Evening Glamour Goes Full Fantasy

Gowns That Tell a Story

After several seasons of quiet luxury, the appetite for drama has come roaring back. These dresses each carry one big idea, from a feather collar to a fringed hem to a crushed satin column. That single gesture is what makes them read as fantasy rather than costume.

Feather-Collar Colorblock Silk Georgette Long-Sleeve Dress

Valentino Garavani

$10,800

Textured Strapless Column Gown

Monique Lhuillier

$7,995

Crushed Silk-Satin Buckle Gown

Versace

$7,590

Colorblock Oro Lienzo Fringe Column Gown

Akris

$6,990

Floral-Print Leather Fringe Maxi Dress

McQueen

$8,700

Long-Sleeve Belted Faux-Fur Peplum Midi Dress

Stella McCartney

$1,990

Strapless Asymmetric Draped Balloon Midi Dress

Jil Sander

$3,990

Floral Mikado Silk Capelet Midi Dress

Alberta Ferretti

$2,350

Shoes Built for an Entrance

The evening shoe has turned into a small piece of jewelry, with beading, mesh and studs doing most of the talking. A sky-high heel is optional, but an interesting one is not. These are the shoes people will ask about.

100mm Mesh Ankle-Strap Pumps

ALAÏA

$1,450

100 mm Dolly Patent Leather Mules

Christian Louboutin

$945

90mm YSL Leopard Grosgrain Slingback Pumps

Saint Laurent

$1,300

90mm Kasasan Beaded Satin Sandals

Manolo Blahnik

$1,085

105mm Open Toe Revele Suede Pumps

Valentino Garavani

$1,100

Eve 85MM Leather Pumps

Khaite

$1,180

Rockstud 100mm Studded Leather Strappy Pumps

Valentino Garavani

$1,190

100mm Miss Z Lace Slingback Sandals

Christian Louboutin

$1,195

The Rest of the Spell

Sculptural clutches, crystal drop earrings and a leopard coat finish the story. Each one is strong enough to carry a plain outfit by itself. Pick two at most and let them argue.

Tresse Woven Brass Clutch Bag

Saint Laurent

$5,500

Sheep Shearling-Cuffs Metallic Floral Jacquard Long Coat

Valentino Garavani

$12,800

Nappa Leather & Feather Clutch Bag

Bottega Veneta

$7,800

VLogo Signature Crystals & Glass Drop Earrings

Valentino Garavani

$790

Oversized Petal and Cabochon Pendant Earrings

Saint Laurent

$1,150

Leopard Jacquard Short Cocoon Coat With Scarf

Givenchy

$6,200

The Paloma Embellished Leopard-Print Pencil Skirt

Jacquemus

$1,290

The Paloma Leopard-Print Embellished Waisted Jacket

Jacquemus

$1,990

95mm Pointy Patent Leather Pumps

Givenchy

$990

San Fin Metal Earrings with Swarovski® Crystals and Pearly Beads

Valentino Garavani

$1,590

Pleated Wide-Leg Trousers

Michael Kors Collection

$1,290

KissKiss Tender 16-Hour Comfort Lightweight Luminous Matte Lipstick

GUERLAIN

$48

Dorian East-West Satin B-Buckle Shoulder Bag

Victoria Beckham

$1,250

Sculptural Crystal Earrings in Metal

Givenchy

$820

Silver Crystal Oval Topa and Emerald Sapphire Drop Clip-On Earrings

Ben-Amun

$395

Long Pony Hair Clutch Bag

Balmain

$2,495

Evening Glamour Goes Full Fantasy

The point of this kind of dressing is that it makes the night feel like an occasion again. It rewards a little nerve and very little planning. Choose the piece that makes you smile and build the rest around it.

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