WORK IT! WEAR
DC’S FALL OFFICE LOOKS FOR MEN AND WOMEN ARE BRINGING THE FUN. THESE THREE BOUTIQUES SHOW YOU HOW TO DO IT.
WORK IT! WEAR Argent gives business attire a refreshing new look.
Washingtonians want to work hard, play hard, and look good doing it. In response, the city has seen a rise in chic, edgy retail options.
ARGENT
Oversize images of women in quirky eyewear, bright lipstick, and vivid, well-cut suiting dominate the windows of The Shay in North Shaw, the site of the new Argent store. Shaking things up and helping women dominate the workplace is exactly why cofounders Sali Christeson and Eleanor Turner have brought their fashionforward workwear brand to this city of powerhouse players.
“Historically, the DC working woman hasn’t had fun options for work, much less functional ones,” says Turner. This season, she says, “a desire for versatility inspired an entire reversible program.” Also known for its creative use of color and clever prints, Argent is featuring “a bolder glen plaid in robin’s-egg blue and burgundy, unexpected turquoise and tangerine colors, and gingham for fall,” says Turner. “We love to turn things upside down!”
In addition to filling a void with style and functionality, Argent is on a mission to “drop-kick the glass ceiling” and help women beyond wardrobing. The store will serve as a community center to bring women together. Says Christeson, it’s about “connection, awareness, and empowerment.” 1921 Eighth St. NW, #115, 415-294-1991; argentwork.com
SID MASHBURN
DC men are smitten with Sid Mashburn—both the man himself and his namesake Georgetown store. The men’s fashion pioneer and his shop exude all things cool. That is, cool but not intimidating. “We want you to feel like you’ve arrived at your friend’s house,” says Mashburn about the customer experience. His shop offers a range of thoughtfully selected menswear, everything from $65 Levi’s 501s to $10,000 handmade suits. “A little bit stretchy,” he says, “but accessible.”
For fall, Mashburn explains, “We are taking the suit and popping some of the air out of it—but not skinny, not tight, and not too short or shrunken.” His top styles for the season include Chelsea boots and five-pockets, a dressier version of jeans, available in a range of fabrics and colors. Mashburn also believes men should invest in a really good piece of outerwear, though his highest priority is always making you “feel and look good.” 3206 N St. NW, 202-864-0365; sidmashburn.com
RIZIK’S
Established in 1908, Rizik’s has historically been known for dressing the who’s-who of Washington. Diplomats, first ladies, and the city’s elite have long been frequent customers of this iconic boutique. With a recent renovation and a refresh of its designers, however, Rizik’s is ready to reign again.
Ande Riggins-Johnson, general manager for Rizik’s, has selected more than 30 of the hottest designers in luxury fashion to fill the racks— Brandon Maxwell, Paule Ka, and Adam Lippes, to name a few. Her intention is to ensure that DC’s working women can “make their closets multitask,” and she guides customers toward styles and lines that fit their figure, which she prioritizes before addressing trends. Some standouts for fall officewear include a brocade suit with black Lurex thread by Roberto Cavalli and boiled-wool culottes by Christian Siriano. 1100 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-223-4050; riziks.com