What Should You Wear to a Gala?

Something from Rebecca Taylor's new black-tie collection.

When most people think of Rebecca Taylor, they think of sweetly feminine frocks, just-edgy-enough day dresses and chic separates that are utterly divine for, say, a fab cocktail party or a semi-casual wedding, but not exactly night-at-the-opera appropriate. Enter the brand’s new black-tie collection, which manages to be fancy-schmancy without veering into fussy-ville. Pieces of note: the leather-paneled maxi (wear with a major ear cuff!), and the heavily embellished short “scroll” dress (above, all the way to the right), because eveningwear needn’t be floor-length. (Psst: Super-stylish MOBs would do well to check out the line, too.)