Coutorture

So Cherry Clichéd

coutorture — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:19:32 -0700

Beauty copy can be a tangle of clichés as writers struggle to find fresh descriptions for minute changes. We almost wish the copy editors would give in and admit it! So when the ne plus ultra of beauty clichés, the cherry, came out in force this Fall the overbearing metaphor seemed almost charming. Its as if everyone agreed to say, eh, why force it? Everyone loves a deep cherry red lip so let's not struggle to call it anything but. Its the beauty copy equivalent of calling a spade a spade. And that refreshing honesty about the limits of descriptors somehow makes us that much covetous. Why strive to over market when we all know that we love it we suppose.

And clearly our community feels the same way as MAC's Cult of Cherries and Laura Mercier's Cherries Noir are getting rave reviews. Beauty 411 loves Cherries Noir for what we might call a sister cliché 40s Hollywood glamor. 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic goes right for the kisser with MAC's Cult of Cherry with a cherry lips entry. Temptalia too goes for cherryliscious lips. Makeup and Beauty Blog continues the trend Mercier's Cherries Noir cherry lips. And because it can't just be about the biggies, So Loverly found a Silken Naturals Cherry Crush lipgloss.

Vie Couture, M.I.S.S Crew, and Nessasary Makeup round up the coverage with general reviews.

Tuttle Your Fancy

coutorture — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:27:04 -0700

LD Tuttle is a dream brand for a certain kind of independent girl that likes her accessories trendy but not immediately recognizable. The fall collection is packed with the requisite grays and off color neutrals, bursting with ankle booties and straps galore, and it has just enough suede to make us swoon. In other words, it has everything a Williamsburg wants without saying screaming I bought this season's "it" shoes. Community member Style Bite is positively drooling over the collection. Thus it is no surprise that Coutorture favorite and Williamsburg (and now Soho) staple Oak has a great stockist for the fall collection. We took the liberty of doing a little round up of the shoes we like best.

LD Tuttle The Serpent Slouch Over the Knee Boot - $785.00	Ld Tuttle The Pygmalion - $578.00
LD Tuttle The Nebula Glossy Ankle Strap Bootie - $545.00	LD Tuttle The Vessel Open Vamp Ankle Bootie - $480.00
Ld Tuttle The Cocoon Ankle Bootie - $495.00	LD Tuttle The Titania Open Toe Ankle Bootie - $475.00
Ld Tuttle Black Nubuck Nebula - $474.00

"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

Fringe Elements

coutorture — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:18:40 -0700

Americans are prone to bouts of personal mythologizing in our mindscape of imagined new frontiers. Manifest Destiny has never left us. This tendency showcases itself no more beautifully than in our fashion. The ideals of the rough rider have not ceased to appeal even in this time of $4 gallons of gas. As we enter August ready to vacation OPEC cannot kill our need to roam, even if favored mode of transit Harley Davidson's Q2 results were not quite up to their usual standards. But even if that bike can't come home with you, one can at least pretend to its aesthetics. And indeed garments from fringed boots to biker jackets are all the rage in our community with The Coveted and Shoeblog weighing in on both topics. Because really what is funnier than a bunch of aging Boomers and striking fashionistas saying they are bad to the bone. No offense George Thorogood but at this point the gig is up. Aging happened! There is no more "Through Darkest America With Truck And Tank" thanks to Eisenhower. The open road is a pleasant experience for families these days, we personally have experienced some fine rest stops in our cross country jaunts, some with Wi-Fi. It is time to accept that much of that culture of establishment bashing has become the establishment, one we are supporting with Louboutin fringed boots and and Member's Only Biker Jackets. And that is OK, its alright to sincerely like these things and be well off so get off your narcissistic aging high horse. Harley is publicly traded, the highway system keeps America's businesses in gear, and even your humble editor plans road trips to wayward third tier American cities of yore just for bar food. Thus we celebrate the fringe elements of Americana with expensive designer clothing that has repurposed the strange ideals of rebellion into thousand dollar jackets.

Cheap Pleats

coutorture — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:06:15 -0700

Pleats are tricky creatures, little bits of design that are hard to construct and even trickier to maintain. The pleat is a type of fold formed by doubling fabric back upon itself and securing it in place. It is commonly used in clothing and upholstery to gather a wide piece of fabric to a narrower circumference. In other words, a pleat is a lot of work and requires plenty of fabric. So why is it that we discovered a profusion of cheap pleats after being turned on to a particular Old Navy sateen pleated skirt thanks to community member Stained Couture. The concept just doens't make sense. Economizing fabric keeps prices down for the fast fashion retailers so why on earth would they choose to construct a garment that requires an excess of fabric? Lord knows cheap fabric isn't going to hold a pleat especially well and we don't even want to get into just how the arrived at the delightful little tucks via some crazy CAD pattern making creation. And yet there they are in a tidy row at retailers from Forever 21 to Old Navy just begging us to add a little kick to down and out wardrobes. We have enough trouble keeping the pleats in our Miu Miu school girl skirt looking crisp and fresh and the damn thing was made by artisans in Italy with only the finest textiles. We can't even imagine the wrinkling, unraveling, and potential disasters that could be involved in cheaply stapled pleats. And yet somehow we want to pair these with our long tanks and giggly insouciantly, yes of course we deliberately bought the cheap versions just think how they will deconstruct so artfully!

