District Damsel

If you asked me to go to my closet and pull out three of my favorite work appropriate summer staples – these three pieces just might be it. I’m lucky that I’ve always worked in creative environments so my dress code is very casual, but finding pieces that are fit for the weather as well as appropriate to be seen in among coworkers is a delicate balance.

Let’s face it – DC summers are hot and humid and I break into a full sweat just walking 6 blocks to the metro every morning. Ideally I’d love to be able to wake up early enough to wear workout clothes on my commute and change in the bathroom before heading to my desk, but I can never seem to wake up before 7 am. This leaves me with figuring out what to wear when it’s 95 degrees outside and 68 in the office. I always keep a pullover and jean jacket at my desk, but I like to rise to the challenge of finding an outfit that will work for both climates.

The idea of wearing shorts to work has crossed my mind but I just can’t bring myself to do it – enter the boyfriend jean. The casual pants give off the same vibe as a pair of denim shorts, but keep you covered up and the fact that they don’t feel like a second skin are a way better fit for the DC humidity. (Call me crazy, but I swear the rips work as ventilation.)

Tops in breathable fabrics (think cotton) are key as well. I’m currently in the process of revamping my tee collection and I’m obsessed with this silky soft top from H&M. The fun tassel accents dress it up more than a plain white tee but you still get the comfort benefits of a t-shirt.

Lastly, comfy shoes are crucial. I love heels but I also walk an average of 2 miles a day in my work clothes (gotta get those steps in) but I don’t want to sacrifice style for comfort. Shoes that fit well are extremely important in the DC heat because once you start sweating, shoes that felt great in your air-conditioned apartment start to slip and slide and cause blisters on your way to the metro. Stacked heels take the pressure off the balls of your feet, and I always carry band-aids in the case that they rub the wrong day.

My shoes are from my best friend’s sister in law’s boutique, Vestique, and are currently sold out but they’ve ordered two batches already due to popular demand so they should be ordering more soon!

Tee | H&M

Jeans | GAP

Heels | Vestique

For a coffee date with two of my blogger pals, then a few rounds of Top Golf, I opted for my weekend summer uniform of cut-offs and Converse. You’re probably getting sick of seeing these shorts since I wear them every weekend, but I swear they were the best $62 I’ve ever spent at Urban Outfitters!

To add a little bit of edge to an otherwise girly top, I added a homemade choker to my ensemble and my favorite fringe bag. 90s-inspired chokers are a huge trend right now, and one that I totally rocked back in the day. Instead of spending $16 on a piece of fabric, I go totally old school and steal a DYI trick that my dance friends and I always used to do – cutting a thin strip of fabric from a pair of tights. It sounds totally weird, but I swear you can’t even tell that it’s pantyhose when it’s on!

Top | H&M

Shorts | Levi’s

Sneakers | Converse

Bag | South Moon Under (similar)

Thanks to Dani from Blonde In The District for snapping these pics for me! 

In college, my go-to night out look was always a bodycon dress, but thankfully my taste has changed, and I gravitate towards fit-and-flare dresses with unique details for a night on the town. This dress pretty much nails it in everything I look for in a going out dress – comfortable, flattering, and definitely a stand out piece.

When you’re wearing a dress with as many cut-outs as this one, plus an exposed back, you’ve got to get strategic about what type of bra you’re wearing. I’m lucky that in that I’m pretty flat-chested, so I don’t have to worry about support, but I still like to make sure I’m covered up in the case that I have a wardrobe malfunction. My go-to for any plunging neckline are Fashion Form’s petals – way more effective than bandaids, and way less painful to peel off the next morning. Unfortunately, the petals aren’t reusable, but they’re super inexpensive and you get 3 to a pack. I pick mine up at Bed Bath and Beyond while I’m shopping for toiletries (seriously the cheapest place in DC to get shampoo, lotion, deodorant, etc.) or the rare time that I venture to a Target in the suburbs.

If my outfit is just backless and not super low-cut, I like to opt for “sticky boobs” or more tastefully referred to as adhesive bras. Super comfortable and you can adjust them to achieve the type of cleavage you want – warning they do start to peel off when it’s hot out and you sweat! These are reusable and you can actually wash but DON’T put them in the dryer! I pick mine up at Target and WalMart.

