A newcomer to Georgetown and a welcome spot for those who want
European-inspired style on a budget. From casualwear to suits and formal
looks, this outpost of cool even has an on-site tailor.
Prices: A nice suit is $500; dress shirts
hover around $100; stylish shoes—casual or dress—go for about
$300.
Don’t-miss item: As the name implies, the
suits—stylish, modern, and cut to fit—are the things to see.
2828 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-800-7800.
Prep-school boy grows up, learns how to dress, but keeps a
roguish charm. That’s how we’d define this label, with its functional,
well-made apparel, from worn-in chinos and button-downs to Shetland
sweaters and madras ties.
Prices: A work bag starts at about $200; ties
are in the $100 range; shirts are $150 to $200.
Don’t-miss item: Jack Spade’s iconic messenger
bag is the ideal combination of simple design and exemplary construction.
1250 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-333-1905.
Opening in early December, Gant features sportswear born of
East Coast tradition—ivory fisherman sweaters, plaid blazers, on-trend
chinos. The clothes are nice enough to wear to work but comfy enough for a
weekend.
Prices: Casual cool doesn’t come cheap—soft
moleskin cargo pants are about $400, a plaid blazer $950. Ties and shirts
start around $100.
Don’t-miss item: Outerwear. A wool-blend
toggle coat is a perfect evocation of Ivy League.
3239 M St., NW; 202-625-1949.
The British shirtmaker has made a splash since opening in DC
this summer. The impressive shirts, ties, and suits are popular with style
setters, especially those looking for a happy medium between off the rack
and bespoke.
Prices: Shirt specials such as four for $199
are the norm.
Don’t-miss item: While shirts in loads of
patterns and colors—plus terrific ties to go with them—are the chief draw,
don’t overlook the suits, shoes, and cufflinks.
1000 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-594-3529.
Four-year-old Lost Boys, one of the pioneers of breakout men’s
fashion in Washington, is stocked with straight-off-the-runway looks from
the likes of John Varvatos and Band of Outsiders as well as such finds as
a line of Swedish basics called the White Briefs.
Prices:Separates start around $200 and go up
to about $2,000 for a designer jacket.
Don’t-miss item: Rogan’s shawl-collar sweater
in oatmeal pairs perfectly with dark denim and a black leather
jacket.
1033 31st St., NW; 202-333-0093.
This spot reeks of rugged manliness crossed with hipster chic.
Work shirts by Dickies and weathered Filson bags mingle with well-crafted,
classic Americana styles from Tanner Goods, Levi’s, and Pendleton’s
Portland collection.
Prices: You can score a decent T-shirt for
$25. The most expensive item we could find recently was a $900 leather
coat.
Don’t-miss item: Footwear with an edge. Try a
pair of Chippewa Boots or a work-to-weekend style from Red Wing Shoes.
2216 14th St., NW; 202-518-3375.
A haven of retro-prepster chinos and oxford button-downs,
Bonobos—previously only an online retailer—has opened a shop in Bethesda.
“Guides” help you navigate fit and style while providing tips to update a
wardrobe. Appointments are encouraged.
Prices: Pants and shirts start around $75,
suits from $670.
Don’t-miss item: Along with solid sportswear,
this brand encourages you to explore color. Opt for anything in a bright
green, pink, or purple.
7126 Bethesda La., Bethesda; 301-986-7949.
This emporium has everything for the sporty yet refined man
about town. For winter, think sweaters, tailored trousers, houndstooth
jackets, and Hickey Freeman suits. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find a
better-turned-out sales staff.
Prices: Suits typically run $675 to $2,495 for
off the rack, $995 to $4,500 for made to measure. Knits and outerwear
start at $150.
Don’t-miss item: A cashmere sportcoat. It’ll
cost $1,700 to $2,000 but will be a wardrobe staple for years.
1254
Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-295-9098.
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Local Lines We Love Washington is a hotbed of promising design shops. Here are four of the best. Hugh & Crye: Semicustom-fit shirts are the focus of this Georgetown shop, though we also love the hand-block-printed pocket squares. Smathers & Branson: This Bethesda duo has been turning out preppy needlepoint belts, wallets, and other accessories since 2005. Durkl 2047: Skater gear grows up in a big way in Durkl’s colorful, high-quality windbreakers, hoodies, and duffles. Read Wall: Updated takes on classic American sportswear include such details as oxford-lined pockets and contrasting collars on polos. |
 Tie One On The roster of small-batch neck-wear companies based here is impressive. TV power anchors such as George Stephanopoulos favor the silk ties by Sette. Boating flags to fox hunts, patterns on Charles & Patrick ties are as preppy as their Georgetown roots. Annapolis’s Starboard Clothing Co. has enough madras and tattersall to outfit a boatload of Southern gentlemen. Accoutre‘s funky bow ties come in everything from chambray to corduroy. |
This article appears in the December 2012 issue of The Washingtonian.
Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
