Some trends are not universally adored. Take leggings, for example. Crop tops. Harem pants. Denim on denim.
This season, we’d add wedge sneakers to the list of especially divisive, love-’em-or-seriously-hate-’em fashions. (For the record, we’re on the “love ’em” side of the argument. We love us a heel—on anything.)
But we have a theory on one reason a relatively innocuous pair of shoes might incite such emotion: They’re just so very tricky to wear—or wear well, at least. That’s why when we spotted the elevated sneak on the feet of two local style bloggers, we immediately wanted to know their secrets to making this trend look chic, not silly. Read on to see how our brave fashionistas styled theirs, then shop 12 of our fave versions on the market.
“They give a tomboyish edge to any outfit and are a welcome alternative to the flats and heels we’ve seen season after season. I wear mine with skinny jeans and short skirts to really show them off.” Sanaa Ansari Khan, the Style Matrix
For the April issue of The Washingtonian—on newsstands now!—we asked 14 of Washington’s most influential fashion bloggers to model spring’s hottest trends. Photographer Trevor Dixon joined us at Joshua Cogan Studios for a two-day photo session featuring the duo behind Necessary and Proper, E from District of Chic, Carla of The President Wears Prada, and more of the District’s fashion darlings. Read on for the exclusive behind-the-scenes photos.
Are you as thoroughly over the cold as we are? Thought so.
In hopes that wishful thinking somehow magically turns the temps, we asked local fashion bloggers to show us how to channel spring when it’s not quite as warm as we’d like. Here, E from District of Chic and Elena from Classy and Fabulous show off two entirely different takes on transitional wardrobing.
E of District of Chic
Floral prints are a tried-and-true way to introduce some spring cheer to your wardrobe. A structured black blazer and glossy black accents help temper the sweetness of E’s floral dress, while pops of neon add a playful finish.
Ponte Boyfriend Blazer, $50 at Topshop; Eight Sixty Kona fit-and-flare dress, $94 at Piperlime; faux-suede clutch, $19.80 at Forever 21; Trina Turk City Lights bracelet, $100 at Max & Chloe; Rachel Roy Ana Brogue pumps, $225 at Shopbop; neon ring set, $3.80 at Forever 21; and skinny patent belt, $29.50 at J.Crew.
Forget medicine cabinets—we’re WAY more interested in sneaking a peek into other people’s beauty bags. Especially those people whose beauty routines are bound to be so carefully curated as to include only the best of the best. So to indulge our nosier instincts, we asked local beauty blogger Lara Ramos of the Glossarie to divulge her top five desert-island beauty products. Read on to see what made it onto Lara’s must-have list—and why.
1) Mark Just Pinched Instant Blush Tint in Cheeky
Lara says: “I love cream blush to keep me dewy when my skin gets dry in winter. This formula gives a sheer, natural flush of color without any stickiness.”
$8 at Mark.
2) Deborah Lippmann Flat Top Matte Topcoat
Lara says: “All matte topcoats are not created equal. This one by Deborah Lippmann is the smoothest application I’ve found, and I love the way it instantly transforms all of the polishes in my collection by giving them a cool matte finish.”
$20 at Nordstrom.
3) MAC Plush Lash Mascara
Lara says: “This was a recent recommendation from a friend, and I absolutely love the way the super-size brush plumps up my lashes. It doesn’t clump, smudge, or flake, bringing it up to top mascara status in my book.”
$16 at MAC.
4) Sonia Kashuk Matte Blotting Papers
Lara says: “My oily skin tends to give me a shiny forehead and nose, even in February. These blotting papers are bigger than others, and the price point is tough to argue with.”
$6.69 at Target.
5) Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick
Lara says: “Lightweight and super-hydrating, this chubby pencil melts onto lips, leaving juicy shine. I’m dying for these to come in more colors!”
$16 at Sephora.
Whose beauty essentials are you dying to see? Talk to me! Email me at mthomas@washingtonian.com.
Stripes, dots, snake, paisley, tie dye . . . for a newbie, parsing out exactly what to wear with your adorable new floral-print jeans can seem like Very Advanced Fashion, indeed.
One wrong move and your au courant look veers right back into the ’80s—or worse. Never fear: Here, three of our fave Washington fashion pros spotlight sophisticated takes on this scene-stealing trend—and we show you how to re-create their looks to perfection.
