FASHION SPOTLIGHT: Gettin' Jiggy With It

European bra fitting salon The Full Cup is the exclusive regional carrier of the Canadian based Men’s Underwear Line – Saxx Apparel (http://www.saxxapparel.com). Saxx Apparel is comfortable, durable and fashion-conscious men’s underwear line that includes a full collection of boxer briefs, trunks, and long leg underwear. The line is available in environmentally friendly bamboo, to high quality cotton and high-performance fabrics that wick moisture, breathable, and add compression.

Now you know that I love for a man to have it going on. These boxer briefs are way sexy. Someone took the time to make long underwear sexy. Woohoo! 'Cause it gets cold around here in the winter. Saxx has patented Side Panels™ - a design innovation that prevents contact between the man’s package and his leg – helping avoid problems such as chaffing. Girls, you know how important it is for guys to take special care of his package (wink, wink). Not to mention the fact that these sexy briefs are also environmentally conscious! Hook your guy up at The Full Cup. Get to shopping!

The line is now available in both Full Cup stores (Old Town Alexandria & Virginia Beach, VA).

About The Full Cup
The Full Cup is a European bra fitting salon dedicated to educating women on the benefits of wearing the proper fitting bra but most importantly to teach women how to acknowledge and take care of their breasts. The boutique refers to this holistic approach as "total breast wellness". The store specializes in lingerie for women who wear band sizes 28-48 and cup sizes A-K. The bra fitting staff is trained in the art of fitting women for a bra that’s right for them - providing one-on-one attention, in a private, welcoming, and relaxed atmosphere. The Full Cup is very active in the local community by giving back and participating in various breast cancer events and other local charity organizations. For more information, visit The Full Cup.

DC FASHION SPOTLIGHT: Durkl Launches Fall 2010 Collection

Fellas, I'm trying to show you some love today. This is just a sign of things to come on The Capitol Fashionista. Check out Durkl's Fall 2010 line. The new line will launch tomorrow, September 4 at Durkl Warehouse Store, 443 Eye Street NW and online at Durkl Online

BTW, I am lovin' the color-block hooded jacket.

DC FASHION EVENT: Ledbury Opens Pop-up Store; Holds Launch Party

Ledbury is having their Washington D.C. launch party on Wednesday, May 5th from 6:30-9:00 pm at the Ledbury Pop-up store, 3214 “O ” Street in Georgetown. The evening, which will gather a good group of friends, customers and members of the press, will include drinks, live music and a preview of Ledbury’s Spring collection.

Ledbury, headquartered in a renovated Tobacco warehouse in Richmond, Virginia, prioritizes fit and quality as seen in the brand’s initial collection of 40 individual designs. Each shirt is made with a slightly trimmer cut than most American shirtmakers and includes subtle innovations, such as, inverse collar fusing (helps the collar stay standing) and a lowered second button (prevents the shirt from being buttoned too high or too low). All shirts are made from Italian woven fabric and finished with mother of pearl buttons, but retail for only $115 - $135.

Shirts are available exclusively online at www.ledbury.com and pop-up stores are scheduled for Washington D.C.. New York and Charlotte N.C.. Ledbury plans to add ties, blazers and swim trunks to the line in the near future, but for now, the pair remain clearly focused on shirts.

Capitol Fashionista Outing: Hanging with the Guys from TheSmugger.com and my pal Darrell Cortez

Last night, I was invited to attend a trunk show of the collections of my pal Darrell Cortez and Designer Bill Johnson at Bill Johnson Studio. First of all, Bill has a gorgeous house. He is not only a fashion designer but he is an artist. So he practically made all of the furniture in his house. He also had the most amazing drapes (silk dupioni with fringes hanging throughout the fabric). Just gorgeous.

So I walked around to view Bill's collection of menswear. I loved his explanation of his line. He told me that he wanted it to have that "futuristic retro feel." Trust me, it did. So did he. He had on a fab retro outfit and fab shoes. He also restores vintage leather. He had some amazing pieces including this drop dead gorgeous leather coat with a fur color. But I missed getting his picture because he was totally working the room.



I was very excited to see Darrell Cortez's lookbook of his Spring 2010 line called "Capetown." I went to his first showing of his "Capetown" line and it was so fab. I love how he is brave enough to mix patterns in menswear. Take a risk guys! Could you just please take a risk!?!