Victoria Skirt Item#: 153324 - $34.50	Printed Swing Skirt - $15.80
Silky Floral Bubble Skirt - $19.80	Women's Pleated Satin Skirts - $29.50
Pleated Twill Skirt W/ Belt - $22.80	Women's Pleated Twill Skirts - $26.50
Women's Floral Satin Pleated Skirt - $32.50

Back of My Neck Getting Dirty and Gritty

coutorture — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:14:20 -0700

The dripping doldrums of summer are starting to get to people. Its not just us mumbling to ourselves about how the sun doesn't care. Our community is starting to feel the heat. The Coveted illustrates just how done she is with summer by showing off a pair of sunglasses by Klavers van Engelen that are literally melting. We personally aren't so into making the point that we are sweaty and gross via extravagant accessories but our favorite antidote to the downsides of summering in the city happens to be a very simple garment indeed. When showering becomes pointless because you now you are just going to get moist within minutes the loungey, why bother, just throw something and get out the door garment becomes crucial. And thus you have the falling off your sweating limbs tank top. Why invest in clinical strength deodorant when you can just get a few new shirts. Hot town, summer in the city Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty Been down, isn't it a pity Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city

Unisex Big Tank - $22.00	Monrow Cream/Blk Stripe Tank - $84.00
Lux Banded Bottom Tunic - $38.00	Alexander Wang Keyhole Tank - $304.00
Elizabeth and James Distressed Tank - $88.00	Complex Geometries White Square Hood Tank Dress - $158.00
Sleeveless T - $270.00	Sleeveless T - $235.00
Alexander Wang Tank Top - $115.00

Mostly Holes

coutorture — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:26:52 -0700

We have been leading up to a lace filled fall for some time now. Community member, Style...A Work In Progress has been scouring ecommerce land for the best buys and a few delightful remarks such as this quote from Mary Wilson "it is difficult to see why lace should be so expensive, its mostly holes." We have already established just how this particular material makes so much sense in the here and now so it's interesting to note the trickling appearance of fall deliveries and just how they work with this precious textile. We in particular like the nearly ubiquitous appearance of the practically cliché black lace granny dress. Everyone from Derek Lam to Phillip Lim has one. The dowdy staple brings somehow manages to evoke sexual fetishization and the appearance of frugality, all while suggesting that aren't we naughty for thinking its either. With the pressure to remain practical in a recession that just begs us to remember the precious its going to be an interesting season indeed for lace. Its just too bad the first inklings of the buy are so damn boring. But we are willing to bet its going to sell very well indeed, its so easy to justify the purchase when really its mostly holes anyway.

Derek Lam Metallic lace shift dress - $2,490.00	3.1 Phillip Lim Lace and sequin dress - $895.00
Anna Sui Crochet mini dress - $409.00	Anna Sui Crochet shift dress - $286.00
Matthew Williamson Lace pearl beaded dress - $890.00	Mayle Winter Lace Dress - $655.00
Notte by Marchesa Lace trapeze dress - $850.00	Mischen Lace Chemise Dress - $860.00

The New Denim Skirt

coutorture — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:59:10 -0700

While jeans are the stuff of Americana legends, the denim skirt has not fared as well in the cultural lexicon. Perma-tanned and perma-toned sorority girls and their ilk are the first thing that comes to mind when we are presented with a denim skirt. The ubiquitous mini is the most popular of the denim skirt family which means it is little wonder the fashion pack hasn't whipped out lavish praise for it. The classic Guess mini is so 90s oversexed that popping one on can do a girl no favors, it hasn't even achieved retro ironic status yet. And yet there are denim skirt alternatives lurking at the fringes of fashion. Fashionation is thoroughly convinced the garment is having a revival. The sexy but still long enough to be appropriate Mineral Wash Stretch Bull Denim Slim Skirt from American Apparel is a favorite of ours because of its cut and its blast from the past subtle acid wash treatment. We are also fond of this high waisted skirt from Charlotte Ronson. Its all still a little cute young urban girl by and large but then we suspect that a Marni loving 40 year old Art Director was never going to ask if the denim skirt was coming back or not. But for those of you still young enough we say make a beeline for the sale items and snag one today. Its perfect for August.

