Sometimes it feels as if society is trying to rub out the good girl. Just as Rizzo and the Pink Ladies mocked the blond curls off of goody two-shoes Sandra Dee all those years ago, the attention garnered by the antics of modern promiscuous princesses continues to suggest that bad girls are the ones to watch. Before the Lindsay Lohans and Tila Tequilas of the world came to power, however, the temptress was hardly thought of as a naughty little girl. Rather, she was a sophisticated (albeit racy) young woman, seductive and enigmatic where today’s babes are aggressive and brash. This year, fashion house Christian Dior revisits the grown-up look of the “classic vamp” with a stunning and sultry Fall 2009 couture collection. Tell us, are you woman enough to handle such lusty looks?

Why It’s Sweet: Browsing all of the gorgeous, feminine looks in this collection, it’s easy to see why Dior was moved to take the time to revisit the vixen. This collection marks the return of an oft-undervalued characteristic in today’s young miss: class. The silk stockings, crinoline skirts, veiled hats, and elbow-length gloves of Christian Dior’s couture line are a fetching celebration of the decadence, sophistication, and sheer lady-likeness that were commonplace to the original seductress. Looks like these have, in equal parts, the complexity of Victorian attire without the restriction, and the whimsy of pin-up girl gear without all the bare skin—what better combination of style and sex appeal? Plus, in a modern twist, many of Dior’s pieces are featured in bold colors and prints befitting of today’s market and the contemporary woman’s wardrobe; as Dior demonstrates, even the most vintage-looking romantic piece can be easily tweaked to reflect modern style.

Why It’s Sour: Modern interpretations aside, there’s no denying that the vixen aesthetic can easily give way to grandmotherly overtones. Pearl necklaces and lacy bloomers are all great fun for playing dress-up, but try to use these wiles to woo your boyfriend and you could confuse him more than you arouse him. Likewise, the details that really bring together looks like those in Christian Dior’s Fall 2009 couture line can be difficult to pull off at once. A dramatic red lip is one thing, but who really wears netted hats and full-length satin gloves anymore—let alone all at the same time? One thing we’ve learned over the years is that when a garment or accessory doesn’t fit seamlessly into our natural fashion tendencies, we’re less likely than ever to wear it, no matter how tempting it is.

Our conclusion: First, let us just say that we were swept away by Christian Dior’s couture collection. It’s fun, it’s flirty, it’s dramatic, and it’s adult—a winning combination in our books. As much as we love these looks, we know it will take a small miracle to convincingly pull off an entire ensemble at once without looking like a 1940s ingénue (which, come to think of it, wouldn’t be the worst thing). For now, we’re getting our fix of sexy glamour in the little things: a waist-cinching blazer, satin pumps, and the little secrets like garters and slips that make you feel seductive through and through. Some silk, lace, and attitude will get you farther than you think. So go ahead and sass it up a little with some vintage va-va-voom. We can hear the wolf whistles already.

Photos:
NYmag.com
NineWest.com
Zappos.com
KariPearls.com