Anonymous
Post 07/19/2025 11:12     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
Anonymous wrote:There I said it.

But why is it so?! The men look great. DC is literally the last place in the US where men were jackets and ties normally.

But the women??? Talbots + Flats, old lady sandales, or worse.. just sneakers. Dresses that not only DON’T flatter their form but also go down to the ankles and athleisure athleisure athleisure.

What gives?

Is there something about conservative DC culture that also means you can’t be sexy AT ALL?
The worst dressed women are in San Francisco. They are the absolute worst. But DC??

This is bad.

Okay, let's start with the OP. Post a picture of yourself, we'd be happy to critique your fashion choices.
Anonymous
Post 07/19/2025 11:06     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
If you are spending most of your income on your superficial upkeep, you need to see therapist.
Anonymous
Post 07/19/2025 11:03     Subject: Re:DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
Anonymous wrote:The smarter you are the less you have to dress up.

You don’t need to dress up if you’re a physicist, statistician, researcher, computer programmer, ….

Let’s face it people dress for other people. People with high self-esteem don’t need that external validation



100%
Anonymous
Post 07/19/2025 10:05     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
The real truth about my frumpy clothes and lack of makeup is that I don’t need or want anything from anyone 90% of the time. I only dress up as much as required to show respect to the people I’m with or to the occasion.
Anonymous
Post 07/19/2025 08:53     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
Woman in my 40s. I love my frizzy crazy curly hair that looks awful on zoom, my no makeup (actually no makeup) with moisturizer or sunscreen, and my comfy loafers or sneakers with a knit tank or natural fabric blouse and pants. Also add a basic coach purse or quilted athleta purse. I’m GenX and care much more about progressive causes and comfort. I hope I project that I have good taste in music and books, read the New Yorker (ok occasionally) and have a great education (ok worthless ivy degrees.)
Anonymous
Post 07/19/2025 08:45     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
Sexy clothing? Can you give me an example of an outfit that meets this criteria but can also work in the office and/or going about a typical day at home/running errands?
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 21:19     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
Anonymous wrote:I’m on the metro today with air dried hair, a nondescript navy blue dress and sneakers. I just don’t care enough to try harder than appropriate.


And why should you? It's so hot and humid here 4-5 months of the year. I def don't try in the summer, my only goal is not to melt.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 18:40     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
So basically if you’re intellectually stimulating and attractive, you could very well own the key to this city 🤔 because it seems that in this world the women staunchly choose one or the other.

Something tells me a lot of the women in DC are cat owners..
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 22:51     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Lol the men here do not look great.

Most people are hopeless with fashion in America in general. And most people you see in DC don’t prioritize their looks which I don’t always think is a bad thing unless it starts to skew in the direction of wearing pajamas and/or underwear outside.


People don’t prioritize their looks? Then you’re telling me people are dating eachother purely based on intellect? Married people don’t even try to look attractive for one another?


DP: Intellect will always come first, of course. That should be obvious. And yes, for the small group of "single people looking for love" who tend to live here only very briefly, looking good to try to find a mate matters. Beyond that, people just don't tend to be that superficial around here.

Married people are attractive to one another no matter what they are wearing or not wearing on a day to day basis (and a handbag certainly makes no difference at all). But for a special night out, sure.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 22:45     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
Anonymous wrote:Grandma kobes her skort and Birkenstocks


She earned it.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 22:43     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Fashion here isn’t GLAMOROUS. This isn’t Miami or New York.

DC is “preppy”

Preppy clothing is mainly part of
the body language among women who
are married or who do not need to
establish themselves with an appearance
that has instant impact.

Preppy clothing says "I am not a
threat. I am sexless and safe. I am a
woman's woman."

Glamorous clothing says "I am a threat. I like men, sex, and me. I am serious about
relationships and if you do not take care of yourself to keep your man interested, I
may get him.”

We prefer to be preppy here.


I'm an immigrant from one of the looks-focused countries, but I've lived here for 25+ years. Here's my observation, not a judgment, take it for what it's worse. I think DC professional women dress mostly to be inoffensive. They are fearful of attracting attention based on their appearance. And to my eye, this has nothing to do with excess makeup, logos or tight/revealing clothing. I find that professional women here are afraid of bolder lines and properly cut silhouettes. You can wear the same two-piece suit but a suit made of good fabrics cut to fit your figure (not encase it like a sausage but, like, really FIT - the right skim, the right length, the right shoulder and waistline, etc.) will look completely different from a suit whose main purpose is merely to cover parts of your body with fabric. That's the best I can describe it.


