Tux Redux and TAG!

In honor of the 2008 Premio Awards (see tag below!), today's post is dedicated to elegant and cheeky tuxedo-inspired looks!

Think ruffled blouses, tailored jackets, slim pants (maybe with satin side stripes, a la formalwear, as at Roland Mouret), bow ties, and lots of bold black and white!

On the runways (pictures via nymag.com except where noted):

Roland Mouret Resort 2009; first three images courtesy style.com
Balenciaga

Chanel

Ruffian

6267
Givenchy
Givenchy detail, via style.com.

Balmain

Temperley London, courtesy style.com

Conceptually:

The lovely sketch below was done by Premio Award Winner Annabel. See link at end of post!

Real Way:

The Collector, a stylish Aussie lawyer and Premio Award Winner, wears the look two different ways. See link below!

In the stores . . .

Cynthia Steffe keyhole dress.

Go to shopbop.com to purchase!

Alice + Olivia Tuxedo Blazer, at Bergdorf Goodman

Stella McCartney cropped tux jacket. Visit net-a-porter.com.
Rachel Roy Eliza blouse. Visit the Designer Boutique at shopbop.com.

Betsey Johnson black strapless dress, currently half off at bluefly.com.

The following dresses are ALL at
net-a-porter.com, and many of them are on sale!!

Roksanda Ilincic strapless mini dress -- CC loooooves this one!

Michael Kors contrast trim vintage-inspired zipper detail dress

Paul & Joe Sister Elysee gray ruffle placket mini dress

Thread Social bow detail dress

Marc Jacobs belted frock

RM by Roland Mouret Rhea dress
Rachel Roy sleeveless dress

American Apparel opaque two-tone hosiery - tuxlicious!
Chanel leather two-tone carousel boot. Photo via style.com.

TAG!

I was given the wonderful 2008 Premio Award tag by the incomparable
Danz of http://fatalfashionattraction.blogspot.com/
Tina of http://youreverydaystyle.blogspot.com/
and http://www.styledumonde.com/
Thanks, darlings!

The rules for passing on the award:

1) When received, you may post the premio to your blog.

2) Link to the blogger you received it from.

3) Give it to 7 blogs

4) Link to those 7 blogs

5) Leave those seven bloggers a comment about receiving the brilliant premio.

I'm tagging the seven bloggers below because they're stylish, talented, original and inspiring!

Annabel of http://frauda-chanal.blogspot.com/

Brandi at Blicious http://engagedtobengaged.blogspot.com/
Clara http://comewhatmai.blogspot.com/
Daisy Chain Dreams http://daisychaindreams.blogspot.com/
Erin http://erindelacruz.blogspot.com/
Fashion Frenzy http://nikkimaria.blogspot.com/
The Collector http://inprivatecollection.blogspot.com/

Congratulations to all! Hopefully you'll wear one of the above tux looks to the awards ceremony (j.k.)!!

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Late Addition: Thanks to Danz of Fatal Attraction 2 Fashion (link in right hand column and at top of post) for pointing out that the black tie look was recently worn by none other than Miss Universe! Thanks, D!

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Correction: The Collector, whose lovely self-portraits are featured in this post, is Australian, not British. CC regrets the error.

RUFFLES HAVE RIDGES

THE RUFFLE FRONT . . .

Ah, the frippery of the tuxedo shirt!

Luckily, it has been softened in recent seasons, as evinced by this delicate silver Etro ruffled silk blouse, for purchase at bergdorfgoodman.com. Perfect under a fitted blazer!

But the ruffle is not limited to blouses! I adore the bold persimmon-hued Valentino Roma mini-frock pictured at the top of this post. It has a delicate keyhole detail in back. The frilling (ha!) news? It's on sale at neimanmarcus.com!

Check out this kicky Moschino Cheap & Chic white ruffle front sleeveless a-line dress (currently fifty percent off at shopbop.com).

Not sure which came first, but it looks curiously similar to Albino's zipper-front leather version, which Couture Carrie discovered while perusing Italian Vogue online.

If you need something a bit fancier, try Valentino’s lovely ruffle and jewel-adorned gown for Resort 2009 (photo at right via style.com).

ART DECO-RATION

The quintessence of Art Deco style, the Chrysler Building, has inspired many a designer (photo at left by Daniel Benson).

Just see the channeling of the architectural whimsy of the mid-twentieth century in this Rue du Mail Fall 2008 look (pic at right courtesy nymag.com). Couture Carrie adores not only the design of this dress, but its shape - corseted top and full, crinoline-bolstered skirt.... the architecture of style!

A more direct interpretation is offered by Anna Sui, whose deco backless top is pictured in multiple views below. A blouse that is both flattering and a conversation piece? Artful! Go to net-a-porter.com to buy!

PRE-FALL (FOCUS: THE BLOUSE)

Nearly as exciting as viewing the fall collections themselves is surveying the pieces that the world’s finest clothiers select to populate their floors for the upcoming season. It must be a dizzyingly delicious chore to synthesize the runway craziness into a tame, refined collection of apparel that will titillate but not intimidate the Middle American Woman, who does the majority of her shopping on line, particularly if she wants to stay abreast of the season’s trends. Here’s are CoutureCarrie's top picks from the Neiman Marcus pre-fall selection, with a particular focus on a particular feminine fashion staple.


I can almost smell the eggnog already! This Oscar de la Renta ensemble is guaranteed to be the stunner at the office Christmas Party (I know, it’s barely Mother’s Day yet; so sue me if I want to be prepared!). What a perfectly edited choice from the collections: a cream silk organza blouse with accordion-pleated floral appliqués and jewel neckline is paired perfectly with a stunning Dip-Dye Silk Faille Skirt in cardinal red with black dip-dye and floral embroidery at hem. The high waist is accentuated with a black silk sponge covered-buckle crepe belt.


CoutureCarrie simply must take note of several other refreshingly sculpted and adorned blouses chosen by Neiman’s for its pre-fall feature. We'll proceed from most to least fabric . . .


This Stella McCartney pale pink ruffled silk top (at right) is the ideal, wispy piece to take you from the deck of your house on Shelter Island for that last summer bbq right to fall's first fab cocktail parties. Alluringly draped and showing just enough skin, this blouse is tres perf.


Just Cavalli's patterned chiffon blouse (left) in a unique diamond olive ombré print, with a sassy secretary tie at the neck, is going to suit us just fine this fall! Perfect under a little cardie or waist-cinching blazer.



Last, and with the least amount of material but perhaps the most universal appeal, given its beloved grape hue and waist-whittling silhouette, this Tuleh purple ruffled silk blouse (right) has just the right amount of plunge and punch.


One thing's for sure this fall: there's a blouse in the house!


All looks courtesy neimanmarcus.com