Fashion-blogging Wisconsin Avenue: Gucci vs. Banana Republic

Forgive the sacrilege of mentioning these in the same sentence. Focus instead on the waist (and importance thereof).

A recent Gucci window display featured a black smock minidress in the big-eyed, twig-legged style popularized by Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby. The "waist": right under the armpits like the belt on Urkel's trousers, skirt flaring out stiffly below. Even the mannequin has a tough time pulling this off. Most recently, a blousy Moroccan-style tunic appeared with no waist at all. No pants, either.

Across the street, a series of knee-length sundresses and sheaths - some navy, some black, some eggshell or tan. The common denominator: a sash or ruching defining the natural waist. Curves above, curves below.

Far be it for me to give Tom Ford's successor fashion dictates. But I'm compelled to speak my humble mind against the Empire waist. If one is neither a child nor with child, let the baby doll dress go. And if you're not Bob Ross whipping up a landscape for PBS, what the hell are you doing wearing a smock? (Particularly without pants. Bob Ross always wore pants with his smocks - and thank God for that.)

Read more scintillating commentary on the window displays of Friendship Heights... Barneys/Kate Moss Topshop and Brooks Brothers.

* Please forgive the lack of photo. Attempts to capture the window displays resulted in serious glare and photography like a bad art school project. If my prose does not suffice, please check out the wares yourself just steps from the Friendship Heights metro.