We stop a Russian waitress who’s keeping warm in a wonderful winter coat.
Irina Boyko, 24 Bartender, BlackFinn and Ulah Bistro
What she’s wearing: A faux-fur-trimmed coat from Bebe—“I just saw it and fell in love with it. If I fall in love with something from the beginning, that’s it. I don’t even look at the price. I know I won’t regret it. That’s why I’m broke!”—and a Valentino bag from Filene’s Basement.
Why do so many Russian women work at Ulah? “We work really good—and we’re kind of attractive.”
Where do you shop? “Pentagon City Mall, Loehmann’s, Filene’s Basement—it’s on the way from my first job to the other job, so it’s kind of dangerous. You go in there to buy a pair of socks, and there happens to be a sale of Hugo Boss or Valentino and you can’t pass by.”
Senator Ted Kaufman’s deputy press secretary, Amy Dudley, has her mother to thank for landing on our fashion radar. We were instantly drawn by the buttons on her H&M structured trench coat, which aren’t the ones the coat originally came with, Dudley explained. “My amazing mother came up with the great idea to replace the buttons, which were pretty boring. So she got these off the Internet and sewed them on for me.” Mothers always know best.
Beneath the trench, Dudley wore a bright yellow J. Crew cardigan, gauzy top from Urban Outfitters, and skinny ankle-length Levi’s jeans (“The only place to get skinny jeans for less than $100 bucks!”). Bold colors, she says, are her way of standing out in a work environment that tends to play it drab and dull with skirt suits, pinstripes, and a navy-and-black palette. “I try to mix it up and get around the traditional norms but still make sure I’m sticking to the dress code.”
What he’s wearing: Jeans, shirt, and vest from Ralph Lauren; leather belt from Skeeter’s Tack Shop in Fauquier; Kangaroo-leather boots from Australia: “I won ’em in a hand of cards last year.”
What do you like to wear, and how would you classify your look? “I usually just wear black or gray and trusty blue jeans and boots. If I had to say, it’d be American—simple and timeless is the attempt. I’ve always liked American history and the old styles that go with it. Particularly the 1890s to the 1940s.”
What was the last thing you bought? “A sweet secondhand jacket.”
What’s on your wish list for winter? “Same as always—bourbon and lots of snow in Washington.”
Every man should own: “A great pair of boots, a good belt, and a pistol.”
Rachel says: It must be my down-home roots, but I’ve always liked a rustic, classic look on a man, and these boots and tweedy vest fit the bill. If you’re looking to replicate the look, search for Justin boots on eBay.
A someday psychiatrist gets smart in fur and velvet for winter in our nightlife version of Sidewalk Style.
Photograph by Sarah Olin.
Who: Kyra Doumlele, 22, Columbia Heights resident
Where we spotted her: Getting some air outside Masa 14, a new restaurant on 14th Street, NW.
What she’s wearing: Thrift-store galore—the fur hat, black bodice, mauve belt, black velvet blazer, two-tone bag, 1920s filigree bracelet, and (plastic) diamond necklaces are all from local vintage shops. Target shoes, an antique jaguar brooch, and high-waisted shorts round out the ensemble.
There are so many unique facets of this look to discuss. Let’s begin with the shorts. “I made them completely from scratch. My aunt taught me how to use a sewing machine a million years ago, and around the same time, she gave me a bunch of fabric that gets incorporated into one piece or another.”
And that fantastic piece atop your head? “It’s from the Herndon Salvation Army. As far as hats go, I’m also a big fan of berets—I have one in every color. You can get them at thrift stores for 50 cents, and they’re an easy way to add color and warmth to an outfit. I also have a vintage black cloche with brass rings built into the sides. I reserve that for special occasions, like going to the National Symphony Orchestra.”
At the FreshFarm market near the White House, we were scooping up Honeycrisp apples—and snapping well-dressed marketgoers.
Robyn Mitchell, 23 Communications intern at One, a grassroots campaign and advocacy organization committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.
What she’s wearing: An Old Navy dress with an H&M scarf and Zara cardigan and her mother’s briefcase from the 1980s. Her belt and tights are from T.J. Maxx, her flats from Nine West.
I love the pattern on pattern! “I’ve noticed that black is DC’s color of choice, and while I am definitely a fan of classic chic, fall is such a vibrantly colorful season that I feel the desire to reflect it in my wardrobe. My favorite thing to do is make unexpected pairings, playing with texture and patterns. I like a feminine, youthful look.”
You’ve taken warmer-weather pieces and made them work for fall. Any tips to share about that? “As a recent grad making a career as a professional intern, I’m constantly on the lookout for ways to make my wardrobe multi-seasonal. As you can tell from the labels that I’m wearing, fashion on a dime is my forte. With a few cute fall accessories like colorful tights and a cardigan, it instantly becomes more suitable—and cozier—for fall weather. My best advice is to invest in a few layering pieces like cardigans, turtlenecks, and a classic pair of boots to extend the shelf life of your spring and summer wardrobe into the fall. I never have to make the choice between great style and grocery shopping!”
The equestrian look is a long-standing source of inspiration for fashion designers, so when we heard the Washington International Horse Show was in town at the Verizon Center this past weekend, we decided to stop by and see who we might spot. “We like fashion, but it’s difficult to incorporate it into our riding clothes,” our latest subjects, Amber and Chelsey, told us. Their solution? Having fun with small accents like jewelry and belt buckles. Take a look at their fabulous Gucci buckles in our video below.
Gone are the robust bureaus for the Los Angeles Times, Newhouse News, and other once-healthy news organizations. Digital media bureaus now are taking their places with as many reporters and plenty of swagger.
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