There’s gridlock in the House and Senate, the markets still look shaky, and the Caps can’t catch a break—when’s the last time the Washington man got to check something off in the win column? But take heart, guys: At least nowadays you can look good while listing those #firstworldproblems, thanks to a slew of cool new men’s stores that have popped up in Washington this past year, just begging to help you update your pleated khakis and tired North Faces. From 3D body scanners to yellow bow ties, here are six new ways for men to refresh their closets.

Alton Lane’s Dupont Circle showroom combines the comforts of home, the look of a private club (leather couches and Scotch on the rocks included), and a state-of-the-art 3D body scanner to create an entirely new custom suit experience for men.

And what can you expect to find on the racks? “With the colder weather, we’re selling a lot of tweed blazers and flannel suits, which are both great ways to stay warm and still express your style,” says cofounder Colin Hunter. As for opening the DC showroom after much success with the New York flagship, Hunter couldn’t be more excited: “We want to not only be a part of the [men’s style] movement in DC, but also help steer it.”

Alton Lane. 1506 19th St., NW; 646-896-1212.

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Sola Biu has always known two things: She wants to help kids, and she loves repurposing vintage items. Oynx Feather, the jewelry company she began in 2009 and runs out of her Union Station apartment, combines both of these passions.

“I was chatting with my girlfriends about how we all wanted to be doing something we loved but have it matter,” says the media relations coordinator of the beginnings of her jewelry line. One of Biu’s friends encouraged her to make this dream a reality, and when boutique owners started noticing the handmade necklaces she’d wear, Biu knew she’d found the perfect combination.

Nowadays, 15 percent of every Onyx Feather purchase is donated to the Invisible Children Legacy Scholarship Fund, which Biu picked for its use of creative methods to improve the lives of impoverished children in Uganda.

“They address not only a child’s immediate physical needs, but also his or her long-term needs,” says Biu of the education-based program. “That is how you change a community and help it to rebuild.”

We recently sat down with the bubbly, put-together do-gooder to discuss building a business in DC, local designers she loves, and jewelry essentials for every Washington woman. Read on for her insights.

A look inside the newly transformed Pleasant Plains Workshop. Photographs by Anna Wonson

Filled with standout goods and only around for a limited time, pop-up shops are one of our favorite ways to score one-of-a-kind items. So we were super jazzed to discover that starting this weekend, Trash Cat Collective will be filling up the Pleasant Plains Workshop with vintage clothing, accessories, and housewares for an entire month. Yay!

Composed of Anna Wonson, Sara Tenenbaum, Josie Torres Barth, and Zoe Pollock, the Trash Cat Collective is known for selling and trading quirky finds sourced from all over the country. Since coming together in the fall of 2010, they’ve set up temporary shop in everything from H Street coffee and wine bar Sova to the Textile Museum. Though they’ve stuck mostly to clothing swaps in the past, during their extended run at Pleasant Plains the group will include a few fun one-off events in addition to regular store hours. We’re marking our calendar with the following:

If you’re the type to exchange presents with your guy on the Hallmark holiday, drumming up ideas can be tough. How do you find a dude-appropriate gift for an occasion that’s traditionally all about flowers, candy, and jewelry? Our solution: Pick something that’s equal parts indulgent and fun, and make sure you hand it over with a playful wink. From a helicopter he can control with his iPhone to Instagram magnets, here are 15 ideas he’s guaranteed to love (or at least chuckle at) this February 14.

We know, we know—the gal you’ve got your eye on is a strong, independent woman. She doesn’t need any mushy-gushy love nonsense on an arbitrary day in an arbitrary month to be confident in how you feel. But just in case you want to cover all your bases, it’s best to come to dinner (you did reserve a table at one of Washington’s most romantic restaurants, right?) with a li’l something tucked under your arm. Whether you’re looking for something sexy, funny, or just plain sweet, these 15 ideas just might do the trick.

Pre-holiday break, we here at The Washingtonian uncovered (and quickly fell in love with) Daybook blogger Sydney Poulton. Funny, upbeat posts about her life as a new mom in NoVA paired with impeccable personal style pics? Yes, please!

After we posted this interview with Sydney in late December, the gushing comments came flooding in—looks like we weren’t the only ones with a new girl crush! It didn’t take us long to figure out we had to bring her on board as a new style columnist. She’ll be posting here every Tuesday with fresh outfit ideas and style how-tos. Best of all, she’s here to help you! Unsure about what to wear on a first date? Clueless when it comes to styling your pleather leggings? Drop Sydney a line at sydney@washingtonian.com, and you could see your fashion conundrum solved in a future column.

Now, a note from the style star herself:

Hey, guys!

I’m Sydney: style blogger, mama to one, and the new kid on the Washingtonian block. I love beautiful typography, orangey-red lipstick, and photographs of people in love. When I’m not blogging and taking approximately 9,500 pictures of my three-month-old son, Everett, I enjoy reading biographies, cleverly getting myself out of cooking dinner, and wearing truly high heels. I have a penchant for creative layering and boyfriend blazers, and I gain most of my inspiration from street style blogs. Also, I would really love to find the time to paint my nails one of these days . . . just throwing that out there. I’m so excited to be starting this column! We’ll be chatting about personal style and fashion trends, and I’ll answer some of your burning style questions. Even if they aren’t actually that burning. . . .

To get your Sydney fix before her column launches, visit her blog here.

Owners Natalie and Christina Albina pose inside Style Etoile. Photograph by Kelci House

In the grand scheme of American strip malls, Maryland’s Rockville Pike is not a bad place to be. Congressional Plaza is covered in handsome red brick, and decent dining options abound. But seen-’em-everywhere big-box stores do not a shopping destination make. Enter Style Étoile, a clothing and accessories boutique whose particular brand of unconventional glamour may be a game-changer for the area.

Nestled behind the massive REI, Style Étoile is small (just over 1000 square feet total), but sisters/owners Natalie and Christina Albina have packed it full of chic standout pieces. Ruffled LBDs from Camilla and Marc stand alongside arty Jonathan Simkhai tops and sharply tailored Smythe blazers. Date-night looks come courtesy of sexy open-back dresses by Wren and barely-there Radenroro tanks, and rocker-casual weekend garb takes the form of vintage graphic tees and Siwy’s torn denim shorts. Accessory-wise, bandana necklaces by Roarke stand sleek  sunglasses and daintier bracelets from newcomer Lindsay Vallen. For the truly adventurous type, there’s also a small collection of luxe studded collars from new line 11 Objects.