Acne Jeans Mace Denim Skirt - $199.00	Mineral Wash Stretch Bull Denim High-Waist Slim Skirt - $54.00
Sass & Bide indigo denim overall high waisted skirt - $150.00	MARC BY MARC JACOBS Denim Skirt (Black) - $178.00
Charlotte Ronson High-Waisted Skirt - $156.00	Acne Jeans Bounce Denim Dress - $369.00
Blank Ombre Stretch Denim Mini - $85.00	See by Chloe Denim Skirt Button Front - $240.00

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Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys

coutorture — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:27:47 -0700

Cowboy boots entered the hipster pantheon as the first ironic product tie in of the Williamsburg lifestyle. Hank Williams and Willie Nelson became totems of the newly sincere grasping Americana that flooded urban enclaves. Soon these emblems gave way to new signs of the American dream, preppy replacing rustic in the hierarchy of cool just as surely as Vampire Weekend wears topsiders. But the cowboy rides again. Its not that we have seen girls sporting boots this summer, we could never figure it out the first time, as stinky feet don't evoke the eroticism necessary to full channel "youth" which is a prerequisite for hipsterdom. Rather, it was a most unlikely product that shifted our perspective. The Dolce & Gabbana Runway Snakeskin Lace-Up Bootie featured in our Island Life photo editorial might seem a strange evocation of the soul of cowboy. But what are these booties if not the cowboy boot reinvented? And lest you are tempted to call us crazy, community member Style...A Work In Progress has cowboys on the brain as well. She tickles us with proper cowboy aphorisms like "real cowboys never run, they just ride away." In which case, maybe the cowboy is riding back again. With booties like the Dolce and Gabana snakeskins you can't run away, you can really only ride a taxicab into the sunset. And if you prefer a more traditional boot we even have a substitute. But we think faded dungarees, a white boyfriend shirt and booties are just the way to bring the cowboy back, ironically and very expensively.

Jeffrey Campbell Atry Snakeskin Boot - $219.00	True Religion Joey Natural Super T in Medium Urban Cowboy - $319.00
Dolce & Gabbana Runway Snakeskin Lace-Up Bootie - $1,195.00	Steven Alan The Boyfriend Shirt - $158.00
Shell Cowboy Hat by Melissa Odabash - $115.00	Michael Kors Oversized buckle waist belt - $425.00
Elizabeth Cole Snake Earrings - $95.00

One Two Buckle My Shoe?

coutorture — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:53:06 -0700

Click it or ticket has been a national slogan for safer driving for some time. But the way we seemed to be obsessed with buckling up in the fashion business you could be forgiven for thinking retailers underwrote the campaign. As community member Shoeblog points out, ornate buckled sandals are a favorite of New York City women this summer and Bill Cunningham has the photos to prove it. The trouble is that these buckled shoes, with or without heels, have made the rounds for so long that even our favorites like Dolce Vita are now on sale and every copy cat on the block from Steve Madden to Guess has shipped a facsimile to market. So while everyone else is saying one two buckle my shoe we are sorely tempted to say three four shut the door on this trend. And if you really want a nice buckled shoe? Can we suggest these Manolo Blahnik Buckle Anklestraps? We will just leave you with a variety of choices below and you can do whatever feels right.

Dolce Vita Gladiator Heel - $150.00	Manolo Blahnik Lg Buckle Anklestrap - $865.00
Nine West Heech - $89.00	Jeffrey Campbell - Brown Top Fringe Sandals - $145.00
Ancient Cognac Le - $139.95	Frye - Dolly Buckle (Black) - $192.00
Eudora - $110.00	Via Spiga 'Bitten' Gladiator Sandal - $198.00
Jeffrey Campbell 'Liza' Gladiator Sandal - $129.95

Rag & Bone Marlon Jacket - $1,125.00	Christian Louboutin For Ever Tina Suede Platform Boots - $1,575.00
See by Chloe Biker Jacket - $1,095.00	Jeffrey Campbell - Women's Brown Suede Crank Boot - $198.00
Members Only Quilted Leather Biker Jacket in Black - $1,100.00	Wrapped Fringe Boot - $69.95
Vince Women's Asymmetrical Biker Leather Jacket - $435.00	Kettle Black - Brown Fringe Boot - $295.00
Celine Leather biker jacket - $3,900.00	Marc by Marc Jacobs Zipper Leather Jacket - $798.00
Fringed Suede Boots by Antik Batik - $310.00	Mike & Chris Rowan Biker Jacket - $242.00