The geometric print sweater is back from the 80s. I saw no fewer than six of them while I was in New York a couple of weeks ago. Who knew Bill Cosby was such a style icon?
Elected Official
Preen Cashmere Cube Sweater (Shopbop, $1,945)
Hill Staffer
DvF Leena Cropped Sweater (Shopbop, $385)
Unpaid Intern
Have a big day ahead? Major hearing? Big trial? The presentation of your life? Gonna be at a conference with that ex? Whatever it happens to be, these are the fashion weapons that get me to the confidence level that I need to be at.
Without question, the most worn item in my wardrobe is a black-and-white striped tee. I wear it in winter under sweaters, in spring with white jeans, in summer with black shorts. I’ve been wearing the same one for years (it’s the best). But they don’t make it anymore. So here are some options for replacement.
When I started this blog, influencers still re-wore clothes. There were no haul videos filled with the latest from Shein before it winds up in a beach in Ghana poisoning the planet. There were no sponsored campaigns delivering fresh wardrobes each month. The content machine doesn’t like reruns.
Have a big day ahead? Major hearing? Big trial? The presentation of your life? Gonna be at a conference with that ex? Whatever it happens to be, these are the fashion weapons that get me to the confidence level that I need to be at.
Without question, the most worn item in my wardrobe is a black-and-white striped tee. I wear it in winter under sweaters, in spring with white jeans, in summer with black shorts. I’ve been wearing the same one for years (it’s the best). But they don’t make it anymore. So here are some options for replacement.
When I started this blog, influencers still re-wore clothes. There were no haul videos filled with the latest from Shein before it winds up in a beach in Ghana poisoning the planet. There were no sponsored campaigns delivering fresh wardrobes each month. The content machine doesn’t like reruns.
When I was young, my Mother used to bring me along when she would go shopping for fabric. As a result, I spent a lot of time, killing time, flipping through pattern books. So when I spotted this dress, I was instantly transported to the pattern table at a Jo-Ann Fabrics.
The red skirt is not bad its cute. If you wear that red skirt and that DvF Leena Cropped Sweater it will look good.
Some things need to stay in the 80's – this is one of them
Agreed, although the red skirt is adorable.
Oh yikes, dislike.
Belle, I am from Florida (where we are still experiencing beach weather) and I have an interview for graduate school coming up in Boston (where it started snowing a week ago). I need to look put together immediately upon arrival, following at least a 10 minute walk outside. What type of outfit would be weather appropriate but still professional enough for an interview? I'm thinking especially about shoes here. I feel weird changing out of boots and possibly having nowhere to put them, but I also don't want to be soaked from the ankle down, tracking water all over the office. If the interview wasn't on a University campus that is not very accessible by car, I would just avoid the whole issue and have a cab drop me off at the door.
Hey R – you're right that red skirt is great, I was too distracted by the sweater!
I think the unpaid intern one would look great with wide legs pants, a chunky bracelet and platforms. The others, I could take or leave.
Are these intended to be work-appropriate choices? I mean that as a serious (not sarcastic) question — I have a hard time picturing the second one in particular in an office, but I'm not very adventurous with patterns in general.
The second one, certainly not. The other two could be.
For example, a black pencil, black tights, black pumps and a wide resin bangle with number three could be worn for a business casual office.
Belle, please tell me this is a trick in honor of Halloween?
Some things are trendy but still really flattering. Other things are trendy, and look great on some but not everyone can pull them off. Other things are trendy and cool, but very few people can pull them off (above-mentioned sweaters), and a dreadful few are trendy and NO ONE should pull them off (high heel loafers?). I love the geometric sweater look, especially the top one (of course), but not many people would feel comfortable in it. The center sweater is alright, but people who wear clothes like that look like they are trying too hard, like when you see someone who made a conscious effort to have their sweater hanging off their should. Inevitably, no matter how brave they are, halfway through the day you will see them pulling their sweaters up, ruining their 80s vibe and making them look even more awkward. I really don't think many people would be able to make this look work, because when you are uncomfortable in something it shows. Wear fashionable clothes, but don't do it if you'll feel uncomfortable the whole time.
I knew that not everyone would like this trend when I posted (hint: Bill Cosby jokes), however, if all I ever post is solid sweaters and tie neck tops and pencil skirts, then I'm not doing my job as a blogger. Sometimes, it's good to think about wearing something that's “different for you” and if you don't end up liking it, fine. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't think it over.
The name of this blog makes me laugh (and feel a little annoyed).. I think that calling DC style 'capitol hill style' is so wrong. The hill is the center of anti-style where fashion is gray pencil skirts, tan panty hose and white granny walking shoes. I challenge Refinery 29 to find someone on the hill who would actually wear any of these. Basically everyone in DC is not associated with the hill or politics or has to wear a suit to work everyday, so please don't peg us as such. I personally totally dig all of these sweaters and would definitely wear the second one. They're fun and funky, but maybe not for everyone in DC for work. This 'controversy' seems too easy.
Maris-I love that you don't want Capitol Hill people to judge you, but you feel perfectly comfortable to judge us. While the white granny shoes were a DC staple a decade ago, I never see them anymore. And this blog is written by a former Hill staffer (was a staffer when I started) and geared toward young, professional women, many of whom work on the Hill. So that's the reason for the title.