March 7, 2007
Washington's Own Style
By fashion contributor Rachel Cothran.
Find more of her writing and street photography at her web site Project Beltway.
In a city where power tends to dictate fashion, instead of the other way around, we wonder: is it possible to see beyond the suits to find some unique styles in the nation's capital? Each week we take a glimpse at style in Washington, presenting a literal and figurative snapshot of Washingtonians looking sharp — and interesting — on the streets and at events and parties. We do it because we think, despite the stereotypes, some people in our fair city are looking pretty good. We also do it because we think it's fun. You all remember fun, right? Right?
This week: A few ways men in D.C. can stand out from the stuffed shirt army.
At Vermont & N Streets:
Not everyone can pull off wearing Prada almost exclusively from head-to-toe. Or afford to, for that matter. But it turns out this elegant work week look just takes a little extra effort, not necessarily extra cash. Where does he find his high-end stuff? "eBay."
In U Street's Love Cafe:
His look plays on a more traditional D.C. style by pairing preppy basics with those trendier narrow jeans, Chucks and a jacket with a vintage feel.
Hoodie Who:
Bright hoodies with repeated patterns have been cropping up all over the city. Turns out the hoodies are by the cult Japanese urbanwear label Bathing Ape (Bape), known for its "sta" shoe and creatively designed hoodies. His has a repeated diamond image. You can find something similar at the newly opened Commonwealth on Florida Avenue.
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1. Fonzworth Bentley would recommend a plaid umbrella to match. Cool enough, but the look for the average person, and therefore not typical of DC style.
2. Urban-prep is so Maxim...aka conformist. Perfect irony...a hipster with plenty of spare cash.
3. Logos, and oversized white tees for that matter, are bama. Make your momma proud and wear what makes you look good, not what Dem Franchize Boyz tell you to, laughing all the way to the bank.
Nice flannel bathrobe.
oh shit, not this again
Oy vey iz mir.
Average
Average
aaaand... Average.
Still boring and DC.
"Perfect irony...a hipster with plenty of spare cash."
What's ironic about that?
Each of these examples displays a different way to dress like a douchebag. This post should be renamed "Washington's Own Douchebag Parade."
Too much money spent on clothes that are still boring.
Your trial is over and your appeal has been denied.
What will you wear to the BOP balldance this year?
Jumpsuit Orange from the Scooter Collection.
i'm sorry dcist. usually i'm your biggest fan but this column is dreadful.
So let me see if I understand completely: These three examples represent how men in DC could stand out.
1. Trendy shirt and trousers, patterned overcoat and hat.
2. "I'm a vintage prepster." Note the pink tie and bed hair combo.
3. Hoodie + baggy jeans.
Oh yeah, nobody in DC looks like that.
I applaud her chutzpah, though. Even though I wholeheartedly agree with comment 3 and 4.
Of course Rachel only gets pictures of atypical DC folks. There are plenty of good reasons why including the fact that most DC denizens and visitors don’t wear fashionable clothing.
Your energy is best spent imagining the dialogue that must have taken place right before the picture of the last dude was taken-- He looks pretty leery; like while waiting for a response to the question, 'who are you?', this chick just snaps a picture and runs away realizing she’s east of 16th.
Whats really depressing is to compare the Style sections of the Post and the NY Times side-by-side. :(
Still though, I'll go out on a limb and say that if you look past all the style-retarded mid-western transplant hill-rats, you'll find a few people with a sense of style and individuality.
At least DC is catching up with other cities with streetwear- recently Commonwealth in Adams Morgan opened, as did Major in Georgetown. And next month Kickballers is opening, also in Georgetown. Maybe now I can relax a bit when I visit NY, instead of trying to cram as much shopping in as possible.
Fashion is for queers anyway. GAY queers at that.
Reid, my comments are generally not 100% literal, even if they seem to take themselves seriously. It's supposed to be a joke. But maybe you subscribe to the Urban Outfitters Manufactured Hipstery school of thought.
Oh, and my comment on the first model should have read that the plaid raincoat is *not* the look for the average guy...although, in my opinion the dude in the picture pulls it off pretty well.
#1) Wait a second, I thought Sherman Hemsley died years ago!
