DC Attire

[Zach Graves]

I'm a Los Angeles native doing a paid research internship for 5 months this Spring in DC at a well known think tank. Its business attire during the week (suit and tie). Will have to get a new suit or two, maybe another pair of Allen Edmonds, probably some kind of winter wear.Any general advice or tips about DC culture and fashion would be much appreciated!

 

[Joffrey]

People would give you the impression it's terribly conservative - i'd say it's unimaginative. But I know plenty of guys in conservative offices that still rock great clothes. PM ctrlaltelite as he does a very good job of it.

My $2.00: buy good looking things. It really doesn't matter what brand name it is (few people would care), but make sure it fits you. I don't know what exact office you'll be working at but fridays are quite casual here so you could certainly get away with a nice pair of dark jeans, cotton trousers with a nice shirt and or sweater. Really the rules are the same regardless of city - particularly if you are in a relatively serious career.

 

[MetroStyles]

Like NY but less inspired and worn by pudgier wasps.

 

[randomkoreandude]

depends on your budget...

95% of DC style is awful. very conservative business attire. i agree that no one sees/knows labels so get whatever you can afford that fits and looks good. i assume since this is an internship, your still a student (undergrad?)

if its a well known think tank, they may be pretty uptight on how you dress. i see students with some style and a few congressional interns with some flair but again vast majority look boring. theres a few young lawyers at biglaw firms, especially the one i worked at this summer, that are changing it but its gradual.

fridays most places is business casual and some that allow jeans

 

[randomkoreandude]

oh and spring is fine but if you end up staying through summer dress LIGHT ... its so freakin hot and humid and in business attire its awful especially on crammed metros

 

[giraffe lookout]

Originally Posted by Jodum5

People would give you the impression it's terribly conservative - i'd say it's unimaginative. .
This just about sums up everything I believe about DC culture in general. Thank your for sharing your insight in such a concise manner.

 

[WSW]

I personally have not seen as many standout outfits here as I have in New York. Once in a while you'll get someone with a decently fitted suit but besides that it's usually drab and uniform. And shoes, haven't seen a decent pair yet.

 

[Slopho]

If you're in a TT you won't have to worry about what you're wearing so much. Now if you were joining a lobbying firm.

 

[scientific]

as an intern, it's important to overdress so that everyone knows how well off your family is

DC is cool, f the haters

 

[randomkoreandude]

oh i love dc ... not a hater. if i can help it im going to practice and live in DC for life

because fashion is so bad, its easier to stand out. i like VISITING nyc but could never live there again. too crazy and crowded. DC is the best city life in terms of decent size and things to do and lifestyle. not AS expensive as other places as well, but def not cheap.

although shopping sucks, but you can always do online

 

[Connemara]

Just hit up J. Press.

 

[Joffrey]

Lol @ Jpress. Go to vineyard vines.

 

[Zach Graves]

Thanks everyone, I'll keep your comments in mind.

Thoughts about colors? Here in LA it is pretty casual; people wear whatever they want regardless of the season, formality of setting, etc.

Suits in colors other than gray/black/navy? Shirts in colors other than white/blue? Braces? Suggestions for casual Friday?

I believe the internship is mixed between grad and undergrad, but it could be just us grad students. They place a number of different kinds of internships differently, including a number of lawyers in training.

 

[sartorialism]

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only well-dressed guy in DC. It's so drab, conservative and predictable. No style or personality here. Sorry! (But it is a great town

)