Butch Blum

PHOTOS FROM THE SUMMER SOLSTICE PARTY

2013-06-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks very much to everyone who attended our Summer Solstice Spectacular on the 16th! We had tons of happy shoppers, great discounts, new merchandise and yummy cheese, berries, wine spritzers, and more. Watch the blog for more exciting events this summer!

NEW ARRIVALS - VARVATOS LINEN/COTTON CHOCOLATE SLACK

2013-06-18T13:34:00.002-07:00

Cotton/linen slack - John Varvatos Collection - $315

Who says you can't wear a cotton/linen slack during the fall?! John Varvatos Collection just sent us this incredible pant, which is a soft, textural (but not papery-wrinkled) fabric and a medium-slim leg, perfect for year-round wear in Seattle. Pair this with your favorite unconstructed jacket from LBM 1911 for a casually tailored look.

SKIN GAME OF THE WEEK: BRONZE BAR

2013-06-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

CUSTOMIZE YOUR TAN | 5,000 BB SKINS

Our professional airbrush technicians provide a customized sunless tanning experience for every skin tone. Whether you want a sun-kissed glow or a deep bronze, get beautiful color at Seattle's premier airbrush bronzing salon. Since opening in 2003, The BRONZE BAR has become recognized as the premier destination for professional airbrush tanning. The BRONZE BAR has been featured in Allure, Allure Bride, Lucky, The Seattle Times, and Seattle Weekly. Citysearch.com ranked it at the top of its list of local tanning salons in 2004. The BB Skin Game participant will receive a gift certificate toward the tanning service of their choice. More information at The Bronze Bar. ($250 value)

CONGRATS TO BUTCH!

2013-06-17T11:29:00.002-07:00

Congrats to our fearless leader emeritus - Butch Blum - who, along with Eric Jensen, won the Best of Bend golf tourney this past weekend in the Senior division - note not only did they have lowest gross score - which is the pure win - but they had the second lowest net score too - must have been the pants! Click the 3rd day final results link to see who else competed....

DADS AND GRADS CUSTOM SUIT PROMO - ONE DAY ONLY

2013-06-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

Create a beautiful new suit or sport coat from ANY of our custom MTM collections for Dad (or the first suit in your Grad's wardrobe) with a special one-day-only 20% discount, June 16 only! Made-to-Measure specialist Kent Rogers is taking 3 1.5 hour appointments that day for fitting, selecting fabric, and styling your new custom garment.

Please email promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com to RSVP.

FATHER'S DAY VIRTUAL GOLF!

2013-06-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, June 16 (Father's Day!), in addition to our Summer Sale offerings, we will be hosting a drawing for a Hotel 1000 virtual golf experience. Three lucky winners will get to spend the day with a craft beer and an electronic golf game, the perfect indoor relaxation for our rainy city.

You don't need to be present for the drawing itself to win, but you *DO* need to stop in on the 16th to enter - email promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com to RSVP and for any questions.

LADY GRADS CAN DRAW FOR AN EXTRA 10% OFF

2013-06-13T21:30:00.000-07:00

Build a workable college wardrobe for your female graduate on a budget! Come in for a 45 minute appointment on Sunday, June 16th with Savvy Stylist Cameron Levin, who will show you which categories are important in a modern woman's wardrobe. Available times: 12:15, 2:30, or 4:15.

You can also draw for additional 10% off summer sale styles from designers Martin Margiela, Blumarine, Armani Jeans, Jean Paul Gaultier and more. Each appointment includes a $100 gift certificate for services at Salon Divas.

Reserve your spot - promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com - only 3 appointments are available for this event!

HUGE MAJESTIC SHIPMENT

2013-06-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

Assorted styles from Majestic Filatures

We have just received a large shipment from Majestic Filatures, a fabulous resource for fashion-conscious ladies looking for the best underpinnings, cardigans, light jackets and leggings in ultra-soft viscose, cotton, cotton/cashmere and linen fabrics.

Check out this fabulous line while the selection is still good, and find out why we go back every season for more!

THIS JUST IN - FREE GARDEUR SCARF

2013-06-12T15:37:00.001-07:00

The first 20 RSVP'd clients for our Summer Solstice party this Sunday will receive a free Atelier Gardeur cotton scarf! This cotton scarf is a lovely palette of marine blues, lavenders and purples, and is perfect for men and women.

Hurry and RSVP to promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com and drop in Sunday, June 16 to find out if you're among the top 20! Only 35 lucky guests will be allowed in to participate in the special savings, cool giveaways, and delicious treats.

