FROM LEFT: Badgley Mischka Spring 2012. Secret Garden cuff, Miriam Haskell (retail $480, rental $50). renttherunway.com. Peridot and diamond leaves ear clips, Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. (price on request). The Collection at Chevy Chase, 301-657-8777. Leather Jodi heel, Diane von Furstenberg ($298).
This year's spring collections are all about ladylike dressing. Soft pastel hues, full skirts, and nipped waists harken to the era of sock hops and saddle shoes. Inspired by these simpler times, designers used feminine silhouettes reminiscent of Dior's New Look, with many tops, dresses, and gowns sporting peplum waists in sleek, straight, or ruffled modern varieties. Lucy Sykes Rellie, fashion director of Rent the Runway, believes this look will create a frenzy at the Opera Ball, hosted by the embassy of the United Arab Emirates. "Badgley Mischka is celebrated for its glamorous Hollywood-of-the-'50s style. This stunning peplum gown embodies femininity and modern sophistication; it is ideal for the chic women of Washington. The fabric is gorgeous, and the yellow yields a softer side to a black-tie event—it's not always ‘all about black.' Add a touch of sparkle with a great pair of sandals, and finish the look with an elegant statement piece like this Miriam Haskell bracelet."
