black and white bridesmaid dresses Beautiful & Timeless: Bow Designed to add elegance and sophistication to any wedding party Black Bridesmaid Dress with White

Like a gentle breeze whispering over you, the delicate French embroidery of the Cora couture wedding dress is a vintage lover's dream from the Gilded Age Collection

No matter the hemline, outfits were often topped with a jacket or long coat

Modern business formal outfits still need to look clean-cut, but a few of the rules have relaxed

Precious metals like gold and silver were often interwoven into the fabric itself or used in embroidery, creating a sense of opulence

Whether your formal leans casual or genuinely black-tie, the same core principles apply, and a little planning goes a long way toward a look you feel wonderful in