucci effect? An aspect of a wider maximalist trend? Increasingly web-based humans yearning for a return to nature? Regardless, we are seeing more animals depicted on clothes and accessories than ever before. And while we must shout out PUSS PUSS, the leading cat/fashion magazine, clearly designers are now letting the dogs out. And tigers, pandas and deer. Check out seven brands below featuring animals in creative and exciting ways. SHOP: Givenchy Bambi tee CLICK HERE FOR MORE ANIMALS How to Dress Up Without Wearing a Suit Situation: You’re stepping out and need to look great. Good is not good enough. But you don’t want to go full formal. You will ask yourself: How to dress up without wearing a suit?