NY Times style section may speak with more authority than the Post's, but it's still incredibly inane, particularly the Sunday Style section. It makes New Yorkers out to be the most petty, fashion obsessed, social climbing bimbos and himbos around. Those types certainly exist there, but not in the numbers that the Style section would suggest.
lol @ #3
1) Dynomite!
2) These cupcakes are expensive and gay, and so are the clothes I'm wearing.
3) "Where's Waldo?" 'hood addition (or "Soon to be shot for looking stupid" wear).
afwul, you win!
So, I'm confused. What is it exactly that all you vultures think is fashion, or what would the person on the street you'd pick be wearing?
Just curious.
For goodness sake. NYC and DC are happily different cities. If you want to spend all your days as a mannequin for Vogue, please move. Those who say DC is like a college campus are right in that people dress for themselves. If they don't feel like trying they'll throw on one of the social uniforms. Those going for a look wear what they want more than what's trendy. Also, DC doesn't support socialites so people dress like they work for a living. That's why I like the first guy, he's got things to do but he's got his own look. I await more street fashion in the future, which exists in spades.
Don't make excuses, most people here dress bad. It's unfair to pick on these guys, they aren't really committing crimes! But this is an argument that you can't win. In the majority of cases, DC fashion is an oxymoron.
Get a real job that requires you to wear a coat and tie each day.
My schtick is basically do your own thing...but there's nothing wrong with being happy with the style of it in the end. Of the three guys pictured, I doubt any of them would've worn those clothes without having bought into a certain music genre-aligned marketing scene...except maybe #1. And that's definitely not to say that #2 has half-bad hair.
"DC doesn't support socialites."
Wow, are you out of touch. DC has whole publications dedicated to the socialite scene. Spend a little time working for an arts organization in the area...pretty much every single one has an annual gala that is populated almost exclusively by socialites (most of whom don't even attend performances or events relating to the organization in question - they're just there to be seen).
Katie, I think the problem is that the author makes profoundly mundane observations... while sounding like she's just discovered the best thing since sliced bread.
As I think I said before, she actually reminds me of Laura Sessions Stepp. Both report the obvious as news; only difference is that Rachel replaces outraged indignation with wide-eyed wonder. Snooze.
wow ... hipsters on DCist ... who would've guessed! ;)
ya, no offense, but this column REALLY does not work in DCist. As its own blog maybe, where it can make consistent observations, but in between all DCists other posts- this one seems particularly inane and ridiculous. Seriously though, picking three pictures of people on the street and mentioning what they are wearing as if what they are wearing is at all interesting is not a fashion column. I say find the trend first, then go and find subjects that fit the trend, and maybe subvert the trend, in different ways. Maybe if you showed 5 pictures of various people in the city sporting those hideous sweatshirts to various degrees of success, it'd be just a little interesting. as opposed to now, which is to say, ridiculously banal.
I hope this feature never goes away just for the comments alone.
No 1. T.T.H.
No 2. "It must suck to have to work... off to spinning class!"
No 3. Waiting outside Love Cafe, hoping to jack some 2-years-ago-styled hipster for his cupcake. Dude, don't worry, that pattern totally obscures the stolen .45.
original probably not, but the hipster is hot and fresh hoodies are hot.
I, for one, like this column. It's nice to see something that isn't merely an event listing or local news story.
However, I would recommend turning off comments for this, mostly because too many people have nothing else to do but criticize.
That said, if you really want to satiate this lot, include more hot (well-dressed) girls. They'll stop the bashing.
I agree with the poster who suggested turning off the comments. People here are mean. And, not even in a ironic-hipster-funny-mean way ... just plain mean.
I would also like to point out the the guy's hoodie in #3 is completely FAKE. His shoes are most likely counterfeit as well. Just the fact that the author mentions that they are "cropping up" all across the city is testament to how far behind DC is in the fashion scene. That stuff blew up in 2004-2005.
guy in #2's tie knot and collar are way too big, and wouldn't stand out on many college campuses
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I would pay serious cash to catch a glimpse into the closets of everyone that has criticized this column. While my approach would be different than the contributor's, I commend her for mixing it up and taking chances with the outfits she posts. Like it or not, this city contains more than the ignorant WASPs that dominate the social pages and fashion columns of our local publications.
