Butch Blum

GOODBYE BLOGSPOT

2014-05-29T10:10:00.001-07:00

We're waving a fond farewell to www.butchblum.blogspot.com - now all your Butch Blum news, events and (soon) online shopping can be accessed on our main page www.butchblum.com.

Check out the new site, browse through our links, and of course visit us in store for the latest and greatest. Want to check out a post from September of 2010? Don't worry - this blogspot will still be running as archives...you'll be able to check out all your favorite posts, photos, and videos.

1980S "DECADE OF INDULGENCE" PARTY

2014-05-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

A LUBIAM MOMENT

2014-05-22T16:07:00.002-07:00

We had to grab a shot of these guys - Kent, our MTM specialist and his friend and client Greg Cymbalski are all "Butch Blummed" out in their favorite jackets, by L.B.M. 1911.

NEW ARRIVALS - QUINN CASHMERE

2014-05-22T10:50:00.002-07:00

Perforated detail boyfriend sweater - $315

Quinn Cashmere is a modern basics line for women (we're introducing the Mens collection this fall) with a high quality construction and a low, opening price point. This season's picks are ultra-light, perfect for Seattle year-round but especially lovely on a misty Spring/Summer morning.

Foldover-lapel cardigan - $355

Modified shawl cardigan - $315

PIRELLI - "MANNION"

2014-05-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

Pirelli - $280

This aint your daddy's loafer, kiddo. This sporty shoe from Pirelli (Yes, the same Pirelli that makes the tires!) is a track-inspired, carbon-fiber effect shoe designed to replicate the same technology used to create a Grand Turismo racer. You'll love the lightweight, weatherproof material and the soft nappa lining will be perfect barefoot for summer, or with socks year-round.

8 STEPS TO PERFECTION - SHADE 55

2014-05-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

Shade 55 is a brand-new, entirely American-made denim just in for Spring 2014. We're very excited to introduce these jeans - the best fitting, best quality product for under $200 we've seen in some time.

Assorted styles by Shade 55 - $195 each

SKIN GAME OF THE WEEK - CAPELLI'S

2014-05-20T11:00:00.001-07:00

HAIRCUT FIT FOR A GENTLEMAN | 2,000 BB SKINS

Capelli’s Gentlemen’s Barbershop has strived to develop a team of passionate, highly trained stylists who offer full grooming services and products just for Men. Focusing on masculine tastes and needs, Capelli’s has firmly established itself as Seattle’s Premier Upscale Men’s Barbershop, offering three locations--two downtown and one in South Lake Union. Relax in comfortable leather chairs, read, watch the game on multiple flat-screen TVs, and enjoy a complimentary beverage. The BB Skin Game winner enjoys $100 toward the services of their choice. For more information please visit Capelli's online. ($100 value)

FABIANA FILIPPI - AN ITALIAN STORY

2014-05-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Those of you who have shopped with us know that we will go on and on about how much work goes into any given garment...but it's another thing entirely to actually see it going into production. This little video gives an in-depth look at the steps required to create a piece of Fabiana Filippi clothing - from conception to creation.

JI OH - DESIGNER APPEARANCE AND TRUNK SHOW

2014-05-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

3 looks from the upcoming collection

We are extremely proud to present a special trunk show opportunity - the F/W 14 collection from Ji Oh, June 6 and 7. One of the most talented new designers we've ever come across, Ji Oh fuses a strong understanding of the classics with modernity...A luxe approach to fabrication that pleases even the most fashion forward taste - while remaining elegantly simple. Ms. Oh will be in attendance both days to present her collection and to help with your selections. The trunk show will coincide with Friday June 6th's "1980's party" - for more info on that event click here.

To RSVP, or for more information, please contact us at promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com, or call 206-622-5760. For more looks from the collection, please visit Ji Oh on Facebook.

DESIGNER BIOGRAPHY - GIORGIO ARMANI

2014-05-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

The signature clothing collections of Giorgio Armani, who is arguably the most famous fashion designer in the world and certainly the most successful to come out of Italy, have been proudly featured in our lineup since the late 1970's. We are the second retail door to do so in the United States, and have always admired Mr. Armani's masterful balance of soft, comfortable clothing and elegant professional fashion.

