Complementing the effortlessly chic women's section of Alex (1919 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-296-2610; alexboutiquedc.com), the second-floor men's department is a sanctum of laid-back style. Lines such as Ever (given the ultimate seal of approval by Brad Pitt), Cabral (designed by a Trinidad surfer), and Uppercut (whose traditional khakis are tricked out with a snowboarder aesthetic) can turn any guy into a hipster. Most labels aren't available anywhere else in Washington. "Our customer is into fit, look, and trend," associate Tony Hill says. "He wants something no one else is wearing on the street."Washingtonian staffers contributing to this section were Cristina Abello, Susan Baer, Susan Davidson, Ken DeCell, Rebecca Dreilinger, Kim Isaac Eisler, Mary Clare Fleury, Kimberly Forrest, Brooke Lea Foster, Garrett M. Graff, Cynthia Hacinli, Thomas Head, Todd Kliman, Ann Limpert, Chad Lorenz, Leslie Milk, Aparna Nancherla, William O'Sullivan, Cindy Rich, and Chris Wilson. Also contributing were Cathy Alter, Ann Cochran, and Matthew Graham.
