t's fairly safe to follow this rule — if rocker-chameleon David Bowie

sang about it, it's an iconic part of American life. Fashion, therefore,

is here to stay, with all its beribboned flourishes and shifting styles.

Cavemen may have dressed purely for function — tiger skins being

a natural, albeit flimsy, protection against predators — but modern men

and women make a statement every time they

leave the house. Whether we choose to admit

it — or whether we remain blissfully ignorant

in sweatpants and mock turtlenecks — a large

part of life is show, and our style choices are

judged as keenly by our neighbors as a prized

Pomeranian is by Fran Drescher (see Media

Spotlight to make the connection).

Who's wearing what in the clubs, to galas,

to the Whole Foods on P street? That's what

we all want to know. And that's why this issue

is all about style. Longtime fashion follower

Ann Geracimos shares her thoughts on the

evolution of women's fashion in Washington;

our Trend Report offers flawless advice on how to wear grey; and photographer Len

Depas captures Autumn's classiest accessories. And, of course, a special thanks to style mavens

Paul Wharton, Lana Orloff, Marlene Hu, Lynda Erkiletian and James Cornwall for providing

commentary in our WL Style Special, which celebrates Washington's style icons, classic

couples, style ingenues and trendsetters. Fashion trickles down into every facet of one's lifestyle, as our Inside

Homes section illustrates. Norah O'Donnell and husband Chef Geoff Tracy could well be discussing their wardrobes instead of

the careful minimalism which inspired the classic lines of their Wesley Heights dream home. Food can be fashionable as well, as

shown by our Holiday Table Settings special. If your party presentation still doesn't drop jaws,

take a look at our Luxury Gift Guide, which showcases some of the most sought-after and high-end items money (and taste) can

buy. The one constant about fashion is that it's always in flux. WL staffers and friends went through more costume changes than

Mariah Carey this month as they attended WL Exclusive events: Polly Kraft's art opening, Sally Quinn and Ben Bradlee's

housewarming for son Quinn, Rima Al-Sabah's baby showers, Winston Lord's fundraising bash on Jim

Kimsey's spectacular rooftop, Joan Tobin's party for Letitia Baldridge and Colombian Ambassador Carolina Barco's intimate dinner

with musical star Toto La Momposina and many more. We are also proud to have served as the exclusive media sponsor for the

Opening Night of the Opera, the Charity Works' Dream Ball, the Children's Law Center benefit, the National Hispanic Foundation

for the Arts' "Noche de Gala" and the C'est Chic D.C. French Film Festival, among others. That's a

lot of little black dresses!

Even our Pollywood section had a case of fashionitis — Janet Donovan covered the

"For the Love of Children" benefit fashion show in Media Spotlight. In Around Town, Donna Shor's dishes on

galas (and Presidential glassware) and in Pop Politics Rep Ed Markey sits down with WL for an intimate chat about the future of

alternative I energy and environmental security Got the travel bug? This month we explore the newly renovated Saint Regis

Washington, dine on dim sum at the Intercontinental Hong Kong, clamber into the comfy beds at the Inn I at Little Washington's

new Presidential suite I and take a California wine country tour at San Ysidro Ranch. Also, thanks to Ellen Noghes -

I wife of Monaco's ambassador, Gilles Noghes I — who honored Monaco's new Washington embassy by recounting Prince

Albert's historic 1913 trip to Cody,Wyoming. What's in vogue for November? These November must-attend WL-sponsored

events: the Lombardi Gala on the 3rd, Fight Night on the 8th, the Corcoran Gallery of Art's 1869

Gala on the 10th and the Starlight Starbright Gala and Dinner on the 16th and 17th. In shopping news, Ermenegildo Zegna's

Tysons Corner store opens on the 9th (come meet Mr. Zegna himself!) and the 30th anniversary of Mazza Gallerie is on the 7th. In

December, check out the Kennedy Center Honors and the Choral Arts Dinner.

After all these galas and thousand-calorie dinners, you might want to watch out — those hot new skinny jeans and their five

percent of forgiving spandex might be "Under Pressure" .... We told you Bowie was good.

Readers wishing to get in touch with Nancy - or who have comments for

Washington Life Magazine - should email,letters@washingtonlife.com