90210 star Jessicas Lowndes takes the plunge as demure Biel reveals little at charity gala

A tale of two Jessicas: 90210 star Lowndes takes the plunge as demure Biel reveals little at charity gala
By Amelia Proud

With the current trend for demure clothing at a peak, it could be considered to be conservative to dress in a sexier, more revealing fashion these days.

But when you're 23 years old and in your physical prime like 90210 beauty Jessica Lowndes, it would almost be a crime to truss up in pussy-bow blouses and pencil skirts.

Hence the fact that she looked incredible - if slightly dated - at the 6th Annual Charity: Water Ball benefit at the 69th Regiment Armory on December 12, 2011 in New York City tonight.

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Long and short of it: Jessica Lowndes poured her curves into a low-cut mini dress while Jessica Biel opted for a rather more demure look tonight at the 6th Annual Charity Ball benefiting 'charity:water' in New York

Lowndes donned a plunging leopard-print minidress that seemed to have some assistance from that old favourite of starlets past, the push-up bra.

At the ripe old age of 29, however, her namesake Ms Biel is more conscious of showing off her fashion nous than her winning curves.

She managed to embrace the trend for vintage attire, which was sparked by television series like Mad Men and Downtown Abbey and isn't likely to go away with films such as My Week with Marilyn, The Great Gatsby and The Iron Lady all laying claim to the fashion world's imagination.

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Suited and booted: Biel poses with charity: water founder Scott Harrison at the historical 69th Regiment Armoury building

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Casual style: Earlier in the day the Hollywood star was spotted shopping in
Soho in the Big Apple

But Biel sacrificed little in the name of glamour in her stunning black lace gown, which evoked a Spanish theme - interesting as it's one of the few European countries that Biel, of French, German and English heritage, doesn't have a link with.

Earlier in the day it had been a different story as The A Team star shopped up a storm in New York's Soho in ripped jeans, puffa vest, sensible boots and hat.

Justin Timberlake's on-off squeeze still looked delectable, however, as she prepared for her big night, in which she presented an auction with actor and director Tyler Perry, 42.

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Adding some colour: Actress Sophia Bush slipped into a colourful orange top teamed with a print dress while food critic Katie Lee looked moth-watering in green

The demure theme was adhered to by Sophia Bush, who was a riot of colour in orange and multi-colour on her skirt, and food critic Katie Lee in a fetching emerald tone.

Perry, who is working with Kim Kardashian on the awkwardly named Marriage Counsellor, is a long-time patron of the fabulous charity, and led the auction for the night.

He was hugged at one point by founder Scott Harrison, and raised a toast with co-host Biel to the great work pioneered by party planner Harrison, who vowed to improve the condition of drinking water in Africa after visiting the continent.

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Taking a turn: Biel joined Perry on stage during the evening as she took
a twirl in her Spanish-inspired dress

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Ball belles: Salman Rusdie's 'friend' Devorah Rose, Emma Snowden-Jones
and Caren Brooks all attended