Yes, you put your finger on it. The DC uniform says "I am smart and professional, take me seriously, but I do not want a date / want to give a statement to the media / want to appear in any photographs."


Yes. The last thing I want is to look sexy at work. That would be so awkward. Almost as bad as looking sexy around my teenage son’s friends. Just no.


This is not about looking sexy.

Sally Yates rocked that style.


OP thinks only sexy is fashionable.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 22:39     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
So, to you OP, if a woman isn't dressed "sexy," she is unfashionable, but a man in a conservative jacket and tie is "well dressed." You need help.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 22:34     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Fashion here isn’t GLAMOROUS. This isn’t Miami or New York.

DC is “preppy”

Preppy clothing is mainly part of
the body language among women who
are married or who do not need to
establish themselves with an appearance
that has instant impact.

Preppy clothing says "I am not a
threat. I am sexless and safe. I am a
woman's woman."

Glamorous clothing says "I am a threat. I like men, sex, and me. I am serious about
relationships and if you do not take care of yourself to keep your man interested, I
may get him.”

We prefer to be preppy here.


I'm an immigrant from one of the looks-focused countries, but I've lived here for 25+ years. Here's my observation, not a judgment, take it for what it's worse. I think DC professional women dress mostly to be inoffensive. They are fearful of attracting attention based on their appearance. And to my eye, this has nothing to do with excess makeup, logos or tight/revealing clothing. I find that professional women here are afraid of bolder lines and properly cut silhouettes. You can wear the same two-piece suit but a suit made of good fabrics cut to fit your figure (not encase it like a sausage but, like, really FIT - the right skim, the right length, the right shoulder and waistline, etc.) will look completely different from a suit whose main purpose is merely to cover parts of your body with fabric. That's the best I can describe it.


Yes, you put your finger on it. The DC uniform says "I am smart and professional, take me seriously, but I do not want a date / want to give a statement to the media / want to appear in any photographs."


Yes. The last thing I want is to look sexy at work. That would be so awkward. Almost as bad as looking sexy around my teenage son’s friends. Just no.


This is not about looking sexy.

Sally Yates rocked that style.


This may be the first time I have ever heard anyone notice Sally Yates’ clothes.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 22:30     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
Anonymous wrote:Only the gay men look great


I don't think so at all. There's a very fussy, "done" look that many guys go for (cropped or rolled up skinny pants, no socks, loafers) and it's so off-putting. A lot of gay men dress like that.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 22:08     Subject: DC ladies Fashion is TERRIBLE
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Fashion here isn’t GLAMOROUS. This isn’t Miami or New York.

DC is “preppy”

Preppy clothing is mainly part of
the body language among women who
are married or who do not need to
establish themselves with an appearance
that has instant impact.

Preppy clothing says "I am not a
threat. I am sexless and safe. I am a
woman's woman."

Glamorous clothing says "I am a threat. I like men, sex, and me. I am serious about
relationships and if you do not take care of yourself to keep your man interested, I
may get him.”

We prefer to be preppy here.


I'm an immigrant from one of the looks-focused countries, but I've lived here for 25+ years. Here's my observation, not a judgment, take it for what it's worse. I think DC professional women dress mostly to be inoffensive. They are fearful of attracting attention based on their appearance. And to my eye, this has nothing to do with excess makeup, logos or tight/revealing clothing. I find that professional women here are afraid of bolder lines and properly cut silhouettes. You can wear the same two-piece suit but a suit made of good fabrics cut to fit your figure (not encase it like a sausage but, like, really FIT - the right skim, the right length, the right shoulder and waistline, etc.) will look completely different from a suit whose main purpose is merely to cover parts of your body with fabric. That's the best I can describe it.


Yes, you put your finger on it. The DC uniform says "I am smart and professional, take me seriously, but I do not want a date / want to give a statement to the media / want to appear in any photographs."


Yes. The last thing I want is to look sexy at work. That would be so awkward. Almost as bad as looking sexy around my teenage son’s friends. Just no.


This is not about looking sexy.

Sally Yates rocked that style.