Washington, DC Shopping

[thepeppers]

strolling around old town with my mom today I decided to stop in this little boutique called "an american in paris"

I had been there for 30 seconds, and was looking at this cute jacket, trying to get a better look at the funky buttons, and the owner makes a beeline for me and scolds, in a tone reserved for speaking to 5 year olds, "here we do not touch the garments, if you wish to see a garment, you grab it by the hanger only"...

was she kidding? how can I see a garment correctly if I can't touch it? anyhow, I was with my mom so I controlled myself and walked out the door, had I been alone, she would have heard a piece of my mind.

such a shame, they have great stuff but I will never be back

Ha ha, that is too funny. That lady ALWAYS does that about the hangers. She totally bugs me. I used to go there regulary and I got annoyed because she would tell me every single time, and I wanted to scream "Alright already!" She also keeps items in there from past seasons at full price, sometimes years old. I rarely go in there anymore, it is just too much trouble.

 

[salomelovesjohn]

I have to agree about Leesburg. The Barneys outlet never has good bags and the clothes are sort of hit or miss, well for women IMO. My fiance has great luck with clothing there and has even bought a couple of suits, but I hardly ever find anything. The Saks usually doesn't have much either. Burberry is ok, but the prices at the regular boutique on sale seem comparable. I think we just go out there when we're bored.

 

[igotgoodjeans]

^ k good to know that it wasn't just me going at the wrong time or something. yeah i def got better deals at regular sales than what they had the outlet so i dont think im going out there paying all the tolls, etc.

also shamigo - didn't mean to ignore u - a friend of mine went to the barneys co-op sale and he got awesome deals on some shoes. im gonna go by the one in gtown this week.

 

[mundodabolsa]

Ha ha, that is too funny. That lady ALWAYS does that about the hangers. She totally bugs me. I used to go there regulary and I got annoyed because she would tell me every single time, and I wanted to scream "Alright already!" She also keeps items in there from past seasons at full price, sometimes years old. I rarely go in there anymore, it is just too much trouble.

I was hoping you'd comment, glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks the clothes aren't worth the hassle!

 

[shamigo]

igotgoodjeans - no probs..I went on saturday to check it out...ended up buying a pair of adidas' and a trovata t-shirt...some of their stuff is madness...things are down to the $30 and $20 mark plus an added 40%...def good deals to be found!

its tragic that i'm low on funds...so many sales all over M street!!

 

[thepeppers]

I was hoping you'd comment, glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks the clothes aren't worth the hassle!

Next time you are in Old Town, you should try Hysteria on South Fairfax and Diva on South St. Asaph. Hysteria has cute clothes and sometimes good sales. Diva is upscale consignment/thrift, I have been able to find some good things there, it is hit or miss though. Their shoe collection is good, they just never have anything in my size (5.5). Also, a friend of a friend runs Periwinkle, which is in north Alexandria, I think off of Bashford, near where they are redoing the Route 1 Bridge in Alexandria. They have cute stuff, but it is a little out of the way.

 

[mundodabolsa]

Next time you are in Old Town, you should try Hysteria on South Fairfax and Diva on South St. Asaph. Hysteria has cute clothes and sometimes good sales. Diva is upscale consignment/thrift, I have been able to find some good things there, it is hit or miss though. Their shoe collection is good, they just never have anything in my size (5.5). Also, a friend of a friend runs Periwinkle, which is in north Alexandria, I think off of Bashford, near where they are redoing the Route 1 Bridge in Alexandria. They have cute stuff, but it is a little out of the way.

thanks so much, I know absolutely nothing about the area, this will come in very handy

 

[lmelanie]

i've just discovered that there are alot of cute boutiques over in the U street area...Has anyone been and checked them out?

 

[salomelovesjohn]

^^^
I've been, but not for awhile. There is Muleh (sp?) on 14th St. Interesting things - can be pricey. Wild Woman Wear Red has shoes - not really my style though. There is Meeps on U Street - that's a big consignment store. There is a really nice art gallery on 14th Street close to Muleh on the other side of the street (the Sparky's side - coffeeshop). On U street itself there are a couple of boutiques some east of U and 13th. One is closer to Meeps. There is also that furniture store that specializes in 50s and 60s stuff. And Good Wood, which carries some interesting things - seen a couple of pews in there and some okay stained glass, pretty rustic. If you're hungry while shopping there is Coppi - Organic Italian - on U Street, realy good - they have a nutella 'calzone' and the Love Cafe for cupcakes.