Since none of you were asked to write this column or criticize the individuals pictured, I would suggest stepping away from your IKEA desks, slipping on your hottest A&F muscle tee or Wet Seal halter and hitting the streets in search of a life.
So *that's* what the hoodies are all about. I've seen a guy on the metro (kinda hardcore looking) with a white one with cute little animals on them. I always thought the pairing was odd.... so, now I know. You see folks, this column is very helpful. :)
that hoodie isn't by bape, it's by BBC. Commonwealth carries BBC, but not bape.
this woman sounds like she knows nothing about style, as these three outfits are incredibly mundane
in response to "Get a life": don't hate. I've got single pieces of clothing worth more than your entire wardrobe. I don't do it to show off, in fact, most of my gear has no branding, and the ones that do are from places the average joe has no clue about. I do it for the quality... and of course, the ladies.
The first guy looks like The Fresh Prince's Geoffrey in Inspector Gadget's coat.
Thank you "Get a life!" You said exactly what I was thinking. Too bad DCist doesn't have a feature that requires people to upload a current picture of themselves or what they consider good fashion if they are going to post a hateful comment. Then we all can really have a discussion.
I like the feature, it was a good try, even though #1 is the only one that's somewhat interesting.
abc,
Hilarious! Thank you for confirming my earlier post about the ignorance in this city. "Pieces of clothing worth more than my entire wardrobe?" The beauty of the internet is that people can weigh in on issues without revealing their identity. I would feel safe in saying that it is the other way around...but I'll let you have it because it seems like you need affirmation more than me.
"Blissfully unaware" seems to be a common theme on this chain. abc, I can't wait until I can shop at mystical and magical places like you but how will I ever find these hidden treasures? Tell me abc, are they up a bean stalk? by invite only? or do you have to drink a magic potion and when you wake up you're in fashion heaven?
Good luck with the ladies.
For those who want to see in my closet before they give my opnions serious consideration, I'll tell you this: my closets are full of crap clothes that barely deviate beyond t-shirts and jeans for casualwear and dress shirts and black pants for businesswear. That doesn't change the fact that this column is just purely awful. Come on, Rachel, you want to write about fashion, then WRITE about FASHION! Anyone can take a few pics and then make short comments. But a column that's going to inspire more than insults and eyerolls have to give us more than just what anyone can do. Tell us why you picked the models you did. Why, for example, is #1 worthy of a mention? It can't just be because he's wearing Prada. Really, he's just a guy in a coat. Something must have made you pick him. Tell us what it is. And number 2; he's wearing the same outfit you can find not only on living people all over the Dupont/Adams Morgan/U Street area but on the mannequins that inspired the guys to buy those clothes in the first place. Why him, then?
And number 3; hoodies? So what? Did you just want to drop names (BAPE and commonwealth)? Or did you have a point?
DCist could use more columns that aren't just a listing of band gigs at Black Cat, Rachel, so I think you have a good chance here to do something good. Please stop squandering that chance. Start being a bit more courageous with your writing and start giving us something worth reading. Otherwise your columns are just going to be a foundation upon which to build 50 bitchy comments every week.
I say that DCist is a vast social experiment and they just like to toy with us -- we're such easy marks. When the comments get a little snoozy, why not throw in a crappy "fashion" report that will get all the folks who have moved past complaining about bus service, smoking bans, the postal service, or voting rights to really get revved up and spill some bile! Yeah!
I smell a reality tv show or a book deal coming out of this whole "community web site" venture.....
We had hoodies when I was a kid. You bought them at Sears or JC Penney's and they were called "sweatshirts". They were usually a dull gray or blue, not quite as vibrant as the one shown here, but I'm sure they were much cheaper. Ah, those were the days.
BTW, you can still purchase "sweatshirts" at Walmart I believe (along with the rest of the clothes pictured above), unless you don't like supporting China's economy.
This is a good idea, in theory. It just needs a whole lot of editing.
