Find Your Perfect Party Outfit

Black Tie

Translation: Timeless and elegant

Black tie still means a long dress, but it needn't mean stuffy if you look for richly colored, less structured gowns. "I like to stay conservative and traditional—with an edge," says Tonya Lewis Lee, an author and spokesperson for the national infant mortality campaign A Healthy Baby Begins with You. This demure satin dress (ABS by Allen Schwartz) drapes beautifully: "You can see my figure," says Lee, who often attends galas and charity functions with her husband, director Spike Lee. And because red makes such a strong impression, one wide gold cuff (H.Stern) is enough to complete the picture.