Elegance and a Touch of Sleaze Describe Opening Night Costumes for "Dancing with the Stars"

A lot of people watch ABC's hit television show "Dancing with the Stars" as much for the costumes as the dancing. They are enthralled with all the chiffon, lace, lame, fringe, glitter and sequins. Then, of course, there those skimpy, barely there numbers that the pros often wear.

The opening night of "Dancing with the Stars" did not fail to provide the much-needed allure that fans are used to. It all started with the strapless black satin architectural gown donned by hostess Brooke Burke. She never looked lovelier or more skinny.

Disney princess Chelsea Kane started the night off for the performers in a blush chiffon gown with bodice sequins. It was demure and yet a little sexy at the same time. That's not an easy feat to pull off, but then the ABC wardrobe staff are not slouches.

Chesea's partner, Mark Ballas, stuck with a black and white tux that fit him like a glove. It was the perfect choice for their first rate foxtrot.

Talk show host Wendy Williams proved she was all woman in a sequined champagne short dressed embellished with gold sequins. The plunging neckline showed off her amply endowed assets and the short skirt let her gorgeous gams do the talking.

In contrast, pro partner Toni Dovilani stuck with basic black and white. It suits his charismatic character.

Pro Kym Johnson dazzled in a bodysuit of white lace trimmed in golden fringe. Let's face it, if we had her body, we'd flaunt it too.

In contrasting brown and white, her partner Hines Ward looked playful and fun but still dapper at the same time. Maybe it was those cute little gold sequin suspenders.

Stunning Petra Nemcova played it sweet and demure in a show-stopping lavender gown with spaghetti straps. The material flowed beautifully as she glided across the floor. The flower in her hair helped set the tone for romance.

Her partner, Dmitry Chaplin stayed true with black and white. However, he allowed his shirt to do an occasional a peek-a-boo with his chest.

Pro Chelsie Hightower went for the glitz and glam in a short black sequin costume also adorned with black fringe. It was befitting her youth and incredible energy.

Her partner Romeo stuck with a black suit that showed his youthful physique and allowed him to move with elegant ease. His diamond earring added that hint of masculine playfulness.

Pro Anna Trebunskaya looked every bit the femme fatale as she danced around the floor in a magenta gown worthy of Ginger Rogers herself. Who would have thought a redhead could pull off such a rich, vibrant color?

Her celebrity, Sugar Ray Leonard, looked amazing in a black tux with a matching magenta shirt and black tie. Sugar never looked so good before and without all the calories.

Former Playmate Kendra Wilkinson seemed destined to keep that Playboy look going in a short turquoise number covered with sequins and gems. It dipped in the right places and went as high as you dare go during prime time.

Her pro partner, Louis Van Amstel stuck with black pants and well fitted white shirt. Yum!

Pro Karina Smirnoff is not one to ever play it safe. Her blush pink dress had cutouts at the midriff and other strategic places but remained long and flowing where that was called for too.

Her star, Ralph Macchio, chose a black tux with white shirt and bow tie. He looked dapper and elegant, which suited him just fine.

Pro Cheryl Burke went for black with a hint of leather and chains. A silver sequin bra peeked out to add just a bit more punch and pizzazz.

Cheryl's partner Chris Jericho focused heavility on the black leather. It suited him well and skimmed over his muscles without leaving much to the imagination.

Lacey Schwimmer chose a fairly demure costume for her. The metallic gunmetal colored gown flowed as she danced and flashed in the ballroom lights.

Her star, Mike Catherwood, went for a relatively tame black glitter suit. It was immaculately tailored to his physique.

Kirstie Alley played it safe with a black knit dress that didn't have a lot of pop or sizzle. It still allowed the actress to make somehwat of a statement.

Her partner, Maksim Chmerkovsky, went more charcoal gray in color with sequin embellishments on the collar and sides. He chose not to wear a shirt, perhaps to irritate judge Len Goodman.

The stars looked great as always and set the tone for another wonderful year with "Dancing with the Stars".