They don't like anything too arty that could be misinterpreted. Since a woman can't get rid of the clothes, a lot of women, particularly political ones, try to rid their clothes of anything too attention-grabbing and fashiony. Washington's one industry, government, dominates the city's tempo, tone and style. Young women follow the lead of their peers. Evening dress tends to be just as conservative because in Washington, a party is rarely simply an occasion on which to socialize.
Parties have agendas and goals.
One of Donna Karan's burned-out velvet frocks might be wonderfully erotic and sensual, but it could be a distraction if a woman plans to spend her evening talking policy over drinks with heads of state. But the current trend of minimalist matte jersey gowns has been embraced by Washington. In these dresses, women find that they can look feminine as well as sophisticated. And the design team Badgley Mischka has made great inroads in the Washington social world with their glittering evening dresses. The dresses are form-fitting but mostly covered up.