Feature

Today the men and women who live, work and visit here have an unprecedented number of local shopping options to help them create a look as polished as the spin on a Sunday morning talk show. And, with a modern style icon living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washingtonians have to look no further than the White House for a fashion muse who is not afraid to make a look all her own.

Here is our top ten list of fun, quirky and decidedly Washington boutiques to help you look as good as a bright new bill on Capitol Hill and will help you stimulate your wardrobe DC style.

Rue 14 1803 14th Street, NW

Rue 14’s shiny wood floors, bright lights and clean lines are the ideal backdrop for its collection of contemporary men and women’s clothing. Owners Jiwon Paik-Nguyen and Andrew Nguyen favour emerging designers like Ever and Yunhi and are known for giving solid friendly fashion advice. The husband and wife team also stock the store with a great denim selection including pieces by Cheap Monday, Blank Denim and James Jeans. Rue 14 is a great choice for clothes that make you look good in that everyday way but don’t make you look like everyone else you see that day. Extra bonus: Rue 14 doesn’t have to break your bank. You can walk away with a fantastic fitting pair of jeans for less than $100.

Annie Creamcheese 3279 M Street NW

Stepping into this sparkly hot pink accented vintage designer boutique is like walking into your fabulous aunt’s boudoir. Original one-of-a-kind pieces from the houses of Gucci, Valentino, Dior, Pucci and the like fill one side of the Georgetown shop while more affordable but still original clothing, purses, shoes and jewellery fill the other. Some of the gowns here will make you feel like a little kid watching your mom and dad dress up for a night on the town. Only now you’re the one who gets to do the dressing up.

Muleh 1831 14th Street, NW

Muleh is one part clothing boutique, two parts furniture gallery and all parts art. From the stainless steel and bamboo sofa to the expertly tailored jacket just about everything here is an exercise in fashionably marring form and function. The warehouse-style store seamlessly blends uber-modern furnishings with urban clothing pieces from designers like Vivienne Westwood, Anglomania, b.chyll and Rozae Nichols. 

Tabandeh 5300 Wisconsin Avenue

Finding this phenomenal jewellery store on the bottom level of a shopping mall is the equivalent of finding a diamond ring in the bottom of a Cracker Jack box. Make that a funky designer diamond ring in an artfully original setting. Although the location is tragically unhip the bling here is nothing short of spectacular. The place to find a “where did you get that” piece you will wear over and over again.

Proper Topper 1350 Connecticut Avenue, NW and 3213 P Street, NW

This fun little hat-centered shop first opened its doors in 1990 making it one of the early players on the DC boutique scene. But the selection here is hardly limited to newsboys, bowlers and berets. A sampling of women’s clothing featuring the likes of Nanette Lepore and Plenty can also be purchased here as can quirky men’s accessories like dinosaur bone money clips and compass cufflinks. Proper Topper also carries jewelry, gift items and some children’s clothing.

Urban Chic 1626 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

A must for any Washington fashionista looking for that perfect dress for work, party or play. The inventory is a nice mix of up-and-coming designers and established favorites and includes some accessories like trendy Rachel Leigh pendent necklaces.

Hu’s Shoes 3005 M Street, NW

Owner Marlene Hu Aldaba likes to say she “curates” the store’s shoe selection and when you eyeball some of the phenomenal footwear she’s chosen to sell here you’ll understand why. Hu’s shoes are works of art and bring style to every step. Shopping at the pricey Georgetown shoe boutique might mean that friends and strangers won’t be able to stop staring at your feet but when you see Hu’s fantastic new arrivals you’ll know it’s worth it. Aldaba recently opened the clothing store Hu’s Wear nearby at 2906 M Street, NW.

Relish 3312 Cadys Aly, NW

A must for the sophisticated Washington man or woman looking for modern classic clothing and shoes. Nestled in the heart of Cadys Aly, DC’s new design district in Georgetown, the beautifully understated store features two floors of refined yet stylish pieces. Henry Beguelin handbags, Marni dresses and Gunex dress pants are among the types of wardrobe treasures that make up the inventory at this upscale retailer.

Caramel 1603 U St NW # B1

You can feel as good on the inside as you look on the outside when you shop at Caramel. The store, which carries fashion items for him and her, runs on wind power and carries several eco-friendly sustainable clothing lines. If that wasn’t enough, every second Saturday the store showcases a non-profit agency, which gets a portion of that day’s proceeds. The boutique also prides itself on displaying work by neighborhood artists in the store.  

Nana 1528 U St, Washington

Nana is one of those adorable little shops that you text your best friend about as you head to the dressing room. Housed on the second-floor of a townhouse, Nana sells simple clothing and handbags from indie designers. You can also have a really good time browsing the vintage pieces carefully collected and sold here. The sales staff have a reputation for being super-friendly and helpful. And, really, who doesn’t like that?  

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About the writer:

Beth is a freelance writer who specialises in travel and parenting. She wrote the hotels chapter for the Fodor's Washington, DC 2010 guidebook and the lodging section for the 2009 guide. Her work has also appeared in dozens of other publications including the Chicago Tribune, Fodor's Online, American Baby and Shape. Check out her website at www.bethkanter.com