1. 170 WASHINGTONIAN ★ FEBRUARY 2016 FEBRUARY 2016 ★ WASHINGTONIAN 171
Our Average Joe
Jason
Gitlitz, 26
WHAT HE DOES:
Architectural design
at Karn Charuhas
Chapman & Twohey.
WHEREHE LIVES:
Shaw.
SHOPS AT:
J. Crew, Gap,
and Target.
ATTITUDE TOWARDA
FASHIONUPGRADE:
Skeptical.
“IT’D BE NICE
TO WEAR STUFF
THAT DOESN’T
LOOK LIKE
EVERYONE ELSE.”
L FA S H I O N F O R WA R D
L
IN THE PAST YEAR,
even as a handful
of favorite women’s
shops have gone
under, retail options
aimed at Washington
men have continued to
grow. More than half
a dozen new stores
have opened, offer-
ing a chance for our
steadily more style-
conscious male shop-
pers to up their game
and move beyond both
old-school national
chains and new-school
e-commerce. With
the help of a brave
volunteer, we set out
to see how four of the
most promising new-
comers could improve
on his current look.
UPPING
YOUR
STYLE
GAME
FRANK & OAK /1924 EIGHTH ST., NW; 202-499-1458
Opened November 2015
➔ Our take: Zara might want to watch its back—Frank &
Oak, a Montreal brand, translates slimmer cuts into styles
that feel less Euro scenester and more global creative
nomad. Prices are reasonable (shirts $45 to $76, most
pants $85 and below), and the minimalist mix-and-match
separates (skinny selvedge jeans, dark-hued shirts dotted
with confetti and fox prints, cardigans made for layering)
will keep you looking slick during meetings over flat whites
and in Instagrams of city skylines.
➔ Jason’s take: “I feel like
a wannabe model. Love this
stuff, but I wouldn’t wear it
towork—it’stoofashionable.
The brand gives Urban Out-
fittersarunfortheirmoney,
though.”
➔ The cost:
Jeans, $125.
Shirt, $48.
Cardigan, $70.
Tie, $26.
TOTAL: $269
➔ Jason’s take: “A little
more casual than business
casual, but this feels the
mostlikeme.”
➔ The cost:
JachsNewYork
corduroypants,$78.
BenSherman
half-zip,$96.
Penguinshirt,$69.
TOTAL: $243
AVENUE JACK /1301 CONNECTICUT AVE., NW; 202-887-5225
Opened April 2015
➔ Our take: This well-edited selection for the everyguy is
easy to miss (the green awning matches the Starbucks
next door) but a gem to shop at. Options from brands such
as Penguin, Psycho Bunny, and Ben Sherman slant more
Saturday farmers market than Tuesday client meeting (last
time in, we saw more Henleys than blazers), and the friendly
staff is happy to help you put together a look. If shopping
for someone else is on the agenda, you’ll find an extensive
selection of giftables including Timbuk2 messenger bags
and indestructible Blunt umbrellas.
And the ones at these
shops don’t disappoint
A MEN’S STORE
IS ONLY AS
GOOD AS ITS
BUTTON-UP
FRANK & OAK
Availableinunexpected
patterns—andsizes
XStoXXL;$46.
ONWARD RESERVE
Wear-everywhereblue
ginghamwitharoomy
torsoandsleeves;$125.
READ WALL
Top-qualityItalian-milled
fabricwithextra-thickmother-
of-pearlbuttons;$155.
AVENUE JACK
Casualandcomfy,with
anot-too-seriousprint
thrownin;$69.
Classic Current
➔ Jason’stake:“Veryprep-
py,butnodoubtgoodquali-
ty stuff. I look like I’m ready
to tailgate.”
➔ The cost:
Onward Reserve
button-down, $98.50.
PeterMillarvest,$165.
DuckHeadchinos,
$135.
TOTAL: $398.50
ONWARD RESERVE /1063 WISCONSIN AVE., NW; 202-838-9365
Opened June 2015
➔ Our take: This is a place of authentic Southern style
and hospitality. (We’ve been offered a beer on multiple
occasions.) It was founded in the University of Georgia’s
hometownofAthens,andsports-schoolalumswillfeelright
athomeshoppingtheSouthernProperfleeces,Smathers&
Bransonneedlepointbelts,Barbourjackets,andYeticoolers.
Onward Reserve’s house-brand button-downs are relaxed
and roomy, there’s a billiards table by the dressing rooms,
and yes, the American flag makes an appearance on more
than one item of apparel.
Classic Current
READ WALL /1921 EIGHTH ST., NW; 866-798-3655
Opened November 2015
➔ Ourtake:Gottalovealocalboywhogoesthefashionroute.
A St. Albans grad, Read Wall takes all-American prep-school
staples and updates them intelligently and luxuriously. Shirt-
tailscomeextra-longbecausethey’reintendedtobetuckedin,
knittiesrunahalfinchwiderthanthetoo-slimindustrystan-
dard,andthemoleskinslackslookbig-presentationsharpwhile
feeling Sunday-morning-sweatpants soft. Custom suits and
sportcoats($875andup)remainabackboneofthebusiness,
and,likeeverythingelseWalldesigns,arecuttailoredbutnever
skinny.Also—didwementionthein-storePing-Pongtable?
➔Jason’stake:“Ilookfancy.
Ifeelconfident.Iwouldnever
try these on together on my
own,butIlookcool.”
➔ The cost:
Sport coat,
starts at $875.
Gingham shirt, $145.
Silk knit tie, $95.
Moleskin trousers,
$215.
TOTAL: $1,330
Classic Current
Classic Current
HIS
NEW
LOOKS
HIS
NEW
LOOKS
HIS
NEW
LOOKS
Fresh pressed:
Gitlitz in
sanded-c anvas
trousers and a
Thomas Mason
flannel shirt, both
from Read Wall.
$145.