Twenty-nine years after the Houston Chronicle launched its Best Dressed luncheon as an advertising lure for big-name fashion retailers, the event is still going strong, still raising serious money for March of Dimes and still sending style mavens into an annual tizzy.

The 2011 fundraiser filled the Westin Galleria Hotel ballroom with 500 women (most of whom would sacrifice their favorite Manolos to be honored) and a sprinkling of men. By the time the raffle tickets were counted and table sales calculated, the event had raised a record $385,000 for March of Dimes. That brings the total raised since the event's inception to $6 million.

Applause, applause for luncheon chair Phoebe Tudor, stunning in a black Yves St. Laurent jumpsuit with halter top, and for raffle chairs the mother-daughter team of Dr. Yvonne Cormier and Claire Cormier-Thielke.

The selection of Best Dressed honorees was an interesting mix this year — three going into Hall of Fame for making the list three times and seven newcomers. That means that the pot grows ever larger for those aspiring for the coveted position of Hall of Fame. The more in the mix, the more difficult it becomes to reach star status and the more fashionistas maintaining a vested interest in the luncheon and therefore buying tables. A fundraising strategy, perhaps?

Houston Chronicle editor Jeff Cohen and Valerie Salembier, Harper's Bazaar senior vice president and publisher, introduced the high-fashion entourage. This was Salembier's second year to come in from New York to assist with the honors.

Taking bows as Hall of Fame honorees were Kelli Blanton wearing Jonathan Saunders, Julia Frankel in Giambattista Valli and Sheridan Williams in ivory-colored Akris, the designer of the day.

Neiman Marcus, a key Best Dressed partner since the start, brought in the Akris fall/winter collection for a runway show that offered a fresh palette of deep rust, teal and browns. As is tradition, Neiman's GM Bob Devlin invited guests back to the couture salon for a champagne reception and a close-up look at the winter finery.

The first-time honorees stepped out in a variety of looks ranging from cocktail to ladylike luncheon dresses — Carmen Maria Montiel-Lechin in Angel Sanchez, Elizabeth Petersen in Prada and Gracie Cavnar and Rosemary Schatzman, both in Valentino though of decidedly different design. Looking especially fashion forward: Arvia Few in a one-shoulder Escada jumpsuit, Susan Krohn in Akris pants, vest and jacket, and Nidhika Mehta in a flowing Blumarine hostess gown.

When Best Dressed reaches its 30th anniversary next year, the Chronicle, March of Dimes and Neiman's have a twist in store. The event will move to the evening (as it did for the 25th anniversary) and Kelli Blanton will chair and Lynn Wyatt, the first woman to reach Hall of Fame status, will serve as honorary chair.

There were a number of Hall of Fame honorees in the luncheon crowd including Cynthia Allshouse, Clayton Erikson, Melinda Berkman, Karen Johnson, Karen Mayell, Diane Lokey Farb, Diane Connally, Dancie Ware, Janet Gurwitch, Laura Sweeney, Lilly Andress, Mary Lynn Marks and Beth Sanders Moore.