Armed and Glamorous — Ellen Byerrum

Home of the helmet hairdo and congressional comb-over, Washington, D.C., is a hotbed of fashion faux pas. If anyone should know, it's "Crimes of Fashion" columnist Lacey Smithsonian. She dishes out advice to the scandal-scorched and clothing-clueless, doing her part to change this town--one fashion victim at a time....

TRENCH COATS--HOT OR NOT?

Unchallenged, unfulfilled, and underappreciated, fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian slips on her trench coat and high-heeled gum- shoes to pursue a course in private investigation, hoping it will give. her a shot at a better job. When a wealthy and erratic D.C. socialite is discovered dead outside the first class, Lacey gets to test her sleuthing skills. Was the victim on her way to share a dangerous secret with Lacey? And what does it have to do with a missing Louis Vuitton vintage custom makeup case? Lacey must mix style with substance to unravel these tangled threads before she, or one of her best friends, gets caught in the sights of a cold-blooded killer.

LACEY'S FASHION TIP OF THE DAY
When dressing for impressing, choose your most reliable style weapon, whether it's drop-dead diamonds, killer heels, or pistol-whipping pearls.