GARDEUR "NEVIO"

"Nevio" by Gardeur - $195

One of our most enduringly popular casual pants, the "Nevio" by Gardeur is the perfect pant to transition out of a dated, baggy wardrobe and into more modern cuts - without the 'skinny-shock.' It's not especially low rise and not especially slim through the leg, just enough of both to look hip and current.  This season we have three washes in their signature lightweight twill - Cappuchino (shown), light olive, and chalk.

MANNEQUIN MOMENTS PART II - GAULTIER AND JUVONEN

Outfits by Jean-Paul Gaultier, LBM 1911, and Samuelsohn

This installation took its colors from Peter Juvonen's fabulous abstract art, with tones of teal, salmon, acid yellow and royal blue. Our ladies are wearing Gaultier Soleil's fabulous printed chiffon tunics, which can be draped on the body multiple different ways and worn with different underpinnings to create different effects. During the day, wear them with a tank and leggings, at night, with a simple full slip.  Our gentlemen are similarly versatile - their "spezzato" (unconstructed) jackets perfect for chinos during the day and wool slacks for evening.

ARMANI JEANS DOT CARDIGAN

Cotton/viscose cardigan - Armani Jeans - $195 (Also available in mint/white dot)

Armani Jeans prominently featured the polka-dot motif this season, one of our favorite looks EVER from this versatile collection, and this cardigan is no exception. It's ever so slightly short, perfect for a high-waisted jean on its own (as pictured) or layered over your favorite longer tunic or tank for a waist-elongating look.Also available in mint and white dots over navy.

CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Have a terrific Memorial Day weekend! Butch Blum will be closed in honor of the holiday today (Sunday, May 26) and tomorrow, and will open our normal hours Tuesday the 28th at 10am. 

SUMMER-SAVVY FASHIONS

Outfits by Cantarelli and Antonio Gaspari

The best summer clothes always have that certain quality to them, of lightness and effortlessness. Update your summer wardrobe with silk/wool or wool/linen jackets, tropical weight pants and for ladies, lots of chiffon, like these crystal-pleated tunics. You'll look effortless and feel cool as a cucumber.

We'd like to give another special thank-you to the Ryan James gallery for loaning us these beautiful works of art by Peter Juvonen, a Finnish-born artist who has lived in the Seattle area for several decades.

OPEN TODAY - CLOSED TOMORROW/MONDAY

Jasper Johns - Three Flags (1958)

Make a shopping trip to Butch Blum a part of your Memorial Day weekend plans - we're open this Friday and Saturday, and will be closed Sunday and Monday in honor of the holiday.  See you this weekend!

SAMUELSOHN DOUBLE-BREASTED WINDOWPANE

Super 150's wool and cashmere - Samuelsohn - $1395

It's no secret that double-breasted suits are making a slow comeback- an elegant choice for those who have need of a more tailored wardrobe. How then, to incorporate this style in a closet that's had nothing but single-breasted for years?

Try a double-breasted suit that's a little bit shorter in the jacket and a lot narrower in the shoulder than they were 10 years ago. Your jacket should cross the center of your palm so that you can curl your fingers underneath the skirt without rumpling it. For the very fashion conscious, try an inch shorter than that - about even with your thumb joint.   The shoulder caps should fit squarely on the edges of your shoulders without drooping over, yet not so tight that your tricep bulges out of the sleeve. 

A fabric like this wool/cashmere windowpane is an excellent alternative to stripes, as it flexes more easily into sport-coat territory. Tuck the pocket flaps in and pair with a slim pant in a clear-finish charcoal gray fabric.  Your shoe should also be slightly sportier - a suede oxford or perhaps a light colored nubuck. 

(detail)

NEW ARRIVALS - ARMANI SHIRTS

End-on-end cotton - Giorgio Armani - $275

The latest arrivals in shirting by Armani are exciting yet tasteful, elegant variations on menswear staples. Among the half dozen designs new to our Spring mix are herrinbones, tattersalls, and other classic shirtings, each rendered in a uniquely Armani way.

ALEXA CHUNG IN MOSCHINO

Another celebrity fan of Moschino's is Alexa Chung, who is a model, writer, television presenter and contributing editor of British Vogue. She's seen here in the SS13 sheer geometric coat with organza floral details at the Glamour "These Girls" event, a celebration of all things feminine in our decade.

