For the past nineteen summers, the Capital Club of Washington, D.C. has invited the city’s young and stylish to frolic to Frank Sinatra’s crooning at Sinatra Soiree on a hot DC night. Serenaded by an orchestra at the majestic National Building Museum, dapper dons and dashing dames wear their finest summery resort looks to mix, mingle and perhaps catch the eye of that special someone they’ve been coveting all summer. I haven’t missed the event in five years.
This year’s event marked the 20th Anniversary of the event and the bevy of beaus and belles that turned up for the occasion did not disappoint in the looks or style departments. The gentlemen dressed in tailored pastel trousers and smart summer jackets and shining accouterments to complete their looks. Ladies wore bright, frilly frocks with dazzling shoes and complemented them with perfectly coiffed hair and makeup.
As gorgeous as everyone looked at the event, there were stellar standouts, including Gabriel Jones LTD’s Matthew Donohue, Civic Forum PAC’s Houston Sanford, Brooke Henderson and her beau, restaurateur Fritz Brogan, Kristina Palangi and Caroline Gould.
Matthew Donohue got our vote for best dressed gentleman at Sinatra. His outfit basically came down to minute details, especially his yellow Alexander Julian Private Reserve trousers, which upon closer inspection shows multi-colored paint splotches. His entire outfit was effortlessly executed, finishing off his look with a lavender jacket and a stripped pastel shirt that picked up on the colors in both his trousers and jacket.
Many of the men in attendance opted for pink jackets but Houston Sanford executed the look best. His jacket, a vintage gem from the 60s by Corbin, LTD, was a true nod to Sinatra. Simple accents, including a pocket square, blue tie and Gucci loafers, were good touches but….
what landed Houston on the best dressed list was his nautical Rolex with interchangeable straps (aside from the jacket, of course).
These Capital Club members nabbed honorable mentions: Gerrit Lansing, Miles Pratt in a white Perlis linen suit purchased in New Orleans, Brooks Brothers shirt, Justin cowboy boots and an alligator belt with a longhorn belt buckle; Edward Parkinson in a BCBG Men’s blazer, Adriano Goldsmith trousers, Eton shirt, and John Varvatos shoes); Win Huffman in Ralph Lauren jacket and loafers, Bamford and Sons trousers and a needlepoint belt made by his mom); and Andrew Mills in Alton Lane shirt, Brooks Brothers trousers and blazer and Allen Edmonds shoes).
Brooke Henderson dazzled in a blush pink one shoulder dress by Shoshanna, with accents that included metallic gold sandals by Calvin Klein and beautiful emerald green earrings she received as a gift from boyfriend, Fritz Brogan. He wore a navy Burberry blazer with a light blue shirt, pastel yellow trousers by Orvis and monogrammed Belgian loafers.
Kristina Palangi looked ravishing in a strapless navy and white polka dot dress with a sweetheart neckline by online British retailer ASOS. Her Pièce de résistance was a pair of nude Valentino peep-toe bow shoes.
Honorable nods go to these lovely ladies: Mary Christopher, Josie Taylor, Meredith Griffanti (her over sized bun is lovely), Laura Johnson and Toni Henderson.
Reporter Sasha Horne in a lovely ruffled yellow frock with Dane Nielsen.
I sported newly cropped and dyed hair in curls for the event (complements of Glamour magazine and Redken), a purple wrap dress, Steve Madden heels (complements of Steve Madden), David Yurman earrings and a Ralph Lauren chain link necklace. (Pictured with Edward Parkinson, my fellow African).
Photo Credits: Daniel Swartz/Revamp.com, Glamazon Diaries (non-watermarked photos)
