If your friends are anything like ours, they’re laid back enough to let you pick your own bridesmaid gown (in their chosen color, of course). You would think this would make the whole buying-a-new-dress thing more fun, but it totally doesn’t. Locating that specific jewel-tone your friend requested is always near impossible, and a good bridesmaid dress is a tricky combination of pretty and demure. Plus you’re dropping some money, so you want to like it and even (is it too much to ask?) wear it again. But, fellow bridesmaids, we are in luck. On May 19^th, the District will finally get its own Nordstrom Rack at Friendship Center. In addition to a broad range of wedding-ready dresses in every color imaginable (like the Calvin Klein above, $59.97), Nordstrom Rack specializes in basics (like Kensie pullovers and Free People cardigans for 60% off), plus sizes, and plenty non-bridesmaidy dresses. And if you’re in the mood for some serious shopping excitement, get there before 8:45 am on opening day and enter their “Race Through the Rack” sweepstakes.

There’s nothing like the right outfit to make a girl feel ladylike. We’re heading straight for the season of weddings, baby showers, garden parties, and visits from mothers-in-law, and we want to be prepared. Here’s where to shop for the sweet and dainty.

1. Skynear Designs on 18th carries locally made jewelry and hats fit for a royal wedding. You will feel extra elegant as you lounge on their uber-modern couches. 

2. No one did ladylike better than 1950s housewives. Go to Meeps Vintage Fashionette to get your Betty (Draper) Francis on.

3. On a recent trip to Secondi, a tailored Prada shirtdress was $422, YSL platform heels were $325, and red Marc Jacobs sandals were $98. Enough said.

4. If you’re really pulling out the stops, then Muleh is the place to splurge. Their stock of 3.1 by Phillip Lim and Vivian Westwood Anglomania will keep you well-heeled through Labor Day.

5. Sometimes all you need is a floral print. The amusingly named Lettie Gooch has a bevy of great, party-ready styles.

6. Treat yourself to a visit to the beautifully curated Treasury. Their collection of solid yet whimsical jewelry is the perfect counterpoint to that sweetheart neckline.  

Ok, maybe just feathered. Your mother rocked them at Woodstock, now it’s your turn. The new feather accessories manage to bypass hippie and arrive at just plain awesome.  

Feather hair extensions have been sweeping the West coast for a while now. Unlike regular extensions, the process is short and painless: a small metal clamp attaches the feathers to your hair and falls off in 4-6 weeks. 

Have a professional do yours at Ronnie Elias Salon  for $40 per bundle or at the Paul Mitchell School ($10/bundle, 3 for $25). Or better yet, order the supplies on Etsy and do it yourself!

Etsy has a million options, like this easy clip-on ($22 at Larkin and Larkin). We swear, feather extensions are even better than a hair cut! And when it’s about to be 100 degrees here, you’ll need a good reason to wear your hair down. 

But our feather obsession doesn’t stop with extensions. Channel your inner Stevie Nicks with these fun, speckled earrings at Junction. The owner makes them herself, and if you want to be especially badass, you can just buy one ($6 for a single, $12 for a pair). 

This gorgeous feather and stone necklace from Forever 21 costs only $11.80 but could be a souvenir from some exotic locale. Perfect with your favorite white tee and cut-offs or a floor-grazing summer dress. 

And we haven’t forgotten the gentlemen. This killer fedora is available at Rock It Again ($35) and would make a dandifying addition to any guy’s (or girl’s) wardrobe. 

The turband is fashion’s much-needed answer to the question of the turban. That question being: how am I supposed to wear that? The turband is of-the-moment like the turban, but you don’t have to figure out how to wind it around your head, and it won’t make you look like Auntie Mame. Ginger Root Design on U Street carries a variety of patterns, colors, and textures (pictured in blue and green above, $32), all made by their house label. That makes the turband chic, easy, and local!