Washington DC City Guide to Shopping

July 16, 2012 11:05 am ET

11 score and 1 year ago, our fathers brought forth on an area between Virginia and Maryland, a “state like” district. Today, DC has become a cultural mecca with unbelievable nightlife, an amazing array of shops, historic/cultural attractions, and food that would rival any major city.

Each week, we at GM Northeast will bring you posts to help you master one of the great cites of the Northeast. Today we bring you an inside look at D.C. focusing In particular on every economist’s favorite predictor shopping.

Because DC runs the complete spectrum from over the top couture to hipster chic we’ve picked three types of shopping to guide your next look.

High End Hits- So you’ve decided to make a jaw dropping statement with an outfit that would blow Tim Gunn’s mind.  There’s no other place to go than the neighbor of Chevy Chase.  Directly on the border of Maryland and Washington DC, Chevy Chase offers the east coast a taste of high fashion with “Little Rodeo Drive”,” a two block stretch of all of the world’s best designers.  The affluent and influential of DC frequent the strips many boutiques and restaurants.  If you’re unfamiliar with the area just ask anyone around you to point you in the direction of “Friendship Heights” and enjoy an afternoon at the stores.  The staples in the area are: Louis Vuitton, Barney’s, Jimmy Choo, as well as traditional department stores like Niemen Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.

The Midlevel Market -Looking for an equally exciting shopping arena with a little more reasonable price tag?  Georgetown has something for everyone! One great store that always has amazing finds is Annie Cream Cheese.  Frequented by celebrities like Joan Rivers, this small boutique on M street is a shopping must.

Looking to add some fresh style to your look?  Major’s Shoes offer a wide variety of limited addition sneakers for the young and young at heart.  Unfortunately the store front went out of business, but GM Northeast has the inside tip.  Head over to DC Jewelry Center, and tucked away in the back, is the glorious remains of a sneaker empire.

For your next stop, take a stroll down M, past the up and coming “Nike Town” and stop at Cusp, a one stop shop for the trendy and well to do young lassie.  A 21^st century off shoot of Neiman Marcus, Cusp has any number of possible wardrobe choices from your standard “little black dress” to this season’s hottest look.

Shopping Like all you own is Vinyl- Tucked away behind the National Mall, basked in the shadow of the Capitol Dome, is DC’s best kept secret, Eastern Market, spanning four individual markets and spaces Eastern Market is the heart that keeps South East Washington DC beating offering a full array of boutiques from some of the area’s most eclectic home jewelers, hobbyists, artists.  Pass through the initial walkway of arts and handmade Lego Cufflinks and you will find yourself in a parking lot filled with both culture and treasures.  From antique maps to statement pieces of furniture to make your guests heads spin Eastern Market is a staple for hipsters and style mavens alike.  I’d love to give you suggestions on which booths to check out, but one of the great things is that they’re constantly changing!  You’ll have to discover them for yourself.

Have more shopping suggestions? Add them in our comments.

Featured photo by Anthony Woodhouse.