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!

It's official; I'm obsessed

Suggestions on how to wear that 70s look . . . fabulous retro-licious dresses, all available at shopbop.com:

Above: Milly brown and orange Tiki backless silk jersey tunic dress . . . the color scheme of this sexy side-slit number is decidedly seventies in spirit!

Right: T-Bags kelly green voile print deep v neck dress with side tie waist - so perf to throw on over your bikini, or pair with skinnies for a night on the town! This color is one of CC's faves.

See by Chloe silk shoulder pleat dress. What a unique print! And CC is loving the easy shape, blousy sleeves, and on-seam pockets.

Nieves Lavi green diamond print sleeveless dress with tie waist. Ideal for those sweltering city summer afternoons. Would really work with gold gladiator flats!

Catherine Malandrino pergola print cowl neck sweater dress. We'll file this one away for fall . . . will be so dreamy with opaque tights, knee-high boots, and a swingy a-line coat!

MILITARY CHIC

Now entering a militarized zone . . .

There are two ways to wear the ever-evolving military look. First, wear uniform-inspired garb. Second, go camo.

We'll get fatigued to start. This is a more subtle way to sport the look, and it's virtually timeless. See, for example, this Burberry Shirebrook trench jacket, for purchase at net-a-porter.com. Big price tag? At ease, soldier: it's an investment piece!

Anecdotal evidence: Couture Carrie bought a gorgeous, fitted, gold-button black St. John duster ten years ago, and whether Vogue and Elle deem military styles "chic" or "so last season", CC wears her fabulous coat without reservation . . . and it always gets a slew of compliments!

Or one can simply wear the colors to look the part: olives, browns, and taupes. Just look at Kristen Stewart in this recent photo for Vanity Fair - officer meets pin-up girl!

Jean Paul Gaultier did the camo look best this spring, with fanciful striped tights and deep greens in abundance, for everything from bustiers to feathered skirts. Runway shots at left and right via nymag.com/fashion. Fall in!

Couture Carrie feels that the optimum way to wear camouflage is in unexpected places. Witness the whimsy and luxury of these Manolo Blahnik Sedaraby jeweled d'Orsay pumps, for purchase at Bergdorf Goodman. Absolutely fierce!

When we heard rumors of its existence and saw previews at the Takashi Murakami exhibit in Brooklyn, we knew it would be an instant classic: the coveted and notoriously scarce Louis Vuitton Monogramouflage Tote. This handbag image via KarenKooper.com.

As you were!