Darrell Cortez (on the right) and one of the guests

Model John Barnes (with the green striped linen suit) and one of the guests








One of the Founding Editors and the Marketing Operations Director @ TheSmugger.com


But the best part of the evening for me was the conversation that I had with Darrell Cortez, the Editor and Marketing Manager from TheSmugger.com, model John Barnes, and some of the other male guests. It started out with a little history about the usage of the word "Haute Couture," which is reserved for design houses in Paris, only (with the exception of Ralph Rucci - the only American designer allowed to formally use the term). There was discussion about Ready-to-Wear and other fashion industry information. But the conversation got hot when we started to talk about what's missing from the menswear scene here in DC. I was ranting about how guys here don't take risks. That they follow whatever said "Rapper of the Minute" is wearing and go with that. We talked about how we can redefine the term "urban wear" here in DC. How can we expand it to encompass the sort of sophistication that is severely missing from the men's fashion scene in DC.

Enter TheSmugger.com. TheSmugger.com is a D.C.-based lifestyle men's blog. These guys say that they are devoted to changing how men in this city look at fashion. They want the urban look to be a little street, a little sophisticated, and each man's unique statement of who he really is. So much so that they are calling the men who can successfully blend all three, the "urbane male." Bring on the urbane male, please. Again guys, take a risk! So I told them that I am holding them to task, as I am with District Cut, another fab D.C. menswear blog. We women will be forever thankful to you if you guys successfully show men the way to dressing better, caring about their image, and maybe a few lessons in chivalry. Or am I asking for too much?

Men's Fashion Week Guest Post by Nicc Crawford/StyleShooter: What You Need in Every Season

As a guy who thinks that looking your best is very important. Here's what I think is necessary for every guys to have in every season...

A great shoe to dress up and down.

• You can pair these loafers with a polo w/ jeans or khakis for a weekend look.
  


• You can pair them with a nice suit and collar shirt. (2 buttons undone if you
  are feeling edgy)


• Budget friendly (Banana Republic) at $118.00,


• Can be work with or with out socks

Men's hand bag.

• Great as a carry-on while flying the friendly skies


• It makes a BOLD statement


• Makes any outfit fashion forward


• A little pricey (BOWN) $1,526

Bow-tie

• Great way to be chic


• A cheaper way to accessorize (ALTER) at $25.00. But can be found much MUCH more budget friendly at H&M.


• Go with a edgy design or pattern to spice things up


• Less hassle than a neck tie

Tailored Blazer

• Can be worn with anything! (Jeans, slacks, dress or tailored shorts, Khaki)


• Makes a mans upper body look slimmer


• Can be worn year around


• Is very eye catching. Makes a man look sharper


• Budget friendly (Monarchy) $ 92.99 on Bluefly.com

D&G

• My favorite mens brand. Always fun, edgy, sexy, and BOLD.


• Eye catching conversational pieces


• Pricey but stands out


• Superb European fits

Men's Fashion Week - Your Casual Look: Things That Make Women Go Hmmmm!

Guys, you know you want us to check you out when you are out shopping or at the baseball game or just chillin' in the park. So here are some tips for the right gear for the well dressed man's casual wardrobe.

Fab Sweaters (especially cashmere)
Banana Republic



J.Crew



Über Sexy Jeans
William Rast



The Perfect Casual Button-Down
Salt Valley @ Urban Outfitters


A True-to-Form Flannel Shirt
Koto Oxford @ Urban Outfitters


A Great Polo Shirt
Raf Simons @ Oak NYC


The Perfect Pair of Khakis
The Gap


The Wool Cap That Makes You Look "Dangerous" But Sexy
The Gap


A Fab T-Shirt
Jason Nevikov @ Oak NYC


The Classic Sneakers
Black Converse @ Urban Outfitters


A Sexy Pair of Boots
Bed Stu @ Urban Outfitters

Men's Fashion Week: Get a Fix Over @ District Cut

Men's Week Finale is tomorrow. Thanks to District Cut and Style Shooter for participating. Until tomorrow, get your Men's Fashion Fix over at District Cut!

~Hasta Luego

Men's Fashion Week - Your Dressy Look: Things That Make Women Go Hmmmm!

I totally adore a well-dressed man. There is something special about watching a man walk down the hallway in a well-fitted Italian wool suit with his crisp blue shirt and his sexy striped tie and his ever so polished black oxford shoes. He is so dashing in his camel-colored wool overcoat. You just have to stop him and give him your card. I know that I would.

Guys, if you want us to pay attention to you, then here are your work essentials.

A Great Suit: Italian Wool @ J.Crew



Tailored Dress Shirts: Cotton Shirts @ Thomas Pink






Ties That Make You Look Confident: Silk Ties @ Thomas Pink







A Sexy Pair of Dress Shoes (In Brown and Black): Kenneth Cole @ Piperlime




All Dapper Men Have Gorgeous Overcoats: Tailored Overcoat @ Burberry