Mystery Shopper: A Hipster Messiah?

Express’ anonymous retail diva checks out Redeem on 14th Street NW.

WITH ITS ROCK ‘N’ ROLLY jeans, Franz Ferdinand-slim jackets and logo tees, the latest fashion boutique on 14th Street NW, called Redeem, looks a little like the closet of recent “Project Runway” winner Jeffrey Sebelia. An urban, edgy addition to the stylish retail zone that includes Muleh and Pop, this guys-and-gals newbie moves to a decidedly different fashion beat with scarce left coast and Canadian brands like Bodybag by Jude and Barking Irons.

» STYLE: Downtown hipsters and 9:30 Club-bers, say yeah! Washingtonian Lori Parkerson, craving little labels from big cities (Montreal, LA, NYC) created a trove of hard-to-find stuff. Think elusive labels like Brit fave Religion and California menswear comer Endovanera. Tattoo-style tees, Earnest Sewn skinny jeans and Bodybag‘s gray pinstripe bubble skirt with a crown decal would work in creative offices or at any concert venue except maybe the Kennedy Center.

With its exposed brick walls, are-we-on-Melrose Avenue? murals (a Gothic church-worthy lamb) and indie-rock soundtrack, Redeem could be an East Village or West Hollywood lounge. But sweet, homey touches — distressed wood dressing room doors, flower-filled bud vases and a curvy, louche sofa — keep the joint from feeling too much like the Killers are about to play a set here.

» SERVICE: Though these casual styles seem angled at grown-up cool kids, no one here will puff on a clove cigarette and roll their eyes if you come in wearing jeans bought at the mall. Laid-back sales associates seemed happy to ferry sizes to the dressing room or explain how to wear items like a tunic that seemed to have four armholes.

» PRICE: Most items fall in the $50 to $300 range.

» MINUS POINTS: Keeping with the underground vibe, Redeem has a smallish sign, making it a bit hard to spot.

» BUREAUCRACY: Refunds for 30 days with receipt.

» BOTTOM LINE: Finally, the clothes you need to join a band, or at least hang with one. You may never feel cool, but these styles mean you can look it.

» Redeem, 1734 14th St. NW, 202-332-7447; Monday noon-8 p.m., Wednesday-Friday, noon-8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday, noon-6 p.m.

Photo by Michelle Repiso/Express