Normally I wouldn’t be taken by a clothing label named after a major component of the human vascular system. The D grade I received in freshman biology still haunts me.

Vena Cava is the exception, of course. California-born, Parsons-bred designers Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai’s collection is always smart, flattering and will elicit at least one Where did you get that dress? response at any L.A. cocktail party worth attending.

Confederacy, the Los Feliz boutique owned by Ilaria Urbinati and Danny Masterson, has a cute section on their online store called Last Call, and Vena Cava is among the current 2 A.M. finds with this black pencil skirt/shirt dress.

Price is $264.50, down from $529 (small is the only size left, according to the website). Rare to see Vena Cava sell for this low, if I can shill for one of my favorite L.A. boutiques for just a second.  —Krista Jennings