Mr. Armani started his design work in the early 1960's, and did his first major designs for the house of Nino Cerruti. During the 1970's he freelanced for companies like Gibo' and Bagutta, before opening his own design house in 1975, producing his first collections for men and women for the spring/summer season of 1976.

Armani quickly became notable for his signature style which continues today - soft, easy to wear fabrics, in elegantly simple cuts. His suits were among the first to remove significant amounts of padding and canvas from shoulders and chest, favoring a more body-conscious look.

During the 1980's and 1990's the brand became the global fashion powerhouse it is today, with forays into casual sportswear, children's clothing, home furnishings, and gifts available in over 35 different countries around the world.

Mr. Armani's Collezioni line is available at Butch Blum - a carefully edited collection of tailored clothing and casual selections ideal for the Pacific Northwest man.

SPRING SCARVES

2014-05-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Assorted styles from Yarnz, Blui, Faliero Sarti and Beck Sondergaard - $125-695

We have the BEST scarf selection this season - at every price point! Incredible silk/cashmere blends, lighweight viscose, and more, each with artisan manufacturing including hand-dyed colors and labor-intensive silkscreen processes.

SAVE THE DATE - 1980'S CELEBRATION

2014-05-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

SAVE THE DATE

Friday, June 6th, 5 to 7pm

Our 40th Anniversary calendar of events continues with a Celebration of the 80's, with the vintage fashions of:

Giorgio Armani, Ronald Shamask, Karl Lagerfeld, Genny, Issey Miyake, Luciano Soprani, Gianni Versace, Claude Montana, Alexander Julian

and many more sights, sounds of the decade of indulgence....

INTRODUCING HEX

2014-05-16T10:25:00.003-07:00

Convertible backpack for 13-15" laptops - $155

We're pleased and excited to introduce a new collection of tech accessories called "Hex." These bags are weather-resistant canvas and leather, with specially designed partitions for laptops, tablets, and phones - keeping your tech safe, dry and stylish.

Available in 5-6 styles, each bag is initially available in black, with several color options for special order. See your sales associate for details!

Small duffle for iPad, Laptop, and PDA - $115

MR MAGAZINE'S TEN TIPS FOR BIG GUYS

2014-05-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

10. Ignore the size on the label - Buy the size that fits! Remember that size and stature are often associated with leadership and power. Be proud of who you are!

9. Ignore the old taboos - Yes, you can wear bold-colored sport coats and horizontal stripes. (Just wear them with confidence). Must your belt match your shoes, your socks match your pants? It's always appropriate, but no longer mandatory - wear colors you love and feel good in.

8. Have fun with accessories - Fashionable eyewear, pocket squares, a great leather bag, contrasting shoelaces - details make a difference.

7. Flat front pants - Flat front pants are typically more flattering than pleats. (Sidenote - if you only wear pleated pants because off-the-rack pants feel tight in your thighs or seat, we can solve this - Made-to-Measure ensures you have just enough fabric to be comfortable without looking baggy).

6. Get the right belt - Don't wear a dark leather dress belt with light colored khakis - try a fun color or a coordinating lighter shade. (A dark belt can draw a thick line across your widest point - not a flattering look!)

5. Color Coordinated - A flattering look: a knit vest or v-neck in the same color as your pants. (Try a subtly lighter shade...this looks excellent layered under a jacket).

4. Custom clothing- There's nothing better than Made-To-Measure dress suits, trousers, and shirts: treat yourself! (You'll be surprised...it's not a big up charge from off-the-rack but you'll love the fit).

3. Buy quality - In fashion, as in life, you usually get what you pay for. Buy quality clothes.

2. Tailoring is so important - Find a great tailor! (Our tailor Kim is generally regarded as the best in the city).

1. Don't try and lose weight before shopping - Never try and postpone buying new clothes because you plan to lose weight. If you look great NOW, you'll be more likely to accomplish ALL of your goals - weight loss included.

DESIGNER BIO - PYA BY PATRICK ASSARAF

2014-05-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

Patrick Assaraf is a luxury importer/exporter based in Canada with over 25 years of experience in the industry, including liasons with Mondo Di Marco, Ted Baker, Earnest Sewn, Iceberg, and lots of private label programs for better department stores.

Taking knowledge from importing and private label, Assaraf founded PYA based on a single item: the white tee. Patrick’s father in law, a multinational CEO, told him once that his job is to remind people of the little things - and Patrick took that to heart when he created his first t-shirt. Unsurprisingly, it was a strong success right from the start. Once people try the PYA tee, they become fans for life - and it's easy to appreciate why. PYA tees have a subtle stretch yet keep their shape beautifully, in washable, colorfast fabrics in fun or basic shades.