SUNDAY - JUNE 16 SUMMER SOLSTICE SPECTACULAR

2013-06-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

Put Father's Day - June 16 - on your calendar as the perfect day for stylin' Dads and Grads. The Summer Solstice Spectacular includes special discounts, one-day-only giveaways, and rare styling opportunities with your favorite associates. Additionally, enjoy festive beverages and bites, and party games to earn additional savings on Summer sale merchandise.

Reservations are limited to 35 people - RSVP to promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com and get your foot in the door early!

NEW MARKDOWNS FROM ARMANI

2013-06-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

Silk/Cotton ultrafine cardigan - was $525, now $395

Stop by and check out some of our excellent Armani items, marked down for Summer! Lightweight silk, linen, cotton, and more, in the Master's signature neutrals.

Silk/linen casual pant - was $365, now $270

NEW MARKDOWNS FROM CULTURATA

2013-06-11T13:00:00.000-07:00

Assorted styles from Culturata - were $195-225 each, now $145-170

We just recieved a huge shipment of styles from Culturata - over a dozen new colors/patterns each in 5-7 sizes per style - which we've marked down an instant 25%! Find everything from dressy solids and micro-checks to bold, fun madras plaids - in linen and in cotton.

NEW MARKDOWNS FROM SAMUELSOHN

2013-06-10T13:30:00.000-07:00

Assorted Samuelsohn sportcoats and suits in wool, silk, etc blends

We just received a huge shipment of Samuelsohn merchandise for immediate markdown! Each suit and sportcoat is marked down from their original $1295-1895 pricepoints between 20 and 40% off.

For those of you who haven't tried one of these excellent garments, Samuelsohn is a Canadian manufacturer based in Quebec, that produces a hand-finished, machine sewn garment similar in quality to Ermenegildo Zegna or Canali, but is priced anywhere from $500-1000 less at full retail.

JOHN VARVATOS USA LEATHER JACKET

2013-06-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

Leather and canvas jacket - $845

This lightweight calfskin jacket from John Varvatos' "USA*" collection features an intriguing contast lapel - linen over leather - that gives an extra little touch of texture.

AMERICA'S BEST SHIRT

2013-06-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Since 1883 the Hamilton family has been crafting America's finest men's shirts. Each is made in the workshop in Houston, where every detail is overseen by skilled technicians. Every Hamilton shirt is hand cut according to a paper pattern, custom drawn for each individual client. Fabrics are sourced from the finest mills in Switzerland and Italy, and include sumptuous long-staple cotton, summery linen, and cotton/linen blend materials perfect for any season. Hamilton's unique collars and cuffs feature captive canvas inserts with no fusible interfacing (glue used to stiffen most shirt collars), which helps prevent shrinkage.

Hamilton's library of thousands of patterns

Hamilton Bespoke
Butch Blum is proud to feature Hamilton Shirts' bespoke product, their most custom, labor-intensive shirt. Butch Blum staff will photograph you in one or more sample shirts, and make notes about the fit. The photos and notes are sent to Hamilton's master pattern maker, who draws a custom pattern to your specifications. Bring us your style ideas for the perfect shirt, and Hamilton can often make them happen - right down to copying a favorite shirt, or using details from something that you've seen in a magazine.

Hundreds of fabric options

For more information, or to make an appointment with one of our skilled made-to-measure specialists, please call 206-622-5760 or email promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com.

REWARD OF THE WEEK: BOKA

2013-06-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

BOKA KITCHEN AND BAR | 3,000 BB SKINS

BOKA is a vibrant, communal blend of lounge, bar, and restaurant. Sleek, urban design is infused with a menu of contemporary American food, handcrafted cocktails, and a wine list reflecting a heavy Northwest influence. Meal services include breakfast, lunch, cocktail hour, dinner, late night, weekend brunch, and seasonal patio dining. Seattle magazine readers recently voted the restaurant "Best Hotel Breakfast/ Brunch" in Seattle. The lucky BB Skin Game player will receive a terrific dinner for two at BOKA. To learn more, please visit bokaseattle.com. ($150 value)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

2013-06-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Mihyon and her new hubby Robert! They happy couple just celebrated their nuptials in a destination wedding in the Bahamas.

SPRING SCARF WONDERLAND

2013-06-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

Scarves from Blui, Luisa Brini, Faliero Sarti, et al - $165-495

Our spring scarves are incredible this year...featuring linen, silk, modal, baby cashmere, and more, we brought in every pattern and texture conceivable to make your outfit unforgettable.

