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Striped Socks, 14U

Posted on March 20, 2008
Filed Under Around Town, Men | 1 Comment

I just snapped these pictures at 14U Cafe in the U Street neighborhood. He’s wearing an APC jacket with pants and a shirt he bought in Argentina. The hat is from Bavaria and has a badger tassle. I love his striped socks (those are Cydwoq shoes). He’s working on a “sexier” (though not in that way) version of George Washington’s Rules of Civility.

We took a few posed photos of him with the hat on as well that I’ll post below, but I think I like this top one best, when he didn’t know I was taking the picture. It’s funny that he’s sitting right in front of me as well as in front of me on the computer screen…

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A Little Sartorial Spoiler

Posted on March 19, 2008
Filed Under Around Town, Only in Washington | 16 Comments

One of The Sartorialist’s subjects on view (and on sale) at Adamson Gallery

I paid a visit to The Sartorialist exhibit @ Adamson on Saturday so I could actually *see* the photographs before tonight’s reception with Scott himself. I don’t want to go on TOO much about the exhibit because I want and expect that each and every one of you will make it over there at some point – either tonight or, for the misanthropically or claustrophobically inclined, before it closes April 26.

My first thought? They are so small! That was kind of the topic of debate/discussion swirling through the crowd (and it was a crowd, I might add). I was expecting poster-sized shots; some folks were hoping for life-size. One possible reason for keeping them standard 81/2 x 11 may be that the photographs are up for sale (for those of you with $1200-$1800 to spare)…though it seems to me that folks who love The Sartorialist would be just as interested in buying oversize images. I was also expecting to see some kind of artist’s statement or gallery summary with the who/what/why on the wall explaining things…but then again, that wouldn’t really make sense for Scott or his blog. In fact, I love that you’re sorta forced to take the photographs for what they are – with little or no guidance – just as you do on the site. Arrangement of the photos too: Hamish Bowles (one of the first photos, on the left, when you enter) is given equal treatment as a teen on the street. BYT did a good job of reviewing and picture-taking so definitely check that out – you can see one of me wearing the loudest, most ridiculous vintage dress covered entirely in tulips.

I’m home in Lexington at the moment but I’ll be there tonight, wearing….I don’t know! Agh! Will it be the cropped vintage black-and-silver jacket I recently bought at Annie Creamcheese? I have some great long gloves the color of a Creamsicle thrifted here in Lexington the last time I was in town…but what to wear them with?! Hm. It’ll have to be a snap decision.

See you tonight. I’m really looking forward to meeting any of you that come (so please come up and say hi!) and hearing what you all think of the show!

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Vintage, 18th Street

Posted on March 19, 2008
Filed Under On The Street, Women | 2 Comments

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Intersection of UK & K Street

Posted on March 17, 2008
Filed Under Everything Else, Only in Washington | 2 Comments

French It-girl Clemence Poesy. {photo courtesy style.com}

I’m reading a pretty interesting article published today by Ruth Sunderland of The Guardian called French Women Can be Chic and Serious. Why Can’t We? She spends time talking about fashion’s role as relates to professional and social judgment, argues that the French have somehow gracefully avoided this, and that they have emerged instead as a force of both stylish and substantive women unafraid to showcase their personal definition of chic.

I think you’ll quickly be able to some interesting parallels between the UK & the District. The basic argument and frustration is that women want to be known for their accomplishments, not for their clothes, and I’d say that’s pretty true of Washington on the whole. (…There’s also Rocoloco, whose leaves the first comment, “If you want to see frumpy, visit Washington D.C. during a workday.”…ouch)

It’s a worthy read even just for the brilliant (been reading this too long!) comments it has generated. I’m particularly fond of one that starts off “…As a not too staid, not too prim, 65-year-old retired Canuck with therapeutic and educational experience in the sexuality field…” and I laughed out loud from the straightforward argument from kazbe, who poses the question, “while fashion is enjoyable and probably should be treated as a serious branch of culture, should it really be compulsory for everyone?”

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Diamonds Are a Boy’s Best Friend

Posted on March 17, 2008
Filed Under Men, On The Street | 1 Comment

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Sunshine & Music, Tryst

Posted on March 14, 2008
Filed Under Around Town, Women | 4 Comments

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The DSS Report

Posted on March 13, 2008
Filed Under Around Town, Events, Only in Washington | 5 Comments

This post is so embarrassing overdue, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you how much fun I had at this season’s District Sample Sale, and how many awesome things I managed to snag (all, I’m proud to say, in that first blissfully relaxed VIP hour). I got over to the Galleria a little before 5:30 and was all proud of myself for that since I am NEVER EVER on time. But then, stupid stupid, realize that I’d forgotten to go to the ATM first to withdraw my budgeted amount (you can use cards and it really wasn’t a problem since I wasn’t shopping when the crowd really hit, but cash is best generally so you can buy quickly). So picture me, *RUNNING* through the Galleria maze and a few West End city sidewalks just to get to an ATM so I could shop. How ridiculous. So I got back, entered the sale, got my goodie bag (HELLO Kiehls and Phyto samples and $30 gift card to We One You Two, Red Bull, etc…!) and promptly began to scan the goods. My strategy: shop now, eat and drink when the masses enter.

I found that some of the best markdowns were at Sherman Pickey, and I got 3 of my 4 items there. BIG ups to Ethan for discounting with such a heavy hand. AWESOME deals. In total, I got 2 “responsible” things and two “fun” things. The responsible: cashmere-wool blend menswear-style pants from Tevrow+Chase (originally $275; I paid $50) and a dark brown pencil skirt from the same line (originally $245; I paid $45). The fun items: a short silk CK Bradley skirt in bright green, black & cream that will look perfect now with black tights and a snug jacket and later with a white tank and sandals, and a silk Tracy Reese dress featuring an oh-so-Spring floral pattern with ruffles at the bottom from Urban Chic (I paid $100; the original price wasn’t on the tag). I noticed a woman a the checkout waiting to see if I’d buy the dress…I’m not going to lie and say that this didn’t cement my decision! I went to the DSS dressed sample-sale-smart in opaque black tights, a fitted black tanktop with a wrap dress over it all, which I was able to quickly remove to try things on. It wasn’t the most smashing outfit anyone’s seen me in, but I was there to shop, not to impress! The only real issue I noticed this year with the new space was lighting, which was poor in certain booths. I was assured that it would be taken care of for next year though.

Did any of you go? What did you get?

A little help from a friend is VERY necessary at this kind of event…

Sherman Pickey had some of the best sales….

This floaty and somewhat sheer confection of a top was Robert Rodriguez, from the Connecticut Avenue boutique TERRA.

Tina Alster, who looks great every time I see her, without fail. She’s always like, “oh whatever, this is Lanvin” in a way that is somehow completely genuine and rockstar.

I hate crap like this generally, (it’s all that fashionista-fabulous-pink-martini-shop-til-you-drop kind of lingo that I find so tired as relates to fashion) but this sign hanging from a try-on mirror really did kinda capture the mood in the room.

Apres Peau’s Liberty Jones was all red lips, blonde hair and glowing layered dress.

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