"You can have
anything you want in

life if you dress for it."

- Edith Head

Lauren's List of Dress You Need Now

By Lauren Wilson

No truer words have been spoken. Edith Head was arguably one of the most famous costume designers in Hollywood during the 20th century, she quite literally transformed the likes of Grace Kelly to Elizabeth Taylor, one film and red carpet at a time. That’s the funny thing about fashion, it transforms us. Nothing is more transformative, in my opinion, than the perfect dress. 

Like you, I have many (and I mean MANY) events, galas, weddings, and more this upcoming year. Things that we have all missed out on for two years. Not surprisingly the New York Times has even launched a column called “The Year of the Wedding”, underscoring just how quickly in-person events have come roaring back.

And let’s be honest, the best part of any event is the pre-event anticipation. From finding the perfectly slinky midi dress for that event whose invite reads “fun and festive cocktail” (what?!), to a stand out shoe and bag to match, I break down the dresses of the season, and where and when to wear them. 

EVening

My mantra when it comes to evening dressing is–– Find your Muse. Whether it be the DoMa Muses whose closets you can shop now, or Muses of a bygone era, starting with a point of inspiration results in a more cohesive look. I always like to take the venue into consideration. 

I recently attended a wedding at a 1920’s mansion that saw the likes of Elvis and other Rat Pack-era stars flock to, so I decided to lean into a look that felt fit for a Hollywood star, complete with a full ball skirt and elongated bodice. Have a formal event not tied to a wedding? Embrace opulent surroundings and lean into a gown with elevated embellishments to make sure you shine in any room.

Bodycon

It feels funny to be writing about a trend that was all the rage when I was in college in LA. Back then, we didn’t leave the house without our bandage dresses on. How fashion has a way of always circling back. However, this team designers are cutting this all out sexy look in interesting ways– think bold colors, slinky details, and varying proportions. My suggestion with accessories? Keep it simple and let the dress do the talking. A simple sandal and a discreet mini bag will do the trick. 

Vacation

Vacation dresses are one of my favorites because they are so versatile. That cotton poplin midi dress can do double duty on the beach to a night out with a change of accessories and footwear.

I am looking forward to elevating my vacation-wear dresses this season with funky details– think fringe and neon colorways. I’ll be traveling to Brazil for the first time this summer (for another, wedding, I know I’m essentially 27 dresses), and can’t wait to embrace a wardrobe full of exuberant dresses.

LBD

The LBD is less a trend and more a piece that is worth investing in. I like having a few black dresses in my closet that I turn to over and over again– a day version for when you have no idea what to wear to brunch with friends, a professional minded version that isn’t fussy and gets the job done, and a cocktail version. For day, I like subtle details like a puff sleeve or a delicate detail at the waist. For workwear, it’s all about the cut. Look for clean, lean lines. For the evening LBD, I like to turn up the ante and wear something with a little bit of sparkle, or an interesting texture.

Cocktail

Probably the most vague of attire terms, cocktail is a time to experiment with shape and silhouette. I also highly recommend investing in stand out accessories here. It’s an easy way to elevate any look, quickly. Something I learned from Brian, our Head of Fashion, never underestimate the power of a black grosgrain ribbon. I’ve been known to use this simple accessory around a ponytail or around my neck to add a feminine flourish.