Under $290 the bracket is half beauty and half separates, which reflects how event outfits actually get assembled. Charlotte Tilbury's K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick at $37 and Laura Mercier's Caviar Hydra-Creme Lipstick at $46 are the two cheapest items in the edit, and the Pat McGrath Labs Mothership IX palette at $128 is the most substantial beauty entry. On jewellery, the Mega Chunky Double Hoop Earrings at $130 and Valentino Garavani's V Logo Signature Earrings at $290 are the two options. The clothing is small: Sandy Liang's Scoby Top at $175, Mimchik's Piper Knotted Halter Top at $265 and LPA's Carla Midi Dress at $249, which is the only dress in this bracket and the cheapest complete outfit in the edit.

Between $350 and $890 the edit is separates and accessories that would work at a dinner rather than a gala. Renggli's Organza Pencil Skirt at $350 and Jade Cropper's Side Tie Midi Skirt at $580 are the two skirts, and the organza is the more obviously occasion-specific. Sid Neigum's Braid Dress at $625 is the only dress here. Saint Laurent supplies the Clutch at $550 and the Oval Bangle Bracelet at $850, which are the two most classically evening pieces in the bracket. Louis Abel's Uzu Mid Square Earring at $390 is the design-led jewellery entry. On shoes, Toteme's Contour Naplack Slingback at $770 and Khaite's Loop Kitten Heel 35 Sandal at $890 are both low enough to stand in all night, which is not true of everything above.

Above $1,280 this is largely Khaite, which supplies six of the eight pieces. The Bella 100 Pump and Bella 55 Pump both sit at $1,280 and are the same shoe at two heel heights, which is a genuinely useful way to buy. The Colt Mule at $1,320 is the backless option. On clothing, the Khaite Winton Skirt at $1,680, the Andra Top at $1,880 and the Anden Skirt at $4,400 are the label's tailored pieces, and the Anden is the most expensive item in the edit. Saint Laurent's Jeanne Slingback Pump at $1,450 is the non-Khaite shoe. Bottega Veneta's Andiamo Wallet On Chain at $2,800 is the only bag at this level and the only piece here that is not either a shoe or Khaite tailoring.

The most useful observation about this edit is that it is not really a dress shop. There are only three dresses across 24 items, and the assortment is built around separates, shoes and jewellery, which is a more realistic picture of how people dress for events than a rail of gowns would be. On that basis the middle bracket is the strongest, because a $550 Saint Laurent clutch and a $770 Toteme slingback will be used at every event for years. The Khaite concentration at the top means the choice up there is narrower than the price range suggests. The Bella pump at two heel heights is the single smartest thing in the edit. If you take one thing away, buy the shoes and the clutch, not the outfit.