VARVATOS DERBY BROGUES

John Varvatos Collection - $498

Varvatos takes the classic derby and re-imagines it for daily casual wear, using an innovative double-lacing and a distressed cement color that is anything but ordinary. Wear these with a casual cotton or linen suit, or pair them with your favorite pair of slim jeans for a rocker look a la Varvatos' collection.

FOR THE VARVATOS FAN

2013 Chrysler 300 - John Varvatos edition

For the fan of John Varvatos - or of anything with a rock and roll, american muscle edge - Chrysler partnered with the designer for a limited edition of their "300" sport sedan, with unique European fascia, matte 22" wheels, brushed titanium hardware, and a discreet Varvatos logo on the rear decklid.

KRISTA'S PICK - BY MALENE BIRGER JERSEY SHEATH

By Malene Birger - $295

This is my favorite of our summer dresses. The fabric is a super soft viscose jersey that twists around the body - lots of texture, and easy to move around in. The top third of the dress is a slightly shimmery chiffon that adds some interest and excitement without being too distracting. 

Krista Kelly
Salesfloor

NEW JEWELRY - SUSANNAH GALANIS, AVANT GARDE, MIMA & AIREHEART

Styles by Susannah Galanis, Aireheart by Sydney, and Avant Garde

 Our jewelry runs the gamut from the ridiculous to the sublime this season, and at every pricepoint - fun styles by Soixante Neuf, Avant Garde, and Susannah Galanis for $175-295, and incredible semiprecious styles from Aireheart by Sydney and Mima for $395-1295.   Find styles in gleaming metals, glowing polished stones, and quirky, one of a kind vintage baubles sourced from estate sales, dead stock, and more.

MOORER ALL-WEATHER WINDBLAZER

We coined the term "Wind-blazer" for this piece, as it's a lightweight stretch nylon blend, but cut like a modern blazer. The fabric has a chic, papery feel akin to a silk/wool blend, but is totally weatherproof. 

MANNEQUIN MOMENTS - CANTARELLI AND GASPARI...PART 2

Jacket - Sartoria Cantarelli - $1695...Pleated chiffon over-vest - Antonio Gaspari - $395

Cantarelli's soft, lightweight linen/wool blend jacket dresses up as easily as it dresses down, very much like Pier Antonio Gaspari's crystal-pleat chiffon over-vest. Both of them pair beautifully with slacks, as shown, but can be worn dressed-down easily. The fabrics travel well (particularly the blazer, as the wool in the fabric keeps the linen from looking too distressed), and the taupe/chocolate colors make existing fall pieces in your wardrobe look great right now - as long as they aren't too heavy.

MANNEQUIN MOMENTS - CANTARELLI AND GASPARI

Wool/mohair Suit - Cantarelli - $1895...Cotton-cashmere blend crewneck - Rosso Puro - $425
Pleated chiffon overblouse - Pier Antonio Gaspari - $465...Calf/Rhodium belt - Stephania Carrera - $325

Aren't they a cute pair? The suit is a fabulous wool and mohair blend with a touch of silk in it - it catches the light with a subtle sheen and a micro-check pattern incorporated into the fabric. The overblouse (paired with a viscose tank-slip) is the lightest chiffon, the very shallow pleats adding texture but not weight.

MANNEQUIN MOMENTS

Outfits by Miilla, Moorer and Fuzzi

Ryan James Gallery leant us some fabulous works of art by local artist Peter Juvonen....we love the way the patterns and colors reflect our spring palette of fuchsia, teal, celadon, and tangerine.

SPECIAL PROMOTION - HAMILTON ONE-CUTS

This just in! During our Hamilton Trunk Show tomorrow, we are excited to offer special One-Cut fabrics, materials that exist in such small quantities, only one shirt can be made. You can have your very own custom shirt, normally retailing between $365-425, for $325 during our Hamilton custom event. 

These are available in addition to the normal Hamilton library of fabrics, which will be sold at 20% off their normal retail price. If you haven't RSVP'd yet for the trunk show, please let us know you're coming! 

REMO TULLIANI COTTON BELTS

Cotton belts (also available in Navy) - Remo Tulliani - $85

Brought in especially to coordinate with our Fratelli Rossetti collection this season, these cotton and leather belts are a great value for the construction and the quality of materials. Enjoy them with cotton slacks or jeans, and a great soft pair of shoes.

VARVATOS WAXED LINEN JACKET

Varvatos *USA* - $425

This is a wonderful choice for Seattle...the waxed linen is wrinkle-resistant and a great choice for misty weather. It has a subtle sheen, even sparkle to it, which lifts the olive drab in a sophisticated, 3-dimensional way.