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• June 9, 2009
• Under The Influence

From Babe to Brill: The Evolution of Socialite Style

By Kelley Hoffman, Design by Joshua Covarrubias

Socialite, social, society—the words may change, but New York has always had its crowd of well-heeled women who never fail to bring the wow factor to a good party. But today's toniest group of Tribute wearers weren't the first pretty young things to light up a room (and cause a scandal or deux). Over the past half century, there have been a handful of well-bred dames who paved the way for all the Tinsleys and Olivas who followed. And did they know how to dress? Hell yeah! We could all learn a thing or two from Babe and Tina. From the '50s to today, here's how social history was made.