How do you get the 'DC look'?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I think she's referring to the white jeans, bright tunics, ballet flats, Barbour jackets, etc., that I see in my neighborhood. I'm just guessing. It's sort of preppy and casual (not urban at all) and I think it's hard to pull off. Usually seen getting out of a silver Lexus or Volvo or Mercedes SUV. Pale blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail is sort of typical! Very little make-up. Usually followed by three beautiful tow-headed children in Vineyard Vine striped polo shirts."

That's close to what I mean. It's not a look I want to duplicate. And I know all about DC's blonde obsession. I'm not blonde, never was, never will be.

And what do they wear in the winter?

PP mentioned women showing thongs. Really? I've seen that in NY, but not here so far. Another look I'd never do.

The surprising thing about DC SAHM look is there seems to be no season...the white jean tunic look can go year 'round. They just change up the jacket and add boots.

[Anonymous]

Usually dark jeans, not white, in the winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, here.

I live in a very nice neighborhood NW DC. I'm hesitant to mention exactly where because I don't want this to turn into a class or money discussion. I really do appreciate the PP who said I should rock my NYC style. I've tried, but I end up feeling really over dressed alot of the time. I'm not going for the stereotypical Hill wonk look either.

To the other PPs, I do have my own style. Have had one for quite some time now. There is something to be said for dressing appropriately, though. And to the PP who doesn't understand the South Hampton reference, my question was definitely not directed at you specifically.

Please give me NYC fashion tips. I've been in DC for ages, but I just lost a fuckton of weight, and now I want to dress stylishly. Since I didn't get into dressing well before (didn't feel good about how I looked), I'm completely out of practice.

[Anonymous]

OP again, forgot to add that I'm a SAHM at the moment. Work clothes won't be an issue till next summer, but DH and I attend social events that require semi-formal clothes.

About dialing it back a notch, I like the idea, but I haven't figured out how to do this without looking mixmatched or schizophrenic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again, forgot to add that I'm a SAHM at the moment. Work clothes won't be an issue till next summer, but DH and I attend social events that require semi-formal clothes.

About dialing it back a notch, I like the idea, but I haven't figured out how to do this without looking mixmatched or schizophrenic.

Can you change up the fabrics? I know sometimes when I wear black pants, simple less dress fabrics really makes the outfit less dressy.

[Anonymous]

OP, I understand your dilemma. Not sure I can help you, though. When I moved here from Connecticut years ago, that sort of preppy Ralph Lauren-ad look didn't fly in the area of town I was living in--definitely not urban enough. I revamped. Flash forward 13+ yrs, now I'm in McLean, and I feel like I fell back into that RL/Lilly Pulitzer sort of country club blah thing. (See, no help?).

So I did climb out of my Audi...wearing white jeans, and I do have blonde hair. But my kids aren't towheads.

I'm sure you're NYC style, slightly dressed down (and slightly less black) will work. Once you start shopping here and live here for a while, you'll eventually succumb to DC style, whether you meant to or not.

[Anonymous]

About dialing it back a notch, I like the idea, but I haven't figured out how to do this without looking mixmatched or schizophrenic.

It's kind of hard to advise without knowing your current look. My friend moved from lower Manhattan to Richmond. Richmond in no way resembles DC but I'll tell you what she did anyway to tone down the Manhattan thing:

the $3,000 "It" handbag obsession: waste of money here. Ok, a few people will notice that you have a Birkin, but not many. And aren't we buying these bags for other women in the first place? Better to spend the money elsewhere.

Four-inch heels usually read "hoochie mama" at 11 a.m. here. Unless you're Argentine, it's best not to wear these to lunch.

Diamonds - a big diff btwn NYC and DC is that NYC of all walks of life are more inclined to own and wear big rocks in their earlobes and on their hands. Probably no reason to wear 1.75 cts. in each ear when you're working out on the elliptical, right? Right? It's like wearing your bank statement on your back, which I've noticed is acceptable to do in NYC.

My friend had to add more color to her wardrobe. Her daytime attire tended to be charcoal-to-black, Jil Sander, quasi industrial at all times. Now I think she's added some light grey and mid-tone blues and greens to the mix.

Great news! You no longer have to maintain a BMI of 16 !!! Just kidding.

Probably not as many "statement accessories" here. To tone it down, leave the big statement cinch belt at home.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP, I wear a lot black, charcoal, navy and white. I do feel like I stand out with my dark and conservative colors but I'm not one for lots of prints... I think the best way to "soften" your look is to forgo the black pants for dark denim skinny jeans. Think Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Jackie O (swap bright colors for dark colors and prints for solids) and you should be okay.

I will also add, that since becoming a mom, I never wear heels around town with my DS. I swear you will get the dirtiest looks if you push your stroller down the street while wearing high heels. Stop buying them, succumb to Tory Burch/Cole Haan/Gucci/Chanel ballet flats, whatever pair that you find most comfortable. Buy a good pair of paddock-style boots, they will get you through the winter. A nice capelet or flowing wool coat with a belt will also serve you well.

A crisp tailored white shirt with a sweater thrown over it and slim black pants/dark jeans with a cute pair of flats will probably be your go-to outfit.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, I wish I could move back to NYC just to wear fashion again...or San Fran...somewhere where I don't stand out because I happened to accessorize.

