Happy Mother's (Fashion) Day!

In case you haven't caught on, this blog is intended be a resource for young professionals in Washington, DC. Young professionals can also be mommies--and so today is dedicated to those fashionista-mommies who want to look cute at work, after work, and especially, on the playground. Now, here at dcstylestop.com we have an appreciation for the fact that time is valuable, and it's not always possible to spend an entire day shopping--particularly when you are caring for little ones. Our goal is to be a solution to that problem...here we go.


1. Don't be afraid to shop online--returning and exchanging items is easier now than ever. Team members at dcstylestop.com often shop at J.Crew Online because they are constantly changing what they offer. These looks are perfect for transitioning from the weekend to the workday. For more online boutiques and stores, visit our Online Shopping page. But if you need someone to find the items for you, visit Instyle.com has a fantastic "product finder" that will let you figure out exactly what you are looking for. (photo credit, J.Crew.com)



2. Accessories can turn "drab" into "fab"--a simple dress or a casual pair of jeans with a button down shirt can become super chic if you add a long necklace or a scarf, a pair of earrings and a few bracelets. Suddenly your casual look becomes well thought out. You'll look great!



3. Make a plan before you shop--impulse shopping can lead to random items that don't work well together. Select a few look that you would like to wear, and then start searching for items that will go with those looks. Choosing several looks that are easily mixed and matched with each other will save you time and money.

--Before you go shopping, print different looks that you like. Elle.com always gives great ideas of what accessories go with which pieces. The latest Elle.com blog post gives ideas of ways get Olivia Palermo's look (from the hit TV show, "The City").




4. Hire a personal shopper--it isn't as expensive as you think, and it can save you loads of money in the long run. A personal shopper will give you an honest opinion of which colors and styles look good on you--and which ones look less than wonderful. Your shopper will go with you and help you pick out these items. Even if you think you don't need a personal shopper, consider trying this service anyway--you never know what you might find when someone challenges you to go a new direction.



5. Shopping should always be fun--if you're feeling stressed while you are shopping, take a break, grab some Starbucks, and then start over. Some people prefer to shop alone because it is definitely a more efficient way of shopping, but bringing a friend along for support can make the whole shopping experience much more fun.

Swirl (by Daily Candy) is untouchable!

Remember that time when I said that Daily Candy is the most amazing website ever? Well, I lied. They have a "sample sale offspring" called Swirl--and it's, how do I say this....frickinfantabulous! Think of Swirl as a VIP shopping website. Various designers are featured every few days or so, and amazing discounts are offered in order to help these designers get their names out. This site is ideal for those of us who appreciate high quality clothing and accessories but don't want to fork over too much dough. Simply put, you absolutely can not miss these deals!

The only catch is that you have to create a free login...like I said, it's exclusively for fashion VIP...aka, YOU!

The cardigan in the picture above is a creation of designer Lynne Hiriak and can be purchased on Swirl.com (along with dozens of other great looks)for an insanely discounted price. Start shopping ladies!!

**logo and photo are property of Daily Candy, and were not created by the writers of dcstylestop.com

Shop Local

This city is small. We pass each other on the street daily, yet rarely take the time to acknowledge one another. The woman or man walking by you could be the spouse of a coworker or the teacher of the children in your neighborhood. Or, they could be a local shop owner who is just trying to get by. Without getting political (this blog will never be a place for politics...unless it's about the style of politics), it's necessary to stress the importance of supporting local businesses.

It can be tempting to only shop at amazing stores like Urban Outfitter or J.Crew, and it is often less expensive to buy a great pair of jeans at a department store. But why not make a commitment to spend 10% of your monthly shopping budget on local shops and boutiques? They live and work in our city and they are going to invest that money back into the DC metro area.

Not sure which boutiques and shops are local? Click here for a partial list from the Washington City Paper. Also, check out the Boutiques and Stores list on the dcstylestop.com site. Although not all of the stores are strictly local, you can definitely call around to find out which ones are. In the coming weeks dcstylestop.com will separate the gargantuan list of shops by categories--making sure to have a category for the local shops!

photo credit: click here.