Serious Cause, Serious Chic

The Padres Contra El Cancer's 25th Annual Gala at The Hollywood Palladium is a venerable cause that brings out some dedicated heavy-hitters. And, incidentally, the clothes were pretty rockin'...just saying.

Dressing for a serious benefit has gotta be a challenge: you kind of have to look good, but you don't want to overshadow the purpose of the event, or be too glam. Lisa Vidal has the balance down.

Or, like Demi Lovato, you can just ignore that last injunction.

I feel like this is the kind of event where people went for their go-to "cocktail" ensembles. Like Constance Marie.

Or Josie Loren!

Or, for that matter, Felicity Huffman.

Eva LaRue scoffs at antiquated post-Labor Day injunctions.

The underdress is for glam. The overlay, for serious.

[Images via Getty]