On Tuesday, September 24, the Seattle Nordstrom store welcomed Topshop and Topman into their flagship store, much to the delight of a fashionable crowd of shoppers. The British line is known for their fabulously on-trend clothes, friendly price tags and exciting collaborations with the likes of Kate Moss and Kate Bosworth. Nordstrom is the only large U.S. retailer to sell a broad assortment of the British fashion brand’s merchandise in-store and online—a happy marriage of these indeed.
The Topshop store is connected to the Savvy Department on the second floor of the downtown store. My walk through revealed an energetic collection of texture and color. Chartreuse and bright berry were signature shades that were shown within the pattern of pieces or on their own as a bold solo. (Their chartreuse skinny jeans are one example.) The Paisley Jacquard Tee in Gold or Red has great texture and pairs well with the glossy waffle print of the A-Line Skirt. Waffle printed faux leather made an appearance in an A-line miniskirt (available in black or grey) and in details on coats. Dresses came in silky snake prints, geometric patterns and florals with high/low tunic styles and hemlines both high/low and short, mid and long.
Lux detailing was also prominent in many of the pieces, including crystals and fringe. I loved the Embellished Shoulder Open Knit Sweater with its three-quarter-length sleeve in beautiful ice blue or cream. Handbags had bright metal hardware edges, embossed leather and color blocking in cross-body and satchel styles.
An outstanding selection of outerwear is also a part of the collection. Oversized boxy long wool coats, slouchy boyfriend blazers and coats, tough leather bombers like the stellar “Wylde” Faux Leather Biker Jacket—a biker jacket is a must-have piece this fall—and patterned pieces like the “Lex” Animal Pattern Coat were just a few of the fabulous choices. Kimono style blazers also made a showing along with pastels for winter.
Downstairs, a carefully edited selection of Topman pieces featured suiting in a decidedly English fashion. Trousers and denim had a slim line to them and blazers are tailored in a lean fashion with flecked wool with great details. Vests are making a huge comeback for men, both in suiting and with denim, like the Fleck Wool Blend Vest. For shirts, plaid was prominent, both in small checks and bold tartan. Cheeky patterns came to life on the socks, from “Topman New Queens Guard” to “Eggs and Chips”, continuing the trend of colorful feet for men, shown off with a slightly higher hem on pants.
One of my favorite parts of the Topman has to be their ties. Skinny in style, they came in the most delightful array of patterns and have a mod look to them that is very wearable for any age of stylish man. Bold denim floral, houndstooth and chambray—these neckpieces should be on your list of what to purchase next.
This British invasion brings high street fashion and is a welcome addition to the trendsetting boutiques of the flagship Nordstrom store. Topshop was a happy explosion of colorful contemporary pieces with fab textures and modern silhouettes. Topman brings men a wearable and hip English version of suiting and casual wear, with a fresh twist on traditional pieces. You can shop this line in the downtown Seattle Nordstrom or online at www.nordstrom.com.
Photos by Haley McLain.
