Well, he did say no more bow ties

"I am standing in my kitchen in my boxer shorts."

- Tucker Carlson on Monday morning, during a phone
interview with MSNBC
... It's all about the visual







– ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" via palmbeachpost.com

Sightings, with fashion in mind

Yeas & Nays spies called in the following recent sightings:

• Disgraced former congressman Mark Foley in Bethany Beach, Del., on Saturday night, shopping in the baked good sections of a local grocery store. Foley was sporting a summer look: sunglasses around the neck and a polo shirt.

• The Bush twins having fun last week at Adams Mill in Adams Morgan. Our source was blown away by Jenna’s “gorgeous green dress.” Naturally, the girls had a handful of preppy-looking boys surrounding them, and a man who could be pegged only as part of the first daughters’ Secret Service entourage was overheard bugging the bouncer about when the bar would announce “Last call!” “Jenna looked great and was enjoying standing outside with her cigarette talking to her tall, country-club-looking friends who appeared to be 35-plus,” our spy said. “Barbara had a nice-looking black dress on and [had] what looked like a Jager bomb towards the end of the night.” Bottoms up.

To read all of YAN, click here...

53 and looking fabulous

In an interview in this month's edition of Harper's Bazaar, Cindy McCain talks about how she coped with having several miscarriages, recovered from a stroke, overcame a prescription-drug addiction and her 27-year marriage to GOP presidential hopeful John McCain. And so what, a bunch or people are giving her a hard time because she's confusing her quotes, or something along those lines, but like I've said before: this isn't a politics Web site, it's fashion. She just looks fabulous for 53! I'm not sure why she was styled in a so-so $62,ooo Dior gown, but her hair and makeup were perfection.

– Photos by John Huba/Harper's Bazaar

In response to the Ron Paul response

I am not sure why I let a comment on this blog affect me in the way that it did, but I have been thinking about "anonymous' " comment since Tuesday afternoon. Now I know it was probably a Ron Paul supporter, or more likely a staffer - especially since after viewing the "hits analysis" on my site and noticing several people searched Google for "Ron Paul" - and whoever it was was just trying to stand-up for their main-man, but come on, sneakers with a suit? And I am clearly not the only one who has a problem with this: beyond Manolo and Wonkette picking it up, someone started a blog just this week called Ron Paul's Shoes that is based solely on this fashion misstep.

There are a lot of Congressmen, businessmen, lawyers, doctors etc. who are 71 years old - and older - who dress professionally every day. I have searched a bit and not found any articles or anything else that would lead me to believe Paul has any sort of health problem in which he would need the extra comfort shoes. I did find out that he wears these sneakers everyday, which is even worse than I thought, just wearing them to a CEAFU reception. But even if he does have a medical situation in which he needs the extra support, there are plenty of manufacturers out there that make classy, well-polished and - dare I say it - comfortable shoes for men in all price ranges.

Here's my problem, which I really feel Paul doesn't understand: There is just a certain level of dress and professionalism associated with being in the political-public eye. And this is a completely unpartisan comment - I had issue with President Bush's terrible outfit when he wore his Crocs and am constantly baffled by Hillary's wardrobe - but when you are the leader of the free world, or running for that office, you need to present yourself as such. Everyone is looking to you to set the example; you are quite literally the icon of America. Now I know Bush has made quite a few political fumbles in the past six plus years, but in general, he's dressed well while making them. He had to, he was on camera, and if Ron Paul chooses to put himself in that limelight he better act and dress the part.

– Darren at rightontheleftcoast.blogspot.com

****UPDATE****
I couldn't just leave it at that, either. I wanted to give some fantastic examples of comfortable, but stylish, shoes available - and maybe a Ron Paul staffer is reading this and will go out and buy him some new shoes. There are tons of styles out there, but here are a couple I found in just minutes on the Web:

Geox Monet 1 - The soft, textured leather makes this loafer perfect for dress-up or dress-down days and I love Geox for its breathable design, making your feet cozy and sweat-free for hours. Plus, they still have the sneaker-esque rubber sole that makes them slip-free on the just-waxed Capitol-campus floors.


Bostonian Asby - A nice, classic black bicycle-toe oxford that is made specifically for comfort: Bostonian has added extra padding on the heel and ball areas, padding around the ankle, and Ortholite foam lining so it forms to your foot.


Dr. Scholls Men's Winder Non Slip - Many people disregard Dr. Scholl's shoes because they remember the wooden sandals of yesteryear that were not at all comfortable. Nowadays, the company has rebranded itself and is making quite stylish wares. (I even have two pairs I wear often.) These slip-on oxfords feature Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel insole, ankle padding and no-slip rubber soles.

More D.C. style: Bring uncomfortable back?

This was posted a week or so ago on Who am I? Why am I here?, but I found it an interesting insight and quite well written, so I don't mind being late. Here is commentary about commentary about commentary:

I agree with D.C. sidewalk blogger that flip flops precipitate a dragging gait, but neither “sexy” nor “classy fashion of women in old Hollywood” has been a hallmark of D.C. style. If anything, D.C. style is the best it has ever been. Nancy Pelosi, the most prominent female politician, has eschewed the primary-colored-power-suit-matching-pumps for a more refined, chic look. Even Hillary Clinton, no foe of the power suit during her husband’s presidency, has at least settled on a softer yellow that does not quite jump out the way the hideous '90s ensembles did. (I disagree, but everyone has their own opinion.)