Honestly the last time I was shopping in that neighborhood I saw a man steal a large black plant urn and a very ugly Persian-style rug off the display outside of a rug store - I told the guys in the store and they chased him down the street. Since then I haven't been back...

 

[thepeppers]

^^^
I've been, but not for awhile. There is Muleh (sp?) on 14th St. Interesting things - can be pricey. Wild Woman Wear Red has shoes - not really my style though. There is Meeps on U Street - that's a big consignment store. There is a really nice art gallery on 14th Street close to Muleh on the other side of the street (the Sparky's side - coffeeshop). On U street itself there are a couple of boutiques some east of U and 13th. One is closer to Meeps. There is also that furniture store that specializes in 50s and 60s stuff. And Good Wood, which carries some interesting things - seen a couple of pews in there and some okay stained glass, pretty rustic. If you're hungry while shopping there is Coppi - Organic Italian - on U Street, realy good - they have a nutella 'calzone' and the Love Cafe for cupcakes.

Honestly the last time I was shopping in that neighborhood I saw a man steal a large black plant urn and a very ugly Persian-style rug off the display outside of a rug store - I told the guys in the store and they chased him down the street. Since then I haven't been back...

I really think that area is improving, and is worth giving it a second try. I am trying to get off my lazy butt to go check it out. As for the theft story, that can happen anywhere. I live in Old Town Alexandria, and just the other day a man walked into a bank on King Street, wearing a fedora hat and feather boa, and robbed the bank, at 10am on a Wednesday. Random.

 

[Diorling]

You ladies need to take me shopping! I dont know any of these little shops and boutiques.

 

[lmelanie]

I'm so over chain stores at the moment...i love finding little small boutiques that are more original..which is hard cause DC isnt exactly known for its originality..

 

[pinkpolo]

I'm so over chain stores at the moment...i love finding little small boutiques that are more original..which is hard cause DC isnt exactly known for its originality..

Found anything worth checking into?

 

[lmelanie]

there are a couple stores in tacoma park that are nice..off caroll ave..Mustard seed is always good..i go about twice a month just to see if anything is worth buying...i went to a vintage store on U st. this weekend that was nice..and alexandria has some good places..

ooh! i almost forgot..adams morgan! they have some good places as well...

 

[igotgoodjeans]

^ ya mustard seed can be hit or miss. i once found a vintage silk chloe dress for $18, which was crazy!

when i go to U/adams morgan area i usually start from 13th and U, with pink elephant, and then walk along U until i hit 18th, then take a right and walk up towards adams morgan to check out a couple of second hand stores, etc. the first time i went out there i actually printed out a map and dotted out all the stores i wanted to check out so i'll have to dig that up and see what ratings i gave to each store haha.

 

[igotgoodjeans]

U St and Georgetown Shopping Cheat Sheet

so one of u ladies inspired me to finally sit down and compile a list so here goes - its written like its for people who are just visiting DC, so natives pls bear with me. if i made any mistakes or missed something, pls chime in. happy shopping!!

U Street/Adams Morgan – Good for local DC designers and indie labels. Take the green or yellow line (the latter one goes to the U Street stop only on weekends and after 7pm) to U Street/African American Memorial/Cardozo stop (I know, such a long name). This will drop you off at U and 13th Streets. There are other shops besides the ones I can recall below – including a handful of jewelry stores and home goods stores. Oh and a lot of good bars too! J The list below follows the route of getting off the metro, talking along U from east to west (numbers increase from 13th to 18th St), and the going up 18th St towards Adams Morgan.

