Ladylike Glamour

A lovely polish has swept the runways for fall, echoing the glamour and conservatism of the 1940s. It is characterized by smart suits, pencil skirts, frilly blouses, crisp tweeds, statement bags, delicate gloves, and an air of confident beauty. Perhaps we might even don a brooch?

CC begins with a runway survey (pics via style.com except where noted):
Christian Dior Couture (top left)

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Chanel Couture
Derek Lam
Javier Larráinzar; photo via Spanish Vogue
Catherine Malandrino Resort 2009

Jean Paul Gaultier Couture handbag and glove detail
Christian Lacroix Couture brooch detail

Now, what to buy [or take out of storage!]:
1) A sleeveless or cap sleeve shift, like this Oscar de la Renta tweed sleeveless dress, available at net-a-porter.com. CC loves the Greek key cutout at the neck!

Or this RM by Roland Mouret Moon dress, a Neiman Marcus exclusive! Go to neimanmarcus.com.

Another fabulously bright (yet still conservative) sheath? Diane von Furstenberg's bold orange Domino dress, at shopbop.com.

CC also likes Isaac Mizrahi’s tuxedo-inspired shift (photo via Spanish Vogue).
This cream-hued Dior cutout sheath is simultaneously alluring and demure. Go to neimanmarcus.com.

If your budget is a bit meeker, opt for Milly's beige rolled collar pencil dress, delicately ribbon belted at the waist. Visit shopbop.com.

If the spaghetti strap is more your style, opt for this Black Halo Bouquet cami dress in topaz. Note the skinny gold self-belt! Go to revolveclothing.com.

Even an asymmetrical dress can fit the ladylike bill, as with this Black Halo one shoulder sheath, in ravishing royal blue. At Neiman Marcus.

For those blessed with sewing skills: fashion your own sheath using Vogue Pattern 1043, a wonderfully dainty full-skirted frock, circa 1953. Available at voguepatterns.com.

2) A pencil skirt, such as this J. Crew Domino jacquard pencil skirt.

Lorick Zeina navy embroidered skirt with yellow silk dupioni slip, at gargyle.com.

3) A conservative heeled shoe, preferably with a pointed toe, like this Manolo Blahnik tasseled wool pump.

Alternatively, invest in a brown or black leather bootie, such as this buckled platform by Jonathan Kelsey for Mulberry. These two photos courtesy style.com.

4) A frilly, girly blouse, either patterned (See by Chloe abstract print silk blouse at right, available at Neiman Marcus) or solid.

Forever 21 Victorian ruffle blouse. Go to forever21.com.

5) A substantial bag. In terms of accessories, it is time to invest in a durable leather shoulder bag that will stand the test of time. Think luxury and rich color, like this smashing Alexander McQueen stamped patent leather tote, for purchase at net-a-porter.com.

CC is also loving this grape-hued Botkier Morgan satchel. Visit singer22.com.

6) Gloves, gloves, gloves! Stay tuned to Couture Carrie for myriad ideas, but here’s a sneak preview:

Moschino leather gloves, available at Saks
Fifth Avenue; photo courtesy elle.com.

7) (optional; for experts only): a brooch! (Valentino Couture at right)

CC is so excited about this trend, and she hopes you are, too, my lovelies!

What's in your wardrobe already and what ladylike pieces are you poised to buy??

Cute as a Button!

The button has returned to its roots, shifting from mere fastener to pure adornment! Did you know that the button was originally used as an ornamentation for belts and other garb in the Bronze Age? It didn't became a necessary fastener until the thirteenth century! For more on the history of the button, go to http://www.cultureschlockonline.com/

On the runways, buttons were big, as at Sita Murt, where a large covered button decorated a simple leather a-line frock. Photo at top right via Spanish Vogue. Visit http://www.vogue.es/.

At other shows, fasteners were more traditional, but still quite decorative, as with the gold military-style buttons at Moschino. Photo at left courtesy style.com.
CC is a huge fan of the button-laden skirt, such as this Alice McCall Cinderella and Prince Charming high waist black pencil with blown ruffles and silver buttons. Go to gargyle.com.

CC also appreciates the edginess of Schiap's button-adorned multi-fold skirt (above), at letrainbleu.com.

Or, less busy and far brighter, try Aysha Mahal’s high-waisted double button stunner, available at switchboutique.com. And YES, yellow is staying around for fall, fear not!
Simple and stunning, this Versace tab front sheath dress will be sure to impress, either at the office or at a cocktail soiree. Go to neimanmarcus.com.

Speaking of Versace, this double breasted salmon-hued coat is now 75% off at eLuxury.com!

Alluringly bod-conscious but conservative enough for work, this Alexander McQueen button detail dress is a keeper! Visit Net-a-Porter.com.
Channel a retro flight attendant vibe with this Fendi bib front mini dress, also at net-a-porter. CC would totally wear this stone-hued frock with a pair of knee high flat boots!!

For a more scandalous take on the button-adorned frock, rock this Bellanina silver button strapless mini dress. Visit asos.com to buy.

If you’d rather button-ize your accessories, you will be delighted to pull on these Chanel leather over-the-knee boots. The two-tone palette and rounded toe keep these thigh-high stunners from reeking of “Pretty Woman”. Photo via style.com.

CC is loving these Christian Louboutin C'est Moi fuchsia shoe boots as well. Purchase at net-a-porter.com.

Simple and elegant, this Barneys New York wrap button clutch is the perfect approach to the trend. Visit barneys.com.

Get buttoned up, darlings!

The Sequin Goes Glam

Happy 4th, darlings! Let the spangling begin!

The sequin, once the dreaded domain of the pageant-goer, is being embraced by the fashion mainstream. Even couturiers are sanctioning the use of the pailette (stress on the second syllable), as it is sometimes called. Think less disco, more runway. Behold the beauty and sophistication of this striped Armani Privé Couture strapless gown; photo via style.com.
Solid silver sequins reigned at Collette Dinnigan. Photo courtesy nymag.com

Putty was the word at Valentino, where a tiered strapless frock glittered unassumingly. Runway photo via nymag.com.

And at Valentino Couture, gold pailettes adorned a fabulously sheer long sleeve gown. Detail photo at right via style.com.

Monochrome sequins were rejected in favor of . . .

leopard spots at Krizia,
. . . Flora at Paul & Joe,

and . . . patchwork at Emilio Pucci (sequined tank dress at right available at Net-a-Porter.com)
How can you get the look without looking like a Vegas showgirl? Keep the sparkled to one piece!

CC adores the understated sparkle of this Narciso Rodriguez sequin embellished gray v-neck shift dress. Visit net-a-porter.com.

For some attention-grabbing footwear reminiscent of both Cinderella and Dorothy, don these Miu Miu multicolor pailette pumps; picture via style.com.
There are lots of cute sequined tops out there, like this Sass & Bide Day Dreamer embellished camisole. Purchase at chickdowntown.com.

Dress this ASOS Premium Label sequin waistcoat up or down. Go to asos.com to buy.

In terms of sequined skirts, keep it short and sweet.

CC is loving this playful pink Moschino Cheap & Chic skater skirt, at net-a-porter.

If you're a bit more conservative, try this Derek Lam cotton tulle skirt with sequin embroidery, currently on sale at eLuxury.com.

For evening, carry a stunning Marc Jacobs Iris fuchsia sequined bag. Go to net-a-porter to purchase this adorable frog-embellished convertible clutch.

Take a basic dress to black-tie heights with Tracy Reese's 3/4 sleeve cardigan, for purchase at eLuxury.com. CC likes the uniqueness of the square sequin!

Sparkle and shine, just like tonight's fireworks!