Dress | Nasty Gal (similar)

Shoes | LuLu*s

Bag | Rebecca Minkoff

It’s no secret that I love one piece swimsuits. My friends always cringe when I say that I’m wearing one instead of a bikini, but I absolutely love the feeling of not being self conscious in a swimsuit – especially if I’m drinking or eating at the pool. I got a TON of questions about where I got my new favorite suit from when I posted a photo on Instagram this weekend – so I’ve decided to dedicate a whole post to it.

This suit was only $27 from Forever 21, but unfortunately it’s one of those pieces they stock in-store and don’t have online. In lieu of this, I’m sharing my tips for finding a one piece that’s flattering and sexy, since they seem to still have a bad rep.

I’m currently the proud owner of 3 one piece swimsuits – and I usually opt for them over my bikinis for various reasons:

1. Being in a swimsuit in front of other people can be a hard thing – while I fully appreciate and support the self-love movement, I’m just more comfortable in front of people I don’t know when my stomach is covered up
2. One pieces are more statement-making than a bikini – sure, it seems like that’s contradicting my first point, but I think it takes a confident person to pull off a swimsuit that’s traditionally been dubbed as matronly, and when you’re not busy worrying about sucking in your gut every 5 seconds, your swagger definitely rises a few notches
3. YOU CAN EAT IN ONE PIECE SWIMSUITS AND NOT HATE YOURSELF! I love grilling out at the pool and of course – indulging in poolside beverages. I tend to bloat whenever I eat something as healthy and as small as an apple, so I love that one pieces offer enough support and distraction around my midsection to take away from this problem

Now that I’ve convinced you how amazing this type of swimwear is – here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for your own:

• Opt for thicker fabrics with a busy print – this will disguise any areas you’re uncomfortable with
• Look for suits with interesting details – like cut-outs, lace up tops, off the shoulder necklines, exposed backs, etc. This keeps your look less swim team practice – more fashionista
• As much as you may hate the idea at first, opt for a smaller cut bottom and higher cut on the hips – you might feel like a Kardashian, but I promise you that this cut will be the most flattering and elongate you from head to toe

You can shop a few of my favorite suits below:

Snake Print Suit | ASOS 

Mara Hoffman Lattice Suit | ASOS

Bouquet Suit | iShine365

Ladder Cut-out Suit | Forever 21 

Strappy Suit | Target

 

Converse, cut-offs, and a crop top are pretty much my weekend uniform. I’m an avid fan of walking to places when I can, but DC in the summer is HOT – so when I know I’m going to be in the humidity all day I like to keep it casual. During the day, I don’t bother to straighten my hair (it’s actually still half wet in these pictures) and if I’m going to be walking more than 6 blocks, I opt for my trusty Converse kicks to avoid blisters from sandals.

This crop top is actually over two years old, and my go-to when I’m going to a Nat’s game, or headed out to a casual dinner.* I actually wore this look to dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Lauriol Plaza. If you haven’t been – get yourself over to the Dupont chips and salsa factory stat. The flirtiness of this top balances out the tomboy jean shorts and old school sneakers on the bottom, so I didn’t feel completely underdressed when my boyfriend I ended up bar hopping after dinner.

This top is actually on standby from LuLu*s, but you can sign up to be notified when it comes back in stock. I’ve linked some similar ones below if you want the same style of top and can’t wait!

*Disclaimer – usually my cleavage doesn’t bust out of this top as much as it is in these photos, so let’s just blame it on the time of the month. 

Top | LuLu*sLuLu*s

Shorts | Levi’s

Sneakers | Converse

Clutch | South Moon Under 

Similar Tops: 

Tobi

LuLu*s

In case you haven’t seen the brightly colored photos dominating my Instagram feed, ModCloth is popping up in Georgetown through June 25th to give fashionistas a chance to shop their IRL collection in person! The boutique is adorable and is the perfect place to try on the brand’s vintage and quirky pieces which are usually only available online.

Personally, I have pretty bad luck with online shopping – I always over or underestimate my sizes, so I think that an online retailer popping up to give women a chance to try on their offerings is a brilliant idea. Another thing I love about ModCloth? Their body image positivity.  The brand’s clothes are extremely flattering on all shape and sizes, and their prints and cuts are insanely fun and flattering.

