Get Noticed

Urban chic meets funky flare at Adams Morgan boutique.

By Lonnie Shekhtman

The boutique's style, she says, “isn’t something tangible.” You make your own look -- that’s the beauty of it. “While no one else will look at a skirt, then a girl comes in, tries it on, pairs it with a funky top, and it’s hers," Sandhu says. "And no one else could to pull it off.”

Kaur, which happens to be Sandhu’s middle name, is Sikh for “lioness” and epitomizes the strength, power, and confidence these clothes inspire.

Ladies aren’t the only ones digging Kaur these days; the store started carrying men’s clothing in March.

What You’ll Find:
Kaur carries New York and European designers, as well as Tina, a modish Japanese line. You’ll find color, detail, originality. Belts, hand-made jewelry, shawls, scarves. Hand-made gift cards. Vintage clothes, shoes, and accessories. Handbags. And on the walls, paintings by local artist Kate Roberts for sale. Labels abound: Klurk, Parker and Ronen, PhB, Future Labor Union, Burro, Tom K. Nguyen, Plenty, Mon Petit Oiseau, Squirrel Pageant, Development, Joes Jeans, Melanie Dizon, and Shari Dixon.

Hot Trends:
Warm, rich colors are in for fall. Traditional fabrics, such as wool or tweed, mixed with fun elements such as lace, are winners.

Customer Raves:
Ladies love Joes Jeans (more than $100). They have a tiny bit of stretch for a great fit. Guys dig the funky, punk Burro T-shirts (around $50) and Sexy Bastard Jeans by Buckler (more than $100) because of the straight lower leg and roomy upper leg.

Insider Faves:
“Mix something fresh with a little bit of old glamour,” Sandhu says. Pair Buckler jeans with a cool vintage dress shirt ($5-$25), and add a vintage tie ($18). For those on a budget, end of the season sales offer 20 percent to 30 percent discounts and, on rare occasions, even 80 percent. Spur-of-the-moment sales are also common.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Lonnie Shekhtman is a recent college grad who has finally found a job! However, she's still only able to afford Mocha Coconut Frappuccinos by scrounging for change in her sofa cushions and the back seat of her car. Unfortunately, frequenting the trendiest boutiques in DC isn't conducive to saving money. Such are the sacrifices she makes for Cultureflux.