Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale: Gents’ Top 20 Picks

2. Leave it to Hugo Boss to give just the right amount of high quality polish to a basic quarter-zip sweatshirt, making a super comfortable layer dapper enough to wear as a sweater replacement. The stand collar and nylon trim along the placket and shoulders give it an athletic look so it can be a casual option with jeans or shorts and a t-shirt. Once you layer a white or patterned button up shirt underneath, it’s a solid option for a casual office day. And there are tons of great colors to choose from – we are partial to this navy for its easy versatility. The fit is modern, perfect for most gents, but size up if you like an easier fit.

3. These AG jeans are going to be an essential in your wardrobe. The wash is really versatile – dark and clean for a night out or a casual work day with a button up shirt and jacket. Yet, it has just the right touch of sandwashing to make them casual enough for a weekend day with your favorite t-shirt or sweater. These are in the Matchbox Slim fit, which is contemporary with a narrower leg. While trim, it’s a fit that works for any gent that wants the modern look of a leaner fit, without wearing skinny jeans. On sale, it’s a great way to update your jeans game.

4. If you are a Robert Graham fan, adding one of their iconic shirts to your collection (or getting your first) on sale is a score. The blue stripe has a subtle watercolor floral print that is just the kind of amazing pattern combination we expect from the brand. With signature contrast cuffs and under collar, this modern-fitting shirt dresses up your jeans for a night out with ease.

5. Quilted vests continue to be a fashion staple, and this Belstaff one is truly a step-up from the ordinary. Founded in Straffordshire, England in 1924, Belstaff developed the first water-resistant waxed cotton fabric, which continues to be used to this day – and on this vest, along with a poly fill that provides that layer of warmth ideal for an early Fall day. In its contemporary fit, it is sleek and easy to layer under a jacket. The timeless style is unparalleled, with a stand-up collar and flap front pockets to give this vest a great modern look. Wear it over a sweater or pattern button up shirt with jeans, or cotton pants. And you can choose from the navy we’re highlighting or black. In an easier, modern fit Peter Millar has a great option, also part of the sale.

6. We are fans of the athleisure trend, and are "pro" wearing your sweats on a casual weekend day - as long as they have an upscale look, like these from Vince. The fabric is actually woven rather than the typical knit of sweatpants so they look more like your go-to cotton twill pants. And you can wear them just the same – with sweaters, button up shirts and casual sport coats. The contemporary fit also ensures they have a more polished look, without the very loose leg and overly slouchy fit of those sweats that should be left to hanging out on your couch. While any good-looking sneakers work here, canvas sneakers and leather slip-ons give the right finish to these pants, and you can even go with a casual oxford.

7. We love finding some truly functional finds in the Anniversary Sale, and these ASICS running sneakers are just that. We have talked up these sneakers in the past, as they are consistently rated one of the top running and walking shoes, so it’s a real steal to find them on sale. If you are a runner, these sneakers are especially good for mild to moderate overpronators. The Fluid Fit technology adapts the shoes to your feet, and they have great cushioning. On a fashion note, the black/silver color combination we’re featuring is just good-looking and will look modern when you are running errands on the weekend, too. There are a few other options through the ‘shop it’ button, as well.

8. Canvas sneakers are a staple, right up until the snow starts hitting the ground. And Converse Jack Purcell’s are THE iconic canvas sneakers - more popular than ever. With lots of warm weather still ahead of us, you’ll get plenty of wear out of them with your shorts and swim trunks. And they’ll always work with jeans. The featured papyrus tan canvas is just as versatile as the dark grey that’s also available in the sale (both through the ‘shop it’ button). They both have just the right broken-in feel.

9. While flat front pants are always acceptable, the updated look of AG’s cotton twill pants - in a typical jean-style – have a modern look that is just as easy and appropriate for a casual office day, a weekend of errands or an evening out. They go with everything - solid or pattern button up shirt, a sweater, a sport coat, a t-shirt…you get the idea. The medium rise and straight leg are a neutral fit that will make these a “go-to” for every gent. Stock up from the many colors versatile available - we're featuring the pine bark green here.

10. A cardigan has a fresh, updated feel when it’s done in a contemporary fit, and Jack Spade has done an excellent job with that. The contrast color - along the sleeve's cuff and inside the button placket - plays into the stylish look. This is a sweater that layers over a button up shirt or t-shirt with equal ease. The fine gauge cotton knit will take you through the rest of Summer and well into the Fall. Offered in this dark navy color, as well as a grey, the neutral colors will slip right into your wardrobe.