I agree with Robis. Rachel, you're supposed to be a fashion expert. Offer commentary and expert opinion beyond, "Look at what this guy is wearing. He's fashionable." For instance, the first picture could be a jumping off point to explian how one can go beyond the traditional beige, London Fog or Burberry rain coat and accessorize it with a cool hat/scarf combo and even a fun umbrella. And "eBay" doesn't need to be a direct quote. Just tell us he buys a lot of stuff on eBay.
In the second caption, what is "traditional DC style." The jeans/sweater vest/tie combo is traditional DC style? Preppy? Tragic bangs? It all just needs a little more effort. It feels half-assed. Why are the slim pants trendy. Who can wear them? Who should avoid them? What should you pear them with? If you're someone who should avoid them, what else can you wear to be trendy? Is there a particular venue/event where you would recommend wearing this outfit?
Finally, the lead needs some work: "In a city where power tends to dictate fashion, instead of the other way around..." What does that mean? When does fashion dictate power? How about something like this:
"DC is a city where being fashion forward can sometimes take a back seat to being 'work appropriate.' But we think there’s something unique and interesting in that forest of navy blue suits and stuffed shirts..." It's a little rough, but something to think about.
Just a question, do the DCist editors edit people's copy before it's posted? Not trying to be snippy, I was just wondering what the process is. Is there one person who edits everyone else's copy? Does anyone edit the copy beyond spelling and grammar check?
Another question: What does "not even in a ironic-hipster-funny-mean way" mean? Is there an "ironic-hipster-funny" way of being mean? Are "hipsters" (a term I've always thought pejorative) experts in irony? Again, not trying to be snippy, just wondering.
I checked out Rachel's blog and was actually amazed by the contrast between that and this. The content and the photos there are head and shoulders above what's been posted here. (To be fair, this is only the second time around, so things could change, but still...) My point is, I think her site would be a worthy addition to the blog roll, but as a feature here it just feels like a bad cross-promotion. Just let her do her thing, and if some curious DCist readers want to go check it out, great, but I think it does her venture a disservice to feature here what seems like a watered-down version of the real thing.
i have to agree with trying to be constructive about the lead in needing some work. "In a city where power tends to dictate fashion, instead of the other way around, we wonder..." sounds like it was ripped off something carrie bradshaw wrote in sex and the city. (or is that the point?)
anyone think that #2 looks like stephen malkmus? i do.
Awful, thanks for making me laugh hysterically.
I am not fashionable, but for the record you can buy hoodies that aren't "made in china" here at nosweatapparel.com. But they're not as colorful or as expensive as that thing on the post though.
I agree with "Trying to be Constructive," but I do wonder what makes Cothran a fashion expert? I Googled her, and organizing a Wendy Pepper event does not a fashion expert make.
BTW, note how I complain the piece needs editing and then write "pear" instead of "pair." I'm laughing at myself.
zzz: Just wondering.. how does one identify a counterfeit using a jpg on the web?
Constructive - you are right. Hipsters don't have a monopoly on irony. And I didn't mean it in a pejorative way.
Anyway, check out hipsterhaiku.com for an example of "ironic hipster funny." Although this book is sold in Urban Outfitters, which I think means it's no longer hip ... or it is now ironic ... or something.
I loved this column! I think it is great the way the writer is depicting fashion other than the drab black suits that we normally see everyday!! I love this idea!! I definately want to see more!!
Perhaps all of you who are putting your two cents in and cutting people down should get out there and try to do something yourselves. I think this was a wonderful unique idea.
Perhaps all of you who are putting your two cents in and cutting people down should get out there and try to do something yourselves. I think this was a wonderful unique idea.
OK, clearly Sandra and Liz are friends of the author.
Clearly you have far too much time on your hands that you are analyzing the validity of other peoples posts this closely. I would appreciate if you left me out of your comments in the future.
Wow, Sandra, GREAT sense of humor. You must be a lot of fun at happy hour.
There seems to be far more critique of the article than the fashion. Pretty much what I would expect from our fair city.
"Hey everybody, Let's discuss things that were never even put on the table for discussion."
Shut up with your opinions on the piece. This space is for fashion not politics forchrissake.
a bit late on this, but guy #2 does look like stephen malkmus and i could always use a little more of that here.