Since then, the little group of tees has grown to an entire sleek, minimalist collection including wovens, knitwear, outerwear and more. For Fall 2014 the line is adding soft jackets, a cashmere collection, and more. Distribution is growing as well - now with Canadian, American, and European presence.

Butch Blum is proud to carry the PYA lines, both in our current season collection and an expanded offering for Fall 2014, where we will introduce a new collection of woven shirts, outerwear, knitwear, and more.

JOHN VARVATOS OPENS NEW MADISON AVE STORE

2014-05-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

John Varvatos - the name conjures images of cooler-than-cool rockstars, exposed brick, hip leather jackets...so why Madison Ave?

The Upper East Side is known for being one of the tonier neighborhoods in NY, so a tough, urban sportswear brand MIGHT seem like a bit of an odd choice - but let's not forget Varvatos' tailored presence, which is large enough to surprise anyone only familiar with Varvatos' casual collection. Sportcoats, even suits are a big part of the runway collections each season, and the new Madison Ave store showcases a more elegant side of the line.

Styled like an expensive Manhattan residence, the new store also showcases Varvatos' rock heritage with a giant custom mahogany turntable setup, as well as hundreds of famous and not-so-famous photos of musicians curated by Mr. Varvatos himself.

LEA MICHELE IN BLUMARINE

2014-05-13T12:34:00.003-07:00

Image courtesy of Tomandlorenzo.com

Lea Michele was spotted at a press call for Fox Networks in Spring '14 Blumarine, looking fabulous in emerald green! The "Glee" star accessorized with Blumarine iridescent leather sandals.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

2014-05-11T10:25:00.002-07:00

We're closed this Sunday, but we hope you're out celebrating with Mom...for us nothing says Mother's Day like this picture of our beloved Master Tailor Kim Bui with her husband and granddaughter - nobody mothers us at Butch Blum like Kim does.

Happy Mother's Day!

-The Butch Blum Team

SAVVY SUMMER SOLSTICE SAVINGS

2014-05-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendar for a special Butch Blum event - the Savvy Summer Solstice Savings party! We will be offering special savings on our Spring/Summer '14 collection, as well as wine, cocktails, nibbles and more.

Shoot us a line at promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com if you can make it - it's going to be a great way to kick off the Summer.

CHARLY'S IN PARIS

2014-05-09T12:03:00.001-07:00

Our very own Charly Locking (sales associate, as well as the curator of our vintage collection) sent us this photo from her trip to Paris, where she's vacationing and shopping the Jean-Paul Gaultier showroom. Bon Voyage, Charly!

KENT'S PICK - PORFIDIA BLAZERS

2014-05-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

Porfidia - $895

This is the best little jacket - entirely made in Italy and completely unconstructed, it nonetheless has a great sartorial feel and is available in the coolest fabrics! I want one of each.

Kent Rogers
MTM specialist
Social Media Director

Available fabrics - $895 each

WE'RE ON THE A-LIST

2014-05-07T12:54:00.000-07:00

CONSTRUCTION SLIDESHOW

2014-05-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't seen it yet, check out our Construction Slideshow! 8 weeks of work (NOT a lot of time for a project this big!) and a fabulous moving-day party culminated in our beautiful new space on 6th and Union.

40 years, and it feels like the first!

WARDROBE BASICS - THE "REESE" WASH

2014-05-05T13:00:00.000-07:00

"Reese" wash in "Sid" modern straight leg - Citizens of Humanity - $225

This fabric is one of the best we've discovered in contemporary denims - a cotton and modal blend that's overdyed in indigo, and washed in a black rinse. Slightly stretchy and incredibly soft, it's the perfect dark denim for any season, to pair with your favorite sportswear or tailored clothing.

LBM 1911 - GREY JERSEY BLAZER

2014-05-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Cotton jersey - LBM 1911 - $765

These blazers are a great staple for any guy's wardrobe - case in point, this grey jersey fabric from LBM 1911 looks incredible with 95% of the colors you pair it with. Brown, black, charcoal, green, red, tan - almost any pant is a natural complement. The fabric has a soft natural stretch and a close fit.