While scouting the latest spring trends at the recent InStyle and Neiman Marcus preview event, we had the pleasure of meeting Kate Barber, local fashionista and author of style blog Bellwether. Over the past month, we’ve become huge fans of her exuberant style savvy plus her insightful fashion comments, such as one recent post about the history of the J. Crew Collection, J. Crew’s upscale line that has recently made a return to stores.

We naturally bonded over our mutual love of all things style and Washington, and it stood to reason that Barber would make a natural fit for the next Frugal Fashionista column. After all, who better to ask than someone whose blog title means “one that serves as a leader or as a leading indicator of future trends”?

Janaina Isaac, 23
Student, Howard University
Employee at Steve Madden in Georgetown

What she’s wearing:
Steven by Steve Madden boots; Urban Outfitters hoodie, bracelet, and faux-leather tights; and H&M jacket.

So how’s the quality, really, at Steve Madden?
“Our boots and pumps are great. The sandals don’t hold up as well, unless you get the Steven by Steve Madden ones. The soles are much more sturdy.”

Tell me about your style.
“Simple. Kinda grudgy . . . like sloppy-meets-street. I like a lot of black and very few silver accessories. You can tell I’m from New York.”

Very few things drag a woman willingly from bed before 8 AM on a Saturday, but promises of designer merchandise at deep discounts is generally one of them. More than 1,000 Washington shoppers gathered at the George Mason Masonic Memorial Temple for the fourth annual Alexandria Warehouse Sale, where boutiques such as Hysteria, the Shoe Hive, Treat, the Little Monogram Shop, and more gathered to sell fall and winter merchandise for as much as 90 percent off.

The earliest buyers arrived just before 8 AM. “There were people here before me!” says Elizabeth Todd, owner of the Shoe Hive and one of the event’s coordinators.

By 8:30, about 100 eager shoppers had already gathered in the snakelike line, hoping, as one eager bargain hunter put it, to find “treasures under $200.”

For the Girl Who Has Everything

Farinelli’s. Local denim whiz Mauro Farinelli has two new boutiques specializing in such upper-end, hard-to-find brands as Kasil and Nudie plus his own label. 11874 Market St., Reston, 571-926-9478; 2839 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, 703-647-9856; farinellis.blogspot.com.

Denim Bar. You name it, DB’s got it. Premium brands such as Acne and Earnest Sewn are stocked alongside staples including 7 for All Mankind. 1101 S. Joyce St., Arlington, 703-414-8202; 4939 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, 301-986-5260; thedenimbar.net.

National Jean Company. This chain carries exclusive offerings by such names as J Brand plus city-savvy labels such as Current/Elliott. 7301 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, 301-907-0295; 1826 Library St., Reston, 703-689-2101; nationaljeancompany.com.

Caroline before her makeover. Photograph by Chris Leaman

Caroline Stoga, 23
Executive assistant at an international strategic advisory firm in DC

Why she wanted a makeover:
In her second year at a “pretty serious job,” Stoga felt ready to trade her college-era locks for a more professional appearance. “While I try to keep my wardrobe looking fun yet professional, my hair and makeup don’t always project the same image,” she says. “Although I’ve played with color and texture in the past, I currently have some pretty fake-looking blond highlights that are growing out. The color was fun in the summer, but it doesn’t cut it under the halogen lights of the office.”

Date of her last haircut:
“Good question. I have a habit of being really lazy with my hair maintenance. Normally I’ll wait until I wake up one day and it’s just totally unmanageable, then I’ll make an appointment with whoever can see me that day for a cut or color.”

Reaction when she found out she was getting a Washingtonian.com makeover:
“I was mostly surprised because I had forgotten that I’d even applied. Once it settled in, though, I realized how insanely lucky I am—talk about a belated Christmas present.”

Reaction from her friends and family:
“My friends think it’s really exciting. My mom’s first reaction was jealousy—she’s absolutely gorgeous but claims she needs a makeover, too. The worst one was my boss—he told me that I’ll still look a hot mess afterward! Guess we’ll just have to prove him wrong.”

What she likes and dislikes about her current look:
Stoga switches her look often, but in general she likes the look of being a blonde. What does she dislike? Well, everything, she says: “My color right now is not well done, and it makes me look washed out and even paler than I already am. Plus, I’m totally uninspired by my cut.”

How she wants to look afterward:
“I’d just love to look a little more put together—a style that I can show up at a meeting feeling confident with and one that will also look in place when I’m out on U Street on a Saturday night.”

How she doesn’t want to look:
“I hope I don’t come out looking like Steve Guttenberg! Probably not much of a concern, but you never know.”

See Caroline's transformation after the jump!

Left to right: Kim, Felicia, and Stayce.

Kim Hammonds, 35, administrative assistant, Corporation for National and Community Service
Felicia Thomas, stylist/vintage retailer, Wilma Bees
Stayce Thomas, 29, deputy project manager, software development, SAIC

What they’re wearing:
Kim: Old Navy down jacket; H&M tights, scarf, and legwarmers; Armani Exchange hat; bag from the Baltimore flea market.
Felicia: Coat and hat from Value Village (coat’s label is Beaubois), Zara hoodie, Forever 21 turtleneck, Danskin tights, scarf from a thrift store in Fairfax.
Stayce: Donna Karan ski turtleneck and tights, down wrap-style jacket from BlueSand purchased in Italy, CrownCap hat, Prada shades, Forever 21 earrings.

How would you describe your style?
Kim: “Modern and chic. You’ll find me wearing dark, tight jeans, high boots, and a very fitted, low-cut shirt. It’s my uniform.”
Felicia: “I’m kinda vintage-rocker-romantic. I wear a lot of jeans, a lot of lace and jewelry. And a ton of bracelets. My one staple is high heels.”
Stayce: “I’m definitely a jeans freak. Otherwise, it depends on the occasion.”
Kim: “Stayce’s very relaxed—she has every color of Uggs. She’s a bit more conservative.”

>> See our full Valentine's Day Guide 

Spanx may ensure that you’re panty-line free or seductively smooth, but they’re about as sexy as footie pajamas when worn on their own. So we’ve scoured Washington’s best boutiques and department stores, discount and high-end alike, to bring you a selection of undergarments sure to wow your significant other—or just to make you feel pretty—this Valentine’s Day.

Not a single thing is from Victoria’s Secret, that famed purveyor of all things sexy, and Frederick’s of Hollywood didn’t make the cut, either. Instead, we selected items you might actually wear at prices you can probably afford. Every item but one (it is cashmere, after all) is less than $100. As a bonus, nothing is insipidly adorned with hearts, flowers, or “be mine” candies, but we did find a funny pair of “love monkey” pajamas at Target!