Evening wear is special.  The occasions that require a gown are few and far between, making the opportunity to dress up a unique and special one. Like casual attire, evening wear is subject to the trends of the season and there is no season as surprising in this way than summer 2009.

Ready-to-wear casual collections have been pared down, simplified, color muted, and free of fuss.  Evening collections have done a complete 180 in the opposite direction.  Draping, color, excessive embellishments, unexpected cuts, and distinct 80s vibe take over the sweet simplicity of daywear.  This summer, when the sun goes down the fashionistas come out to play. 

The season kicks off with an unexpected but very welcome muse.  Michelle Obama.  The gorgeous, white, one shoulder dress she wore to the inauguration ball sent designers running to their workrooms to chop the second sleeve off their creations.  The asymmetrical, single strapped dress is a refreshing way to show a little skin while keeping it cool, classy, and sophisticated. 

When it comes to embellishments, Christian Lacroix went overboard by piling on military buttons, sequins, bows, bows with sequins, tulle, and gemstones – sometimes all on one garment!  While that sounds busy and exaggerated, the look is actually quite pretty.  It is very reminiscent of playing dress up but with a much more organized result!  Besides, what girl wouldn’t feel beautiful in bows, buttons, ribbons, and tulle?  Valentino choose not to embellish with do-dads, à la Lacroix, but embellished with the fabric itself by forcing it into folds, swirls, rosettes, and geometric shapes providing a stunning example of how a simple trend, like embellishment, can be tuned to suit anyone’s personal style.

Armani shows us how to update the 80s by adding a structured, big shouldered jacket to nearly every item in the Prive Couture collection.  The jacket is very mannish in appearance with lapels and exaggerated shoulders, softened only by a hint of lace or the shine of a rouge sequin.  However, Armani pairs these hard jackets with soft silky skirts creating a strong yet distinctly feminine look – which was the crux of dressing in the women-hit-the-workforce 80s.  Jean Paul Gaultier was also in an 80s mood as seen in the formal jumpsuits, and peek-a-boo lace gowns worn on the catwalk. 

So, let loose on these hot summer nights.  Your dress gets to break all the rules this season!  You can’t be too colorful, have too much volume, too much tulle, or too many embellishments.  You get to pile it all on and rock it like Madonna on her Like A Virgin days.  Have fun.  Soon the dawn will break and you will be back in your pencil skirt and blouse, so don’t waste the opportunity to play grown up dress up while you can.