Spot on
Abbey of District Dress Up transforms playful polka dots into something seriously chic by pairing her colorful spotted denim with a slouchy tee, a sleek leather-sleeved trench, and forever-classic black pumps. A neon necklace and a cheery yellow satchel mirror the whimsical sensibility of the spots without overselling it.
Hot Spot Jeans, $48 at Nasty Gal, T by Alexander Wang pocket tee, $80 at Barneys New York, Blu Bijoux neon necklace, $39 at Max & Chloe, Allen Street Raquelle bag, $278 at Kate Spade, Bishop trench, $1,200 at Rag & Bone, Frited pump, $80 at Aldo, Ray-Ban Folding Aviator, $189 at Piperlime.
Pretty Wild
Leopard + leopard + leopard? Yes, yes, and YES. Ashleigh of The Daleigh manages to tame an otherwise over-the-top pattern mix by tempering the bold pieces with laid-back basics. The gently faded look of her leopard jeans helps, too.
Cotton v-neck tee, $24.50 at J.Crew, Genetic Denim leopard skinny jeans, $242 at Saks, Jessica Simpson Sana T Strap sandals, $62.30 at Macy's, Outbound Jacket, $138 at Madewell, Clare Vivier clutch, $165 at Piperlime.
In Bloom
Balance femme florals by pairing them with simple, ever-so-slightly masculine pieces. Caitlin of Style Within Reach nails it by layering classics in relaxed silhouettes and soft, neutral hues, then works in a dash of glam with dramatic jeweled earrings, sexy black pumps, and oversize sunnies.
Wheelspoke earrings, $108 at Anthropologie, Equipment washed silk shirt, $208 at Net-A-Porter, Floral jeans, $135 at J.Crew, Elizabeth & James Lafayette cat-eye sunglasses, $155 at Shopbop, Banjo & Matilda cashmere sweater, $265 at Net-A-Porter, Black pump, $89.90 at Zara.
Our love affair with Nicole Aguirre’s DC fashion glossy, Worn Magazine, is well documented—we’ve got mad respect for the striking photographs through which she showcases the city’s indie fashion and creative scene. There’s a Washington beyond suits on the Hill, after all, and Worn is solid (and beautiful) proof of that. After taking a year off to travel the globe, Nicole is back with a hotly anticipated fourth issue of Worn Magazine (details below), but it’s Worn Abroad, the accompanying e-commerce venture she’s whipped up with Seersucker Social mastermind Eric Channing Brewer, that we’re most jazzed about.
One of our favorite just-for-fun fashion pieces is a utilitarian-style vest or jacket. Simultaneously structured and relaxed, this classic menswear-inspired piece brings a hint of vintage Americana to any outfit it tops. And, thanks to the genius styling lessons of Jenna Lyons and the J.Crew catalog, there’s almost no wrong way to wear it. Old Navy is nearly sold out of its ultra-affordable version, but Free People has a bevvy of interesting options; we also like this jacket and this vest at Rugby. This on-sale Vince Camuto option ain’t too shabby, either. Need further proof that this trendy piece deserves a spot in your wardrobe? Click through our slideshow for eight ways to style it, courtesy of some of the area’s most on-point style bloggers.
By Sarah Zlotnick
1. Accessorize a short romper with a bold day clutch.
This sexy look from Fashion Pastiche is made instantly approachable by the fun purse.
2. Swap denim cutoffs for crocheted or lace shorts.
Seriously. They go with everything and are totally adorable. Melanie of LaBelleMel wears hers with a printed Peter Pan top and a chambray button-up.
3. Bodysuit + sheer maxi = sexy evening look.
The picture says it all. Abbey of District Dress Up is a total showstopper.
By Sarah Zlotnick
If you follow this blog, even on the semi-reg, you know we have a big thing for bright colors (see here, here, and here). But that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate a good neutral combo now and then—especially when it involves an awesome jungle-inspired print. Right now, we love the way Sanaa Ansari Khan rocks them for every sort of occasion. A law school graduate turned fashion designer currently living in Alexandria (the leopard maxi you’ll see below is from her line, Haute Heritage), she blogs fashion inspiration and personal outfit posts at the Style Matrix. After spending far too long scrolling through her site, we rounded up our favorite ways she rocks leopard and tribal prints, then whipped up summer-ready ensembles directly inspired by her posts.
