The Good Life.(fashion, travel, food)

Byline: Rebecca Hall; Michelle Jana Chan; Ginanne Brownell; Jessica Au; Barbie Nadeau; Michelle Jana Chan; Tara Weingarten

Fashion: The New Black Tie

By Rebecca Hall

It can only mean one thing when your party invitations start piling up higher than your junk mail: the holiday season is right around the corner. Oh, but what to wear while you feast on champagne and caviar among the poinsettias? Relax; traditional black-tie fashion is getting a dazzling makeover. While black remains the favorite shade, designers have jazzed up the classic formal look by adding bright bursts to black-tie wear.

Jewel tones of purple, fuchsia, turquoise and red dominate women's dresses, while men's suits feature shades of plum, navy and violet.

Gucci reaches back to the 1970s for inspiration with a flowing golden gown, with a plunging neckline and voluminous sleeves. The satin fabric is sure to shimmer under the holiday lights ($2,875-$9,010; Gucci.com ). If you prefer short, Versace has a sleek, sleeveless number in turquoise satin with soft gathers--perfect for twirling around the dance floor ($1,920-$2,299; versace.com ).

Men's fashion certainly hasn't been overlooked this year. Armani updates the old standard suit with deep colors and velvet. "The focus is on intense chromatic shades and eclectic combinations," Giorgio Armani says via e-mail. Take a fashionable step out with a dark brown or navy velvet suit paired with a burgundy shirt. Don't forget the finishing touch--a shiny velvet tie in navy blue or black (trousers $375, jacket $910, ties $190-$290; Armani.com ).