Exclusive Report | Treasury Weekly Wardrobe

Its worth noting that DC gets a horrible rep as a mecca of fashion mayhem for no good damn reason. And although I tend to vent my own frustrations out on this vessel I call District Cut with sometimes enlightening but always humorous subtext (I'm a DC native, so I'm allowed), that isn't a remote proof that DC suffers from a bad case of 'fashion disaster' in the subtext of general speaking. Sure, there is Capitol Hill, where boxy blue suits and 'Donald Trump hair' reign supreme; but take a closer look and you will spot the likes of Congressman Aaron Schock and other young staffers who do professional attire right. Then we have Dupont Circle, where the conservatives would take notice of the over-abundance of fashion faux pas, that in modern terms aren't faux pas at all but rather creativity bearing its ugly head in the most unlikeliest of manners. And oh yeah, I can't forget about the visiting inhabitants...the tourist with their fanny packs, 'comfort above all' tennis shoes, baseball caps, and the ever popular 'I Love DC' shirts - a sight that tends to shoot our fair city right down to fashion hell. But wait, fast forward to late-January 2009 and suddenly DC is back to the Camelot-era and cool again - as if we ever weren't. Thanks to a first lady who favors Thakoon, Jason Wu, and J. Crew above Oscar de la Renta and a manicured yet masculine president, the world takes notice of just how fascinating DC is.

Guess what, Katerina Herodotou and Cathy Chung of Treasury Boutique were here before that - proving just how cool DC has always been. Initially the minds behind Listopad Vintage, in July they opened Treasury, a concept vintage boutique that I actually credit as sparking a renaissance of sorts in DC, bringing back the Camelot-era and ushering in more creativity than we had before. Nestled between Logan Circle and the U Street Corridor, Treasury is an absolute original in a society so consumed with 'straight off the factory conveyor belt'; they bring an awesome mix of old, unlikely pieces that are every bit special - conversation pieces if you will. Hand-picked by Katerina and Cathy from estate sales, auctions, and pretty much anywhere, each piece has a story to be told...its up to you to discover just what that story is, so let your imagination go wild. Don't be surprised to find vintage Missoni or Versace next to an Old Navy original (their stories are sure to be on the opposite end of the conundrum, but no less interesting) because Treasury is an unexpected smorgasbord of creativity that should whole-heatedly be on the forefront of your shopping routine. And to prove such, Treasury opened its doors to me and The President Wears Prada to showcase pieces that are unique in their own right yet realistic and wearable in their approach. Sometimes vintage shopping can be a bit overwhelming, so we are here to help.

From time to time I (along with The President Wears Prada, for you female bunch) will showcase pieces from Treasury and other local DC boutiques (available for purchase too) in creative yet wearable manners...just to give you some direction, as the world of vintage can be one with many unexpected twist and turns. This week, I have the world of Missoni at my feet...

If this vintage Missoni knitwear sweater could talk...
Setting: early 1970; Florence, Italy
Scenario: A young monsieur has just woke up in his families villa on the bank of the Arno river. As quiet as humanly possible, so not to wake his sleeping wife, he slips out of bed and into the nearest garments to protect him from the brisk, Italian nights breeze - a pair of faded jeans and a new Missoni sweater. As he makes his way out of the house and into the familiar alley way, he spots an equally familiar figure. The beauty of the slender, model frame, long dark locks, and porcelain white skin is one that he has dreamed about every night since his last encounter with her...a month back when he was able to skip away from his horrid marriage and into his true loves arms. He locks eyes with the familiar figure and a feeling of nothing but love and pleasure is exuded through his spline. They move closer and closer, inch by inch, with anxiety and lust growing each step they make towards one another. Finally, they are close enough to kiss...but instead of an expected caress, they intensly hug. So intense and passionate a hug, her ruby red lipstick is smeared on the sweater...

Paired with a pair of fitted (but relaxed) jeans and this season's favorite desert boot offers an appropriate grounding for the ultra-warm and thick knit. And the blue trench only helps to showcase all of the colors in the sweater. The piece is very versatile, however, so it can easily be paired with grey trousers and loafers, or anything in between.

Missoni Sweater: $58
The stories that accompany the Missoni Sweater: Priceless

*Sorry for the ill-fit of the Missoni sweater...but with vintage, you take what you can get and make alterations after the fact