Short Sleeves are a bit of alright!

Couture Carrie is so confused as to whether she should keep posting summer looks, or dive headlong into fall, so: let's split the difference! Today's focus is the short sleeve - a lovely way to tolerate wearing a jacket on these steamy July days!

On the runway for Fall 2008, Bottega Veneta showed some gorgeous cap sleeve suit jackets. The monochrome looks, like the heathered maroon combo at top left, are incredibly streamlined and ladylike. Note the little gloves!!
CC particularly enjoys the unique neckline and angular "ruffles" Bottega's gray ensemble.

These two Fall 2008 runway shots courtesy style.com.

Another way to sport the look? As instructed by Diane von Furstenberg, layer a short-sleeve cardigan over a frilly long-sleeve blouse. What a wonderful way to get away with wearing a sheer shirt at the office! This runway look is surprisingly wearable - no translation needed! Just add a pencil skirt and a skinny belt and you're all set!

Photo via nymag.com.

Instead of a sweater, toss a light jacket or a short-sleeve belted "safari" shirt over that blouse; CC likes the look of the printed chiffon peeking out from under this short sleeve Derek Lam coat. Go to bergdorfgoodman.com to buy.

Even topcoats have gone short-sleeved! CC is drawn to this Dsquared2 crystal encrusted raincoat, available at eLuxury.com.
If you are reluctant to buy a short-sleeve coat, perhaps you might substitute a tiny cape? On the runway, Blugirl's winter white capelet stood out.

CC really appreciates the inverted triangle shape created by the capelet -- makes your bottom half look infinitely slimmer by putting the focus on a bold shoulder!
Photo at left via nymag.com.

For around twenty dollars, get the capelet look in bold orange at forever21.com (Forever 21 Lindsay triple button trapeze jacket pictured at left).

There are some amazing options for short sleeve dresses, like this stained-glass inspired printed Diane von Furstenberg Lionel flared silk jersey dress, at intermixonline.com.

And flower prints are here to stay for fall, but in a darker palette. CC is really digging this Roberto Cavalli floral print dress, available at neimanmarcus.com.

Also loving this Catherine Malandrino Vendange print dress, for purchase at Net-a-Porter.com. This one feels versatile; wear it this summer with sandals, and come fall, with opaque tights and booties!

If your look is more casual, opt for a crisp white belted mini-trench, like this Adidas by Stella McCartney. At shop adidas.com.

As ever, CC saves the best for last: How genius is the coatdress? Is it a jacket? Is it a frock? No need to decide! Behold, the beauty and impeccable craftsman-ship of this Alexander McQueen bouclé coat dress. At Neiman Marcus.

That's the long and short of it!

Skirting the Issue

BREEZY, COLORFUL A-LINE MINIS

As Couture Carrie delved into her research for this post, a realization hit: the skirt is nearly extinct! Whereas dresses and shoes number in the hundreds on all our fave shopping sites, most had only a handful of minis for summer. Let us bring back the skirt before it's too late! Donning a colorful a-line mini is the ideal way to stay cool on a steamy summer day, and these ones transition easily from day to night with a change of sandals and accessories!

Chloe's bridge line has some really cute offerings in this area. At upper left, See by Chloe graffiti silk twill skirt.

At right, See by Chloe patch pocket silk twill mini. Visit intermixonline.com.

A wonderful (and more affordable) way to wear those iconic retro prints we all adore: Emilio Pucci Cosmo print mini skirt (at left). Go to net-a-porter.com.

For the pattern-shy, there is this gorgeous [albeit, tiny] silk satin bow-tie border skirt by Alexis Mabille, for purchase at Jeffrey New York. The mustard-yellow will really flatter those tantalizingly tan gams, girls! Photo at right courtesy elle.com.

A practically fail-safe way to wear horizontal stripes? In small doses, as with this M Missoni tie-back skirt (at left), available in several colors at searle.com.

Even briefer and more flirty is this Sonia Rykiel pleated skirt in cotton candy brights. Couture Carrie particularly likes this one, as the knit material means it will still be wearable come fall with a bold pair of opaques. Photo at right via elle.com.

Though stores are practically overflowing with sale items this time of year, there are some options that are very wallet-friendly to begin with.

Forever 21 has a bunch of cute a-line and pleated skirts, such as the tropical floral (right) and abstract geometric print (above) minis shown here. Go to forever21.com.

Remember, lovelies: skirt rhymes with flirt, so slather on some self-tanner, cross your legs at the ankle when seated, and strut your stuff!