Jasmine Bell, 21
Student and assistant manager, DSW

What she’s wearing: Urban Outfitters dress, Forever 21 sweater and sunglasses, DSW boots and bag.

What do you recommend buying at DSW?
“Right now, I’d say boots, because a lot of them are on sale.”

Where else do you shop?
“Forever 21 is so affordable. You can find so many things for under $30. And I like Nordstrom Rack. I like to get InStyle magazine—there’s a list a lot of good Web sites for deals. There’s lulus.com, bluefly.com, and couponcabin.com. Another thing I’ve noticed is that the same thing will be cheaper online than it will be in stores.”

What are you looking forward to wearing come spring?
“This is really the first time I’ve done the tights and dresses thing. So that, and sandals.”

Peter Sulick, 27
Graduate student

What he’s wearing:
Adam Lippes suit, Polo sweater, J. Crew shirt.

Name a few things every guy should have in his closet.
“One gray suit, one blue suit, comfortable chinos and shirts, and some Levi’s.”

The fit on that suit is perfect. Do you have a tailor in town you like?
“All I had to have done to this one was hem the pants. I don’t really know much about the designer, but I saw the fabric and loved it. It’s this dark houndstooth. And I also love that the buttons at the sleeve are real. But for tailors, Cheryl A. Lofton & Associates in Shaw is a great place for basics. They’re quick, professional, and cheap. Field’s in Georgetown is one of the best suit tailors I’ve ever visited. They’re expensive but well worth it for a perfect fit.”

Where do you shop, and what are some of your favorite labels?
“American Apparel for T-shirts, Levi’s for jeans, and J. Crew for polo for shirts and sweaters. Suits are a different story. The key is finding a brand that has a cut that fits you well. Burberry and Zenga fit me perfectly off the rack, so that’s what I generally buy.”

Yan Tian, 19
Student, George Washington University

What she’s wearing:
Desigual pants, Veromoda jacket and scarf (purchased in China), and Converse sneakers.

Tell me about your look.
“I got these pants in New York. This is my first time wearing more weird stuff. I would describe my style as casual.”

Aren’t you freezing?
“Not really. I’m wearing leggings underneath the pants!”

What do you look forward to wearing come spring?
“Shorts.”

Rachel says:
This look isn’t for everyone, but the cut of these pants gave her a certain swagger that I couldn’t help but admire.  

Lauren Mackler, 27
Graphic designer

What she’s wearing:
An H&M coat from a thrift store, a cream sweater that was a gift from her father, and brogue-style shoes from the Shoe Market in Brooklyn.

What’s your secret to looking cute in the snow and cold?
“Layers. You have to take a little extra time [in the winter]. It feels good to look cute.”

Aren’t you worried about messing up your shoes?
“I feel like that’ll only make them look better.”

What do you think of the vintage shopping around here?
“Awesome! I love it—much more affordable than in New York. I bought two hats and some jewelry.”

Where do you like to shop, generally?
“Some of my friends are designers or have stores, and I like to buy from them. There’s an amazing selection of New York designers at Sodafine; my friend Sto’s gallery/bookstore; my friend Brie’s beautiful jewelry; and my friend Shabd’s incredible tie-dye galaxy leggings.

Natalie Strasser, 24 (left), Power Tots gymnastics instructor and Glass House DC blogger.
Mundy Spears, 26, actress with Washington Shakespeare Company, dance instructor, and singer/writer for the band Youngs Modulus.

On Natalie: Diesel pants, Max Studio shirt, Dooney & Bourke vintage briefcase, Plymouth hat—all from thrift stores. Her shoes are from Nine West, and the necklace was an aunt’s find during missionary trips in Africa in the ’50s and ’60s.
On Mundy: Shirt from a vintage store in New York, jeans from Forever 21 (“I get cheap jeans so I can paint, and dye them with bleach”), a Salvation Army bowler hat, and boots from Cutesy Girl.

So you two just met earlier tonight? Was it the clothes?
Natalie: “She was standing with a mutual friend, and I think I knew we’d click immediately, because she was wearing a hat, and I could tell right away she wasn’t afraid to experiment with fashion.”
Mundy: “Yes, her fresh lid made me think she’d be an interesting and fun person.”

How would you describe your style?
Natalie: “I dress myself based on what I’m feeling and on the event that I’m attending. Art and music events rock because you can be more daring. Generally, I’d describe my style as emotional art. I’m expressing myself without words by choosing what clothing I dress myself in. I like being bold, and it’s extremely easy in DC.”
Mundy: “If David Bowie and Cyndi Lauper had a child that listened to a lot of Joy Division, that child would dress like me.”

Staircase banisters and white-frosted window frames weren’t the only places to find beautiful decoration at last week’s Cool Creative Christmas party. Though the event—a viewing reception of high-concept Christmas decorations at the Danish Embassy—featured some of the most elegant craftsmanship we’ve ever seen (click here for photos), the artists responsible for the ornamentation donned equally eye-catching ensembles. We especially loved how each woman accessorized with creative headwear—a great party idea. Though a papier-mâché bird barrette is not for the fashion faint-of-heart, anyone can comfortably turn heads with flowers or a ’40s-inspired cocktail hat. Read on for the lowdown on each unique look.

Nicole Rowsell, 32
Senior manager, National Democratic Institute

What she’s wearing:
Ann Taylor Loft sweater, French Connection turtleneck, Victoria Secret leggings, Etienne Aigner boots, Ray Bans, and a bag purchased in Paris “ages ago.”

Favorite item in your closet:
“Right now it’s this sweater. If I could figure out how to wear it to work every day, I would.”

What do you think of Michelle Obama’s style?
“I love her. She has figured out how to do business-casual to a tee. But it’s not boring—she’s trying something new, which I admire.”