DC vs NYC: Fashion War?
DC Fashion is all about the working man and woman. Never have I ever witnessed corporate America look so trendy, until I stepped foot into the District. The guys and gals here actually resemble the mannequins we see in stores like Banana Republic, Express, & Nordstrom, almost identically. My days of wondering "Who would really wear a blazer like that?" are over for sure.
It all began on the metro at approximately 1:0opm. The time that a lot of people take their lunch break in hopes of avoiding the large noon crowd of lunch goers, but since everyone is trying the same method...1 o'clock gets just as crowded. A body of pencil skirts, slacks, blazers, suits, ties, & button ups crowded the train. A woman in a black v-neck skirt suit was standing next to me and I happened to notice her leopard print pumps and shortly thereafter a red ribbon waist-belt meticulously wrapped around her white button-up underneath her blazer. "How Pizazz?" I thought to myself. My first day in DC and I've already found some fashion relief. From that moment on I had begun observing DC fashion and, irresistibly, comparing it to NYC fashion.
Photo Courtesy of Curator of DC Style
How does DC compare to NYC fashion? Realistically, it doesn't. NYC isn't called one of the Fashion Capitals of The world for no reason...it is truly in a ballpark of it's own. However, DC fashion helps you notice and appreciate the simpler things that personalize and make an outfit standout; The true essence of fashion. It's so easy to get wrapped up in NYC's super hip, super trendy, super bold designs and mixed matches...the neon greens with the oranges, the biker boots with the ruffle skirts, the chic black dress with the glittered accent jackets. But, with all that going on...it's just as easy to miss the simple things like patterns, shoes, accent colors, bags, jewelery, & scarves. That's the breath of relief in DC fashion...that's their stronghold.
Photo Courtesy of Curator of DC Style
Since the main purpose of existence in DC is mostly working, networking, and politics... DC people seem to have mastered the "ready for anything" style. Their outfits are literally ready for work, then a cocktail after work, then to the art gala, then to a late business meeting, the bookstore, the grocery store, etc. etc. All while managing to still look prepared just in case something or someone important comes along at some point in their day. I would say that NYC is the same, but realistically, we can all pretty much cast everyone into their appropriate roles- you have the artists, the rebels, the fashionistas/fashion career inclined people, the business/wall street people, the party-goers/rockers, and so on. NYC fashion is more about the statement and less about the versatility of lifestyle.
Photo Courtesy of Curator of DC Style
DC Fashion speaks in code. They take an average outfit and make it extraordinary by adding a colored scarf or trendy shoes, glitzy jewelry or an eye catching bag, hounds tooth pea-coat vs a regular gray one, and bright colors alongside neutral attire. It's like..."Yeah I'm in the world, yeah I like fashion, but most importantly I'm keeping it real." A simple white dress with a red leather bag will do. You can try to wear zebra print leggings to the local Starbucks if you want, I can't promise that no one will stare and probably secretly think to themselves "Where does she think she is? New York City?". (Although, let me add, don't ever let anyone's opinion ever sway your fashion choices)
Photo Courtesy of Curator of DC Style
Sophisticated & contemporary, yet versatile & trendy is definitely how I'd sum up DC fashion. It's so easy to fall in love with the simplicity of the Washingtonian's style, which is why the fashion scene is picking up more than ever, having celebrated their first annual Fashion's Night Out this past September. They remind us that less is more, simple is best, and fashion is truly about personalization. But don't worry if you get bored with that...just hop a couple blocks down to Georgetown, the brainchild of NYC. I'm sure you'll get your hipster relief there.
xoxo
Liya Lahren
November 18th, 2010 - 10:07
Good post.
I think that both NYC and DC fashion have their flaws, but i’d have to say that DC and NYC are very comparable, but not promoted the same way. NYC is very diverse because of fashion, but DC is very diverse by nature. DC is just a very transient city so you have styles coming in from every different way. Money factors into too. It was just concluded that DC has the highest paid professionals in the US. Our fashion is a little high-end, but not in a designer way. It’s just that we don’t shop at Macy’s or H&M for work clothes, we’re at Ralph Lauren.
