The right way to do winter outerwear (a few weeks too late)

With the Washington weather so completely unpredictable - hello, I didn't wear a coat yesterday and it's snowing today - it can be somewhat understandable for the politicos not to don the appropriate outer coverings all the time. But, your average winter coat is timeless and classic, and if you don't have one at least hanging in your closet (like Greta, most likely), there is absolutely no excuse.

For the not-so-cold days, check out some of these options, but for the frigid days of late, it's not too late to get bundled up - and this is a perfect time to buy a wonderfully warm wool jacket as sales are in full force. So, without further ado, here are some of my choices for Capitol-appropriate winter attire, and these are more about the shape and style than the actual piece (especially since these are all way out of my price range):

Marc by Marc Jacobs Solid Wool Felt Coat ($548)
Unique color in a simple and basic shape - and the double button/military-style is so the rage right now. I just love how it's classic yet totally different from everyone else on the street.

Cinzia Rocca Long Wool Coat ($1,125)
Wonderfully classic in hunter green!

Burberry Exploded Glen Check Coat ($1,295)
The black/white/camel check is very fashionable this season, but more importantly, it is classic and can withstand the test of many seasons to come. The spread collar looks great popped and the black leather belt flatters any waist.

Andrew Marc Dream Herringbone Coat ($795)
Oh so Jackie O! The mock belt and double buttons are what make the jacket and then what makes it Capitol Hill is the color and length. It's just timeless.

Mackage High Collar Coat ($550)
The asymmetry is fantastic on this coat - which throws you for a loops in Midnight blue - plus I love the belt, the slight puff sleeve and the big collar.

Alice + Olivia Fox Collar Coat ($587)
Red is just the quintessential winter color. I love this shape, it's almost like a dress, and would flatter just about any shape.

Catherine Malandrino Jacquard Dots Cape ($795)
Taking the classic cape and making it the silhouette of the season! I've seen this style in many store and colors, and just love it. This particular choice has the double-breasted look I love and the texture is just to die for.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Textured Wool Twill Coat ($628)
A-line, slight flare, asymmetry, amazing neckline - what's there not to love.

P.S. There will be an interview with me commenting about my love of winter coats posted soon on DC Goodwill Fashionista's site. Check it out!

P.P.S. And don't forget to keep your hands nice and toasty. Here are some great suggestions from the epitome of what D.C. fashion should be.

Back up and running

I saw Greta again the other day - this time walking out of Phillips (why?!?) with her bagged lunch - and she looked so horribly dowdy in her all-black neutral pallette and oversized trench reminiscent of Reagan's. Really, there is a good way to do winter outwear, and this is not it!

Anyway, it got me to thinking about the early days of this blog and how I loved doing it and about how I have totally slacked as of late. Well, I am not making any promises (I've done that in the past...), but I am going to try a bit harder to get back on my game. Plus, I need to get more people to the site so I can up my $3.49 of "shoe fund" earnings...

Here's to wishing everyone a belated Happy Hanukkah and an early Merry Christmas.

– Photo courtesy Mens Vogue

Colbert: 'Nothing completes a look like children's health-care legislation'

In a odd change of events, Stephen Colbert was asked to introduce Speaker Nancy Pelosi last night at Glamour's Annual Women of the Year awards. And, though his writers are on strike, he was able to come up with a funny and fashionable speech (note the reference to the mandals!). It's worth a couple minutes of your day to actually read through it - it's freakin' hilarious:

... And speaking of mocking politicians, many have asked me why someone who has advised members of the House of Representatives not to go on my show, why I would honor Nancy Pelosi at the Glamour awards. Because she made history this year? Because she's three heartbeats away from the presidency? Because I suddenly like her?

No, I am here tonight because I love Glamour. I love its lifestyle. I love the magazine. I have my own personal do's and don'ts. Do work a retro up-do, with a little headband. Don't criticize the president. And I just love fashion. This season, I love high-waisted pants. I adore Oxford pumps—no, ankle booties! And if you have a sweater dress? Make it even better—belt it! If it wasn't so cold tonight I would have ditched my wing-tips and worn my platform mandals.

That's why I'm here tonight to introduce Nancy Pelosi, because she is the most glamorous speaker we've ever had. I cannot pinpoint exactly what makes her different than previous speakers. All those guys had style. Newt Gingrich worked the aisle in pinstripes and power ties. And long before Jennifer Aniston had the Rachel hairstyle, Speaker O'Neill had the Tip hairstyle. Four-inch eyebrows, matching earbrows. Speaker Dennis Hastert was a plus-size model for Lane Bryant.

But none of these men hold a candle to Speaker Pelosi. Whether she's prowling the Capitol steps in a cream pantsuit, or strutting the halls of Congress in a blue pantsuit, or grudgingly clapping behind the president at the State of the Union in, say, cream pants and a blue pantsuit blazer—she always has the right accessories. Because nothing completes a look like children's health-care legislation. And I think we all know that the fashion moment of the year has to be Nancy Pelosi marching the S-CHIP bill up to the White House in her Veto-Me pumps. She is the most fabulous Speaker ever to rock the gavel. And though I may disagree with everything she stands for, I will defend to the death her right to make-it-work [snaps]. So it is my honor to present to you the distinguished representative from California, Madam Speaker, Madam Glam, Nancy Pelosi!

To read the entire speech, click here... To read a little bio from Glamour about Pelosi, click here...

- Getty Images

If a famed celeb stylist says D.C. has style...

