former Angelino here. I have lived there many years and am a recent transplant to the DC area (although I was also an intern here a while ago).

I'm just going to comment on LA and DC and leave NYC out of it since I haven't actually lived there.

Of course LA is going to be more hip, since it's big industry is a creative one, namely, entertainment. And fashion. Etc.

DC is where real things happen, not imaginary, fake things. People in DC are actually doing real work that will make a difference in the world (whether for good or ill). Fashion would be an extra thing that is separate to what's happening here, while in LA, fashion is either the main focus or a tangental focus to what many people are doing.

In LA, politics and military are not an industry, so in my experience, you don't get as high of a percentage of people as knowledgable about politics and military as in DC.

If you are in love with fashion and fashionable people, you may want to consider LA. Just know, as I have learned, that there will always be someone more fashionable than you. No matter what. It really can waste a lot of time in one's life, when, imo, other things are more important.

You sound a little shallow and looks-obsessed. What's it to you what other people are wearing?

DC is a place where a lot of people work in fields where a conservative look is expected and an asset: government, lobbying, law firms, etc.

There's a growing creative class in the area. Go find your niche, avoid K Street, and pay less attention to what other people think. Or suck it up a bit until you move. It's really not a crisis or anything worth cogitating about.

I like it that way. Takes the pressure off.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No fashion, entertainment or cool industries. A lot of government people which attracts people who are by nature pretty risk averse. It shows in how people dress (and a lot of other things).

Thats what I'm thinking. I grew up here and moved back after college but realizing now I just can't do it. I am in a creative industry and love to wear avante garde fashion, but I feel like half the time I wear what I think is cool and fresh, I get stared at on the street like I'm some kind of freak. And I'm wearing clothes that would fit in perfectly and be considered normal in LA and NYC. It's really frustrating. I just dont get it.

I think you should move.

I am trying to. In the meantime, it's annoying.

Did one person on the Metro give you the stink-eye? Was she 80? I find it hard to believe anyone really cares that much. What are you wearing. A dress made of safety pins?

I'm not trying to go into a lot of detail but there's a style called "health goth" right now (that I'm guessing many of you dont know about). And not just one look. many. And like I said, these are styles that are totally accepted in nyc or la. Here people look at you like youve committed a felony. And I am a very attractive, clean looking young woman.

Wear whatever you want. Don't worry about what others are wearing. Seems like an easy solution.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No fashion, entertainment or cool industries. A lot of government people which attracts people who are by nature pretty risk averse. It shows in how people dress (and a lot of other things).

Thats what I'm thinking. I grew up here and moved back after college but realizing now I just can't do it. I am in a creative industry and love to wear avante garde fashion, but I feel like half the time I wear what I think is cool and fresh, I get stared at on the street like I'm some kind of freak. And I'm wearing clothes that would fit in perfectly and be considered normal in LA and NYC. It's really frustrating. I just dont get it.

I think you should move.

I am trying to. In the meantime, it's annoying.

Did one person on the Metro give you the stink-eye? Was she 80? I find it hard to believe anyone really cares that much. What are you wearing. A dress made of safety pins?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No fashion, entertainment or cool industries. A lot of government people which attracts people who are by nature pretty risk averse. It shows in how people dress (and a lot of other things).

Thats what I'm thinking. I grew up here and moved back after college but realizing now I just can't do it. I am in a creative industry and love to wear avante garde fashion, but I feel like half the time I wear what I think is cool and fresh, I get stared at on the street like I'm some kind of freak. And I'm wearing clothes that would fit in perfectly and be considered normal in LA and NYC. It's really frustrating. I just dont get it.

I think you should move.

I am trying to. In the meantime, it's annoying.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No fashion, entertainment or cool industries. A lot of government people which attracts people who are by nature pretty risk averse. It shows in how people dress (and a lot of other things).

Thats what I'm thinking. I grew up here and moved back after college but realizing now I just can't do it. I am in a creative industry and love to wear avante garde fashion, but I feel like half the time I wear what I think is cool and fresh, I get stared at on the street like I'm some kind of freak. And I'm wearing clothes that would fit in perfectly and be considered normal in LA and NYC. It's really frustrating. I just dont get it.

I think you should move.

Anonymous wrote:No fashion, entertainment or cool industries. A lot of government people which attracts people who are by nature pretty risk averse. It shows in how people dress (and a lot of other things).

Thats what I'm thinking. I grew up here and moved back after college but realizing now I just can't do it. I am in a creative industry and love to wear avante garde fashion, but I feel like half the time I wear what I think is cool and fresh, I get stared at on the street like I'm some kind of freak. And I'm wearing clothes that would fit in perfectly and be considered normal in LA and NYC. It's really frustrating. I just dont get it.

No fashion, entertainment or cool industries. A lot of government people which attracts people who are by nature pretty risk averse. It shows in how people dress (and a lot of other things).

Anonymous wrote:

lol

How old are you and what neighborhood do you live in? There are plenty of funky, creative class people here. Look around.

We have all gotten together and decided to annoy you. When you are not looking, we get together at big raves with pastel hair and laugh at you behind your back.

What is it about DC that makes the fashion here so boring and 10+ years behind NY or LA or other major cities? I've heard people on DCUM literally post that Uggs are still in. I cannot imagine someone walking around in DC with pastel hair, which is a genuine trend in most major cities in the country right now. If someone did that here they would be totally ostracized. I'm just wondering- what is it about DC that makes creative people stay away or expressions of creativity to be routinely poo-pooed?