Nerd Boyfriend
August 19, 2009 11:27 AM   Subscribe

 
I don't understand. What is this supposed to be?
posted by Electrius at 11:29 AM on August 19, 2009


what
posted by fixedgear at 11:32 AM on August 19, 2009


Good catch. Ringwald's bf was indeed John Hughes back then.
posted by Zambrano at 11:33 AM on August 19, 2009


I don't understand. What is this supposed to be?

A blog. With pictures of nerds and the clothing that they wear. And us wishing they were our boyfriends.

Or some combination of the stuff I just said.
posted by iconomy at 11:33 AM on August 19, 2009


That's a rather loose definition of "nerd" they're operating with, if Gregory Peck and Humphrey Bogart are to be considered such.
posted by katemonster at 11:36 AM on August 19, 2009 [9 favorites]


how to dress your boyfriend if he's a nerd
posted by fuzzypantalones at 11:36 AM on August 19, 2009


Perhaps it's clothes developed by film nerds looking to emulate?
posted by scrutiny at 11:40 AM on August 19, 2009


Ha, I'm sending this to my own nerd boyfriend right now.
posted by so much modern time at 11:40 AM on August 19, 2009


I think this is great. It's a collection of handsome men, whose "look" is not the typical Jon Hamm macho handsome guy.
posted by Nelson at 11:41 AM on August 19, 2009


It's not that hard to get a real life nerd boyfriend. I'd comment more but I have to go stretch languidly over a stack of AJAX and PHP: Building Responsive Web Applications in the library while wearing an XKCD shirt. And nothing else.
posted by Juliet Banana at 11:42 AM on August 19, 2009 [24 favorites]


Jack Lemmon from "The Apartment" has to get on that list, stat. I mean he strains spaghetti with a tennis racquet, and gets browbeaten by his bosses every day.
posted by anthill at 11:42 AM on August 19, 2009 [1 favorite]


This is oddly interesting.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:43 AM on August 19, 2009


Wait, forget the dudes; I am kind of deeply infatuated with these sneaks.
posted by Juliet Banana at 11:44 AM on August 19, 2009 [1 favorite]


worth it for celebrities playing pong. thanks.
posted by mrgrimm at 11:46 AM on August 19, 2009


From this one: none of the clothing linked to below seem to be what he's actually wearing. Or do they just look that much cooler on early-Beatles McCartney?
posted by rottytooth at 11:47 AM on August 19, 2009


ahem, Jack Lemmon.
posted by vronsky at 11:49 AM on August 19, 2009 [1 favorite]


Here's Adam Lisagor on Nerd Boyfriend, which is done by his girlfriend. Adam does the very funny You Look Nice Today, and makes some pretty good videos.
posted by martens at 11:51 AM on August 19, 2009


Wow. Young spock looks so much like Sylar's interpretation in the new movie. Freaky.
posted by splice at 11:54 AM on August 19, 2009


lolwut
posted by azarbayejani at 12:00 PM on August 19, 2009


So, I don't get what people aren't getting; this is a decent idea for a blog and it's actually pretty well implemented.

Thanks for posting.
posted by defenestration at 12:08 PM on August 19, 2009 [4 favorites]


Good catch. Ringwald's bf was indeed John Hughes back then.

The what, in the where, now?

Either this is a joke I didn't get, or you're retailing some relatively nasty gossip (that Hughes, a long-married father of two, was having a thing with his 16-year-old star) that I've never heard before and actually doubt is true.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:10 PM on August 19, 2009


oh man, this feels like a stunt post.
posted by shmegegge at 12:11 PM on August 19, 2009


I like it, stretches my concept of a nerd a little bit, but not in a bad way.
posted by Divine_Wino at 12:13 PM on August 19, 2009


I like the idea, but there's no way I'm paying $259.00 for a facsimile of Gregory Peck's shirt or nearly $800 for Carradine's Woody Guthrie shoes.

Surely some of these items could have been sourced at lower price points?
posted by MasonDixon at 12:15 PM on August 19, 2009


Clark kent's glasses!

