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If voting wasn’t enough, now you can show your love for Barack Obama with a bit of bling. Washington jewelry designer Ann Hand has created a Barack Obama collection to commemorate the historic inauguration.

For $95, you can score a glitzy silver necklace featuring Obama’s name written in 84 Swarovski crystals. Bling not your bag? Hand also has Obama watches, sunglasses, cuff links, dog tags, and pins. Her favorite item is a blue Obama 2008 travel mug with six rows of rhinestones for $25 (currently out of stock).

The Little Black Dress

Although the little black dress never goes out of style, it’s back on the top of trend lists this season. Balenciaga set this trend with a series of structured black dresses that pinch in at the waist and go out around the hips. This silhouette, which emphasizes the shape of a woman’s torso, was seen all over the runways this season in dresses, jackets, and tops. Find a little black dress with these lines and you have a fashionable yet classic outfit that can transition easily from a work function to a family affair to a night on the town. The Balenciaga dress is hard to come by in Washington, but here are a few charming alternatives.

Jennifer Cross, 28.
Personal assistant by day, printmaking artist by night.

What she’s wearing: Bettino Liano blazer from Australia (she lived there for two years), Silence + Noise top and leggings (“great designs that are beautifully made with a vintage feel to them”) from Urban Outfitters, Bakers shoes, L.A.M.B. bag, Jessica Kagan Cushman bracelets from Neiman Marcus, and hair by Remi at Salon one80 (“I don’t let anyone but Remi touch my hair”). The tattoos are from Susan at Jinx Proof in Georgetown.

So those leggings look like leather but they’re not. Are they comfortable?
“They’re surprisingly comfortable and warm. I have two pairs!”

How would you describe your look?
“I don’t really have a specific style; it really depends on my mood. If I’m going out for a specific event where I need to dress it up a bit, it usually ends up looking glamour-rock with a vintage clutch. But on an everyday basis, you’ll find me in a pair of super-skinny tapered jeans, a T-shirt, light jacket, ballerina flats—I live in flats—and a big purse. I’m Mary Poppins. I’m attracted to things you wouldn’t find on anyone. I never shop for an outfit; it’s usually me buying a piece here or a piece there, then I throw different pieces together and pray it works.”

Through Sunday, November 30: You can always use a new pair of jeans, right? National Jean Company’s two local shops (Reston and Bethesda) are giving shoppers 30 percent off the highest-priced item they buy and 20 percent off additional purchases. Don’t miss this opportunity to get discounted designer denim!

Friday, November 28: Bloomingdale’s in Tysons Corner Center is hosting an Abby Joy Jewelry trunk show from 11 to 5. Each piece in the collection is made with a hand-sculpted wax mold and then crafted into silver or gold. Also, each piece has a designated charity that receives 5 percent of the price on each sale; abbyjoy.com.

The Dupont Circle boutique Green and Blue is starting its monthlong holiday sale on Friday. There’ll be 20 to 50 percent off on winter pieces from designers including Rebecca Taylor and Yoanna Baraschi. Sale ends December 31.

The shops of Bethesda Row are hosting a Black Friday fashion sale. There’ll be carriage rides, hot chocolate, and discounts. Tickled Pink will be offering discounts all day, and Urban Chic and Ginger boutique will offer 50 percent off from 9 to 10 AM, 40 percent off from 10 AM to 1 PM, and 30 percent off during the rest of the day and through November 30. 

Check out our compendium of the area’s greatest deals here, and of course, leave any extra notes you find in the comments section below.

Go Tax-Free
Starting at 12:01 AM on Friday, November 27, all clothing, gift, and accessory items purchased in DC are tax-free. Each item must cost $100 or less, but the discount still applies if the total bill is more than $100. Enjoy exemptions through midnight on Sunday, December 7.

Midnight Madness
Many Washington outlet malls offer late-night deals so that night owls can get their shopping on with exclusive savings. Check Web sites for details.
Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets
Potomac Mills
Queenstown Prime Outlets

Photograph courtesy of David Eisele Sr.

What: David’s Black Label, a custom men’s clothing line that consists of sportcoats, suits, slacks, shirts, and ties.

Who: David Eisele Sr., who earned a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology. After spending several years in the jewelry business, he returned to men’s fashion. Now he has his own store in Reston where he sells his clothing along with labels such as Canali and Hickey Freeman.

Where to buy it: Davelle Clothiers (davelleclothiers.com), his store in Reston Town Center.

An individual label: The decision to create his own clothing line wasn’t a quick one. David says he’d been slowly building his collection “rather quietly” and was encouraged by many of his clients to start his own line. One of the hardest parts of breaking into the industry was learning to take what the client wanted and interpreting that for each individual’s shape. Now working with clients to really understand their needs is a staple of his business model.

The Los Angeles-based Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) has partnered with DC’s California State Society to cohost a January 18 inauguration event, the Presidential Inaugural Luncheon and Fashion Show. This will be the third go-round for the event; it’s been a sellout in years past.

This year’s show, which will be held at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C., will feature designs from some of the school’s most prominent alumni, including Leanne Marshall, Project Runway’s season-five winner, and Nick Verreos, a contestant on the show’s 2005 season.

Eighty outfits—both men’s and women’s—will be on display. Many of those will be from Marshall’s winning Project Runway collection; the state society won a bidding war to purchase the line. Our fingers are crossed in hopes that her gorgeous wedding gown from the last episode will make an appearance.