How do you get the 'DC look'?

[Anonymous]

13:27 Like it or not, people will judge you based on how you are dressed and treat you accordingly. Don't believe me? Wear daisy dukes to your child's next PTO conference and see the reaction you and your child get. Is it wrong? It's debatable.

I strongly believe that one should dress appropriately based on their age, location, event, etc. Wearing jeans and t-shirts is appropriate in your neighborhood, but what if you showed up to a barbeque wearing head to toe Dolce & Gabana. Not appropriate for your surroundings. The same can't be said if you were at an afternoon party in Capri, for example.

13:36, I agree that people won't take me or DH seriously if I'm dressed inappropriately. Hence my quest to change my look. My NYC style is fairly chic. I wear both designer and non-desighner clothes (am not a label whore). My staples are suits and dresses (love pretty dresses). An example of someone's style I like - Daphne Guinness. And she is definitely way over the top for DC.

[Anonymous]

Why would you want to do the "DC look"? Stick with the NY look. It's much more stylish.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am confused. It's not that hard to adapt a personal style if you already have one. Dress it up or dress it down, but no need to be who you're not. I don't get it.

[Anonymous]

15:07 I'm obviously doing a bad job at communicating. Will try to explain.

Let's say you received an invitation from a corporate head to an afternoon party at his country house in Brisbane, Australia during the month of August. Would you know what's appropriate to wear? I can assure you, if you showed up in a pretty cotton summer dress, you'd feel out of place.

It's not that I don't know what my style is. I'm trying to figure out how to adapt it to DC. It's different here. For lack of a better term, I need to know the "rules" before I can figure out how to properly break them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:15:07 I'm obviously doing a bad job at communicating. Will try to explain.

Let's say you received an invitation from a corporate head to an afternoon party at his country house in Brisbane, Australia during the month of August. Would you know what's appropriate to wear? I can assure you, if you showed up in a pretty cotton summer dress, you'd feel out of place.

It's not that I don't know what my style is. I'm trying to figure out how to adapt it to DC. It's different here. For lack of a better term, I need to know the "rules" before I can figure out how to properly break them.

1. I don't think anyone would show up to afternoon party of a CEO's country house in a "pretty cotton dress"

2. I think you're just trying to be snooty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:15:07 I'm obviously doing a bad job at communicating. Will try to explain.

Let's say you received an invitation from a corporate head to an afternoon party at his country house in Brisbane, Australia during the month of August. Would you know what's appropriate to wear? I can assure you, if you showed up in a pretty cotton summer dress, you'd feel out of place.

It's not that I don't know what my style is. I'm trying to figure out how to adapt it to DC. It's different here. For lack of a better term, I need to know the "rules" before I can figure out how to properly break them.

There is a big difference in trying to figure out what is the appropriate dress code for a particular event, and trying to decide on a wholesale "look" for a new city.

What you're asking is what you should wear in your day to day life. I'm not sure we can help you there.

[Anonymous]

Okay, an example of Daphne Guiness casual. I'm guessing. OP, do you really dress like this in NYC?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-562765/Most-stylish-woman-alive-Daphne-Guinness-auctions-60-000-designer-items-knockdown-prices-charity.html

And then there's this. The third from bottom isn't too bad, but she's wearing those damned Alexander McQueen hoof shoes. Really, OP?

http://quincyjones66.blogspot.com/2010/06/tribute-daphne-guinness-back-that-ass.html

I'm not trying to knock you, I guess I was expecting something a little more Soho / Village, and this is extreme eclecticism supported by a mountain of cash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:15:07 I'm obviously doing a bad job at communicating. Will try to explain.

Let's say you received an invitation from a corporate head to an afternoon party at his country house in Brisbane, Australia during the month of August. Would you know what's appropriate to wear? I can assure you, if you showed up in a pretty cotton summer dress, you'd feel out of place.

It's not that I don't know what my style is. I'm trying to figure out how to adapt it to DC. It's different here. For lack of a better term, I need to know the "rules" before I can figure out how to properly break them.

1. I don't think anyone would show up to afternoon party of a CEO's country house in a "pretty cotton dress"

2. I think you're just trying to be snooty.

Really? I often wear my cotton summer dresses around in the middle of winter.

[Anonymous]

Actually, Brisbane is quite casual, regardless of job title A summer dress wouldn't work because it's winter in August. It would be perfect in January, though.

[Anonymous]

I'm sincerely not trying to be snooty. Forgive my NYC manner, I haven't adjusted that yet either. I was told that people here are more genteel. Will try to keep that in mind in the future when writing.

There have already been some great suggestions, such as the one about accessories. It's something that I didn't think of as a difference in styles between the two cities. I've also noticed the suggestions came from former New Yorkers or 'northerners' who understood my situation a bit better. And, believe it or not, entire cities/neighborhoods do have "dress codes". PP stated that the dress code in her neighborhood was jeans and t-shirts. I have no problem with that. I'm trying to figure out what is the dress code in my neck of the woods.

[Anonymous]

Flowered skirt, knit top, ill-fitting jacket/blazer, comfort shoes, and a National Public Radio canvas bag.

[Anonymous]

15:41 and :42 I've been to Brisbane. Lovely place. Any suggestions for how to dress in DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sincerely not trying to be snooty. Forgive my NYC manner, I haven't adjusted that yet either. I was told that people here are more genteel. Will try to keep that in mind in the future when writing.

There have already been some great suggestions, such as the one about accessories. It's something that I didn't think of as a difference in styles between the two cities. I've also noticed the suggestions came from former New Yorkers or 'northerners' who understood my situation a bit better. And, believe it or not, entire cities/neighborhoods do have "dress codes". PP stated that the dress code in her neighborhood was jeans and t-shirts. I have no problem with that. I'm trying to figure out what is the dress code in my neck of the woods.

Then just open your eyes and look around. You haven't even said where you live, so how can this message board help you?

New York and D.C. are not on different planets. Plenty of us move seamlessly between the two without any angst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I completely agree. OP is getting really annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Flowered skirt, knit top, ill-fitting jacket/blazer, comfort shoes, and a National Public Radio canvas bag.

Hysterical. Your forgot to mention the frizzy hair and sliver indian jewelry.