Corsets and Bustiers and Lingerie, oh my!

Couture Carrie’s favorite fashion medium has gone from binding necessity to stylish accessory. To begin with, CC provides a visual historical reference: this P.D. Original black satin corset made in Belgium, c. 1890. Go to antiquedress.com. For more scholarly writing on this topic, read the wonderfully encyclopedic recent post by Fellow Fashionista Danz: http://fatalfashionattraction.blogspot.com/2008/06/define-and-enhance.html and refer to the Victoria and Albert Museum website http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/features/corset.

On the runways, the corset (traditionally laced and strapless) has transformed into the bustier, an equally sexy and female form-flattering garment.

Derek Lam's gray wool top is brilliantly in step with this fall's feminine glamour!

Note how this snap-front Etro navy bustier is worn over a long sleeve shirt! Photo via French Vogue.

Sometimes, delicate lacing is a point of departure for other garments, as with these Jean-Paul Gaultier "corset pants"; photo via nymag.com.

Zac Posen red bow bustier; detail photo via Style.com

Verrier white lace bustier, Spring 2007, via nymag.com

Wunderkind pink satin bustier, Spring 2008, via style.com

Roberto Cavalli Fall 2008 floral detail bustier, via nymag.com

HOW TO WEAR:

There is a transformative power in this garment; wearing a corset top can't help but make you sit up straighter, strut a bit more, and feel overwhelmingly confident and sexy! So if you haven't worn a bustier lately, give it a chance to work its magic! The corset can be worn in the traditional manner, as an undergarment. Try a Deborah Lindquist bustier, like this pale green one, at Faire Frou Frou.
More often, however, the bustier is a layering piece, meant to be admired, rather than hidden away under one's petticoats! It can be worn as a tank top or a vest, either over or under other pieces.

CC is absolutely enamored of this Gaetano Navarra cashmere felt corset for Fall 2008. Photo at left courtesy elle.com.

Another fanciful wool corset recently appeared in W Magazine: How incredible is this black cashmere Koi Suwannagate bustier?? Available at Fred Segal Los Angeles. (Note that a red cotton Rosamosario corset is worn as a skirt in this photo!)

Get the look for less at victoriassecret.com. This black corset top, with boning for shaping, is just $16.99! CC loves how it's layered over a tee!
Modern corsets may even have sleeves, as evinced by Ronald Abdala's top, pictured below. Visit ronaldbdala.com.
Of course, the bustier dress is always a hot item. The original and best? Dolce and Gabbana, of course! Get this D&G stretch sateen frock in Peacock at Bergdorf Goodman.
Another stunner for fall, available at Neiman Marcus, is Roberto Cavalli's magenta and black satin corset dress.
This adorable madras plaid bustier dress is on sale for a mere $34.99 at Victoria's Secret!

Whether as underwear or outerwear, the corseted top is alluring and flattering . . . Here is CC's short list of the best online lingerie purveyors:

http://www.fairefroufrou.com/
http://www.figleaves.com/us/home.asp
http://www.fredericks.com/
http://www.glamorousamorous.com/
http://www.kikidm.com/shop/home

http://www.shoplingerielounge.com/

http://www.myla.com/us/
http://www.stockingirl.com/
Or, scan ebay from time to time . . . CC recently snapped up this pink Catherine Malandrino top and La Petite Salope bustier dress for about 75% percent off retail price!

SO:
Where do you buy your bustiers? Who are your favorite designers for this type of item? How much would you be willing to pay for the perfect piece? Will you be wearing corseted tops this fall?
xoxox CC

The New Plaid Dress

Plaid frocks these days are less lumberjack, more Scottish princess. Be sure to check out Jeffrey Banks’ new book, Tartan: Romancing the Plaid. Photo at right courtesy amazon.com.

There are so many amazing tartan dresses to choose from! But since we will have to delay the gratification of wearing most of these wonderful confections until fall, CC thought she'd provide at least one summer plaid: this Badgley Mischka Platinum Label strapless silk twill dress, available at neimanmarcus.com.

D&G stretch wool tartan bustier dress, at Neiman Marcus

D&G double plaid runway look . . . tights, too! Photo via nymag.com.

Just Cavalli Fall 2008 Collection . . . leopard tights, tartan frock & blazer - dizzyingly delicious!

2 runway looks from Martin Grant's Fall 2008 show - both belted at the waist; one short and red, the other long and dark, with a fabulous SATC-ish flower.

CC loves the bias cut of these gowns! Pictures via nymag.com.

Paul and Joe side-gathered pouf-sleeve minidress

Burfitt Cony multi-plaid dress, at creaturesofcomfort.us

Asprey Fall 2008 ruffled plaid dress; photo courtesy nymag.com

Wunderkind satin dress. Photo via elle.com.

Peter Som strapless taffeta frock, via nymag.

Ralph Lauren Fall 2008 plaid dress; go to ralphlauren.com to purchase.

Preen sheer plaid dress; runway shot courtesy nymag.
Dolce & Gabbana floor length plaid overlay organza gown, photo via nymag.com/fashion (you guessed it - CC's favorite!)

Which tartan suits you??

FAB FALL FOOTWEAR!

Couture Carrie got so excited while exploring wedding shoe options (see Postmodern Bride post below!), she couldn't resist sneaking in a sampling of the amazing footwear on the horizon for fall.

As ever, shoes are becoming quite seasonless, such that labeling many of these "autumn" is a misnomer.

For example, the pale pink of this Balenciaga patent and mirrored leather Escarpins bootie feels more springlike in nature. Photo at right via style.com.

There is certainly no shortage of patterned pumps for the upcoming season. How perfectly plaid are these

Bruno Frisoni slingbacks? Picture at left courtesy French Vogue.

Are any of CC's readers not instantly enamored of these Manolo Blahnik striped pumps? The buckle detail and sensible heel height make them unique!

If you are in the market for a serious statement shoe, look no further than this Miu Miu leather pump with sculpted heel and shell detail. CC loves the juxtaposition of dark heft and sculptural, winged lightness here. And the navy/black color scheme is definitely on trend for fall. Photo at left courtesy style.com.

In the same color family, but with even more fanciful construction, is this Chloé leather and crocodile sandal with leaves and rosebud detail. The shielded heel, covering a delicate stiletto, is a true innovation. CC doesn't know whether to (a) encase them in a vitrine for display in the foyer; (b) worship them or (c) wear them??

MADRAS ABOUT YOU

What a perfect day!

A quick bite of fashion sustenance before you hit the beach, darlings:

Summer Plaids!

I am absolutely enamored of Anna Sui's layered gingham dress, now half off at net-a-porter.com. Ideal for that Montauk wedding!

For your Martha's Vineyard beachgoing pleasure (and, doubtless, to the delight of many a male onlooker), here is Victoria's Secret sexy/preppy madras

balconet bikini top and double-string bottom. Go to victoriassecret.com.

Lastly, pair Matthew Williamson's striped fitted plaid jacket with a clean white tank and some lightweight JBrand skinnies, and you'll be good to go for dinner in Bridgehampton! Also at net-a-porter. Enjoy this gorgeous day in sassy summer style, gals!