This post is inspired by Camilla Belle and Evan Rachel Wood’s amazing 20’s flapper-style dresses, which the two actresses wore to the LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles last Saturday evening:

These dresses are from the architecture and Art Deco-inspired Gucci Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection.

Yes, these looks are meant for next year’s warmer weather, but forget that — we think black and gold dresses like these are where it’s at right now!

Especially since it’s already the second week of November, when the holidays are practically upon us, we should all be finished stocking up (or getting there, at least) on cocktail, semi-formal, and formal dresses.

If you’re not much of a fan of Christmas tree ornament-like glittery dresses, which seem to be costume de rigueur at many holiday parties, consider wearing a black and gold dress — the black is more subtle, elegant, and sophisticated.
The gold keeps the dress fun and fabulous without making it look too “festive.” Instantly switch to party mode with these short, sparkly, and sassy black and gold dresses:


But black and gold dresses don’t always have to be shiny, tight, or skin-bearing. Check out this DVF dress’s simple sophistication, this Ellen Tracy dress’s figure-friendly A-line cut, and this ADAM dress’s long-sleeved construction:

Black and gold dresses don’t always have to be formal or fancy. Here are three casual black and gold dresses that are just as good for dressed-down parties as they are for a day at the beach:

But if formal and fancy is what you need or are looking for, you’d be glad to know that black and gold dresses aren’t lacking in that department!
This just might be where black and gold dresses shine the most. These two colors, when combined with long, flowy silhouettes, can bring on the drama, the wow factor, and the va-va-voom effect:

This rests our case for black and gold dresses!