But the link goes to american apparel. Damn it.
posted by anti social order at 12:18 PM on August 19, 2009


oh man, this feels like a stunt post.

I disagree, and I'm with defenestration--- I don't get what people aren't getting about this. It's (mostly) iconic photos of (mostly) iconic figures in their (mostly) iconic outfits, accompanied by links to where you might find similar clothing. Why is this somehow difficult for people to understand? Is it the word "nerd"?
posted by dersins at 12:18 PM on August 19, 2009 [1 favorite]


This is much like yesterday's Impossible Cool post (which sort of derailed into a slightly defensive sounding pile-on on the world "cool.") only the flip side. The sales angle is kind of secondary to the pretty cool nerd-as-cooler-than-thou images.
posted by eyeballkid at 12:27 PM on August 19, 2009


Yes, that's entirely what it is. Because neither "nerd" nor "boyfriend" seem to fit into the gist of what this blog is about.

I think it's a great idea, well executed. But the title has no good context for me.
posted by hippybear at 12:27 PM on August 19, 2009


On what planet is Rudolph Valentino a nerd?
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 12:31 PM on August 19, 2009 [1 favorite]


...or someone's boyfriend, for that matter?
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 12:32 PM on August 19, 2009 [3 favorites]


Damn, I thought it was about a boyfriend made of Nerf.
posted by asfuller at 12:33 PM on August 19, 2009


"Because neither "nerd" nor "boyfriend" seem to fit into the gist of what this blog is about."

you're reading it on metafilter, that makes you a nerd.. tada!

figure the rest out for yourself, i'm tired, just mowed the lawn...
posted by HuronBob at 12:34 PM on August 19, 2009


If you call someone a nerd, and they aren't a nerd, that is confusing.
So I'm confused about what people are confused about people who don't get what people who are confused are so confused about.
posted by Outlawyr at 12:36 PM on August 19, 2009 [2 favorites]


Yes, that's entirely what it is. Because neither "nerd" nor "boyfriend" seem to fit into the gist of what this blog is about.

I think it's a great idea, well executed. But the title has no good context for me.


I've found that to be a problem with tumblr blogs in general. They're great if the concept is 100% self-evident, but if it's not, I sort of just sit there and scratch my head because of the lack of context.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 12:37 PM on August 19, 2009


It feels like a well-crafted sales-linking site. No discussion of the nerd or apparel in question, just pictures + sales links. Add some criticism or praise of the look and some backing, and it'd be a more interesting blog (for me, a semi-nerdy dude who just isn't that into looking at clothing-focused blogs).
posted by filthy light thief at 12:38 PM on August 19, 2009 [1 favorite]


(he was probably snarking)

I'm gonna write a Zambrano Comment Generator. It will flip randomly between posting an:

a.) inflammatory comment about fat people
b.) overly cryptic reference to celebrities.

Neither will get followups, no matter how much people whine, scream or beg; one post per thread only.
posted by adamdschneider at 12:38 PM on August 19, 2009 [2 favorites]


Very nice. Thanks for posting.
posted by ClanvidHorse at 12:43 PM on August 19, 2009


It's without bombast or fury, and quietly it entertains.

Why can't it exist?
posted by plexi at 12:43 PM on August 19, 2009


I still have most of those clothes from the 70's and 80's. Looks great on a blog, but try wearing it in public. My wife and kids cringe!
posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:55 PM on August 19, 2009


...or someone's boyfriend, for that matter?

Rudolph Valentino was lots of people's boyfriend! But a nerd only in private life.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:56 PM on August 19, 2009


OK, so this is "nerd" in the sense of "the preppy/retro fashion look". Got it. But sometimes that word is used to mean other things, which can confuse us.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 12:56 PM on August 19, 2009


Hey, it's a "shopping guide and style blog for the fashionably nerdy male."

And the nerdy males I know who occasionally make gestures towards fashionableness would probably respect this as a role call of men they might actually want to dress like.

