The Little Lady, Part II: Out for the Evening

OMG — fashion overload.  I just drooled all over my keyboard while checking out Oscar de la Renta’s RTW Spring 2011 collection.  (Swoon.)  ODL can do no wrong by me, and he serves as the perfect inspiration point for today’s continuation of The Little Lady series, which takes as its subject formal/evening wear:

Images from WWD

I mean.  D.i.e.  Yes, yes, and yes.  I’m super into the classic black-on-white contrast.  To get the put-together, little lady look, consider snapping up this classically-styled asymmetrical cocktail dress (Paul & Joe, $575, Net-A-Porter) and pair it with some stunning cabochon earrings (they’re “unsigned,” but my gut tells me that they are KJL — $348, House of Lavande) and a pair of femme black heels (these are so lovely, I can hardly stand it — Valentino, $845, Net-A-Porter):

This petal clutch by Sondra Roberts (Olivia Palermo owns it in hot pink, but this creamy ivory variation is the perfect addition to the little lady’s evening wardrobe — $98, Lori’s Shoes), especially when paired with this cropped Anna Sui fur jacket ( $350, Net-A-Porter):

I love the contrast it brings to the outfit.  Lovely, lovely.  As may be apparent from the eye-catching Valentinos above, I’m all about the bow when it comes to a ladylike evening look.  Check out this to.die.for Elizabeth & James mini ($365, ShopZoe), for example, paired with these break-your-ankle Louboutins ($845, MyTheresa — fashion is worth the pain):

(Love that the pumps are called “The Miss Cha Cha” — thanks, Loubster.)  I’d add some “icing” to the mix by pairing these enamel Kenneth Jay Lane starfish earrings ($70, Pret-A-Beaute) and this glitzy bracelet (Nola Roberts, $548, Henri Bendel):

Then all you need is a classy little retro-clutch, like this Kate Spade “Lella” ($225, Kate Spade):

Or how about the stunning draping on this Vivienne Westwood gown ($520, Net-A-Porter), coupled with the drama of these KJL drops ($202, Pret-A-Beaute) and these killer ODL pumps (d.i.e. over the bow — $695, Net-A-Porter):

A vintage-styled row pearl bracelet ($78, Henri Bendel) and a bow-covered clutch (Miu Miu, $650, Net-A-Porter) finish the look:

Hint: you can get the Miu Miu look for less with this ruffled Nordstrom clutch ($78, Nordstrom):

Now, if you really want over-the-top glam, pair with a fur chubby — this channeled Juicy coat ($358, Saks) would do the job nicely:

Or go for just a little taste with this fox fur stole (Max Mara, $256, Matches):

And for the coup-de-gras?  A little Notte by Marchesa confection that I’ve been secretly keeping my eye on and dying over for weeks — I’ve wanted a dress in this style since I saw the Halston Heritage asymmetrical cape dresses this past spring, but I worried that the colors would be a bit too  bold and the cut of the dress a bit too dramatic.  This chiffon dream has my name all.over.it ($650, Net-A-Porter):

I’d pair it with this brooch-adorned heels ($78, Kurt Geiger):

I’d pair with these gold Ylang23 Vintage clips ($115, Ylang23) and a classic Amanda Pearl clutch (I’ve wanted one for so long…sigh: $1,398, Amanda Pearl):

You can get a similar look for a bit less with this Alice & Olivia Gale dress ($368, Alice and Olivia):

I’m also in.love with the idea of a stark white dress and emerald green accents — how darn chic would you be with these vintage-styled emerald enormastuds ($205, Ylang23) and this asymmetrical Robert Rodriguez Black Label frock ($495, Neiman Marcus)?

Pair with this “Palace of Mirrors” bracelet ($245, Kate Spade) and the Kate Spade “Carly” peeptoe ($298, Kate Spade):

Don’t forget to tuck this fun little emerald-adorned compact ($175, Saks) into your glitzy minaudiere (I love hard-cased clutches — Menbur, $144, Endless):

Before you head out the door, spritz on a classic perfume — I wear Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle in the evenings ($61 and up, depending on size, Sephora — Tocca’s Cleopatra is my every day scent) — and some faux cils (looooove the drama):

Bon soir!