• Carbon: 1203 U St, NW (202-986-2679) – great accessories and shoes. Also has another location at 2643 Connecticut Ave, NW
• Pink November: 1231 U St, NW (202-232-3113) – great dresses and flats. Can be a bit pricey but unique selection.
• Muleh: 1831 14th St, NW (202-667-3440) – this one is not along U St but you can take a stroll down on 14th and there’s a handful of furniture/home goods stores there. Muleh carries some simple, chic clothes as well.
• Junction: 1510 U St, NW (202-483-0260) – vintage and new designer stuff.
• Wild Women Wear Red: 1512 U St, NW (202-387-5700 or www.wildwomenwearred.com) - the name says it all – funky shoes!
• Nana: 1528 U St, NW (202-667-6935 or www.nanadc.com) – this place probably has the most diverse selection in terms of labels and the type of clothes you can get – from work to going out clothes. I think they also have a small selection of vintage stuff in the back. They carry some great leather bags.
• Caramel: 1603 U St, NW (202-265-1930 or www.caramelfashion.com) – has good DC indie labels.
• Meeps: 2104 18th St, NW (202-265-6546 or www.meepsonu.com) – vintage and 2nd hand stuff.
• The District Line: 2118 18th St, NW (202-558-5508 or Thedistrictline.com) – UK inspired men and women’s clothing.
• Unsung Designers: 2412 18th St, NW (202-234-1788 or www.unsungdesigners.com) – they carry a bunch of local designer stuff – I think this one is my favorite after Nana, because you never know what you’ll find. One of a kind pieces, accessories and bags. The entrance is kinda tucked back in the alley (don’t be scared) so watch out for their sign.
• Shake Your Booty: 2439 18th St, NW (202-518-8205 or www.shakeyourbooty.com) - funky shoes.

Georgetown – Good for well-known brands as well as designer labels at local boutiques. Unfortunately there isn’t a direct metro here so you should take the blue or orange line to Foggy Bottom or Rosslyn. Both metro stops have Georgetown Metro Connection buses running (bright blue bus), which is $1.50 one way. They take different routes but both have stops on M Street and Wisconsin Ave, NW, which is the very heart of Georgetown shopping. There’s a bunch of shops like Zara, Coach, Bebe, Ralph Lauren, Aldo, Club Monaco, etc. so I’m only going to list ones that are unique enough to the area.

On Wisconsin Ave: Zara, Bebe, Ralph Lauren, Benetton, Nine West, Wet Seal, Diesel, Gap, Hugo Boss. Also has:

• Betsey Johnson: 1319 Wisconsin Ave, NW (202-338-4090)
• Sugar: 1633 Wisconsin Ave, NW (202-333-5331) – Lauren Moffat, Nanette Lepore, Cynthia Steffe, etc.
• Valise: 1624 Wisconsin Ave, NW (202-333-3622 or www.shop-valise.com) - dresses, some jeans, etc.
• Urban Chic: 1626 Wisconsin Ave, NW (202-338-5398 or www.urbanchic-dc.com) - all kinds of designers jeans, tops, dresses, etc.
• Proper Topper: 3213 P St, NW (202-333-6200 or www.propertopper.com) - primarily meant to be a hat store but also carries some clothes, stationery, leather goods, books, all kinds of cutsie jewelry, etc. Also has store at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW near Dupont Circle.

On M St: Club Monaco, Coach, Aldo, Intermix, J Crew, Anthropologie, H&M, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Sephora, Barneys Co-Op, BCBG Max Azria, Kate Spade, Urban Outfitters, Steve Madden. Also has:

• Annie Creamcheese: 3279 M St, NW (202-298-5555 or www.anniecreamcheese.com) - A consignment store that carries anything from high end to everyday stuff. There’s a HUGE selection so worth a look.
• Intermix: 3222 M St, NW (202-298-8080 or www.intermix.com) - if you’re looking to get designer labels, this is it. Anything from Chloe to Fendi to DVF.
• Relish: 3312 Cady’s Alley (202-333-5343 or www.relishdc.com) - kinda hidden on M St behind all the furniture stores (I think there’s a huge pair of stone lion statues by the entrance). Junya Watanabe, Marni, etc.
• Wink: 3109 M St, NW (202-338-9465 or www.winkdc.com) - good for basic stuff but also has some unique pieces.

 

[pinkpolo]

igotgoodjeans, karma for you! if you ever need a shopping buddy...

 

[igotgoodjeans]

^ haha def pinkpolo - and thank U for the karma! hope the weather here warms up by the time u get here cuz right now its freeeeezing...brrrrr.

 

[Diorling]

Igotgoodjeans...Wow, Im soo impressed. I have one question...Do any of those shops carry menswear?

Its so strange, in NYC Im always stalking the streets for unknown little shops but in DC I havent the foggiest idea where anything is. And Ive lived in NYC 1/18th of the length I lived in DC.

 

[lmelanie]

relish is a great one! they have amazing designers and Diorling..they do have menswear there...