While New York and Los Angeles may be America’s fashion capitals, designers and boutiques in Washington, D.C., are setting trends. Catering to a more selective audience of women looking for business and career fashions, formal evening ware, and daring casuals, boutiques in Washington, D.C. are defining their own style. One establishment in particular is located just on the outskirts of Chinatown. Housed amid the bustling high-traffic area of 7th Street, NW, Ida’s Idea Boutique sets trends for Washington, D.C.’s fashion conscious professionals at its building number 931 storefront location.

Ida’s Idea Boutique specializes in Missy and Plus-Size fashions. Drawing from her experience as a fashion buyer for New York stores, boutique owner Ida Lewis Polite works with designers from Italy and other locations abroad as well as with local talent in the United States. To show off these fashions, the boutique often hosts fashion shows and in-store bazaars featuring talented models and many of the designers themselves.

“Every time I come to D.C., I always stop at Ida’s. There’s always something going on here,” said one woman from San Francisco who attended the latest show.

Worthy of note is the Wilbourn Sisters’ collection, which emphasizes fashions with versatility, comfort, and dazzlingly daring fluid elegance. “Our goal as designers was to revolutionize the fashion industry. We want to make women feel good and have fun with their clothes,” says designer Carolyn Wilbourn shown left in the Obama line.

Coming into play about the Wilbourne sisters' decisions to create fashions is a thoughtful consideration for the way a fabric makes you feel. Many of the designs are made from soft, breathable materials that glide across the skin. Much of the Wilbourn Sisters’ collection is also “one size fits most,” though the sisters also fulfill custom orders on request.

One dress, Drama, is one of the sisters’ most requested fashions. It’s a simple print dress with enormous versatility. Wear it alone, off the shoulder, as a halter, or as a top. Or pair it with a shimmery black pant and platform ankle boots for a fun, dashing display.

Ida Lewis Polite has always known she’d start her own business. In addition to her fashion buying experience, she also has degree in business management. Perhaps this explains part of her success and her ability to cater ably to the local demand in Washington, D.C. for sensible, professional Missy and Plus Size clothes in sizes 4 to 24.

Ida’s Idea Boutique 931 7th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-234-7505 202-210-0948 www.idasidea.com

Wilbourn Sisters’ Collection Carolyn Wilbourn Atlanta, GA and Los Angeles, CA 770-875-8981 or 770-634-3496 www.wilbournexclusives.com