Trend Report: Street Style

Soft scarves, cozy sweaters and well-worn boots are showing up on fashionable types from Chevy Chase to Chinatown and everywhere in between. Here, they share their style inspirations.

Aaron Surgeon, 26, Washington

Inspired by Lenny Kravitz's edgy style, Surgeon strives to balance classic and trendy. "I love mixing old with new," he says. He wears an H&M scarf, an Urban Outfitters buffalo plaid shirt, hooded sweater vest, distressed slim Levi's, Kenneth Cole boots and vintage-inspired glasses with clear lenses.
His fall-fashion philosophy: "I've never been a fan of gray, but I'm finding that I'm buying a lot more gray pieces, like scarves, sweaters and a jacket," he says. "And I'm super-excited about being able to wear my scarves again. I think a scarf can instantly change someone's look."
Why it works: Surgeon pays close attention to texture and proportion, choosing a thin flannel button-up and adding a warm layer with a vest.

Holly E. Thomas

Siobhan Fisher, 30, Alexandria

In a chunky sweater coat and comfy flat boots, Fisher pulls off a casual look that's polished enough for her job as a TV production coordinator. A mall shopper, she frequents Pentagon City to browse Banana Republic, J. Crew and Arden B. She picked up her marigold-hued topper at Forever 21 last year, and adds a long-sleeved, light sweater, flat leather boots, True Religion jeans, a scarf from Marshalls and her Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 bag.
Her fall-fashion philosophy: "I try to be warm without looking warm," Fisher says. "You can wear a lot of layers but let it be chic."
Why it works: With its sunny color, Fisher's knit topper adds youthful energy to standard slim jeans and low-profile boots.

Holly E. Thomas

Kjersti Solhaug, 32, Oslo

Visiting from Europe, Solhaug toured the city looking like anything but a typical tourist. A collection of neutral basics -- a loose Zara cardigan, simple T-shirt and skinny Nudie jeans -- looks effortlessly cool when paired with Gucci sunglasses, a flowing scarf picked up in Barcelona and a pair of flat leather Bronx boots. "I almost always look like this," Solhaug says. "I spend quite a lot of money on shoes, sunglasses and nice leather bags, and then finish with cheap basics."
Her fall-fashion philosophy: "I like Chloe Sevigny -- she always looks fabulous and simple," she says. "You can get far with simple clothes and fresh hair."
Why it works: A little bit rock-and-roll, a little bit Euro-cool -- Solhaug oozes style.

Holly E. Thomas

Sak Pollert, 46, Washington, D.C.

Pollert is a tactile shopper who likes the 14th Street NW outposts Muleh and Redeem. "I shop in the stores around here, because I need to feel the item," he says. "I've never bought any clothing online, ever." Here, he strikes the right note of urban-plus-modern in a sharp Theory blazer with a wool scarf from Thailand, jeans from a boutique in Florence and John Varvatos gray suede boots.
His fall-fashion philosophy: "I have about 10 good pairs of jeans and four or five jackets, so I accessorize a lot, either with a hat or a scarf," Pollert says.
Why it works: Pollert, a native of Thailand, says designer Helmut Lang is his fashion icon. "Every time I see his photograph, he always wears something simple," Pollert says. "The clothes don't wear him; he wears the clothes."

Holly E. Thomas

Megan Helm, 18, Bethesda

Helm, a cosmetology student, goes for a high-fashion look on a low budget. "I'll look at fashion shows and read Vogue and try to find a way to re-create a look," she says. Helm sticks to an all-black palette with a Charlotte Russe tunic, White House Black Market cardigan and Forever 21 leggings. She adds an edgy chain necklace from Charlotte Russe and Steve Madden cowboy boots, finishing the look with Burberry sunglasses and a basic Coldwater Creek bag.
Her fall-fashion philosophy: "I like layering a lot, because you can pretty much use any piece of clothing from any season and match it with a vest or a pair of boots," Helm says.
Why it works: Black is a subtle backdrop for her statement-making hair.

Holly E. Thomas

Deni Vallada-Neto, 51, Washington, D.C.

For an afternoon of shopping with sons Marco, 5, and Nicolas, 7, Vallada-Neto combines a Banana Republic denim shirt and Urban Outfitters trousers with a scarf he bought in Amsterdam and luxe Tod's loafers. "I'm wearing suits most of the time, so whenever I'm off, despite my age, I really go the opposite direction," he says. "I mix everything from Saks Fifth Avenue labels to things from Urban Outfitters' $9.99 rack."
His fall-fashion philosophy: A lawyer with the World Bank, Vallada-Neto sources his wardrobe from a host of far-flung locales, making for a wholly original style.
Why it works: Vallada-Neto puts a spin on classic denim and plaid by playing with fit and adding bold accessories.

Holly E. Thomas

Thandie Gweshe, 21, Fort Washington

A communications student, Gweshe snagged her straw hat, sunglasses, floral shirtdress, belt and scarf from Urban Outfitters, where she works. Gweshe mixes in items from thrift stores and Forever 21, where she found this lightweight floral coat last fall. She bought her leather tote and suede boots in secondhand stores.
Her fall-fashion philosophy: "I don't really wear pants, so I'm thinking I'll do a lot of sweater dresses," she says.
Why it works: Gweshe combines floral patterns and feminine shapes for a look that's chic, not cloying. She pulls off contrasting prints by mixing small and large-scale patterns.

Holly E. Thomas

Gallery Credits:
Photo Editor, Producer Troy Witcher Text and Photographs Holly E. Thomas

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