Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry the dmv area women’s fashion is HORRIBLE!!

Women here consider an Ann Taylor dress, kate spade watch and purse and Tory Burch flats with a balayage hair in loose waves the epitome of being stylish.

Like ewww? For the most educated and wellnoff part of the country why is everyone here southern sorority girl??

I don't see many Tory Burch flats around DC anymore. Same with the Kate Spade watches.

OP, did you get rejected by a man for a sorority girl?

Anonymous wrote:If you want fashion in DC check out how the high school girls adapt their uniforms. There also used to be fashionable kids at gallery place on the weekends but not sure if they congregate there anymore.

Also some fashionable kids at Howard University.

"Like EEEWWW..." OP, how old are you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess they're too busy getting their educations and working to stay up to date on fashion.

This. I literally don't care. To the extent I might care or used to care, that was squeezed out of me by marathon commutes in terrible weather. I would rather sleep later, arrive/depart work earlier, see my kid more, and go to the dry cleaner and salon less frequently, than spend a minute more than I have to on my appearance.

I could spin it as a late 30s woman managing older men, walking a careful line between looking professional yet non-threatening ... but the honest truth is IDGAF.

This. I hardly want to wear or bring high end anything on my hour long commute on the gross metro, on my 10 minute 6 block hike uphill to my office after metro, and during my meeting marathon running all over multiple floors of my building. Or so my infant can just puke on me as we’re walking out the door. I do enjoy fashion but it’s just not practical and I have no extra mental space to think beyond Ann Taylor dress and flats today.

When I lived in Cleveland, I shopped at Nordstrom and Saks. When I lived in Chicago I shopped at Barneys and the other shops on Oak St. In D.C. I shop at - Ann Taylor and J Crew.

When I lived outside of DC, my clients were private sector. It was not seen as flashy or inappropriate to have expensive things. I wore shoes and purses in a similar price range as my clients. When I was in Cleveland, I mainly used magazines for inspiration. In Chicago I had street style to inspire me.

In DC, I don’t run in circles fancy enough to see high end fashion. My clients are Federal employees who would see an expensive purse or flashy jewelry and assume my proposal was overpriced. The few “nice” things I have are subtle and from labels no one would recognize as expensive. My goal in DC is for my clothes to be almost invisible because the focus isn’t image as much as ideas.

If you want fashion in DC check out how the high school girls adapt their uniforms. There also used to be fashionable kids at gallery place on the weekends but not sure if they congregate there anymore.

Because caring too much about fashion is silly and vapid.

It didn't used to be this way. When I graduated from college in 1991 and worked on the Hill, women who were lobbyists and lawyers were dressed really well. Now, they look a mess.

Still waiting for OP to give good examples of what he or she would recommend.....

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of women here who think that putting effort into your appearance, doing your hair, enjoying fashion, etc. somehow takes away from your intelligence. It’s like you can’t be smart AND enjoy beauty things.

Totally agree. I’m a lawyer but I also love cultivating my own style and fashion. It doesn’t make me dumber. Frankly, after reading and researching and arguing all day the last thing I want to do in my off hours is some kind of intellectual pursuit. Give me a Vogue and season one of The Simple Life.

DC is overrun was the lawyers and lobbyists. They literally teach us in law school to dress well but conservative. Black, navy or gray structured dress or suit. That's our uniform, and it's intentional so we are taken seriously. The most powerful women on K Street or the firm dress tastefully. We want to be noticed for our brain, not our shoes.

Having said that, I know two partners who carry $5k handbags, wear high end designer dresses/suits (some couture from the 70s/80s), etc. They are both childless and can easily invest in their vanity since they aren't paying for private school and riding lessons.

Who sees anyone else anymore? We are all working at home.

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of women here who think that putting effort into your appearance, doing your hair, enjoying fashion, etc. somehow takes away from your intelligence. It’s like you can’t be smart AND enjoy beauty things.

Bingo

I wore the same stuff you mention when I lived in NYC. Oh well I guess I don't spend enough time shopping.

There are a lot of women here who think that putting effort into your appearance, doing your hair, enjoying fashion, etc. somehow takes away from your intelligence. It’s like you can’t be smart AND enjoy beauty things.