By Sydney Poulton
We've already covered why maxi skirts are great for winter--now it's time to discuss continuing the trend into the summer months. At first glance, a full-length skirt may seem best suited for trapping warmth, but when made in the right material, maxis can be your best bet for light, cool, and easy warm-weather style. Here are three breezy ways I'll be wearing mine this summer.
Pretty in Pink
Windsor skirt and sunglasses, AE denim jacket (similar), and Von Eshna necklace.
When most Washingtonians think of Charlottesville, they think of blue, orange, football, and the frat boys of UVA--not exactly ideal for a relaxing beginning-of-summer getaway. But school is now officially out, making this easygoing college town an ideal destination for a last-minute Memorial Day trip. And good news: There's plenty to do off-campus, particularly in the buzzing, brick-lined downtown, where restaurant seating spills outdoors and onto the main drag and the shopping is seriously, surprisingly good. Our suggestion: Spend Sunday and Monday sipping at some of the nearby breweries (we hear good things about Blue Mountain and Wild Woof) or vineyards, but reserve Saturday--the day of the not-to-miss farmers market --for some retail therapy at this impressive collection of stores.
'Tis the season for perfumes featuring floral scents. Photograph by Michael Kraus
Floral fragrances and springtime go hand in hand--and experts believe we're drawn to the smell of roses, lilies of the valley, and other blooms because of the pleasant memories they can trigger.
Holly Chapple of Leesburg's Holly Heider Chapple Flowers says that floral fragrances are not only subtle and classic but often feature flowers commonly found in "Grandma's garden"--and so bring us back to memories of our youth.
Rick Davis, owner of DC's Amaryllis Floral & Event Design, believes that flower scents can spark happy feelings of another sort: "Spring is the season of love, and fragrant flowers such as roses and peonies are seen as romantic."
And if you're looking for love? "Jasmine is a seductive scent," he says, "better suited to nighttime wear."
This article appears in the May 2012 issue of The Washingtonian.
Monday through Thursday, we're all about a practical pair of shoes--something that feels professional, matches with more than one outfit, and isn't wasted hiding under a cubicle desk. But by the time Friday rolls around we are so, so ready to switch gears. Time to swap those sensible slingbacks for something big, bold, and guaranteed to turn heads as we walk down 14th Street. If you were thinking about staying in, this roundup of statement-making shoes might just change your mind.
By Erin Williams
Sisters and Snobswap founders Emily Dang and Elise Whang. Photograph courtesy of Amanda Spann.
We've all been there. After weeks of agonizing, you finally splurge on that completely-out-of-your-budget bag/dress/pair of shoes/gold-plated whatever. But then the months crawl by, it barely leaves your closet, and you're left wondering how many hours of shuffleboard that splurge could have afforded your retired self. What's a regretful shopper to do?
By Sarah Zlotnick
Image courtesy of God Save My Shoes.
Obvious statement number one: Women love shoes. It's not a groundbreaking thesis, but it's definitely a fun one to explore with your girlfriends on a Thursday night. As part of Bethesda Row's fashionable Front Row weekend, the footwear-focused documentary God Save My Shoes, will screen for one night only tomorrow at Bethesda Row's Landmark Theatre (7:30 PM; RSVP to shoes@brandlinkdcrsvp.com). The film features extensive interviews with major designers Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, and Pierre Hardy, plus a look inside the shoe closets of baronesses and former Vogue editors. After the screening, The Washingtonian's own fashion editor, Kate Bennett, will host a Q&A with producer Thierry Daher. We got a sneak peek at the film and picked up seven juicy bits of shoe trivia for you to impress your friends with.
By Sarah Zlotnick
Who: Dwayne Brice, 30
Store manager/associate buyer, Hu's Wear
What he does: I manage the day-to-day operations of the store, which includes everything from hiring employees and profit forecasting to vendor communications and personal shopping. As associate buyer, I'm charged with seasonal purchasing for Hu's contemporary and designer lines (labels include Donna Karan, the Row, Proenza Schouler, Celine, and Lanvin) and assisting the buyer with selling reports and tracking and planning deliveries and reorders.
Describe your work style: Moody. I dress based on my temperament, and as a Scorpio, that can change at any moment. I love dark and brooding, but I find ways to insert color, texture, and patterns. Working in high-end retail has definitely opened my eyes to the importance of quality fabrics and enduring design. Thus, I advocate investing in "forever" pieces, be it a black cashmere V-neck sweater (I could wear one every day) or a great leather bag (I'm never caught without one).
Outfit One: Standard Day at the Store
This is a staple work outfit for me: a great pair of jeans, a tailored shirt, a standout shoe, and loads of jewelry. It's a mixture of ease with a hint of formality. Quality pieces stand the test of time, and I have had everything in this outfit for years.
Jil Sander Shirt, vintage vest, Dior Homme jeans, Lanvin shoes, and jewelry by Louis Vuitton, Hermés, John Hardy, Philip Stein, and Jessica Biales.
By Sarah Zlotnick
Born and raised in Russia, Elena comes to Washington by way of Baltimore. After graduating from art school in Charm City, she moved to DC with her boyfriend, who gifted her a "dream camera"--a Canon 7D--for her birthday. After she'd filled up her computer desktop with pretty images, an online presence seemed like a natural extension.
"I always loved photography, fashion, and traveling," she says, "and having a blog seemed like a perfect way to share my experiences and photographs."
Filled with gorgeous shots it may be, but we're hooked on Classy and Fabulous (named for the famous Coco Chanel quote) for Elena herself. From her stick-straight hair to those killer skinny jeans, everything about her style reads unfussy and seriously sleek. Read on for her take on nailing the minimalist look--and to see some fresh new outfits she styled just for us.
By Sarah Zlotnick
Designer Eileen Fisher (center) poses with Marymount staff and senior Fashion Merchandising majors. Photograph by Leslie Kossoff.
Public policy, law, international affairs--the list of academic strengths is long and wonky here in Washington. But students excel in creative areas, too--for proof, look no further than Marymount University's signature fashion design program. On a sleepy campus off Northern Virginia's Glebe Road, aspiring fashion designers learn the ins and outs of sewing a pattern, developing a line, and landing a fashion job post-graduation.
Each year, students compete for the honor of showcasing their designs at the school's annual Portfolio in Motion fashion show (see our favorite looks from this year's show here). After the show, each senior designer's portfolio is critiqued by Marymount's designer of the year. Past honorees have included Michael Kors, Diane von Furstenberg, Carolina Herrera, and Peter Som; this year the title went to Eileen Fisher.
Perhaps most well known for her luxurious, loose-fitting basics, the 28-year industry veteran has stores all over the world and a very loyal following among Washington women. Here, she opens up about the looks she saw, the pros and cons of designing outside New York, and why a work/life balance is important, especially in a field as creative as fashion design.
