Many of these online influencers seek the unusual and unexpected in both what they put on their bodies and where they pose for snaps.

sees a male population here that isn’t She’s particularly keen on luxe retail all stuffy suits and dull loafers. “People complex CityCenterDC’s Palmer Alley, are quick to say, ‘You live in D.C., you must selfie-worthy thanks to its seasonal love ties,’ but that couldn’t be further decorations (cherry blossom-pink from the truth,’’ says the blogger and lanterns in spring, white twinkly lights branding pro (@diegodowntown). “I call during the holidays). You’ll also find myself a street-style prep: I’ll mix my clas- Pendergrass shooting in spots like the sic brands with something urban like a redbrick sidewalks of Old Town Alexan- sneaker, a jogger or a cool jacket.” dria or the minimalist marble expanses This sidewalk (and Internet) fashion of the Kennedy Center. show is powered in part by a decade- long economic boom that’s brought MONLING LEE young residents, a buzzing creative class Many of these online influencers seek the and increasingly upscale retail to D.C. unusual and unexpected in both what “There’s a big art and culture commu- they put on their bodies and where they nity here, and a lot of people’s fashion is pose for snaps. “I look for places that Capital based on that,” says Gonzalez-Zuniga. are less historic-looking than those in You’ll spot him shopping and shoot- federal D.C., spots that are utilitarian, less ing photos at locally powered style decorated or just colorful,” says Monling sources like Steadfast Supply (D.C.-made Lee, the uber-popular (74.4k Instagram jewelry, clothing and bags) and Redeem followers @monlinglee) force behind Style (Cali-meets-London sportswear with a colorindex.us, a visual blog. Washington twist). Lee, an architect, features shots of “And I love this local men’s boutique, herself in color-blocked outfits artfully Whiskey Ginger, on U Street,” he says. posed on Miami-bright backdrops you’ll Digitally savvy NEAR THE U.S. CAPITOL, a well-dressed since 2005. “Many people here do have “The owner travels all over the world for be surprised are in Washington. trendsetters find woman in a bright pencil skirt and tuxedo conservative jobs with dress codes, but I brands and styles that are really different, Think a row of candy-hued Capitol jacket smiles as a single photographer see so many of them have fun with color, from suits in cool colors to really cool Hill townhouses setting off Lee in green cool D.C.-area snaps images, using the iconic dome as pattern and mixing high and low.” tank tops.” pants, a yellow jacket and red bag or spots to show- a stage set of sorts. Some lesser-known On her blog and Instagram feed the geometric murals at Shaw’s Atlantic case their latest congresswoman trying to polish her (@wardrobe_oxygen, 10.9k followers), Gary ELISABETH PENDERGRASS Plumbing complex highlighting a pink media presence? More likely she’s a local shows off looks that exemplify how chic “There are a lot more shopping areas and ruffled top. Lee’s cool-yet-happy shots fashion finds. fashion blogger or Instagrammer, utiliz- the capital can be. There she is rocking places to people watch that have sprung have earned her commercial collabora- ing the city’s dazzling architecture, urban a bright floral sundress in the gleaming up in the past few years,” says Elisabeth tions with brands like J. Crew and Coach. By Jennifer Barger sidewalks or funky murals as her (or his) marble surrounds of Union Station or trot- Pendergrass, aka E. of districtofchic.com Like other online, in-town fashion outdoor studio. They’re members of an ting out her signature black leather jacket and @districtofchic, a blog and Instagram forces, Lee represents a blend of savvy, increasingly chic local tribe that doesn’t for concerts at Shaw’s 9:30 Club. Popular handle chronicling the Audrey Hepburn- stylish and smart, and she’s helping rede- ON THE TOWN always get the fashion cred it deserves. with the hip mom crowd, Gary has done esque marketing pro’s outfits, dinner out- fine and refine how D.C. dresses. (From top) Monling Lee promotional partnerships with national ings and generally sophisticated life. “I find so much inspiration from the in D.C.’s happenin’ Shaw ALISON GARY brands like Cabi and Gwynnie Bee, but she “There are so many cool places to be D.C. blogger scene,” says local stylist neighborhood; Diego “The concept of the K Street woman in a also loves hitting local fashion sources like (and shop), from CityCenterDC to Union and personal shopper Rosana Vollmer- Gonzalez-Zuniga on a D.C. frumpy navy suit and white sneakers is Lynn Louisa and Betsy Fisher. Market.” Pendergrass often shows off her hausen of D.C. Style Factory. “I love rooftop; Elisabeth Pender- so dated,” says Alison Gary of Wardrobe classic-meets-contemporary outfits (think that they turn what people expect of grass on an Alexandria, Va. Oxygen (wardrobeoxygen.com), who DIEGO GONZALEZ-ZUNIGA a striped T-shirt dress with a corset belt Washington on its head. There’s a mix sidewalk; (Opposite) Alison has been doling out what you might call The dapper force behind diegodown and cherry red mules) in those hip zones of fantasy, art and accessible, everyday Gary in Hyattsville, Md., (FROM TOP) ©EMMA MCALARY; ©DIEGO GONZALEZ-ZUNIGA; ©ELISABETH PENDERGRASS ©ELISABETH GONZALEZ-ZUNIGA; ©DIEGO MCALARY; ©EMMA TOP) (FROM edgy everywoman style and life advice town.com, Diego Gonzalez-Zuniga also ©KARL GARY that draw both locals and travelers. style. They’re killing it!” just northeast of D.C.

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