When Evening Clothes Meant Elegance

Question: If you could wear any style of evening attire from any era, what would you want it to be?

Barbara Davis, philanthropist and frequent party-goer:

“Charles James, from the ‘50s. He created magnificent ball gowns. When you took them off,they could stand by themselves. They were works of art. I like to dress so you feel like a princess, you just feel so special.”

Eileen Norton, art collector and philanthropist:

“Eighteenth-Century low-cut ball gowns with yards of silk taffeta and ruffles. I just saw ‘Impromptu’ and it was the same style in ‘Dangerous Liaisons.’ I mean, those clothes are just divine. Yards of gorgeousness.”

Marc Friedland, invitation and stationery designer:

“I think it would be from the ‘30s or ‘40s when suits were a little more architecturally styled, and more tailored. I think the details on those were really great. The shirt studs and the cuff links were more ornate, they wore watch fobs; you were able to pay attention to the details without being flashy.”

Kim McCarty, artist and restaurateur:

“The cut of dresses in the ‘40s was for an intelligent, sexy type woman. It was the drape, the shoulder pads, the line. It’s sort of like Giorgio Armani today, not for a lace and frilly type person, but a tailored look. I see myself in a long satin gown, probably in light cream, with shoulder pads, tailored at the waist and maybe slit up the sides, high heels and great Bauhaus-type jewelry.”

Wendy Goldberg, creative consultant Max Factor:

“If you’re going to go back, it would be fun to go back to a time that’s less complicated. The neo-classical time--when women got out of their corsets--was free, elegant romantic. It was liberated, but very elegant. The empire cut and a little decollete would suit my figure.”

Chantal Stern, president, Alexia Alexander Hair and Skin Care Products:

“I hate to admit it, I like the Louis XIV type gowns. It’s my favorite period. And the time of ‘Gone With the Wind.’ I like beautiful pastels and froufrou and laces.”