Fashion Week For DC: Take it day by day

No, this isn't a blog post about DC's Fashion Week. It's a post about the Fashion Week looks that we can wear in DC.

As I've said before, the Spring 2011 looks are actually very wearable, and most would actually fit perfectly into the lifestyle of the DC woman.

1. The versatile dress
My number one staple living in DC is the versatile dress - one I can take from day to night with the darkening of the eyeliner, the addition of a statement necklace or even doing nothing at all. Happy hours are DC-standard for social time, and, I'm sorry, but I don't want to look boring and straight-laced while I am seeing and being seen.

Michelle Obama favorite Tracy Reese made this great little shirt dress, which blends one of the big trends from the runway - bright poppy orange - with a perfectly versatile shape.

This Sophie Theallet dress, which boasts a super flattering silhouette, would transition perfectly from working hours to happy hours.

This Prabal Gurung dress is so fun and bold, but it's sleek cut makes it more universal.

Diane Von Furstenberg used the very popular chartreuse in a laid-back wrap-style dress.

If you want something a little more neutral, try this Costello Tagliapietra dress in a powerful shape.

2. The statement suit
Designers at NYFW showed a lot of killer suits. It was really hard to cull through and find the best of the best, but I think I did a pretty good job...

Phillip Lim used a grey with a fabulous sheen. Honestly, I think grey suits are a drag, but this one is a whole new story.

ADAM did menswear pants right, and matched with the cropped jacket, this look is chic and edgy but still work appropriate.

Bibhu Mohapatra made a suit that's girly, vintage and fun to wear to the office.

Words can't express my obsession with this suit from Cynthia Steffe, which manages to meld the formality of the three-piece with a slouchy aesthetic.

3. The intriguing skirt
Most young women in DC have a wealth of solid shirts and silk blouses, particularly ones from J. Crew, Ann Taylor LOFT and other chain stores. The way to elevate these blouses is with amazing skirts.

I love the textures and uneven hem on this Edun skirt, which makes for something so much more exciting than a black pencil skirt.

Erin Fetherston made this skirt with a great pattern, a great color palette and a great fabric.

Jason Wu used such a pretty floral pattern in a beautiful, deep lilac. A bold pattern and color like this will draw the eye downward.

This Milly skirt is a little preppier, but Michelle Smith shows you that the pattern on bottom doesn't mean you can wear a pattern on top.

Sunday Lust List: In the lap of luxury

What a week. Some days, you just need a bit of luxury in your life.

BB Dakota Herringford tweed jacket, available at Shopbop: $110

Maison Martin Margiela convertible jacket (it has tie-on sleeves!), available at Saks: $1315

Milly Liana lace mini dress, available at Saks: $395

Marc by Marc Jacobs Bronte lace top, available at Nordstrom: $398

Diane Von Furstenberg Loren coat in camel: $695

Can we talk about this?

No, not this:

Not even this:

But can we please talk about this?

 

Is that Housewife Cat Ommanney or an 8-year-old who was set loose in a Claire's store...in 2002?
 

Friday's Facts: Ba-na-nas

Credit: The Cut

• Miucca Prada ran away - far, far away - from the minimalist runway trend and showed banana-inspired looks. And the critics mostly love it, The Cut reports. But do you?
• DC Ladies takes style cues from the "Gossip Girls."
• Am I the only one who thinks these Proenza Schouler x Opening Ceremony shoes are butt-ugly? As a follow-up, do people say butt-ugly anymore?
• Laura Olin answers the age-old question: Should you wear harem pants?
• Two women are "competing" in Project Runway by sewing clothes for each challenge at home... for their Barbie dolls. Amazing! And awesome! (Thanks for sharing this, Fug Girls!)

I need help...

In addition to the adorable Anthropologie circle skirt I bought this week (patiently awaiting its arrival in the mail!), I also stopped in the new(ish) Forever 21 across the street from my office and bought this bad boy. It reminds me of something that would fit perfectly in Nicole Richie's Winter Kate line, and it feels more expensive than your typical throwaway Forever 21 piece. It's a little more boho than I usually wear, but I look forward to working it into my wardrobe.

Forever 21 leaf embellished chiffon jacket: $30

But, OK, the above look is just out of my fashion comfort zone. I don't think I could ever pull off the edgy hipster+soft florals look like the model (well, to be honest, I don't even know if she pulls it off).

How would you style the jacket?

In the navy

Navy is my favorite color. It will probably be a focal color at my wedding (FYI, bridesmaids). I own navy coats, navy shirts, navy dresses, navy skirts, navy pants, navy sweaters... the list goes on. I even own some navy-striped Toms knockoffs (I'm a little embarrassed to admit that, but they were so cheap at Target!).

Navy is nearly as present in my wardrobe as black is. Navy can be preppy, edgy, military, girly... basically, it's as versatile as black. And for those who think navy and black can't go together? I eschew your negative logic. Just make sure the two shades don't look like you dressed in the dark. Make sure your navy is lighter, and your black is extra black. And you definitely wear black shoes or a black belt with a navy dress.

Here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate navy into your look:

Tory Burch Spring 2011 RTW

Hermes scarf

Rebecca Taylor Topstiched My Way dress, available at Cusp

Tory Burch Katie glitter toe flat, available for pre-order at Saks

Banana Republic deco luxe tank (on super sale!)

J. Crew dot flouncette blouse

Current/Elliott boyfriend cords, available at Piperlime

J. Crew Pointelle tights

Topshop bead frame studs

Alexander McQueen crystal studded pump, available at Bergdorf Goodman

Michael Kors navy and gold watch, available at Asos

Samantha House Asteroid ring, available at Shopbop

Coach poppy enamel ring

Obviously, picking out navy clothes and accessories wasn't too hard of a task for me...

Thursday's Facts: Chic, cheap, magnifique

• I'm dying over this SUPER chic look on Carey Mulligan, and so is Lucky Magazine. PS Isn't her hair adorable?
• New York Fashion Week wound down, and London Fashion Week started up. Here are Fashionista's Ten Best Collections.
• The Cheap Chicas are spicing up fall's neutrals with red, red and more red.
• Whitney Port is launching a capsule collection w/ e-tailer Piperlime.com, and it actually looks pretty cute. FabSugar has sketches.