Under the Influence: DC Influencers With Individualistic Styles
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While Washington D.C. is typically known as a city specifically focused around government and all things political, there are a number of fashion influencers and bloggers reshaping the city’s fashion culture.
A fashion influencer can have a blog or a strong following on social media, with Instagram being the most popular source. They are sometimes paid by brands to promote products, according to Harper's Bazaar. The District certainly isn’t a fashion capital like New York City, Paris or Milan, but there is still some great style in the city. Here are just a few of Washington’s most prominent fashion influencers and bloggers and what they’re doing to embrace and evolve the city’s style.
Instagram: @megbiram
A picture of Biram taken from her Instagram account, posted Jan. 24, 2019, wearing an edgy yet feminine look.
In addition to being the creator and editor of her blog, Meg Biram works as a successful artist in the D.C. area and sells her artwork through an online shop. While Biram describes herself as more of a lifestyle blogger, she has some distinctive opinions on fashion and her personal style.
“My style is mostly edgy (think moto jackets, black leather, studs, rocker tees), with a base of classic (black slip dress, black lace cami), and a streak of global (love a little global influence like mudcloth),” Biram told The Campus Trainer in an email.
Biram’s blog features pictures of the latest trends in clothes, interior design, skincare routine recommendations and updates on art projects she is working on.
Some of her favorite stores in the D.C. area at the moment consist of a few local boutiques in Old Town Alexandria. Her top recommendations are The Hive and Bishop Boutique, two stores which are right outside of D.C.
Biram prefers looking to the styles of bloggers and influencers, such as Kelly Wearstler and Anine Bing, for inspiration rather than looking to celebrities, who tend to have stylists.
Instagram: @dcfashionfool
Barnette R. Holston, Jr., editor and creator of DC Fashion Fool, is well aware of the public’s perception of D.C. as a stuffy political city and is ready to change that persona. His main goal is to show men that fashion is nothing to fear. Holston believes that “looking and feeling great along with having fun is the key to a great life,” as written on his blog.
Holston looks to Tom Ford and Joseph Abboud for style inspiration. He looks to designers and collections to see how he can style their pieces to his aesthetic, Holston told The Campus Trainer in an email.
Holston described his style as “generally tailored.” “However, I like bold prints and color. If I go casual it’s an updated casual style,” he said in a Washingtonian interview. For example, a more casual style for Holston would include blazers, fitted sweaters and slacks rather than following the athleisure trend which is popular in fashion at the moment, Holston said.
As for stores in the D.C. area that Holston prefers, he utilizes a mix between high and low end brands.
“On the higher end, I'm a fan of Burberry, Canali, Paul Stuart, Billy Reid and Saks. On the more affordable side, you can find me in Zara, Massimo Dutti and [Saks] Off Fifth. However, I think you can pop into many different stores and at least get some great ideas and inspiration,” Holston said.
Holston’s style advice is: “Don’t be afraid to experiment with style. Just own it and wear it with confidence,” according to Washingtonian Magazine.
Holston (right) seen in a picture posted on his Instagram on Feb. 23, 2019, wearing one of his signature plaid suits.
Instagram: @districtdressup
Abbey Brandon, the founder and editor of District Dress Up, came to D.C. after graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans. After college, Brandon struggled to find proper attire for professional events.
“I wanted to make sure that what I was wearing [fit into a professional office setting] as well as with the events I was going to… I became interested in fashion blogging when I needed answers to those questions,” Brandon said in a 2013 interview with Capitol File Magazine.
Brandon seen in a picture posted on her Instagram on Dec. 22, 2018, looking polished.
Like most fashion influencers and bloggers, Brandon does many sponsorships with brands and companies who then pay her for posting about their products on her blog. They pay her with either a fee or in free clothing from the brand. This is how some influencers and bloggers make money. The difference with Brandon’s approach to this concept is that she only endorses products she actually, personally likes. She treats such endorsements as more of a testimonial of the products for her readers, rather than a blind endorsement, she said in a 2016 interview with The Washington Post.
Brandon’s style is polished yet trendy (think Italian Fashion Influencer, Chiara Ferragni). Aside from fashion, her blog also focuses on skin care, D.C. hot spots and personal life updates.
Looking for other stylish bloggers in the DMV area worth a follow? Check out some of these Instagrams: @fiftytwothursdays, @aliciatenise and @simplysilviadc.
