Wearable Washington

Washington style, as compared to that of other major U.S. cities, has long been known for the conservative, stiff wardrobes of presidents and first ladies, senators and - most unfortunately - former Attorney General Janet Reno. But there is a fashion revolution astir. An underground movement that lurks in some of the trendiest parts of the nation's stuffy capital is making it easier for city residents to make a statement.

Washingtonian Magazine recently released a list of the 100 best places to shop in the area, but we've narrowed it down to 10 student-budget-friendly favorites.

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1. Annie Creamcheese; 3279 M St. N.W., (202) 298-5555

Annie Creamcheese opened its Georgetown doors in 2005, and it caters primarily to students with a funky style and limited funds. Annie Lee, the co-owner of the vintage shop that carries everything from Gucci to Missoni, has been so successful that she recently opened another location in Las Vegas. In fact, "I offer the largest selection of high-end designer vintage in this whole mid-Atlantic region," Lee said. And according to her, "everything is in perfect condition." Plus, the shop stocks "dresses as low as $22, tops for $12, bracelets for $5, [and] we're constantly having sales, so there's definitely something for a student budget," she added.

2. Anthropologie; 3222 M St. N.W., (202) 337-1363 and 11500 Rockville Pike, Rockville, (301) 230-6520

Anthropologie, the more mature sister brand to Urban Outfitters, is a unique shopping experience, to say the least. Each location of the store, which sells both apparel and home wares, has its own design team that uses unique pieces of furniture found around the world to create a fairy-tale apartment inside the building's walls. Although the company has said Anthropologie is meant to be the next stage of style for an Urban Outfitters girl, it is just as appropriate for young women (if not as trendy). Beware, however; though the store has an ample sale section, most of their items are priced for those with a spacious budget.

3. ShoeFly; 1520 U St. N.W., (202) 332-1077

Flip-flops are fine sometimes, but generally, they're not so appropriate for the real world. For those looking for other options, ShoeFly is a low-cost, high-quality store that will help you build a stable shoe wardrobe. There is an eclectic enough selection that you could wear a pair of the store's shoes every day of the week with no boring black or brown in the mix.

4. Trousseau; 306 Maple Ave. W, Vienna, Va., (703) 255-3300

Sometimes, underwear doesn't fit. Unfortunately, that sucks. To help find your best size, try Trousseau, which provides a measuring service in the store. Although the word "trousseau" is traditionally associated with the lingerie a bride wears on her wedding night (such as bustiers and garter belts), there are much more low-tech pieces to be found here, such as simple-yet-sexy bras, panties and pajamas.

5. Zara; 1238 Wisconsin Ave. N.W., (202) 944-9797

Zara is a Spain-based chain that - because it produces its own clothing instead of relying on a separate company - can display the hottest European fashions on its racks in as few as three weeks. With an industry standard of around nine months, that's both impressive and convenient for shoppers who like to stay ahead of the curve. The store stocks everything from business wear for women and men to more casual pieces for both sexes, with prices comparable to H&M.

6. Filene's Basement; there are multiple locations in Washington, check www.filenesbasement.com for more information.

The longer an item stays on the rack at Filene's Basement, the deeper the price dives. This system makes it a hit-or-miss store with a quick turnover, but when you get a hit, it's out of the park. The store is great for discounted designer jeans and houses popular brand names such as Prada, Armani, Ben Sherman and Lucky.

7. Secondi; 1702 Connecticut Ave. N.W., (202) 667-1122

Kaitrine Callison opened Secondi 22 years ago, and the business is still going strong today - so strong, in fact, that the consignment shop gets shipments of new clothes in about every 15 minutes, according to Callison. And because the clothing that makes it to the store's racks are never more than a year or two old, "it's not the stuff that's in your grandma's closet; it's the stuff that's in your best friend's closet," she said. The best part is that the store carries designer jeans, purses and tops for which Secondi charges "about a third of the original price to start, and then after that, we do regular mark-downs," Callison said.

8. Nana; 1528 U St. N.W., (202) 667-6955

Nana is a small shop with a girly and unique style. The store has two sections, new and vintage, and the selection in each makes coordinating a funky outfit for work or play a simple job. Customer service is noticeably present in the small space, so even if you aren't used to pairing the sometimes out-there pieces to create a cohesive look, a member of the staff is probably willing to help.

9. The District Line; 2118 18th St. N.W., (202) 558-5508

This small shop is another that specializes in European designs, aimed at male shoppers who are anything from totally metrosexual to simply stylish. The store also has a small women's section, but it is well-stocked enough that either sex can find a deal on overseas-inspired casual wear.

10. Shake Your Booty; 2206 18th St. N.W., (202) 518-8205

"It's kind of like champagne taste on a beer budget," said Kristen Forest, a store manager at Shake Your Booty. The store, which specializes in trendy and well-made clothes, is especially perfect for anyone looking for accessories. The store's ample selection of shoes, purses, sunglasses and jewelry allows shoppers to snatch up key pieces they may not find at other places.