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Who: Ashley Bright, 25
Journalism-and-public-affairs graduate student at American University

Where she’s originally from: Sedona, Arizona.

What she’s wearing: A J.Crew coat from Goodwill, an H&M shirt, an Ann Taylor Loft cardigan, a Gap skirt, and shoes from Urban Outfitters.

Where do you typically shop? “I shop at Goodwill—the two-story one off Columbia Road—once a week. I shop at Gap a lot for certain items. I shop at H&M daily, and I love the new Forever 21 that opened in Metro Center.” 

How does Washington style compare to the look of Arizona? “I think the style in DC is way preppier than in Arizona. I never saw seersucker ties, Longchamp bags, or any of that until I moved here. In Arizona the style is definitely more laid back. People don’t think as much about what they wear, unless they’re going out clubbing. People dress mostly for comfort because it’s either really hot or really cold.” 

Brooke says: Ashley was writing a fashion story for American University and requested my help with it. I noticed that she was looking quite polished in a bright yellow coat and brown tights, so I decided to ask for her help as well. 

Who: Jennifer Jeremias, 28.

Where: Georgetown, at the grand opening of the new Madewell store.

Can you tell me what you’re wearing today?
“I’m wearing a thrifted sparkly sweater and jeans that probably aren’t very flattering! My shoes are Marc Jacobs, and I’m also wearing blue stockings and a belt. Basically, everything’s thrifted. Oh, and my own earrings.”

Your own earrings? Can you explain?
“I repurpose vintage pieces and sell them at craft shows. I also go to school at the Corcoran part-time, which is where I made these earrings. I’ve been taking jewelry classes for about two years now. I’ve been working with different materials and learning how to metalsmith. I like wearing things that I made.”

How do you feel about Madewell opening in Georgetown?
“I’ve never heard of Madewell before, but I do think that up close the clothes are high quality. They have really great- -looking shoes. I’m looking at their jewelry, too, and I’m pretty pleased.”

Who: Comedian Seaton Smith, 28

Where: A Chinatown studio for a Brightest Young Things photo shoot

What brings you here today? “I work with BYT a lot. We do monthly shows called ‘Family Hemerlein,’ where my friend [musician] Matthew Hemerlein and I host a comedy/music show. He does the music, and I do the comedy.”

Is anything in this outfit secondhand? “This military canvas belt was $1. This is a vintage cardigan. I have a checkered shirt, also vintage—no idea where I got it. The glasses are from some consignment shop. Also a vintage jacket.”

Your jacket fits really well for vintage. “I have no idea why it fits so well. I was so happy because I specifically told myself, ‘I need myself a tweed jacket.’ Very rarely do you have a want in a thrift store and have it immediately achieved.”

Do you have a strategy for shopping vintage? “This is all luck. This is eight years of thrift-store shopping. Sometimes you get lucky.”

Who: Freelance photographer Kyle Samperton, 59

Where: Opening night at the Chocouture photo exhibit, Biagio Chocolates.

Why are you here today? “To support Worn Magazine, because it’s a long-overdue creative endeavor that needs to be in DC. It focuses on the people that are from here.”

Do you have any personal connection to it? “I just want to see it succeed. Tremendously. That’s the personal connection I have.”

Where’d you find the pieces of your outfit? “I got the coat in a market in DC—it’s a Mongolian riding jacket. The scarf is Indian. And the shirt’s Tibetan.”

Is there a reason why you wore this outfit today? “It’s like Popeye: ‘I am what I am.’ ”

Brooke says: Amid a crowd of nicely—but safely—dressed twenty-, thirty-, and fortysomethings, Kyle definitely stands out. He looks like a rugged mountaineer.

Who: Destiny Robinson

Where: Stroga, rehearsing for Fashion: District, ReadySetDC's annual fashion show that highlights local design talent. Destiny walked in the show—along with the author—for Mercedes Bien Vintage (2423 18th St.,NW;202-360-8481).    

Where do you go to school? "Osbourn Park High School."

Who did your hair? "I went to my hairdresser, Dawn, at Salon 2020."

Any reason for the special look? "Not a lot of people in Virginia have their hair cut like people from DC. I wanted to try something different."

What are you wearing? "My mom's cardigan, black pants, gray boots, and a blue spaghetti-strap shirt."  

Brooke says: I was drawn to her funky hairstyle. Despite being young, she demonstrates a keen sense of style and an awareness of her image.