Dear Ether,

The “Wish List” is meant to show the many varieties fashion has to offer from the many wonderful online shopping sites on the Web.  My goal is to try and feature the big guys online and throw in a few of the smaller lads just so I can style some really cool outfits that are occasion appropriate.  I was eager to check out the Ralph Lauren site.  I don’t know if any of you have been to his store on Madison Avenue in New York, but it is in a stunning old mansion and you feel like you’ve walked into shoppers paradise.  Warm wood panels and lush ferns greet you with oversized urns filled with lily’s, orchids and amaryllis.  It is how the rich must have shopped before 1929–before taxes–before the second World War.  It blows you away.  To me, Ralph Lauren (FYI: his real last name is Lifshitz and he is a lovely Jewish man who began his career selling ties!) is the epitome of New York style.  His look is sleek, it is the Hamptons it IS the Polo fields.  What I love about Ralph Lauren today is that you can still count on his label being recognizable, but being modern and updated.  He moves with the times but never strays from his staple looks and designs.  You know you can always get a polo shirt with his famous insignia, but it will always be a modern cut, fit and color for the season.

When I visited his site I was blown away by how many things I wanted.  For me, Ralph Lauren was always a label I aspired to for when I got a little older and couldn’t wear diffusion lines anymore.  But I saw unique takes on the ruffled blouse, the pussy bow blouse, wonderful balloon sleeves, sleek trousers you would kill for and amazing suede and leather designs that were of the highest quality.  His bags were amazing, but only if you had a cool $16,000 (yep, the extra zero is in there for a reason) to drop.  The weakest part of the site, I would say, were his shoes and his accessories/jewellery.  I’m sure in-store there was more, but I wasn’t thrilled with the selection.  I felt they could have offered the customer more to go with their outfits.  I could’ve gone a bit funky with Mr. Lauren, but decided to keep it as it should be: classic.  I wanted my “Wish List” from Ralph Lauren to be aspirational, elegant, timeless, classic, and just simple.  A lot of the other “Wish Lists” will have styles that will come and go.  But what I have chosen you can pull out 20 years later and still wear and even pass on to your daughter.  I chose things with cuts and fabrics that mattered so even though they may not look bright and shiny, it’s all in the way it falls and hangs and feels.  I think that embodies Ralph Lauren.  

With that in mind, this outfit is all about you going to a Black-Tie event.  You need a gown that’s going to be striking because it is clean, and shows YOU off, and not the other way around.  The attention is drawn to the silhouette through the cut of the gown, the soft-hugging fabric and the chain detail drawing attention to your back (a very sensual part of the body, I might add).  Being floor length with high-heels, you look long and lean.  Because of the open back detail I’d wear the hair up to show off as much of your body as possible (neck included).  A nicely made up face with a touch of luminizing cream in your foundation (keep it natural and light) a gentle touch of pink to the apples of your cheeks, a strong red lip, a base color eyeshadow (as in a taupe or pale cream) with liner in a small cat-eye and heavy on the mascara.  Make sure your brows are tidy, and even add brow gel to keep them in place.  A nice touch would be square nails, short, in a matching red varnish.  Same with the toes.  

You know, we still look at that picture of Audrey Hepburn from “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” and envy her look.  She made us love the LBD.  This “Wish List” look will have the same effect.  All the women at the gala wearing the trends of the season will give their dresses away or look back and will be able to pin-point exactly the season the outfit was from.  Not you.  You’ll be as classic as Ms. Hepburn.  Let’s roll out the red carpet!

Dedicatedly yours,

—One of 365

Whenever you walk into a room feeling beautiful, you feel like all eyes are on you. That's not just hubris, it's usually true. And in this dress, your hunch will be probably be right again. This cashmere, floor-length dress will show off all of the curves of your body. The boat-neck front looks clean, simple and elegant giving your body the chance to show-off its killer silhouette, but when you turn around and reveal the plunging v-back with multi-tiered chain adornments, well, that's the big reveal. The muscles in your back will get their chance to expose themselves and the chains act as jewellery where you couldn't have any on the front. Tell me this isn't a classic? You'll feel good because the fabric is amazing, you'll look gorgeous because of the cut and you know you're the class act at a classy affair. Not bad. Not bad at all. Cashmere Chain-Back Gown, $1898, ralphlauren.com

Though the heel won't really show, if you do end up revealing your tootsies you want the world to know you're working it top to toe. These suede and Swarovski crystal embellished sandals are straight from the runway collection so if they are good enough to work it on a catwalk they are good enough to work it for your Black Tie affair. The crystals will go nicely with the earrings I will show you in the next shot and the wrapping around of the suede is a play on the dripping chain on the back of the dress. The heel height is also great (4"), because the taller you are, the longer and leaner you look in that gown. Brea Suede Crystal Sandal, $795, ralphlauren.com

I was surprised that Maestro Lauren didn't have a fine jewellery section. Maybe it's not featured online. I HATE that I'm promoting CZ's but the look goes with the classic and timelessness of the whole outfit so I am going to settle (but let's pretend they are real diamonds, okay?). A diamond stud is something that you aspire to. It's like a coming of age gift. You can wear them day to night and they will always match any outfit. These studs will go with the simplicity of the dress. We don't want anything hanging--it would compete with the chains in the back. We just want a touch of glimmer every so often when you catch the light you shine. Large Cubic Zirconia Stud, $45, ralphlauren.com

With lush Swarovski crystals, a satin finish, African crocodile trim and a classic Art-Deco clasp this is the perfect clutch to go with your outfit. I love that it is also lined in a bright purple! Again, it's the quality of the materials and the classic shape, design and ability to use over and over again. Perfection. Satin, Crystal & Croco Clutch, $1,995, ralphlauren.com

And of course you need that finishing touch when you are just about to step out the door. It's a sexy scent for evening and the bottle and packaging even go with your outfit so if you were to take it with you, it would look like a great accessory! Notorious is a sparkling spiced scent with notes of deep black currant, chocolate and patchouli musk. Spritz on pulse points. Ooo la la. Notorious 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum, $65, ralphlauren.com