The Official-ish DC Thread

[bobbers]

If you prefer the former, I'd recommend a wheated bourbon (classic being Weller, which is quite inexpensive at around $25 for the Special Reserve but hard to find). Assuming you can't find Weller, I'd recommend Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare (both along with Weller are made at the Buffalo Trace Distillery). If you prefer something more biting and complex, Elijah Craig would be a reasonable option.

I was in Ohio over the weekend, and Bourbon distilleries were relatively close by. I remember seeing these recommendations way back in this thread, but I couldn't fit distillery visits into the schedule.

Logically the next best thing was to visit various liquor stores. After some searching, I came home with two bottles of Weller Special Reserve and one bottle of Weller Antique 107. Looking forward to tasting later this week.

 

[bsarosi]

I was in Ohio over the weekend, and Bourbon distilleries were relatively close by. I remember seeing these recommendations way back in this thread, but I couldn't fit distillery visits into the schedule.

Logically the next best thing was to visit various liquor stores. After some searching, I came home with two bottles of Weller Special Reserve and one bottle of Weller Antique 107. Looking forward to tasting later this week.

Nice haul! Weller SR is great for day-to-day and the Antique 107 is great for something a little more special imo

 

[lordsuperb]

My lady picked me up a bottle from Frederick, MD.

Anyone ever try matchstick?

 

[bicycleradical]

My lady picked me up a bottle from Frederick, MD.

Anyone ever try matchstick?
View attachment 1673459

I've had the Bootjack from McClintock and it was a nice rye however I've not had the Matchstick. How is this bourbon?

 

[lordsuperb]

I've had the Bootjack from McClintock and it was a nice rye however I've not had the Matchstick. How is this bourbon?

I've yet to open the bottle. I haven't been drinking as much since the pandemic started.

 

[Joffrey]

I'll be in Fredrick this weekend and will try to stop at McLintock.

 

[mlcgloves]

Hi all, I am hopefully moving to D.C. to. start a new job at a federal agency. The dress code was described to me as business casual. I tried to get more specifics about whether jackets and ties were common or expected and got a rather vague response from HR. So I'm wondering if anyone in the thread is familiar with what the dress code is like at these federal agencies. I'm a recent college graduate, so I still have some considerable wardrobe filling out to do.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

My particular section of my federal agency is business casual. You should be okay with a collared button-up shirt and khakis. I like to go a little dressier with wool pants and a sportscoat.

 

[smittycl]

Yeah, button-up shirt with collar and dress pants/khakis and shoes that are not sneakers or athletic shoes. Nice sweater(s) for cooler weather. Pretty good idea to have a Navy blazer on hand.

Dress code will vary based on your position, the agency, and who you interact with professionally. If you host or attend lots of meetings with other agencies or outside groups then coat and tie is usually the order of the day. If you're HR, IT, and other "internal" positions then I'm sure business casual will work.

 

[scurvyfreedman]

I meet with a lot of federal employees. Many wear chinos and a button down shirt with fake dress shoes. I say fake because they are usually sneakers masquerading as shoes.

Managers frequently wear a jacket, but no tie. SES (senior executives) wear a jacket and tie or suit. Political appointees wear suits b/c they can be summoned to the Secretary or Congress at any time.

 

[smittycl]

I meet with a lot of federal employees. Many wear chinos and a button down shirt with fake dress shoes. I say fake because they are usually sneakers masquerading as shoes.

Managers frequently wear a jacket, but no tie. SES (senior executives) wear a jacket and tie or suit. Political appointees wear suits b/c they can be summoned to the Secretary or Congress at any time.

Also depends on how close the top of the agency your desk is. Suit and tie a must if you're anywhere near the political appointees or folks who interact with the Hill.

 

[trafficjam]

I'm a contractor in a federal office (well, a year and a half ago I was in an office). As mentioned, only the higher-ups wear suits, but just about everyone has a suit on hand, or at least a tie which I wore like, 5 times in 3 years. I would rec wool pants and a dress shirt, though a sport shirt won't make anyone look sideways.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I should add that many federal agencies (like mine) are likely to be maximum telework until 2022 . . .

 

[mlcgloves]

Yeah HR told me they're essentially all teleworking rn with few instances of people going into office here and there. Sounds like there is some variability and I'll wait it out and see what my office is like

 

[hpreston]

Yes, what others have said. Business casual where I work can be anything from a smart button up shirt with chinos to non-ripped up jeans and a polo.....

And yes, it certainly get dressier the closer you get to heads of agencies etc. Near our "top floor" business casual is all dress shirts/wool trousers.

My best recommendations
1) don't go out and buy a bunch of new clothes before you start working, work with what you have until you get in and see what others are wearing
2) Err on the dressier side (but no too dressy) to start, if you think polo/chinos would work, start out with nice button up shirt,/wool trousers, then adjust