💕 “Girl, That’s DC Fashion!” — A Sip with Auntie Theresa Watts
- Developer tester
- Jan 24, 2024
- 3 min read
✨ From Tech to Threads
When you think of DC fashion, Auntie Theresa is that girl. She’s the original stylepreneur, blending tech smarts and fashion finesse to bring life (and color) to the District’s scene.Before boutique culture was a thing, she opened Letty Gooch—a cozy corner of style that felt like your stylish friend’s closet. “I wanted something that reflected us—bold, creative, and confident,” she says.
But what you might not know? Auntie Theresa didn’t start in retail.
“I’ve got a degree in computer science from Hampton—the real HU, okay?”
She worked in tech sales before pivoting into fashion. And that jump taught her something big: DC’s creative heartbeat comes from small businesses. “Without them,” she says, “the city loses its pulse.”
🏙️ Growing Up in Old-School DC
Theresa’s DC story starts in Uptown—Whittier, Paul, and Coolidge days. “We called it Dodge City,” she laughs. “But I was proud to be from DC. Even when people side-eyed me in college like, ‘DC-DC, or Silver Spring?’”
DC in the ’80s and ’90s was real. There were challenges, yes, but also energy and unity. Theresa remembers taking the bus across town to band practice, knowing which stops to skip, and learning to stay “on the swivel.” 👀
“You learned to move smart, to trust your gut, and to keep your eyes open. That’s how you survived—and thrived.”
🎀 Sugar Q: “Should I Date a Drug Dealer?”
Girl. Let’s sip on this one. 🫖
Theresa keeps it all the way real:
“I’ve had experience with that. I liked the bad boys. But listen—don’t date someone just because they’ve got things. There’s always a price.”
She opens up about losing a close college friend who dated a dealer—and didn’t make it home. 💔
“Back then, it might’ve seemed glamorous, but it’s not. And now? These guys aren’t even taking care of themselves, let alone you. Love yourself first. Talk kindly to yourself, so you’ll recognize when someone’s not treating you right.”
That’s the realest kind of self-love talk there is.
💬 Sugar Q: “My Mom Said No to a Prom Hotel Stay. Should I Go Anyway?”
Whew. You already know this one’s touchy. 😬Theresa’s take: “If your mom says no, ask yourself why. Who’s really gonna be there? Do you trust your circle?”
She reminds us how fast “fun” can flip—especially when people break the girl code.
“Put yourself first. Make a buddy pact. If you walk in a room and it feels weird, give yourself permission to leave. No explanations needed.”
Simi says: That’s on grown-girl discernment. 💅
💡 Auntie Wisdom: STEM, Passion, and Purpose
Theresa’s high school advice came wrapped in practicality:
“They told me to pick engineering or computer science because that’s where success was. I didn’t even like math like that!”
She powered through, earned the degree, and found her way back to creativity. Now her advice to the sugars?
“Try things. Be curious. Don’t box yourself in. Whether it’s STEM or style, dream outside the box—and do something different every week.”
💗 Final Sip from Auntie Simi
Auntie Theresa’s story reminds us that being smart, stylish, and safe can all coexist. Whether you’re in Uptown DC or scrolling through your next big dream, trust your intuition and move with purpose.
Not a lecture, just a sip of tea. ☕💖
👑 Meet the Auntea
Auntie Theresa Watts is the founder of Letty Gooch, a beloved DC boutique known for bold, beautiful style and community spirit. A Hampton University grad with a computer science background, she now works as a small-business marketing consultant helping women-owned brands thrive.
💖 Follow her on IG: @LettyGooch
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