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What to Wear to Holiday Parties 

More Gift Guides: Techie | Food Lover | Under $30 | Eco-Friendly 

Down vest with raccoon trim by Missoni, $495
Sarah Goodall, owner of the ultra-chic shoe boutique Saucy Shoes in Annapolis, says she’s preordered this super-soft vest by Missoni from next-door neighbor Laura Bevilacqua. “I live in vests in the winter,” Goodall says. “I think it’ll look very chic with a pair of dark skinny jeans and my knee-high Cynthia Vincent brown Lizard Riding boots—from Saucy, of course.”

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.

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

All week: CVS’s first Beauty 360 store, located near Dupont Circle, is celebrating its grand opening with a week of fun beauty events, from mini-makeovers to consultations and giveaways. Check out the details at Beauty360.com

Tuesday, November 18: The Corcoran Gallery of Art is hosting a lecture by David Yurman, an internationally recognized designer of swoon-worthy luxury jewelry, beginning at 7 PM. Yurman will discuss his journey from a respected sculptor (who knew?) to famed jewelry designer as well as his thoughts on the artistic process and branding strategy that led to his company’s global success. Tickets ($25 for the public, $20 for Corcoran members) are available at corcoran.org.

Wednesday, November 19: Sip Champagne and munch on cupcakes during a holiday shopping event hosted by the Network of Entrepreneurial Women, a local organization that supports women-owned businesses. The event will be at SimplySoles in DC’s Columbia Heights from 5 to 8 PM. Featured vendors (all local and women-owned) include the Alchimie Forever beauty line, the sample-sale store Treat, and the Arlington boutique Sisters 3. Gift bags go to the first 50 to arrive. For more info, visit new-women.org or simplysoles.com.

Tuesday, November 11: Periwinkle, an Alexandria boutique, is hosting a trunk show for Manu, a DC-based line of unique jewelry by Manuela Costa; 5 to 8 PM.

Wednesday, November 12: Join the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce (GWFCC) for its first-ever Fashion Hour from 6 to 8 at Halo. The event is a bimonthly cocktail hour to bring together GWFCC members, prospective members, and friends of the fashion community to network and collaborate on their fashion endeavors. Admission is free.

Thursday, November 13: Swing by the Bethesda location of Urban Chic to check out store manager Catherine Koch’s Kiki Beach jewelry collection, which will be sold exclusively at Urban Chic stores. Shop around Koch’s designs and enjoy treats from 5 to 9 PM.

Wednesday, October 29: Halloween comes early! Dress in costume and head to Fresh in Georgetown to check out its adorable clothing and accessories selection. Costume prizes will be given for funniest, classiest, and best impersonation. freshlemonpie.com

Wednesday, October 29, and Thursday, October 30: Check out one-of-a-kind garments created with rare and innovative textiles from Japan at the Asiatica Trunk Show at the Park Hyatt Hotel (24th and M sts., NW). Noon to 5. asiaticakc.com

Friday, October 31: Celebrate the Halloween Bash Grand Opening of the new Betsey Johnson boutique in Georgetown (3029 M St., NW). From 4 to 8, enjoy treats and free gifts while supplies last. Best costume wins an autographed T-shirt! betseyjohnson.com/calendar.html

Monday and Tuesday, October 20 and 21: The Chevy Chase Saks Fifth Avenue is holding a two-day trunk show of Monique Lhuillier’s spring 2009 collection, which consists of flowy gowns inspired by a tropical-island getaway. 10 AM to 7 PM.

Thursday, October 23: Preview and preorder from Vivienne Westwood’s Anglomania spring collection while sipping Champagne and enjoying a live DJ at Muléh from 5 to 8 PM. Plus, catch a glimpse of the gorgeous wedding gown that Westwood created for Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex and the City movie!

At the Georgetown boutique Wink, enjoy pink Champagne and cupcakes while browsing local accessory designer Andrea Tedesco’s fall collection trunk show from 5:30 to 8 PM. A portion of the evening’s proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.