Still, D.C.’s dress code remains counter-intuitive to its weather, particularly in the hot, humid summer. ... The conservative formality of this city instates a dress code of suits and closed-toed dress shoes that quickly precipitate the sweat storm that is a thing of daily existence for area residents. (I will grudgingly admit that in this environment, seersucker suits make sense). I am a firm believer that style and comfort need not be mutually exclusive, but the D.C. fashion scene seems to miss both by remaining wedded to impratical dress codes. ...

... Why shouldn’t D.C.’s women be able to freely adapt to their city’s climate, which happens to be incredibly uncomfortable in the summer? In this vein, sandals of any kind make the most sense, and the style is not uniformly unglamorous. That this author is willing to give men a pass for looking “slovenly” but wills that women squeeze into pumps or stillettos or other signifiers of glamor makes his rant even more patently and ridiculously archaic.

To read the entire posting, click here...

New blogger on the scene: DC Goodwill Fashionista

According to Fishbowl, Goodwill of Greater Washington "became the first non-profit agency to officially launch its own fashion blog." "The blog will share detailed knowledge and insight on vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories that are valuable to cost conscious fashion shoppers."

Here's what the DC Goodwill Fashionista has to say in the first entry:

In this space, I and guest bloggers will tell you all about the great finds we have at Goodwill retail stores in the DC, MD, and VA so that you can complement your own style with our unique fashions. And awesome prices! Most shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, and shoes at Goodwill stores are less than $10 bucks. That means a whole outfit can be had for under $50! For a girl like me who loves clothes – but has to be on a budget! – this is like the best of all possible worlds.

... In fact, your DCGF bought a practically new pair of Banana Republic dark-rinse trouser jeans just yesterday! And you’ll want to keep an eye out for Wednesday’s posting. It’s a feature were calling “The Goodwill Good Buy of the Week,” and it features – surprise! – some really cool jeans I found at our Manassas store.

Check it out here...

****UPDATE****
I got off work early on Tuesday and was inspired by the new DC Goodwill Fashionista blog, so I decided to check out where my local Goodwill store is. I found out the closest one is quite far, but I went anyway. After battling New York Ave. traffic, I discovered a very different Goodwill than I remembered from when I was a teenager in the MidWest searching for 25 cent T-shirts. I wanted to find a pair of jeans like DCGF suggested, but after trying on a few pairs - there are nice big dressing rooms now! - I didn't find the right ones for me. There were some nice pairs, though, even some designer labels. I did come out with a great pair of vintage Italian-made, like-new, cobalt blue Via Spiga suede pumps that will be a staple come fall. I also bought a cute sweater that was only 99 cents - as are all of them for the summer - and a couple CDs. I spent less than $10 and am very happy with my purchases.

The Ron Paul and His Disgraceful Shoes

Ron Paul's shocked everyone and somehow has raised $3 million this quarter. Who gives him money? Any why wouldn't they just buy him some new shoes?

Here's what blog Manolo had to say about the libertarian Congressman/doctor:

[I] hope that the Croc in Chief would be replaced by something better than the Wal-Mart trousers and the ratty Reeboks.

To see the entire post, click here...

– Darren at rightontheleftcoast.blogspot.com

Stealing Warhol's style: The Nina Totin' Bag

From the DCist, who saw it in The Hill:

We couldn't help but giggle when we heard an ad on WAMU today for The Nina Totin' Bag, a collectible canvas bag honoring NPR's Legal Affairs correspondent (who is certainly getting a workout lately with all the Supreme Court decisions being handed down in rapid succession), Nina Totenberg. Shouldn't it be the Nina Totenbag, then?

... it appears they have made a limited number available for sale at the NPR Shop. You know, right next to the Wait Wait Don't Tell Me Water Bottles.

To read the entire DCist blog, click here... To buy a bag, click here...

Photos of the Week

In going with my obsession with digging through AP photos, I've decided to do a Photos of the Week. This is anything combining D.C., politics, the media, fashion, arts etc. If this becomes popular (please let me know if you like it), I'll keep it going.

President Bush makes a joint statement Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Bush family compound on Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine.

– AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

An oversized Oreo Cakester sits outside Union Station on Monday to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Oreo sandwich cookie.

– FredoAlvarez on Flickr

The Capitol is reflected in a wine glass at Ken Mehlman's going-away party on the roof of Charlie Palmer’s last Tuesday.

– Liz Gorman for Wonkette

It's just a really pretty picture: Washington area residents awoke Tuesday to a rainbow of colors as the warm morning sunrise colors the skyline.

– AP Photo/Ron Edmonds

With the Capitol in the background, Juan Ponse installs seats in the upper deck of the new Washington Nationals baseball stadium. The stadium is expected to be completed by opening day 2008.

– AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., sits in the dugout with a black eye after colliding with teammate Rep. Jim Marshall, D-Ga., while attempting to make a play in the outfield at the 46th Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game. The goof was just one of nine errors made by the Dems.

– Tom Williams/Roll Call

Hillary's got coral fever

Hillary brought out her fantastic coral jacket again on Saturday, this time to address the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Then, less than 36 hours later she brought out the same matchy-matchy jewelry as she met with everyone's favorite iPhone-loving mayor, Philly's own John Street, and then later in the day in Iowa.

- AP Photo/Reinhold Matay and Matt Rourke, respectively