I think DC is like diverse in some ways, but it’s a bunch of young people struggling to be trendy in a conservative town. However, NYC is trendy which can be a downfall of fashion. Take for instance, the upper east side, everyone looks the exact same. It’s all a trend.
What I will append is that most people don’t see Black people in DC, they are fashionable too. You’ll have to go out to our social spots to see it, or hang out in like you said, Georgetown. We’re not all preppy Ann Taylor and J. Crew models, some of us are just as colorful as the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory.
If I had to pick, i’d definitely pick DC, because I think that you can be totally OUT THERE and no one will ask you what designer inspired you. You can just do you own thing. That’s just me though.
The Well Connected and Respected Dr. J´s last blog ..Morning Mail – 111510
November 18th, 2010 - 10:50
I really liked this post! It was very well put together and I think you definitely captured the essence of comparison. I’ve lived in NYC and DC and now currently reside in Philadelphia, but I can definitely bare witness to the simplistic nature of DC fashion vs NYC’s tendency to trend out beyond far extremes sometimes. I also agree with Dr. J’s view on NYC almost 100%.
I’m glad you posted this because I think DC’s fashion world is unraveling quite beautifully and it’s about time it gets some recognition. But let’s not downplay NYC either…NYC, unlike any other city in world, has made & branded fashion as a CULTURE- more than clothing and self expression…but THE way of life so much so that you can go to a job interview in a nice pair of skinny jeans and the person interviewing you won’t mind because he/she knows…this is NYC.
Loved it, will definitely share this!
November 18th, 2010 - 10:56
First, thank you for the visual post. I am located in NYC and yet i could see the fashion walking down the street as if i was in Washington D.C.
I have visited the District before, and i can attest that people know how to carry fashion well.
But again, comparing DC to NYC is like comparing a AAA baseball team to the major leagues. This is not to say some players can’t play well in either arena.
In NYC I can take one step outside of my office and find every array of style found in the fashion blogs and clothing magazines. Anyone is capable of changing who they want people to perceive them to be simply by changing attire; however, its takes a lot more to do so in NYC.
You find people more so falling into their designated fashion cliques. As Dr.J stated above, you have your super trendy people, your wall streeters (suites), your hipsters, artist etc. etc. One can be overwhelmed with the sheer variety found in the NYC. In part it also sets a blockade for people to relate.
In contrast, D.C.’s demographic plays a major role in its fashion. It is the capital of our country if not the world. Politics and government drive the majority in terms of how they should or are expected to be perceived. Therefore the amount of freedom in fashion may be a little toned down.
I think that is also why more people can relate to DC fashion. It is fashion trends TONED DOWN. The simple addition of color to an otherwise neutral ans-amble shows the distinct effort yet soft spoken fashion wisdom these Washingtonians posses.
I am biased to love the outrageousness and fashion forward scenes NYC possesses. But i am undoubtedly jealous of Washington’s fashion forward ability to take those scenes and make them practical for EVERYONE.
November 18th, 2010 - 13:09
Great read. I’ve never been to DC but it sounds like an amazing contemporary culture of fashion going on. Team DC or Team NYC? Decisions, decisions lol
Your writing style is great too, easy to read and very engaging.
November 14th, 2011 - 06:04
What a nice post. I really love reading these types or articles. I can’t wait to see what others have to say.
January 26th, 2012 - 04:14
Very well written and useful web.. I will definitely tell my friends about this web, and keep up the good work!!
March 16th, 2012 - 15:24
That is why in New York all the fashion lives forewer. drabuziai And that is the reason why all the models are taken there, because you can get inspired only looking in the streets of NY. Anyways great post i enjoyed reading your blog