Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I think obviously OP is limiting her observation to white women because it's patently not true when it comes to POC in DC. (And even re: white women, it's kind of a tired observation.)

FWIW, when I worked on the Hill back in 2009ish, there were some stylish staffers.

She kind of has blinders on and is only noticing a certain type of woman that frequents the same places as her and then wondering why everyone she sees looks the same. My advice to OP is to get out a bit more and then be the change you want to see.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I miss wearing my Hermès here.

Why? Wear whatever the eff makes you feel good. Lord knows there is enough to make you feel shitty in the world. I saw a woman yesterday on 18th with so much spring in her step, maybe 60, with a very simple outfit (cropped khakis, I dont even remember the shirt, like a tee/sweater combo and bright red low top chuck Ts. It's the little things. If its Hermes for you, rock it

I sometimes wear my Hermès scarf with a simple shirt, a blue jean, lightly dressy shoes and, most importantly, my charm.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I think obviously OP is limiting her observation to white women because it's patently not true when it comes to POC in DC. (And even re: white women, it's kind of a tired observation.)

FWIW, when I worked on the Hill back in 2009ish, there were some stylish staffers.

Some of the posters here are denigrating fashion as anti intellectual which is not the case at all. Fashion is a form of self expression which is a form of art which does require a type of intellect, just not the same intellect as writing a legal brief or doing surgery or whatever. I would love to be fashionable but I lack time, money, and energy. Something has to fall through the cracks and unfortunately it is my appearance. Am I happy about that? No, but I have learned to accept my own limitations and be happy despite that. I can also appreciate another woman who looks good and makes an effort without denigrating her. Do you! At my federal agency I see lots of stylish women, they just happen to be people of color.

basic bitch checking in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So OP, please describe a couple of outfits that you think are stylish AND look ok on a reasonably toned middle aged women AND reasonably affordable AND appropriate to wear to a professional office job. Am really curious as to what you come up with. I’d been checking out some of the ANn Taylor fall outfits (my shoes, bags, and watch are probably even less stylish that what you cited, but I’m not looking to change those at the moment). - always happy for other ideas that are within my budget. Thanks!

+1. Pictures please.

+2

You don't get to lecture people about being basic when they're trying to satisfy the above requirements if you can't come up with any reasonable suggestions.

But part of it for me, too, is that the time I would spend updating my wardrobe each season, I would rather spend with my family and friends, working out, reading, sleeping, etc. I know what looks good on me, and unless it's easy for me to update my clothing and accessories with things that flatter me, I'm not going to spend much time doing so.

Anonymous wrote:

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 agree. Lots of hostility and presumption that looking nice or slightly offbeat makes a woman dumb. Tons of insecurity, but why, if one is so smart?

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.

No, that's not it at all. There are a lot of women in DC who don't prioritize fashion and don't feel like they need to do more than look professional, because they have been raised and educated in a way that does not center on their appearance. But we don't gaf if you decide to dress up or have fashion as a hobby. Truly we don't. Just don't lecture us about being "basic."

My own experience as a professional woman in the non-profit and gov't sectors is that there is a lot of peer pressure to appear that you don't waste money on expensive things (like designer clothing). Most of the people I know think spending over $100 on a handbag is a splurge.

You dress for your audience. Know your audience. If you are going to a government office to present, leave the Hermes at home. If you are going to Wall Street to present, take the Hermes.

Anonymous wrote:I miss wearing my Hermès here.

Why? Wear whatever the eff makes you feel good. Lord knows there is enough to make you feel shitty in the world. I saw a woman yesterday on 18th with so much spring in her step, maybe 60, with a very simple outfit (cropped khakis, I dont even remember the shirt, like a tee/sweater combo and bright red low top chuck Ts. It's the little things. If its Hermes for you, rock it

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:in my 20's fashion was a way of guessing - who was interesting, who was successful, who had ambition, etc. With a few more decades of life experience none of these things are true.

In D.C. this is the case because almost everyone got where they were by being intellectual or marrying someone who was intellectual. Fashion and keeping up with trends has nothing to do with how your brain can get you where you need to be. I think San Francisco is also that way but to a far less extent. That's not necessarily the case in cities like NYC/Paris/London/Hong Kong.

Seattle too! Everyone wears athleisure or hiking clothes around town.

I miss wearing my Hermès here.

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.

It doesn't take away from your intelligence, it takes away your time. I really don't want to waste time matching the colors of my nails and blouse.

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.

Walk out the door magazine perfect and arrive at work a sweaty mess with blisters. Much smarter to dress for function, not fashion.