However, the inclusion of the word "boyfriend" leads me to believe that it's a site that ladies will pass on to their own nerdy males. A stylistic nudge of awesomeness.
posted by redsparkler at 1:04 PM on August 19, 2009


Oh, the Stephen Hawking wedding photo is darling. I had never seen it before.
posted by redsparkler at 1:06 PM on August 19, 2009 [1 favorite]


"On what planet is Rudolph Valentino a nerd?"

Well planet Omicron 3 in the Mutara nebula for one. There may be others. The universe is infinite.
posted by vronsky at 1:07 PM on August 19, 2009 [3 favorites]


Oh wow, I love this! Men + interesting fashion is a win for me.
posted by saturnine at 1:14 PM on August 19, 2009


I like that it's not all white dudes. A lot of vintage stuff seems to stay firmly rooted in pasty paleness.
posted by redsparkler at 1:14 PM on August 19, 2009


I've been following this for a few months now. I'm surprised it's not a dupe - I thought I learned about it here. It's a lot of fun.

Some of the clothes are ludicrously expensive, and half the time the links don't link to the actual product (die Flash die!), but the pictures are so very cool.
posted by bonecrusher at 1:17 PM on August 19, 2009


Oh gods, The GF is going to dine out on this website....
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 1:27 PM on August 19, 2009


Yeah, this is really more of an excuse for nerdy ladies to swoon. And what, may I ask, is wrong with that???

swoon
posted by nosila at 1:31 PM on August 19, 2009 [2 favorites]


So um, where is the equal opportunity blog with nerd girlfriends? And where can I find one?
posted by SirOmega at 1:31 PM on August 19, 2009


Cute clothes. Iconic nerdboy stuff. Convenient uncluttered format. Overall, lovely post.

But this nerd is going to stick with his tshirts and jeans and hoodies from colleges he didn't go to, thanks.
posted by greekphilosophy at 1:32 PM on August 19, 2009


Surely some of these items could have been sourced at lower price points?

Agreed. If the items were of the cheaper variety, this blog might go from something I think is neat to something I actually use.
posted by defenestration at 1:34 PM on August 19, 2009


Also: There is a cheaper variety. It is called H&M.
posted by greekphilosophy at 1:36 PM on August 19, 2009


Though a lot of the aspirational/inspirational clothing links are too expensive for the average chap, you don't have to be rich or famous to dress like this. Off the top of my head, Thomas, who runs The Sunday Best, is a law student and is always dressed nerdily impeccably.
posted by Juliet Banana at 1:42 PM on August 19, 2009 [1 favorite]


How many times do I have to explain it, mom? That nerd is a boy who is my friend. He's not my nerd boyfriend!
posted by piratebowling at 1:52 PM on August 19, 2009


Love it! Thanks, vronsky!
posted by Lynsey at 1:56 PM on August 19, 2009


Though a lot of the aspirational/inspirational clothing links are too expensive for the average chap, you don't have to be rich or famous to dress like this. Off the top of my head, Thomas, who runs The Sunday Best, is a law student and is always dressed nerdily impeccably.


Silk tuxedo jacket made in Thailand - Value Village
Sperry Top-Siders
Banker's shirt - Uniqlo
Tie - Yves Saint Laurent


Not to rag on yah Juliet but slightly less insanely expensive does not equal not expensive. That being said, I could probably get most of that stuff second-hand and have it altered, but we're still talking a few hundred for a nice outfit. Although I guess that's where "aspirational" comes in.

Granted, it is a very nice outfit and will probably last. Good jackets should last a lifetime.

Wait, where was I going with this?

Uh.

I like the clothing for the mens on the computer website.
posted by The Whelk at 1:57 PM on August 19, 2009




>How many times do I have to explain it, mom? That nerd is a boy who is my friend. He's not my nerd boyfriend!

Dude, I'm standing right here.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 2:07 PM on August 19, 2009


vronsky's FPPs are always full of win.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 2:10 PM on August 19, 2009


Nice find. I'm fashion illiterate, but in my dream world I would know how to dress in a way that is stylish but odd. Lots of these photos show me combinations or styles that I would ignore in the store, but actually look good when combined. There's a lot to study here. Thanks!
posted by gofargogo at 2:11 PM on August 19, 2009 [1 favorite]


My confusion mainly stems from are these "nerds" or... "hipsters"?
*ducks*
posted by zoinks at 2:43 PM on August 19, 2009


So, yeah, this is definitely a good find. Fall is coming up and I'm definitely in the market for a new wardrobe. This is giving me some ideas.

