ON THE BALL
A full skirt and a cinched, belted waist shape up as the season's quintessential silhouette. Lanvin by Alber Elbaz electric-orange velvet dress with pink ribbon sash.Photographed by Steven Meisel. Vogue, September 2005.
“The M.V.P.,” photographed by Steven Meisel, was originally published in the September 2005 issue of Vogue.
For more of the best from Vogue’s archive, sign up for our Nostalgia newsletter here.
High-performance day dresses and suits are fall's most powerful players—carrying you smoothly from summer to September. With skilled assists from the New York MetroStars, Gisele Bündchen nets one for the team.
PLAYING THE FIELD
A sixties-inspired A-line minidress melds modernist function and minimalist form. THIS PAGE: Fendi scarlet stretch-jersey dress, $1,500; (800) FENDI-NY for stores. Hogan black-and-gold lace-up sneakers.
PLAYING THE FIELD
Michael Kors black zipper dress, $1,495; Bergdorf Goodman; Saks Fifth Avenue. Jean Paul Gaultier tank, $95; Jean Paul Gaultier, Las Vegas. Bulgari watch. Y-3 Velcro sneakers.
DIVE!
It's an incredibly simple formula for workwear—footloose and quite literally fancy-free. Oscar de la Renta crimson silk-faille pleated dress with bow-tied belt, $2,900; Saks Fifth Avenue.
Sportmax cotton scoop-neck dress, $720; (866) MAX-MARA for stores.
CITY SPORT
Marc Jacobs black-and-fuchsia pleated dress ($2,500), black-and-wine tee ($845), snap belt ($198); marcjacobs.com for stores.
Black is back (alone or in a punchy two-tone combination). Ralph Lauren Collection sleeveless dress, $2,198; polo.com for stores. Michael Kors wide leather buckle belt. Y-3 metallic sneakers.
NICE CATCH!
The tight pencil-skirt look is also a contender; a monochrome jewel tone streamlines it. Roland Mouret cobalt-blue dress with bustled waist, $2,016; net-a-porter.com.
Dolce & Gabbana wool jacket with astrakhan trim and A-line skirt with cream trim, $3,490; Saks Fifth Avenue. Jean Paul Gaultier blue striped mock-neck, $120; Jean Paul Gaultier, Las Vegas.
JUMPSTART
Work hard, play harder—the elbow-length sleeve is proper and pert. Louis Vuitton taupe Empire dress ($1,538) and gold mesh belt; vuitton.com for stores. Adidas red-and-white sneakers.
Chanel white knit dress with military trim and bronze buttons, $3,345; (800)550-0005 for stores.
I'M NOT YOUR SOCCER MOM
A structured box collar is the season's bold new neckline. Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière Deco-graphic dress with pleated chiffon skirt, $4,435; (888) 8-BARNEYS.
Calvin Klein Collection navy jacket with mink hood ($3,885) and pencil skirt ($1,065); Calvin Klein, NYC. Moschino purple-and-white pinstriped shirt, $485; Barneys New York.
THINK FAST
Not to be sidelined: the very youthful but still elegant Empire waist. Miu Miu black-and-eggplant dress with embroidered top, $1,960; (888) 977-1900 for stores.
Dior by John Galliano black-and-white oversize V-neck sweater; (800) 929-DIOR for stores.
KICK IT
Champion a sequin-embellished cocktail dress: It's autumn's trophy look. Pictured: Prada purple dress with beading; (888) 977-1900 for stores.