In a way, said Julie Gilhart, the fashion director of Barneys New York, "the dress is like the ultimate piece of clothing," to suit the velocity of contemporary life. While she was once a person who approached her closet the way a D.J. might, Ms. Gilhart said, she now "throws on a dress, and when I go traveling I put in five dresses, a long cardigan and a coat."

Certainly it's much more efficient. "Instead of spending days thinking about your wardrobe," she said, "you can concentrate on who you're voting for for president."

Labels: girly stuff