11. Not every gent wants the trimmer silhouette so many jeans are made in these days. 7 For All Mankind offers a more traditional fit in a really comfortable, lighter weight denim that has a dark, true indigo rinse. They have just a touch of hand sanding and whiskering to give them that perfectly broken-in look. While roomier, they still have a modern look and stylish appearance.

12. Gents generally think of navy when they think of a “go-to” blazer. But this black and white tweed blazer from John Varvatos Star USA will make you rethink that. The tight mix of color creates a beautiful charcoal grey color that is just as versatile as any navy jacket. The contemporary fit is sleek and polished, giving you a dapper office look with a solid or patterned shirt and tan, stone, black or olive cotton twill pants. In the evening or on weekends, this jacket looks great with dark jeans and a t-shirt or stylish button up. 

13. A dark patterned shirt is always a good purchase, and even better at a sale price. Zachary Prell’s dark blue pattern is sophisticated and with its modern fit, will dress up any dark jeans or a dark suit. It’s looks great under a charcoal or black sweater, too. We always like the quality of Zachary Prell’s fabric and the simple, clean styling of their shirts. The Anniversary Sale makes it the ideal time to go for this investment-worthy piece.

14. The blue micro box check pattern of this contemporary-fitting Hugo Boss sport coat is easy to accessorize and has a modern look – key components to ensuring you’ll get plenty of wear out of this sport coat. The 100% virgin wool has all the luxury you’d expect from Hugo Boss, so it will effortlessly hold up to charcoal wool pants with a crisp white shirt and tie for a formal business look. It is stylish enough though, for dark jeans or khakis and patterned shirt for a night out.

15. This is a great opportunity to update your wool flat front pants for the office (or any time you want a dapper look). These pants from Hugo Boss are designed in their Sharp model, which is the most popular, and an amazing fit. They are modern, but not skinny, creating a contemporary look and fit. The medium grey we’re featuring is an easy neutral to start with, and there are a few other solid options available so you may just want to stock up. These pants will stay in rotation for a long time to come, since you’ll wear them with everything from a sweater to a sport coat.

16. As we’ve been talking about, the Anniversary Sale is a great time to stock up on basics. And it’s chance to add something to your wardrobe that may feel like a splurge at full price. This easy, modern fitting navy blazer from Hickey Freeman fulfills both. They’ve been making high quality garments right here in Rochester, New York since they were founded in 1899. Made with Hickey’s travel fabric, the naturally water repellant and wrinkle resistant wool makes this a versatile jacket that will meet many needs and last for many years. Everyone’s need a high-quality simple navy jacket and this is it.

17. Let’s start talking suits. If you’ve been hesitant to buy a suit online, this is your chance to go for it – and see how much you’ll absolutely love the experience. Once you try your new suit on at home, you can bring it to any local Nordstrom –whenever you have time – for any basic alterations you may need for free. Even at these great sale prices. For the gent looking for an easier, modern fit this charcoal wool suit from Peter Millar is for you. The charcoal grey pattern is so subtle that from a distance it looks like a solid, which makes it easy to accessorize with pattern shirts and ties. For a business meeting, wear it with a blue pattern shirt and a navy pattern tie. For a formal evening event, a white spread collar shirt with a dark striped tie will dress it right up. And the quality will hold up for years to come.

18. The suit pick in #17 is ideal for a modern fit. For a sleeker, contemporary fit, this Ted Baker suit is our favorite. It is trim but not extreme with a classic modern look. The 100% wool navy stripe works in any setting – from an important client meeting (with a patterned or solid blue shirt) to a wedding (with a simple white shirt). The stripe in the suit works with solid, striped and patterned ties so it is very easy to accessorize.

19. Hickey Freeman, an iconic American manufacturer, makes some of our favorite modern fitting suits. The all-wool, dark striped fabric is designed for the road warrior - it's wrinkle and stain resistant. Wear it to an important daytime meeting or a formal after 5 event. Because the muted stripe is subtle, it is easy to accessorize with a solid or patterned dress shirt – same goes for the tie. Tan, brown or black shoes work really well with this suit, so you really don’t have to worry about going wrong. As with all Hickey Freeman suits, the quality of the fabric is wonderful, the finishes simply impeccable, and the fit perfect and ever so comfortable.

20. We couldn’t complete our list of picks without a jacket. Suede and shearling outerwear are really strong for the upcoming Fall season. And this dark brown lamb suede jacket from Robert Comstock is an amazing find. A brand known for their exquisite leather and suede jackets, this one does not disappoint. The classic fit and styling, with details like nappa leather trim under the collar, give this jacket a timeless, modern look. You'll feel downright dapper, whether you are wearing jeans or flat front pants.