[Anonymous]

To the PP who asked for NYC style tips, one of the big differences in NYC vs DC style is accessories. New Yorkers of all walks of life love them. It's your way of distinguishing yourself and showing a bit of your own personality.

To former Connecticut poster, I despise Preppy. It's all about conformity. I went to private school as a child. I refuse to wear a uniform as an adult. But, I'm afraid you're right and one day I might unwittingly succumb.

11:55 and 12:23, thanks for the advice. It really didn't occur to me that I was over accessorized for DC. I'll dial back the accessories, but I'm not giving up my handbags. I really do buy them for myself, so it doesn't matter that no one notices. And no heels with strollers? What's with that?

Jeans are a problem. I don't like them for the same reason I don't like the Preppy look and they're too ubiquitous. I'm cringing at the thought of wearing skinny black pants everywhere. I can do flats, but I'm starting to feel like I'm going backwards. And all the style icons you mentioned, although fabulously classic, were from 60 years ago! Is that really who womeon in DC emulate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the PP who asked for NYC style tips, one of the big differences in NYC vs DC style is accessories. New Yorkers of all walks of life love them. It's your way of distinguishing yourself and showing a bit of your own personality.

To former Connecticut poster, I despise Preppy. It's all about conformity. I went to private school as a child. I refuse to wear a uniform as an adult. But, I'm afraid you're right and one day I might unwittingly succumb.

11:55 and 12:23, thanks for the advice. It really didn't occur to me that I was over accessorized for DC. I'll dial back the accessories, but I'm not giving up my handbags. I really do buy them for myself, so it doesn't matter that no one notices. And no heels with strollers? What's with that?

Jeans are a problem. I don't like them for the same reason I don't like the Preppy look and they're too ubiquitous. I'm cringing at the thought of wearing skinny black pants everywhere. I can do flats, but I'm starting to feel like I'm going backwards. And all the style icons you mentioned, although fabulously classic, were from 60 years ago! Is that really who womeon in DC emulate?

I'm the PP who originally asked if you were serious, and told you you should just dress however you want. And after reading the above post, I am now even more confused. You obviously have a well-established style that you love and own. So go for it! Good lord, whenever I see women (or men for that matter) not dressed like they just walked out of a Land's End catalog, I want to applaud. Unless you fear that your style is going to ostracize you in some way -- which I really can't believe it will -- then just do what you're already doing. Most people won't care one way or the other, some will want to find out where you bought certain things, and the haters who give a damn should get a life.

Of course, I say all this as a resident of silver spring, where we all pretty much live in jeans and t-shirts during our off hours, and as an employee at a non-profit where we all look like we walked out of a (boring) ann taylor catalog during my work hours.

[Anonymous]

The PP who talked about heels and diamonds and what not hit the nail on the head. People here will interpret your look differently and judge you in a way you are not accustomed to. Not saying this is right, just some looks have different connotations here.

DC is a smart driven town, so many will read anything overdone as shallow, superficial, materialistic, or slutty. If you overdress or overspend, people won't take you seriously or want to talk to you. If you want to make friends, dressing more casually will help.

[Anonymous]

You all way overthink this. The only thing I ever notice about someone's style is whether she looks like she has one. Who cares what it is? If your style is a fancy bag and high heels and big diamond earrings, carry a fancy bag and wear heels and diamonds. If your style is Lilly Pulitzer, wear Lilly Pulitzer. I don't care if I'm in Miami or L.A. or New York, I am always going to dress like myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the PP who asked for NYC style tips, one of the big differences in NYC vs DC style is accessories. New Yorkers of all walks of life love them. It's your way of distinguishing yourself and showing a bit of your own personality.

To former Connecticut poster, I despise Preppy. It's all about conformity. I went to private school as a child. I refuse to wear a uniform as an adult. But, I'm afraid you're right and one day I might unwittingly succumb.

11:55 and 12:23, thanks for the advice. It really didn't occur to me that I was over accessorized for DC. I'll dial back the accessories, but I'm not giving up my handbags. I really do buy them for myself, so it doesn't matter that no one notices. And no heels with strollers? What's with that?

Jeans are a problem. I don't like them for the same reason I don't like the Preppy look and they're too ubiquitous. I'm cringing at the thought of wearing skinny black pants everywhere. I can do flats, but I'm starting to feel like I'm going backwards. And all the style icons you mentioned, although fabulously classic, were from 60 years ago! Is that really who womeon in DC emulate?

You're actually starting to get annoying. Are you serious? You can't look around you for five mintues and figure out about fashion here, then you really aren't as fashion forward as you think. A real NYC fashionista wouldn't give a shit what the women of DC are wearing...she'd just be herself.

And so far, you haven't explained your style at all, leading me to think you have none and just want to DC bash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You all way overthink this. The only thing I ever notice about someone's style is whether she looks like she has one. Who cares what it is? If your style is a fancy bag and high heels and big diamond earrings, carry a fancy bag and wear heels and diamonds. If your style is Lilly Pulitzer, wear Lilly Pulitzer. I don't care if I'm in Miami or L.A. or New York, I am always going to dress like myself.

AMEN!