Houston’s Most Fashionable Affair Draws a Hot Crowd Dressed To Thrill — Why Best Dressed Goes Far Beyond the Runway
When Audience Participation Takes On New Meaning
By Shelby Hodge //
The PaperCity Philanthropy in Fashion Houston Best Dressed Luncheon 2026 proved once again to be the hottest fashion ticket for fall, if not the entire year, in Houston. Dress to impress or dress to kill — take your pick. The midday affair presented the pinnacle of style in the Bayou City.
It was a true fashionista’s moment as some 800 women and sprinkling of men filled the ballroom of the Post Oak Hotel, heads swirling as each contemplated the fabulous fashions, the fashion faux pas and the costumes.
Aside from the fashion focus, the purpose of the event including introduction of the 2026 Houston Best Dressed honorees and the Neiman Marcus fashion presentation, centered around raising funds for March of Dimes and its mission of improving access to maternal and infant health care for all. This valiant effort produced an impressive windfall with the record proceeds reaching $1.4 million.
The honorees and their chosen ensembles left an unforgettable impression. That would be Ann Ayre and Amanda Boffone both opting for Dior; Erica Littlejohn Burnette in Carolina Herrera; Myrtle Jones in Schiaparelli; Ellecia Knolle in Proenza Schouler gown topped with a jacket by Prada; Amy Pierce in Chanel; Susan Plank in a Chanel skirt and Carolina Herrera blouse; Leigh Smith and Allison Thacker both in Carolina Herrera. (First-time Best Dressed honoree Gillian Sarofim was out of the country and could not attend.)
Applause for Carolina Herrera as the label turned out to be the most favored among the honorees. Interestingly, Oscar de la Renta a perennial favorite of Best Dressed sweethearts was missing from this year’s fashion lineup.
Kudos to the Houston Best Dressed Hall of Fame honorees returning for the fundraiser. Among them were Leticia Trauber, Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Cynthia Allshouse, Linda McReynolds, Vicki West, Janet Gurwitch, Brigitte Kalai, Dr. Sippi Khurana, Lilly Andress, Gina Gaston, Hallie Vanderhider, Anita Smith, Danielle Ellis and many more.
SHOP
PC Seen: Anne Neeson and Amalia Stanton, representing Presenting Sponsor Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital; plus Shawn Stephens, Stephanie Tsuru, Ceron, Lauren Randle, Ileana Treviño, Stacey Lindseth, Tony Bradfield, Rose Cullen, Jennifer Allison, Dr. Alice Mao Brams, Alicia Smith, Rose Cullen, Bethany Buchanan, Sneha Merchant, and Bobby Dees.
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