Coutorture

Coutorture Community Must Reads 04/22/09 Earth Day Edition!

coutorture — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:05:06 -0700

The Budget Babe taught readers how to use a clothing swap website called Dig N Swap. ..

Style It recommended eco-friendly beauty offerings from Physician's Formula Organics.

Fashion Pad reported that off-price e-commerce site Gilt Groupe is also celebrating Earth Day.

The Smart Stylist created a round-up of eco-friendly fashion items available online.

"Fall"ing Off Your Shoulders

coutorture — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:25:07 -0700

Certain garments can't help but evoke unfortunate associations. For us the one shouldered style bring up brings up Express tank tops bursting at the seems with sorority girl bosom, beer pong, and this tragic song. But our community just insists on keeping an open mind. Couture in the City has tips on how to wear the one shouldered style (even if her initial examples of the trend make us yawn since umm celebrities) and Fashion Pad has off the shoulder madness. Now we associate this style with warm weather, possibly because of the bare skin, possibly because it can have a bit of a silly spring break vibe to it. But given the finds from Couture In The City and Fashion Pad, In fact, there seems to be a number of sophisticated fall styles that show off your shoulders. The Versace dress pictured above is clearly one of Fall 2008's best dresses. Maybe this is simply a brilliant merchandising designer gambit designed to keep shoulders free for Fall's ubiquitous shoulder bags. Why make money off the dress when you can make even more money off the bag? But Vince, Lela Rose, and Marc Jacobs all have fall styles we could really get into. Which makes us think this asymmetry isn't just about showing off boobs to distract your opponent at bear pong anymore.

Marc Jacobs One-shoulder velvet mini dress - $1,700.00	Blumarine One-Shoulder Jersey Dress - $1,140.00
Jonathan Saunders Arden sash dress - $1,685.00	Theory Brinia Dress- Black - $315.00
Lela Rose One shouldered dress - $895.00	Graeme Black Bushstroke print asymmetric dress - $1,997.00
Norma Kamali black jersey off-shoulder dress - $117.00	Vince One-Shoulder Dress - $235.00

Fashion Pad Shoutout: Accessories Make The Difference

coutorture — Fri, 02 May 2008 07:10:14 -0700

Our network partner, Fashion Pad, reminded us of a simple but valuable fashion trick. Namely, when you can think up nothing but a skirt and tank to wear, accessories make all the difference. Sure it's basic but, the truth is, there are really two camps of fashionistas: those that accessorize to the max (yes, those are the most brilliant four words ever penned in the name of fashion journalism) and those that forget that the extras make the difference. Fashion Pad merchandized a really cute Spring look and, to that end, we've created a gallery of some extra extras that we think are also pretty sharp. Remember this, in every single runway show in every single fashion week from the beginning of time until now, accessories make an appearance. What would Alexander McQueen Spring 08 have been without those Philip Treacy's hats? What would Viktor and Rolf Fall 05 have been without Lily Cole and her pillow? And what (now think about this) would Jackie Kennedy have been without those trademark shades? From couture, to first ladies, to the blogopshere, to the street, accessories make (pardon our French) a hell of a difference.

Straw Fedora - $295.00	Opaque Over-the-Knee Cable Knit Sock - $13.00
Tom Ford - Black Cary Sunglasses - $320.00	Wire Teardrop Earring - $5.80
Jennifer Ouellette Extrawide Turban Headband - $70.00	Jenny Yuen Handbags Gia Chain Purse in Grey - $395.00
Wendy Nichol Python Hoops - $160.00	Calvin Klein Genuine Snake Panel Belt - $40.00
Pyramid Bangle - $5.80

Fashion Pad Shoutout: Post Colonialism

coutorture — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:18:47 -0700

Fashion can often feel like a pesky younger sister. They are always stealing your favorite dresses, shoes, and other goodies to make themselves look better. Pastiche is the ultimate fashion asset when it comes to cobbling together what is new and hot. While this makes patent law in fashion pretty tough, we have to admit it brings up some unfortunate issues of cultural ownership. Which is why when Fashion Pad highlights how popular tribal prints are we alternatively say "ohh pretty" and ouch post-colonial. Identity politics aside there are some pretty great choices out there. We just suggest you don't think to hard about authenticity in dress when you pick them out. Otherwise you are liable to feel a smidge burnt out about just who you are and aren't oppressing with that pretty sun-dress. More Shoutouts Here

Fashion Pad Shoutout: Sandals For Less

coutorture — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:02:40 -0700

Our network partner, Fashion Pad, poked around the newest arrivals at Urban Outfitters to see which affordable sandals might get her through the summer months. We have to say, Urban Outfitters sometimes surprises us. Just the other day we were talking with a Mr. Alex Norden (see many of our original Coutorture editorials for more) about this fact. He reminded us that, outside of New York, Urban Outfitters is still very much the trendsetting empire. And sure, yes, they are and they've got some pretty cute sandals for less than $100, bottom line. And sandals, you know, are meant to be worn through so perhaps the quality argument isn't as pertinent here. And they've Urban Renewal and they stock Tom's so, you know, Earth Day too...This the the bulleted list of things you tell yourself when you walk into that place. All we can say is god bless e-commerce. Check out our spread of the spring Urban Outfitters sandals below.

Steve Madden - Batikk (Bright Multi) - $77.00	Nuer Bangle by SURevolution - $105.00
Charlotte Ronson plum tribal batik voile smocked dress - $203.00	Tribal Corded Necklace - $24.00
Diane von Furstenberg Lali Slinky Jersey Dress - $325.00	Tribal dotted bangle - $25.00
A. Marinelli Women's Tania Sandal - $86.95	Carmen Marc Valvo Ikat Print Silk Dress - $355.00
Sandy Starkman Tribal Print Dress - Misses' - $94.99	Tribal Print Halter Dress - $59.00
Kay Unger Tribal Print Silk Dress - $400.00	Julie Brown Melanie Dress in Tribal - $319.00

Summer In The City Sandal - $28.00	Dolce Vita Gladiator Heel - $150.00
We Who See Petticoat Sandal - $58.00	D Co. Copenhagen T-Bar Sandal - $140.00
Contrast Metallic Gladiator - $34.00	Suede Fringe T-Strap Sandal - $28.00
Matiko Filigree Thong - $98.00	Bernardo Studded Sandal - $145.00
La Ville Wrapped Sandal - $58.00	Snake Print T-Strap Sandal - $38.00
Charlotte Ronson Dani Sandal - $187.00	Colonial Madness Cutout Sandal - $125.00
Leather D-Ring Sandal - $48.00