I’d been following ModCloth for awhile, but never bought anything until the pop up, and let me tell you, I was SO impressed by the quality of the clothes! The material on all of the pieces I tried on were thick and super comfortable, and the price points are very reasonable for such unique and well-cut clothing. It’s safe to say I’m hooked on the brand! I highly recommend stopping by the pop up before they close up shop this weekend, and you know where to find a shopping buddy if you need one!

Check out the snaps from the private shopping event I hosted with my good friend Roxanne (Glass of Glam). A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to support and shop with us and to Illusions of Georgetown for making us all look beautiful during the event!

You can shop my look below:

Top | ModCloth

Skirt | ModCloth

Heels | Vince Camuto

For a concert at the 9:30 Club this past weekend (Motion City Soundtrack fan, anyone?) I traded in my denim cutoffs for a pair of flirty floral shorts and a crop top with my trusty stacked cage heels.I prefer floral shorts that are a little bit looser than your typical tailored shorts, and love that these almost mimic a skirt due to their wide cut. To balance out the volume on the bottom, I like to pair them with crop tops, a leo, or a tucked in tank. Personally, I’m a big fan of highwaisted fits because they help elongate your waist with a busy print. These shorts were under $25 from Forever 21, and unfortunately the exact pair isn’t available any more, but I’ve linked to some similar ones below! 

Shorts | Forever 21

Crop Top |Forever 21

Shoes | Forever 21

I’m super excited to be hosting a private shopping event at the DC ModCloth IRL pop up with Roxanne of Glass of Glam! ModCloth is an online retailer that specializes in modern retro and vintage fashions and they’re popping up all over the country to offer an exclusive in-store experience to allow shoppers the chance to try on clothing before purchasing!

On June 19th ModCloth will be closing down the store just for our shopping event (complete with champagne, of course) and providing personal styling services. We’d love for you to join in on the fun! Email me at districtdamsel@gmail.com to RSVP.

I got the chance to check out the pop up at District Blonde and Heart, Print, and Style’s shopping event this morning, and the boutique is adorable! Take a peek below.

When I went to the Kingman Island Bluegrass Festival a few weeks back, we saw a funk folk rock band band called Oh He Dead and they were so good I vowed to go see them wherever they played next. When I found out they were playing at Rock And Roll Hotel, I was ecstatic, so we headed down to H Street and they were just as amazing as I remembered. I highly recommend checking them out the next time they play a show!

Since the venue was Rock And Roll Hotel, I felt like I had to channel my inner punk rock princess (Something Corporate, anyone?) and go for an edgy look. I snagged this top off the Urban Outfitters sale rack (I told you – they have some great finds!) and paired it with my favorite ripped Topshop jeans and a choker for a rocker vibe.

Top | Urban Outfitters 

Jeans | Topshop 

Sandals | Forever 21

Clutch | South Moon Under (similar)

 

Ever since middle school, I’ve been a fanatic about having my nails painted. Something about having them bare makes me feel naked, so I’m constantly stocking up on new polishes whenever I run to Target or Bed Bath and Beyond. In the fall and winter, I usually have my nails painted a darker color (OPI’s Linkin Park After Dark, anyone?) but once the weather warms up I instantly gravitate towards lighter and more fun shades. Shopping hint – you can use those 20% and $5 off coupons at Bed Bath and Beyond on nail polishes! Somehow it makes buying a tiny bottle of polish for $8 seem less painful 😉

Fiji is by far my favorite nail color for spring and summer. As soon as it becomes acceptable to wear open toe shoes, this is what goes on my feet and I don’t usually switch up the color for my pedis until October.

Mint Candy Apple is a great color because it’s playful, but not too in your face. I’m not entirely sure why they call it mint or apple because it’s definitely not green on your fingers, but I’ll go with it.

Chills and Thrills is definitely my wild card summer color. It’s extremely bold, but definitely a fun shade that I feel like I can only get away with in the summer. When I checked on the Essie website to link to it, I found out they no longer make it – but Butler, Please is extremely similar!

Now go get yourself a fresh mani!