STYLE : Evening News

Evening wear used to call for ruffles, rhinestones, sequins and satin bows, but modern times have demanded rethinking in the froufrou department. This season’s evening clothes are casual, comfortable and--just like the prevailing national mood--pared-down. What emerges when designers strip away all the frills is surprisingly refreshing: clothes for dining and dancing that are full of moody sophistication. Classical cuts and rich fabrics broadcast polish, while longer hemlines signal a quiet elegance impossible with miniskirts. Bold shapes and luxurious textures make fancy jewelry, other than a pair of earrings, seem gauche. These days, dressing up is a case of dressing down.

Photographed at the Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills, by Stephen Sigoloff; produced by Michael Eisenhower; hair: Howard Barr/ Cloutier; makeup: Sharon Gault/ Cloutier; models: Debbie Griffin/ IT Models, Bill Fiers/ Click Models of Los Angeles