Washington And Ann Taylor, BFFs? It’s Complicated

Earlier this week, Washington Post writer Monica Hesse tackled D.C.'s long-term relationship with Ann Taylor, which has culminated in a new downtown concept store. For years, the boutique chain has served as ubiquitous proof that the nation's capital can be a stick in the mud, sartorially speaking.

Hey, we get it — working women love (and can't live without) clothes that make it easy to get dressed every morning, and also let them look and feel chic without compromising their authority. But the new 13th Street store, all glossy white finishes and sparkling chandeliers, is more in line with Daphne Guinness' closet than a go-to outpost for black pants and shell tops. And, as Hesse notes, AT's conservative-caterpillar-to-butterfly evolution seems to magically coincide with the city's current fashion moment. To see if the new Ann is really in line with the new Washington, we went on a hunt to find the brand's most perfect pieces — click through, and tell us how you'd wear them!