I absolutely LOVE getting emails from readers – especially when asking for fashion advice. It’s like a little puzzle – you have the pieces in front of you, and it’s my job to put it together with fashion – how fun!! This email came from reader “K” with a casual career wear quandary:

Hi there!  I bumped into your website and have been consuming it like it was oxygen. I really could use your advice.

I’ll be moving from Denver to Alexandria this September and I am absolutely fashion helpless.  I go to work in a t-shirt and jeans.
That’s pretty much my wardrobe.  It’s all really old, really comfy, really not so much flattering as “well, this fits” kind of stuff.  I’m a 35 year old with a figure that’s more Marilyn Monroe than Audrey Hepburn.  I love them both though.  Not like I’ve ever attempted to emulate their styles or anything… 

And (duh) I’m on a tight budget.  Can you suggest a used-clothing store (or several) I could go to so that I could at least wear last year’s fashions?
I’d like to try to blend in as much as possible (even though I have purple hair on one side of my head) and I don’t want to go to interviews looking like some dumb yokel from the wild west who doesn’t really belong in public.

Any advice (pics are great!) you could throw my way will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, and kind regards,
K
Well K, you’re in luck – there’s plenty of great consignment shops in DC and Northern Virginia with chic offerings to fit within your budget. First things first, if it’s acceptable and even preferred that you wear t-shirts and jeans to work, that’s ok, but let’s make sure you’re wearing jeans and tops that flatter your figure. If you’re more ‘Marilyn’ than ‘Audrey’ (lucky girl!), then straight leg jeans in a dark wash are probably the best option!

You can tell if a jean is a ‘straight leg’ by folding up the cuff of the jean to the knee and see if they are the same width. If they are, you’re in luck!

Look for options like these:

(Left: Dojo Jeans – 7 For All Mankind; Right: Barely Boot – Express)

Now onto the tops. Since you’re 35 and you’re coming to the DC area for work, the rules are a little more conservative…even if you can wear a t-shirt and jeans to work. I would suggest to invest in some great blouses and tops that are comfortable and made of quality materials like silk, satin or cotton. Also, these blouses look great on women of all sizes, as they hide a multitude of sins without making you look larger than you are (cause who wants that?!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Left: Kenneth Cole – Nordstrom; Right – Victoria’s Secret)

Ultimately, this is the whole package you’re going for – tailored and put together, yet comfortable and age appropriate.

Lastly, where to shop! I’m a big fan of consignment stores. In the DC-area, the majority of consignment stores only take quality clothing and many times, designer clothing, but since it’s consigned, you can get a great deal! And most importantly to me, it’s doing the planet a favor. The clothing industry is one of the biggest consumer of our planets finite resources. While I don’t mean to get preachy, but if there’s an opportunity to ‘swap’ clothing with friends or buy consigned clothing, try that option before buying something brand new and mass produced!

Martha’s Table – Not only is this a fantastic charity that gives back to the District’s homeless and low income families, but their consignment store has designer clothes with the lowest prices in the city. My roommate bought a pair of 7 For All Mankind jeans for $2! (no, that is not a typo!).

Current Boutique – With locations in Old Town Alexandria, Clarendon and Downtown DC, this store definitely has the most to offer! With an ample selection of both new and used clothes ranging from GAP to Gucci, there’s something to fit every budget and style savvy taste!

Mustard Seed – A personal fave of mine (check out the Bethesda location right off of Wisconsin Ave.) – they have the cutest accessories and excellent prices! Some of the most coveted items in my wardrobe came from this little gem of a shop!

Secondi – If you’re in need of high end apparel at a deep discount (especially shoes!), then check out Secondi in Dupont Circle. They cater to designer clothes, and because of the economy, have been seeing an influx of consigned clothes!

Hope this helps and best of luck, K! One thing’s for sure, you’re going to look great!

You can watch the first part of the interview below (start at minute 29:21), where we answer a few Twitter questions and even give some style advice via Skype!

Watch part II of the panel, where we discussed our summer fashion ‘pet peeves!’

So I know some of you are upset with our anti-flip-flop policy, but seriously people, flip flops aren’t shoes. They’re fine for the beach or the pool, but for everyday, it’s a little too casual and they can be as harmful to your feet as wearing high heels (though I wouldn’t never discourage anyone from wearing heels ). I just think that wearing flip flops to be comfortable can be easily achieved with something a bit more…constructed. A lot of women, myself included once upon a time, will wear flip flops from the metro to the office, and then they spoil your pretty little outfits. Instead, slip on a pair of gladiators or ‘fashion flops’ like this little charmer from DSW:

Another thing I’m not too fond of is wearing too casual of a summer dress to the office. It may be summer, but your  trendy little rompers and sundresses that you would wear to BBQs, weekend parties or even to the bar isn’t the same thing you should be wearing to the office. If you have to question it, then you probably shouldn’t wear it.

Lastly, and this one is for the guys – if you MUST bike or walk to work, please…please…PLEASE do not wear your dress shirt. Stick it in a backpack…throw the shirt in the bicycle basket…freaking tie to the side of your leg like Jacob does in Twilight – I don’t care. But do not wear it while you’re walking/biking,  profusely sweat in it and then sit down at your desk as if nothing’s wrong. It’s offensive – seriously – highly offensive. And yet, it’s a very simple fix!

So there you have it – DC’s Summer 2011 Fashion Do’s & Dont’s. I’d love to hear what some of your pet peeves or do’s and don’ts are! Leave me a comment below and tell me what YOU think!