Fashion

18 Washington, D.C. Street Style Photos From Adams Morgan Neighborhood That Prove The Capital Is More Than Gray Suits

With cultural mainstays like Sitar Arts Center, Amsterdam Falafelshop, and Smash Records, it's no surprise that Washington, D.C.'s Adams Morgan neighborhood is a magnetizing mishmash of street fashion.

According to Envision Adams Morgan, a community planning project, the enclave was once known as "18th and Columbia" for its bustling crossroads and later renamed for two of the area's desegregated elementary schools. Today, that crossroads is home to a mix of locally-owned bars, restaurants, and boutiques that attract new immigrants (especially from Latin America), hipsters, and longtime Washingtonians — black and white — alike. Such diversity means a lot of culture — high, low, American, international — all within five square blocks. And it shows in residents' eclectic fashion.

Though the neighborhood isn't rife with pop culture cred, Nora Ephron fans will be excited to know that the author wrote her 1983 book, Heartburn , while living in The Ontario, a Beaux Arts apartment building on Ontario Road. The Ontario is now part of the D.C. Writers' Home Tour. The building's architectural style is typical of Adams Morgan, where 19th- and early 20th-century row houses and stately apartments abound.

Here are several of the looks worn by Adams Morgan passersby found along 18th Street and Calvert Street by the Duke Ellington Memorial Bridge.

by Christine Stoddard

Sharai, senior at University of Maryland, College Park

School cool on the go.Image: Helen Stoddard

Sharai, senior at University of Maryland, College Park (detail)

All about those accessories, with a headband, glasses, and earrings singing in harmony.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Lees, retired World Bank employee

Talk about hip grandpa style. Don’t you want that cardi?

Image: Helen Stoddard

Marcus, retail associate

Furrr real (but don’t worry, it’s fake.)

Image: Helen Stoddard

Marcus, retail associate (detail)

With that beanie, downtown meets uptown.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Marcus, retail associate (detail)

Not that there’s anything wrong with nurse shoes, but these white shoes are SO not nurse shoes.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Elizabeth, entrepreneur

Scarf power in the USA.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Steven, food industry

When’s the last time you saw red and black all over looking like this?

Image: Helen Stoddard

Steven, food industry (detail)

These camo sneaks have no intention of hiding.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Naomi, unemployed

Proof that neutrals can look sharp but also relaxed.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Naomi, unemployed (detail)

That sleeve, that watch – hmm, details count.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Bryce, web developer

No matter your commute, bike chic is possible.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Mitchell, data analyst

Here’s Grunge without irony.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Mitchell, data analyst (detail)

Even with a day job, you can still get away with denim.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Praveer, tech entrepreneur, and Lauren, community organizer

Style comes in twos.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Praveer, tech entrepreneur (detail)

These boots were made for walking.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Eddie, barista/writer

Sporty chic meets geek chic.

Image: Helen Stoddard

Eddie, barista/writer (detail)

A great baseball cap is all about great stitching.

Image: Helen Stoddard

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