Dear Gigi,

I put a table of 10 together for the upcoming Ballet Opening Night Gala dinner. I was so excited when I saw a gorgeous gown at Saks Fifth Avenue, that was on the cover of Vogue last month, that I just had to have it for the occasion. Saks graciously pulled all the remaining sizes off the selling floor until after Opening Night. When I mentioned my prized new purchase to the wife of one of the couples at my table, she divulged that she bought a fabulous Vera Wang gown at the Beverly Hills Saks store. It’s the EXACT same gown, except she’s two sizes smaller than me, with larger breasts! She laughed it off as a great photo-op, but I don’t think so; I’m the hostess of my table and I should stand alone in what I am wearing. Plus, I can’t take it back since they’ve already done two fittings. Since I put the table together can I ask her to wear something else?

Gigi:

Unless you’re a fashion designer’s of-the-moment muse you’ll be hard-pressed to corner the market on the latest style. You have two options: wear the dress proudly with your own adornments, or put it in your closet and select something else. I suggest for future galas you may want to consider working with a stylist or, better yet, create your own unique style rather than grabbing what’s on the current magazine cover – it may announce what you can afford, but shows little originality.

[Photo from Michael Oh via Flickr]