Keep this stuff coming, people!

I just wish she would post the techniques she uses to locate these look-alike garments. Perhaps she'd be giving away her 'trade secrets', though.
posted by defenestration at 2:43 PM on August 19, 2009


Metafilter has some cool posts today.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 2:54 PM on August 19, 2009


I found it interesting that both banana republic and j crew each have at least one pretty nice suit for under $500.
posted by StickyCarpet at 3:30 PM on August 19, 2009


Am I getting a special version of that page? All the links go to the Salvation Army store.
posted by jfuller at 4:01 PM on August 19, 2009


wat
posted by idiomatika at 5:00 PM on August 19, 2009


Doing a "view source" on the web page reveals:

<META NAME="DESCRIPTION" CONTENT="shopping guide and style blog for the fashionably nerdy male">
<META NAME="KEYWORDS" CONTENT="style, men's fashion, men's style, fashion, vintage photographs, nerds">
posted by growli at 5:34 PM on August 19, 2009


So apparently, I dress worse than nerds.
posted by octothorpe at 7:21 PM on August 19, 2009


Part of my marketing and advertising training that never ceases to amaze me is how easy it is to sway people's perception of things with one very simple word or image. In this case "nerd". The exact same site could have been called "movie boyfriend" or "fantasy boyfriend" or "pants n' stuf!"...the name seems to have very little bearing on the concept or content.

If you dig this, there are entire Japanese Magazines devoted to this exact concept, only in way more detail. Sourcing original brands, or authentic replicas, and even taking a base outfit and extrapolating an entire wardrobe. My business partner used to design streetwear in Tokyo, so I have a shelf full of them, and everyone who sees them is totally flabbergasted that such a thing exists. I have one mag that devotes a good 40+ pages to sourcing every piece of clothing worn in every picture of Steve McQueen you've ever seen. Also one mag has Woody Allen style guide that is all kinds of awesome.

I think this is great. It's a collection of handsome men, whose "look" is not the typical Jon Hamm macho handsome guy.

I actually met Jon Hamm about a year ago, and completely had to re-evaluate all that "beauty is on the inside" malarkey i've believed all these years. The only consolation i took away from the experience was that I am taller than him. Otherwise, being the guy at the bar standing next to Don Draper is not exactly a big bowl of self-esteem Wheaties.
posted by billyfleetwood at 8:05 PM on August 19, 2009 [4 favorites]


Ringwald's bf was indeed John Hughes back then.

Actually, Molly Ringwald was dating Dweezil Zappa during the filming of "Pretty in Pink."
No idea how that factoid stayed stuck in the noggin 23 years on, but there ya go.

Very cool site and concept.
posted by prinado at 9:49 PM on August 19, 2009


Did I ever tell you guys that Mr. Spock was my very first crush? When I was around four or five my parents watched a lot of TOS re-runs, and man oh man I could not get enough of that hunka-hunka Vulcan love. I had some big hardcover book, a children's encyclopedia or some such, that had an illustration of Mr. Spock, and I would sit alone in my room and kiss it. One day my sister caught me and teased me relentlessly for it, but I didn't care--Spock was the man for me, and I knew it. I still know it.

What I'm basically trying to say here is that this right here is really turning me on.
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 12:50 AM on August 20, 2009


I'm going to dress like this nerd.

That's so awesome, it's exactly like a Watchmen retro superhero.
posted by Harry at 2:51 AM on August 20, 2009


I saw this one and I was like, 'Why is Roger Moore sitting in the Batmobile? Oh.
posted by marmaduke_yaverland at 5:42 AM on August 20, 2009 [1 favorite]


Good idea, nice to have it all in one place, but none of the items linked are particularly hard to find. Links to more of the items pictured would help.
posted by variella at 7:28 AM on August 20, 2009


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