Washington DC

At Carbon, you have a small, privately owned shop with an owner on a mission: To bring (in his words) eclectic, comfortable, well-priced city-functional shoes to the District. Kevin Powers, who owns Carbon with his wife Julie, has achieved his objective. The resulting shop is at once modern and inviting and it’s stocked with stuff you won’t find anywhere else in the city. There’s a definite thematic look to the shoes he stocks, but if you share his taste, you’ll be in heaven. The women’s shoes (some of which he co-designs with the labels) are required to be stylishand comfortable and he pays special attention to heel-height for metro-friendly work appropriate kicks. There are plenty of great men’s styles as well. The shop’s carefully stocked at different price points, too. If you just can’t swing a $300 price tag, you’re likely to find a similar $90 style. Don’t miss the Vatican medallion belt-buckles (pricey, but hot) or the array of super-cute $15 sunglasses. They have clothes and furniture, too, if you’re looking to make over more than just your feet, but here shoes are the passion and the real draw. If you’re as fond of your feet as you are of fashion, stop in as soon as you can.

Photo:  Miellyn Fitzwater