eBay’s first-ever Mobile Boutique brakes in Washington’s Union Station on November 19th and 20th. In anticipation of the big event, we took to the streets of the nation’s capital to see what local tastemakers are wearing–and we think Ms. O has some competition.
Indeed, it seems that Washington’s sartorial star is on the rise. What we noticed: an increasing interest in vintage fashion; slimmer cuts on pants and suits for men; and boots, tall and short, worn by women with everything from classic work basics to sleek leggings for evenings out. Washington’s women go straight from the office to evening events, so savvy District shoppers are reaching for pieces that go the extra mile, like figure-conscious sheaths and cardigans with interesting details. Read on to learn the style secrets of a few dapper District denizens.
Mirna Araklian, Editorial Assistant at publisher Rowman Littlefield, 23
Where: Walking along Washington’s trendy U Street.
What She’s wearing: a Kors jacket, Forever 21 jeans and shirt, Chinese Laundry boots, and a Betsey Johnson bag.
Favorite Places to Shop: Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, Gilt Groupe, Sephora … I just started a blog with a friend called Sweet Glow Beauty that will feature reviews on beauty products.”
Favorite Item in Her Closet: “My Truth and Pride maroon leather jacket with gold details. The color is so rich and compliments almost any outfit. A close second is a Vera Wang Lavender Label silk chiffon floor length strapless dress. The color actually looks like fire; it’s orange-ish with a blue tint. It’s the prettiest thing I own.”
On Her Winter Wishlist: “Yves Saint Lauren Parisienne perfume, a white Betsey Johnson wool coat, a red pea coat with gold buttons, black high-heeled booties with studded details, a Marc by Marc Jacobs red leather purse, a vintage gold toned men's Timex watch, sweater dresses, costume jewelry cocktail rings, a black sequined blazer, a leopard print faux fur jacket, and any tasteful item of clothing printed with skulls on it. I love really feminine pieces with edgy details.”
AminaMussa, student at The Art Institute of Washington, 19
Sequoia Mitchell, student at Montgomery College, 20
Suzan Abebe, student at University of Mary, College Park, 19
Where: Walking along M Street in Georgetown.
What They’re Wearing:
On Amina: Vintage jacket from Georgetown shop Annie Creamcheese, thrift sweater, Forever 21 pants cut into shorts, and boots from RetroSpect in Philly.
On Sequoia: a Forever 21 dress, an Urban Outfitters blazer, Aldo tights and shoes, and Lucite earrings from Annie Creamcheese.
On Suzan: a blazer from Value Village, a black turtleneck and boots from Forever 21 online, BDG jeans from Urban Outfitters, a Zara bag, and earrings and flower pin (in hair) from Unique Thrift. Her scarf is from a family member’s trip to the south of Ethiopia.
Their Style:
Suzan: “I look for things that have some quality to them, and I like to wear a standout piece, like a headpiece or a scarf.”
Sequoia: “I’m dressy. Amina likes vintage everything, and Suzan is more hippie, more European. I’ve known Suzan since third grade and Amina since sixth.”
Amina: “I like a dark look. In the fall, a prefer burgundies and dark greens.”
Their Favorite Shops:
Suzan: “My friends and I are obsessed with going to thrift stores. Before, I didn’t understand the value of a dollar. You don’t have to have on a Dolce & Gabbana jacket to look nice.”
On Shopping eBay:
Suzan: “I got awesome gladiator sandals that go up to the knee. I just couldn’t find any in the stores.”
Amina: “Last summer, I got a sweet floral romper, and some 99 cent vintage high-waist shorts. I’ve gotten a lot of earrings from eBay.”
Must-have Item:
Sequoia: “American Apparel has a scarf for $32 that you can wear seven different ways. It comes in handy.”
Jean-Francois Peyronnard, recently moved from Montreal, Masters Degree student at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, 28
Where: At the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street in Georgetown.
What He’s Wearing: Straight-cut Levi’s from Target, Tombolini shirt (“my only expensive piece in the lot...a remnant of my past professional life”), Spanish Fluchos purchased in Montreal, and a jacket he’d just picked up in a secluded shop on the Georgetown Mall’s lower level (“I tend to look for secluded shops, which usually offer better deals for obvious reasons”).
The Deal with the Poppy (it was not Veterans Day): “The added and only touch of class! Canadians and Brits wear it for Remembrance Day, what you refer to as Veteran's Day in the USA. I don't usually wear such accessories like this at other times during the year, although, strangely enough, this little piece of plastic has provided me a remarkable return on investment in terms of catching the eye of the opposite sex. Is it the flower? Is it the color? Who knows? But I might as well start changing my habits.”
His Style: “I don't believe a man's swagger has anything to do with a piece of clothing, it simply compensates for what he has to hide. This being said, I am willing to invest substantial money for professional clothes, because a suit is what sells you in the first seven seconds. The rest is showing up on time, as Woody Allen once said. If you want to look sharp, you need a good tailor.”
Something Every Man Should Have in His Closet: “A small, overzealous tailor! No, seriously, probably a hat for casual wear. I’ve always fantasized of living life as a young man in the 1920s who wears a hat, a trench coat, and carries a smoking a pipe.”
Taylor Bodrie Stilli, Associate Director, School Alumni Programs, George Washington University, 26
Where: Lafayette Park in front of The White House.
What She’s Wearing: Max Mara skirt, Etienne Aigner shoes, and a Siste’s sweater from a shop on the Rue Du Dragon in Paris.
Her Style: “I would classify my style as classic, not too trendy, with European influences. I love anything I can easily transition from day to night, as there are so many events and things going on in DC.”
Her Nail Polish: Essie’s Trombone. “It’s my staple this season.”
Favorite Brands: “Max Mara, Armani, Ralph Lauren and Gianfranco Ferre for everyday. Oscar de la Renta steals my soul with his evening gowns and formal wear! My favorite place to buy shoes in DC is Hu’s Shoes in Georgetown. All of the shoes are so unique.”
On Her Holiday Wishlist: “I really like the texture and palette of Ralph Lauren’s fall collection. I’m looking for a great leather jacket, a stylish pair of black suede boots and a chunky cream colored sweater to thrown on with jeans and rider boots.
Tara Papanicolas, freelance fashion stylist, 32
Where: Downtown, on her way to a dinner-date at Brasserie Beck. (Writers’ note: try the mussels!)
What She’s Wearing: an Yves Saint Laurent jacket; a Betsey Johnson necklace, leggings and bag; and Nine West shoes.
Her Style: “I like to look sophisticated with an edge: classic, tailored rockstar chic.”
On Her Winter Wishlist: “Alexander McQueen houndstooth tweed ankle boots and a vintage Lanvin one-shouder gown. Is that too much to ask for!?”
Dream Styling Gig: Cirque du Soleil. “I grew up up as a dancer, and I love the over-the-top theatrics and makeup. I have an inspiration book filled with so many crazy ideas.”
Rachel Cothran is a Washington, DC-based freelance writer and arts publicist who writes the style blog Project Beltway.
