Candid Style: An Inside Look at D.C. Fashion

When people think of D.C. fashion, a business suit naturally comes to mind. The Capitol Hill zeitgeist holds a strong grip on how the District is characterized and portrayed, but venture outside the government buildings’ parameters and you will see how locals truly dress. From the trendy streets of Georgetown to the creative and eclectic corridors of Union Market, Washingtonians have a unique take on style that often varies by neighborhood. Peruse these photos of stylish people walking the streets of D.C. who help create the fabric of our city’s fashion scene. Photos by Nicole Schaller.

KEYA SEABRON

Spotted location
Union Market, outside of Byrdland Records

Describe your style
Eccentric, go-with-the-flow, unique

Fashion inspiration
My mother and grandmother

Favorite item
A good pair of black shoes

MILES NETO + ANNIE CHAALE

Occupation
Both in advertising 

Spotted location
Georgetown, outside of Sweetgreen

Describe your style

Neto: Vintage, secondhand, camp

Chaale: Black, minimalistic, bold

Fashion inspiration

Neto: ’80s

Chaale: Hailey Bieber and TikTok

Favorite item

Neto: I’m a big accessories guy — necklaces and rings in gold or stainless steel. 

Chaale: A nice pair of jeans. A nice quality pair goes a long way.

LOREAL HAWK

Occupation
Law student at UDC

Spotted location
On the streets of Union Market

Describe your style
Flowing, colorful and clean

Fashion inspiration
Angela Bassett in the ’90s, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington

Favorite item
The yellow poncho I am wearing right now 

KALEI HAMILTON 

Occupation
Student studying social work 

Spotted location
Union Market, sitting working and drinking coffee 

Describe your style
Thrifty, inconsistent, colorful

Fashion inspiration
Emma Chamberlain

Favorite item
Dr. Martens boots I am wearing

CHRIS LEWIS

Occupation
Makeup artist

Spotted location
Union Market, outside of St. Anselm

Describe your style
Out-of-the-box, different, versatile

Fashion inspiration
Billy Porter, Lil Nas X, Jeremy Pope

Favorite item
Platform shoes

JOSEPH TRULLINGER

Occupation
Philosophy professor at George Washington University

Spotted location
Georgetown, outside of Blue Bottle

Describe your style
Goth peacock

Fashion inspiration
David Bowie and Blixa Bargeld from the German industrial noise band Einstürzende Neubauten

Favorite item
The leather jacket I am wearing. I got it at the beginning of the pandemic.

NYY GRIFFIN

Occupation
Barista

Spotted location
Georgetown, outside of Olivia Macaron

Describe your style
Unique, influential, spontaneous

Fashion inspiration
I like a lot of Korean streetwear. K-pop artists, the way they dress when they’re not performing, as well as Chris Brown and Rihanna’s style.

Favorite item
My pair of joggers, a graphic T-shirt and tennis shoes

ASHLEY GUY 

Occupation
Gender specialist

Spotted location
Dupont Market near Dupont Circle

Describe your style
Classy but edgy

Fashion inspiration
BTS are style icons

Favorite item
Good handbag or anything with a midriff

NICHOLAS JOSEPH MARTINO

Occupation
Chef and owner of ABOVEGROUND

Spotted location
ABOVEGROUND at Union Market

Describe your style
Eclectic (contrary to Coco Chanel’s “Take one thing off”)

Fashion inspiration
Elton John. He is unapologetically himself and so am I. The queen is an icon. She’s a bad bitch. Queen Lizzie has always been fly.  

Favorite item
Always rock a chain 

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Nicole Schaller