AGAVE SUPIMA DENIM

2013-06-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Agave Indigo-wash pima cotton denim - $265

In addition to the special-order options we are featuring this weekend, we also have a great assortment of Agave stock product in our spring selection. This denim is literally one of the softest fabrics we've ever come across. A 10oz Japanese Supima cotton denim, it's hand sanded and stonewashed to break down the fibers, reducing shrinkage and creating a lovely feel against your skin. The cut is great for men who want something current - but not trendy/skinny.

CELEBRITY SIGHTING - ANDY SAMBERG IN HAMILTON SHIRTS

2013-06-06T10:02:00.005-07:00

Saturday Night Live alumnus Andy Samberg wore a custom Hamilton made-to-measure dress shirt for his photocall for Variety Magazine, to promote his new show "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," a police dramedy. Samberg keeps his louche style dressy in a tailored suit, cotton madras necktie and white laceup sneakers.

MORE FROM THE MAJESTIC SHIPMENT

2013-06-03T10:39:00.001-07:00

Left: Stripe linen tank - was $145, now $116
Center: Open front blazer - was $225, now $180
Right: Silk trim linen stripe boatneck - was $195, now $156

The wonderful shipments from Majestic continue, and just in time for summer, they're all an instant 20% off! Find fun colors and neutral basics, in innovative, trend-right shapes.

SUIT CONSTRUCTION 101

2013-06-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

We are often asked why our suiting costs what it does - particularly with the preponderance of "buy-one-get one free" mass market retailers. To answer that question, one needs to understand how a mass-market suit is constructed. The Discovery Channel video above takes you inside a typical American suit factory, and shows how mass-production churns out thousands of identical suits.

After you watch the video, consider the following:

Our Italian handmade suiting, like Sartoria Partenopea, requires many of these steps to be completed by hand, with a single needle and thimble. Automation is virtually nonexistent in these factories, and a garment can remain on a single tailor's worktable for multiple workdays, sometimes requiring over 24 hours worth of work.

Even our high quality machine-made suiting requires more steps than shown in the video. While some parts of the construction - like a pant's tab waist or the jacket's skirt pockets - are rapidly constructed by machine, companies like Coppley and Samuelsohn eschew glue-based 'fusing' to construct the chest pieces of the suit, preferring to loosely baste (a long, temporary stitch) in canvas pieces to give the suit its shape and fullness. The Samuelsohn factory takes construction a step further, hand-basting the chest pieces in order to ensure an individualized fit. The looser hand-stitches tend to conform to an individual's shape better than tighter machine stitches.

The next time you browse through Butch Blum's impeccably curated collection of suiting, stop and think about the steps it takes to create a suit worthy of hanging in our store, and of the incredible value of your investment.

SALE STYLES FROM EYEBOBS

2013-06-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

Assorted styles from Eyebobs - were $85, now $49

We have a nice group of readers on sale from accessory favorite Eyebobs, in fun 'pop' colors. Check out our selection - there is a nice group of styles and magnifications.

CANTARELLI SUMMER NAVY

2013-06-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

Matte 130's wool - Cantarelli - $2195

This season, in addition to the Cantarelli Jersey Planet soft jackets, we are featuring Sartoria Cantarelli, a lightweight suit with a hint of traditional Sartorial construction. Each Sartoria Cantarelli jacket is made with the lightest canvas and just a sliver of shoulderpad, while maintaining their legendary feather-soft feel. This particular suit, though it doesn't read well in the photo, has a beautiful micro-stripe in the fabric, which adds some interesting 3-dimensionality to the material without clashing with your shirt or tie.

BB DESIGNER BIO - BLUMARINE

2013-06-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Blumarine's SS13 leaf motif was a huge hit for us, and appeared on trenches, cardigans, skirts and dresses.

Blumarine was founded in 1977 by Anna Molinari and her late husband Gianpaolo Tarabini. The label's name refers to her and her husband's favorite color and their love of the sea. Since the 1990's her daughter Rossella Tarabini has assisted her in the design process, as well as designing the Anna Molinari luxury line.

A hit since its inception, Blumarine was described by journalist Laura Craik as [designed for] "...that brand of Italian miss for whom no dress is too small nor diamond too big." The line frequently uses floral, animal, lace, and other glamorous themes, over their preferred luxury textiles and skins which include precious furs, silks, ultrafine wool and cashmere. This combination gives the brand a personality that is bigger than life, without feeling too flashy.

Look for Blumarine and its younger sister Blugirl in our Spring/Summer 2012 lineup - we have some incredible pieces in stock and more on the way!