By Laurie Montoya

Cinderella was such a lucky girl. Never mind the ashes and all that drudgery: When it was time for the ball, she had a fairy godmother. The rest of us are not as fortunate, and have to rely on the inspirations of mere mortals for our formal engagements. Thankfully, this spring designers demonstrated they were capable of wielding their magic wands to create exquisite formal frocks capable of turning ugly stepsisters into beguiling goddesses.

This spring, think color 

See Our Photo Gallery: Glide Into a Colorful Evening

– if you want to be pretty in pink, there’s no better time, but you might also consider gowns in shades of dove gray, soft turquoise and lemon yellows. Sorbet colors not your thing? Some of the most eye-catching dresses for spring and summer black-tie events are in hues of bold red, vibrant orange and fuchsia.

If you have a tendency to gravitate to black for formal events, think about straying outside that proverbial box to try a dress in navy, chocolate brown or dark gray. You’ll still maintain your conservative style with unexpected – albeit subdued – color.

Besides color, the most intriguing statements sashaying down the runway were defined by their structure and silhouette. Imagine layers of ruffles, origami influences and glamorous Grecian draping and you’ve got an idea of how designers are using their skills to create wearable works of art.

Whether you are dressing for a black-tie wedding, springtime gala or anniversary dinner with your favorite date, here’s a peek at what’s in store for you if you’re looking for a great formal dress to add to your warm weather arsenal.

Photo of Vionnet gown by Evans Caglage/Fashion at the Park at NorthPark Center, Spring 2008