You may wish to cut back your spending to save up for your jet-setting holiday, or you may be spending all your Go Card money on booze to drown the sorrows on a cold February evening, but you can still look like a million dollars while on a student beer budget.
The sales may be over with spring collections popping up all over but that should not make shopping out of the question for anyone. Start by investing in a few key looks of Spring/Summer 2006. A flirty 50s Marc Jacobs ruffled dress can easily go from day to night, while any pieces from the Zac Posen white collection are very 2006, contrasting with last year’s boho trend.
Obviously great sources for stylish clothing are vintage stores. Annie Creamcheese sells a delightful assortment of men and women’s apparel and accessories. However, it has been criticized for being a little too tame and overpriced. Perfect for a beginner—but the real connoisseur should try thrift stores for a more personal (and cheaper) experience.
You should be prepared to leave empty-handed after a trip to Meeps & Aunt Neestle’s Vintage boudoir/dressing up box or the upscale Secondi, but the thrill of finding a vintage Marc Jacobs makes the trip worthwhile.
Fashion is all about style and style is all about how well you look after yourself. Constant trips to the hairdresser and beautician can take a toll on anyone’s purse, but that’s no excuse to let oneself go. Book an appointment at the Aveda Institute, where supervised aestheticians in training will take care of your every beauty need, at a fraction of the price (a wash and blow dry from $10-who needs to waste precious hours with straighteners?)
Now that you are all pampered and dressed up, it’s time to show yourself off to the world. No true fashionista ignores the cultural life. D.C. has a huge number of galleries and theatres to offer, most of which offer fantastic discounts for students. Try the $10 shows at the Kennedy center for world-class performances, half price admission at The Corcoran or the absolutely free National Gallery. For a good chance of spotting the next hot Broadway star, go along to local universities’ theatrical productions. Georgetown’s The Winter’s Tale or the sizzling joint UM and Woolly Mammoth’s production of Savage in Limbo are the best bets for February.
If bar hopping is more your style, happy hour is what it’s all about. Usually held from 4-8 p.m., it’s the perfect place to chill after class. Be it cocktails for $5 at Manhattan’s on M Street or $2 Buds at Lucky’s for all you sports fans, www.dchappyhours.com is the best resource for locating your perfect watering hole for whatever night of the week you wish.
