Yes, it’s still kinda chilly outside. And rainy. There’s no chance we’re baring our feet until the sun decides to make its grand comeback. But a girl can dream, right? Which is why we’re currently fantasizing about super-sleek, super-chic flat sandals in sophisticated neutrals and edgy snakeskin, detailed with glam bits of glossy metallic. We’d wear these to elevate a simple, breezy maxi or to put a cool-girl spin on a otherwise plain jeans-and-tee combo. Here are the six styles topping our lust list.
Area spas, like Hela in Georgetown, make it easy to give the never-fails gift of pampering with special Mom's Day packages. Photograph courtesy of Hela Spa.
Treat Mom to a Makeover (Not That She Needs It)
Bluemercury’s Dupont store hosts Trish McEvoy makeup artists between 10 and 8 on May 10 and 11. Snag a makeover from the pros by booking via phone and purchasing two products. 1619 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-462-1300.
Here’s a steal: A haircut, style, and makeup session at the opulent Karma by Erwin Gomez is $139 this month; $89 gets you an anti-aging facial and lip polish. Can’t make it right away? No worries—the deals are good through the end of the month. 1104 24th St., NW; 202-293-3333.
Just when you’re feeling so very grateful for the gloriously warm sunshine and rising temps—BAM: The attack of the air conditioning throws a curveball into your hot-weather wardrobing. Suddenly the carefree sundresses, shoulder-baring tanks, and breezy sleeveless blouses necessary for surviving the outdoors become totally inappropriate for the frigid indoors. Sure, you could throw on a basic cardi or wrap yourself with that emergency scarf you’ve stuffed into your desk drawer. But why would you? Here’s a chicer approach: Try a structured blazer (for work) or a soft, silky bomber jacket (for play). This year’s infatuation with bold, no-wallflowers-need-apply prints means these pieces are far from boring.
Click through the gallery to see 22 of our favorite options. Our suggestion: Stock your closet (and/or office) with these babies, layer as needed, and compliment yourself on sidestepping the sartorial status quo. Problem solved.
See Also:
Covetable Cover-Ups: 15 of Our Favorite Spring Jackets (Slideshow)
Spring Shopping List: 10 Must-Haves for Sartorial Success
Double up on two of the season’s hottest trends with color-block ankle-strap heels. Seen on all the runways this spring, this ladylike silhouette offers extra support for the foot—and looks great with everything from sweet dresses to cropped trousers. Invest in a eye-catching hot pink pair or try a rich cobalt version to add a punch of color to any outfit, then wear this bare design well into the heat of summer. Here, shop six of the colorful pairs we’re currently coveting.
Book Hill's annual French Market. Photo courtesy of Georgetown BID.
Tax Day Sales
As
if you needed an excuse to blow through your tax refund, there are lots
of stores offering up discounts to encourage you. A few faves:
• Alexandria-based
consignment store Treat gives 30 percent
off everything on the site, including sale items, with the code TAXES.
• Flash-sale site MyHabit offers up 20 percent off Monday and Tuesday with the code TAXBREAK.
• Stock
up on colorful statement necklaces at BaubleBar, where everything is 20
percent off with the code REFUND.
• LivingSocial celebrates the day with 15 perfect off experience deals with the code TAXDAY.
• Chic
accessories brand Hayden-Harnett offers
20 percent discounts site-wide Monday only with the code TAXDAY20.
Book Hill’s French Market
The tenth year of Georgetown’s annual outdoor sidewalk sale kicks off this weekend, meaning shoppers can enjoy the spring temps in a Parisian-style open-air market. More than 35 Book Hill boutiques—including Urban Chic, Duo, Sassanova, and Ella-Rue, to name a few fashionable favorites—participate, offering up to 75 percent off designer wares, plus deals on artwork and home decor. Street-side offerings of traditional fare such as merguez, crepes, and pastries fuel your shopping spree, and strolling musicians, entertainers (mimes!), and Art Soiree’s live art demos keep things French and festive. Friday and Saturday 10 to 5. Upper Wisconsin Ave. between P St. and Reservoir Rd.
Leave it to Washington to tease us with several days of beautiful spring weather before the rain ruins the streak—and our spring wardrobe. Waking up to gloomy skies may equal the opposite of style motivation, but resist the urge to throw on an oversize top and call it a lazy day. With these chic coats, umbrellas, and more, you’ll be for once eagerly waiting the next rainy day. Looking for original, non-Hunter rain boots? We found a bunch. Waterproof flats? Got ’em. A work tote? Lucky for you, clear accessories are currently de rigueur. To the slideshow.
Kate Young for Target lookbook photos courtesy of Target.
When Target announced its plans to launch a collaborative limited edition collection with celeb super stylist Kate Young, we immediately marked our calendars for the debut. And happily, the day is (almost) finally here: Young’s designs appear on store shelves Sunday morning.
Though this collection marks a departure from Target’s previous partnerships with high-profile designers like Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu, and Missoni, Young isn’t exactly a nobody. Recently named one of Hollywood’s most powerful stylists by The Hollywood Reporter, Young is the stylish force behind such A-list stars as Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weisz, in addition to consulting gigs and runway styling for top designers such as Derek Lam, Vena Cava, and Yigal Azrouël. And she’s no stranger to working with Target, either—the retail giant tapped her to style several of the store’s previous collaboration campaigns, including Wu’s.
It seems like all forms of jewelry have gone through a showoff phase: There were swinging chandelier earrings. Tough hunks of shiny metal masquerading as cuff bracelets. Massive cocktail rings. But lately, it’s the necklace’s turn—and the statement is major, teaming up bright, playful neons and cheery candy pastels alongside charmingly oversize rhinestones to create a piece that’s awesomely fun (and surprisingly versatile) to wear.
U Street's vintage-inspired home store Foundry. Photo courtesy of Foundry.
This week’s can’t-miss list of shopping deals and fashion events includes a style seminar and a mimosa-filled morning of beauty treatments.
Gilt City Best of 14th and U Street
The local edition of the luxe Gilt City serves up deals at the most stylish spots along the 14th/U Street corridor, guest curated by Foundry owner and interior designer Yvette Freeman. The flash-sale deals include discounted cupcakes at Cakelove and a mixology class at Marvin, but our fave is for Freeman’s own Foundry: a tiered offer for the store’s merch ($150 for $300 in-store credit, for example) or discounted design services from the store’s decor experts. The Parisian-inspired furniture and decor store is one of our local faves, so don’t miss this chance at the equivalent of an all-store discount. Monday through April 22 on Gilt City DC.
Sassanova’s Autism Fundraiser
The chic shoe boutique hosts a fundraising event supporting autism advocacy nonprofit Autism Speaks: Donate $5 to the cause and take 20 percent off your entire purchase. Sassanova will match each contribution and add a dollar for every customer that comes into one of the three area locations. Through April 15. Sassanova stores: 1641 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 7134 Bethesda La., Bethesda; 805 Aliceanna St., Baltimore.
We don’t know about you, but we are so. very. ready. for a big dose of bold color. And when it feels like you’ve been stranded on winter’s gray and black fashion island for far too long, a double (or triple!) shot of vibrant hues just seems appropriate. One way to work in some major color: Go for the ultra-graphic, high-drama combos of mod, geometric color-blocking. We love this ’60s-esque look in clothes, so naturally we’re feeling the reinterpretation of crisp color-blocking when applied to fold-over clutches, ladylike shoulder bags, and structured satchels. Shop the eight faves above, then click through our slideshow to see 12 more graphic goodies.