Yet another reason to hate Anne Schroeder, she says D.C. has no style. Well, maybe she has no style. So take that Shenanigans!

[Fashion stylist Rachel] Zoe met her husband in D.C., too, she tells local pub Express. She was a hostess at Washington Harbour, he was a waiter. They used to hang out at Sequoia. And — now this is important — Zoe says, "I love D.C. It's got such style."

Whaaa? D.C. and style? Do we need a fashion double-take?

To read the horrible drab, click here...

Nina McLemore: Dressing the power elite (and the creator of Hillary's horrid jackets)

An interesting article appeared in The Examiner today, shocking, I know. Part of their weekly Power Profile, Whitney Blake spoke with Nina McLemore, of her namesake line for the power elite as well as the founder of Liz Claiborne Accessories in the '80s. And while I am not personally a fan of the line (or many of the women who wear it, but that's a whole other aside), I find her takes on fashion, business and women in both very fascinating.

“I’m very angry at the fashion industry,” she said. The industry has “no respect for accomplished women,” viewing them as “sex objects, not smart and capable.”

Her line, mainly “jacket driven,” also includes pants and blouses for business, casual and evening attire. She targets businesswomen with high net worth, female politicians — most notably Sen. Hillary Clinton — and what McLemore calls “community women” who are involved in philanthropy or who have husbands in powerful positions. ... (Know we know where Hillary found her amazing taste - and her $795 quilted coats!)

... Clinton prefers longer jackets, and her signature colors include blue and coral, which McLemore said brings out the highlights in her hair. ...

McLemore’s clothes come in five fits to accommodate all body shapes, and she designs them herself with natural fabrics primarily made in America. She recommends bold, vibrant colors for women who often appear in public or on television. McLemore picks versatile styles that can be worn anywhere, and she uses wrinkle-free materials to allow for easy traveling. ...

... McLemore has a keen sense of her customers’ tastes. Women in law, government and business “dress more understatedly and conservatively” compared with women in New York. At the same time, Washington women have an international flair and often pick textiles and colors from, say, Southeast Asia and Kenya. ...

To read the entire article, which talks a lot more about the business side, click here...

– Examiner/Greg Whitesell

Quote of the day

Speaker Nancy Pelosi was honored at the YouthAIDS gala Friday, with a toast by Bono (who was wearing what seemed to be men's heels), saying:

"You've given safe sex, sex appeal! How'd you do that?"

These Shoes Are Made for Stalking

"Days spent chasing lawmakers on the Capitol’s marble floors can be a challenge," Jonathan E. Kaplan says in an article this month in Washingtonian. "The hard marble puts pressure on knees and backs and even makes for slips." Well, we knew all that, so the interesting part? His short piece takes a look at Congressional correspondents and their preferred footwear - and I have to say poo-poo to most of them!

I wear at least 3.5-inch heels on the Hill on most days, and do I complain? No! Why? Because they are feminine and dress- and location-appropriate, and I manage to find ones that are actually pretty comfortable.

Big props to "shoe addict" Susan Milligan of the Boston Globe (pictured above right), she "toughs it out wearing flashy stilettos. She admits they 'kill' her back, but they also get her noticed. One Massachusetts Democrat routinely comments on her shoes." Nice job and I love the flash of color - something way-too lacking under the Dome.

Some more tidbits - some of which frankly scare me:

“Rubber soles are a must,” says Anne Kornblut, who often tracks the movements of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (who wears low heels) for the Washington Post. Kornblut says she’s found a shoe-repair shop that will add rubber soles to her leather shoes. (This is key! I make sure to have no-slips and rubber soles on my shoes to avoid falling, and more importantly, to avoid making loads of noise with each step.) ...

... CNN congressional correspondent Jessica Yellin prefers clogs because they’re good for posture and are more attractive than many other ergonomically friendly shoes. (There's a photo with the story that I would be happy NEVER seeing again!)

Juliet Eilperin, a onetime congressional reporter for the Post who now writes about the environment, says former majority leader Dick Armey, a Texas Republican, taught her that cowboy boots are best for pounding the marble floors. (Do I even need to say anything here?)

To read the entire article, with a lot more about journos' secret lives, click here...

– Jay Clendenin/Washingtonian

Ideas, suggestions, critiques?

Hi all! I am trying to start back up with my regular posting (I was on sabbatical b/c I was in the running for a new job in the political arena and didn't want to jinx it by possibly being linked to a political blog...), and I would love all your help with catching up. If you have any ideas or news tidbits, or any suggestions as to where you'd like to see this blog go, please either leave a comment or e-mail me at dcpleats@gmail.com.

Hill fashion roundup

And The Hill now has a fashion column? I don't know... but, interesting info on some Reps.:

• Ric Keller has lost 41 pounds by eating healthy (1,800 calories per day) and regularly exercising. He has 30 more to go, he says, but he's already looking more svelte. (See picture from September at left.)
  
• Ellen Tauscher has gone noticeably darker — going from blonde to brunette. "I’ve always had a blonde personality with brunette responsibilities," she said.
  
• Sadly, Rep. Howard Coble has been warding of skin cancer — he was diagnosed in the late 1990s — with a topical solution that burns the skin cells and turns the outer skin on his face a blistery red. Ouch!
  
• And finally, it's a whopper, Dennis Kucinich reportedly bites his nails.

To read the entire report, click here...

– AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Joke of the day

From Swizzle Sticks:

"According to FEC reports, Edwards grew out his hair during the 3rdQ."