Cocktail party season will soon be upon us (and just between us, we can't wait!) so it pays to make like a Boy Scout and start your shopping now. Of course, it's not like this is such a terrible chore - especially with the abundance of sophisticated retro-inspired pieces in the market right now - like this seductive red-satin number by Carmen Marc Valvo. It's something we could imagine Joan Holloway wearing to the annual office party, which makes it a winner in our book.

The off-the shoulder styling is dangerously close to something you'd see at a toga party, but in red sateen and cinched with a patent leather bow belt this dress is too mature to be worn by a young coed - it's definitely made for a woman. Rawr.

$349 at Bluefly.com