As a fashion graduate and designer of lavishly feminine hats, Gabriela Dror enjoys a rich fashion pedigree. So it's no surprise that she is a regular standout in the fashion flock and in particular on this evening at Tootsies. She explained that typically she would have worn a cocktail dress to the kick-off party but because she was on her way to see The Great Gatsby, she needed something elegant yet comfortable enough for the movies.

Her solution: White Escada jeans and a BCBG Max Azria top with black lace, Christian Dior sandals and a handbag by Prada. "I love the neutral color," she said. "It really goes with everything and when the bag is neutral, I feel the outfit stands out more."

The beautiful necklace that set the outfit apart was from Neiman Marcus, a birthday gift from a friend.

— SHELBY HODGE

Classic elegance best defines the wardrobe sensibilities of Frann Lichtenstein, who divides her time between Houston and Washington D.C. And never was that more apparent than at the Recipe for Success Fashion Gene award event at Tootsies. 

She combined a bright Ralph Lauren jacket and scarf with capris from Etro, worn with Brian Atwood shoes. The silver handbag was also Ralph Lauren and featured the designer' engraved signature. 

Frann and her significant other Jeff Hirschberg had just been in Palm Desert staying at The Vintage Club in Indian Wells, Calif., "which is probably why I felt like dressing as I did." The awesome Houston weather of late also put her in a resort frame of mind.

—SHELBY HODGE

When the invitation to a party to celebrate Monica Pope's 50th birthday and 20th year in the restaurant business asked guests to dress "cocktail cool," Charmaine Wilson knew exactly what to wear for the early evening spring event at Sparrow Bar + Cookshop to benefit Making It Better.

She paired a nifty white blouse from Melodrama, form-fitting gray Joe Jeans and tan wedgies from Nordstrom, dangling earrings and bracelet from Sam Moon, and a Charles Jourdan purse from Neiman Marcus. She accented the ensemble with a pair of red glasses from Walmart. "I change my glasses regularly based on my outfit," she said.

Wilson, a research laboratory manager in the Department of Pathology Research at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, likes to dress with flair outside the workplace. 

"I don’t like to look like everyone else," she said. "I like to add color and little pizzazz in the things I wear.

"I don’t believe that you have to have an overabundance of clothes; you just need pieces that stand out and show your personality. Once you mix and match them with some simple basics, then I think you’re good."

— CLIFFORD PUGH

No one stole the fashion thunder more than Duyen Huynh at the Asia Society Texas Center "Tiger Ball," where the attire was black-tie or native dress. Amid the sea of Middle Eastern, Indian, Chinese and designer dressing, she alone captured all attention.

What was it? While her wine-colored body-hugging gown by Emilio Pucci and Prada shoes (both finds at Bergdorf Goodman) were striking enough, it was the over-sized cherries headpiece by London-based hat designer Piers Atkinson that caused the fashion flurry. She found the dramatic piece at Laboratoria, Tatiana Massey's uber chic boutique on Westheimer.

What was this willowy beauty thinking? "To me at the time, this cherries headpiece is an artwork itself, but this one is even better that I can actually sport it on my head," she emailed, explaining, "The Tiger Ball is all about art and culture, so I thought about this cherries headpiece." 

—SHELBY HODGE