Island Accents
The ultimate destination dress is a wrinkle-free frock, like this crushed-taffeta slipdress design worn with an earthy necklace of white jade and rock crystal. Nicole Miller, about $1,310, nicolemiller.com. Necklace, Siman Tu, 212-904-1217. Shot on location at Amanyara, The Turks & Caicos.
Relaxed Chic
Sexy doesn't have to mean skintight. Provocative draping and a plunging neckline are the secrets to the sultriness of this crinkled, pale-metallic taffeta dress with a jewel accent. Nicole Miller, about $1,800, nicolemiller.com. Earrings, Amrita Singh, shopamritasingh.com. Ring, Modern Love, modernlove.net.
Serene Style
The epitome of easy elegance, this embroidered tulle column is topped with a silk-organza overlay that floats down your figure. Vera Wang, by special order, verawang.com. Earrings, Diego Percossipai for Jaded, jadedjewels.com. Bangles, Amrita Singh, shopamritasingh.com.
Bride by the Beach
A sea siren lures her love in a fabulously filmy tulle dress featuring a shirred bodice, a Lucite-beaded waist, and a gathered skirt finished with a sweep train. Amsale, about $4,000, amsale.com. Earrings, Azaara, azaara.com.
Beautiful Back
A sumptuous blush tulle ball-gown skirt sprinkled with beading is the soft focus of this ultrafeminine dress. Creating a beautiful counterbalance is a fitted Swarovski crystal-trimmed pleated and dropped-waist bodice with a sweetheart neckline and lace-up back. Sophia Tolli, about $1,375, sophiatolli.com. Earrings, Siman Tu, 212-904-1217.
Gossamer Goddess
Conjure Cleopatra in a divine silk-chiffon gown. A Swarovski crystal-accented band and straps lend regal radiance to the deep V-necked bodice; split-front detailing creates a flowing effect on the skirt. Jenny Packham, about $4,000, jennypackham.com. Earrings, Azaara, azaara.com. Bracelet, Tejani, tejani.com.
Exotic Elegance
If the dress code is faraway-formal, opt for a gown featuring translucent gazar over a draped satin skirt. A sweetheart neckline defines the panne velvet bodice. Anna Maier/Ulla-Maija Couture, about $5,400, annamaier.com. Earrings, Amrita Singh, shopamritasingh.com. Ring, Modern Love, modernlove.net.
Empire Rules
The best way to glisten in a tropical setting? Wear a willowy Empire gown accented with a bold crystal-embroidered leaf design. The hand-draped silk-chiffon style features a spaghetti-strap halter neckline and a straight skirt. Reem Acra, $4,600, reemacra.com. Earrings, Amrita Singh, shopamritasingh.com.
Simply Strapless
When it comes to warm-weather style, less is more. Go spare and sleek in a clean, asymmetrically draped silk-georgette column. Monique Lhuillier, about $2,970, moniquelhuillier.com. Bracelet, Miriam Haskell, 212-764-3332.
Frothy Fabrics
The tunic dress makes a triumphant return in the shape of a sheer, long-sleeved style with a silver paillette-embellished bodice. It overlays a fitted gauze slipdress. Angel Sanchez, about $8,360, angelsanchezusa.com.
Sheer Genius
A sheer organza trapeze coat splashed with blue sequin flowers adds Eastern edge to a strapless silk duchess-satin trumpet gown. Alençon lace, satin ribbon, and a chapel train accent the fit-and-flare silhouette. Coat, Blanc de Chine, about $2,900, 800-228-2322. Dress, Jim Hjelm, about $3,289, jimhjelmbridal.com. Earrings, Jaded, jadedjewels.com.
Tropical Cool
Silk-organza and matte satin are whipped into a feathery A-line frock. The gathered swirl skirt-designed with easy movement in mind-is topped by a strapless silk-organza bodice with a sweetheart neckline. Jasmine Couture, about $1,650, jasminebridal.com. Necklace and bangles, Jaded, jadedjewels.com. Brooch, Diego Percossipai for Jaded. Ring, Modern Love, modernlove.net.
