coutorture --

Shimmer, Shimmer, Cross, Re-Cross

coutorture — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:40:34 -0700

The pantyhose debate continues to rage in small town America and corporate human resources departments. But frankly the right to bare legs (or arms, or even sometimes, shudder, midriffs) hasn't really been a concern for fashion women. So when we started to weirdly crave shimmer nylons in the dead of summer we knew something was up. Our first inkling came as we read Tom Wolfe's eulogy of Clay Falker in the great man's own New York Magazine. Discussing a style piece on Madison Avenue art girls we found ourselves inspired.

They became known as the “art birds.” As late as 1989 Japanese art collectors liked to have these pretty little American girls by their sides in the front rows for the “important” auctions at Sotheby’s and Christie’s. They loved the pretty things’ lithe young legs with their epidermi of sheerest ravage-me nylon shimmering up to the most tumescent swells of their thighs as they crossed and then re-crossed and then re-re-crossed and then re-re-re-crossed them shimmer shimmer shimmer shimmer beneath the downlighters.

Now the fact that we found ourselves inspired by sheer nylons in midsummer by a man who habitually wears suits, albeit white ones, in even the warmest weather seemed fitting. But then today network partner Catwalk Queen admitted that she was a hosiery hoarder. She begins in the context of pre-fall trends and uses fellow community members Kingdom of Style and Susie Bubble as evidence. But its when she admits to loving "the new breed of truly barely-there nudes" we knew we were not alone. We have a few plans in mind for showcasing just how sexy the "shimmer, shimmer, cross re-cross" can be even in the middle of a heatwave.

Make a Pointed Statement at Work

coutorture — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:00:08 -0700

Summer dress codes can make the mind reel, particularly when one works a proper office job. Open toed shoes are naturally one of the trickiest pieces to integrate into an office appropriate wardrobe. These plebian concerns are ones rarely raised by fashionistas. But we feel like we heard the siren call of reason today from network partner Kingdom of Style. Well, OK maybe not reason but certainly a dissenting viewpoint we wish to espouse. Queen Michelle is tired of toe friendly options like open top, peep toe and round toe shoes. She is primed for the return of the pointy toe, and certainly brings up many daring and overbearing shoes. We are going to take this opinion and say we too are tired of toe barring shoes (conveniently leaving out the round toe quip) despite it being midsummer. A pair of pointy toed pumps is exactly what an office bound girl needs to shake things up. Think how sexy you will feel wearing a pair of red spike pumps with pointed toe while everyone else around you is letting it all hang out. Because really just how much cooling help are you getting from having bare toes? Cover them up and strut! A little pinching aside, we think it sends the message that you are ready for business no matter what the weather.

Shout Out: Network Partners to the Rescue

coutorture — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:11:39 -0700

Yesterday we were in a brooding mood as we pondered the effect the economic downturn would have on our fashion choices. However, we've since turned our frowns upside down, as we realized that the fashion world doesn't have to become a virtual strip mall of homogeneous, low-quality goods. While we're still aware of its pitfalls and are sleeping with one eye open, we've found solutions for the fashion-craving girl or guy on a paltry budget. Our network partners show us the way.

We found inspiration in the form of a puffed shoulder, via Kingdom of Style's tale of victory on eBay, where she scored a unique bolero jacket that sent her over the moon with rapturous joy. Her jubilant photo spread with said jacket proved to us that you can still sate your high-fashion appetites. You just have to know where to look. Even if bidding wars aren't your thing, there are many virtual stores on eBay that don't require you to engage in high-speed clicking battles with an enemy mouse. For the uninitiated, these stores allow eBayers to buy and sell goods at fixed prices.

If it's indie accoutrements you crave, Etsy is pretty hard to beat. As a marketplace for independent designers to showcase their wares without the costs associated with a brick and mortar shop, it's a go-to if you're looking for unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that you won't see everywhere else. Plus, it feels good to support a fledgling designer and stick it to our mass-producing culture. Network partner Stereoette makes and sells her own jewelry at her Etsy online store. She also recommends Gavin & Lily, and Holly Stalder.

If it's vintage you seek, our network partners have you covered. Shrimpton Couture is a treasure trove of vintage finds and is currently offering 15% off of everything on the site until May 31. Debutante Clothing lets you know where to find the great vintage styles and tips you off to the best eBay and Etsy shops. Zuburbia always features an enviable vintage pick of the day and provides a well-edited list of links to vintage resources.

Perhaps our economic woes will force us to become better, more resourceful shoppers. There will always be a niche to serve those discerning consumers who won't be satisfied with what traditional retailers try to peddle, and as long as we continue to seek it, the market will respond accordingly.

Kingdom Of Style Shoutout: Absolutely Fabulous

coutorture — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:52:08 -0700

Our English network partner, Kingdom Of Style, has called on Absolutely Fabulous for a dose of nostalgia. Yesterday, Catwalk Queen brought us an outfit inspired by Sweet Valley High, and today, we've put together some Absolutely Fabulous looks to get us through this rainy Tuesday (well, at least in New York and London). Both cult classics feature looks that would embarrass even the most liberal fashionistas. We've taken the high road so that in case you want to relive the Patsy and Edina narrative, you need not also be the laughingstock of the high street. For an Ab Fab video clip and more, be sure to check out Kingdom Of Style's nostalgic post.

Kingdom of Style and Style Bubble Shoutout: Sacred Geometry

coutorture — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:32:39 -0700

The geometry of life peculates through our the shared social consciousness. Golden ratios and fearful symmetries populate our art and literature so it is no small wonder that two of our community partners, Kingdom of Style and Style Bubble, both have posts heavy on geometric fashion. Style Bubble is looking after squares and Kingdom of Style is obsessing over Complex Geometries.

We feel like we should take this opportunity to point out that just a little bit of math makes fashion a lot better. Because in no other place but math do we find the relationship between truth and beauty to be as true or complex. Which given just how ugly a business fashion is, it is no surprise that we like to inject a little beauty via the truth. Isn't the golden ration pleasing to look at even in equation form? And if not then go check out our shoutouts because they certainly found beauty in geometry already.

Visit our other shoutouts here.

Architectural Lust

coutorture — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:21:37 -0800

London-based label Yuchi has Kingdom of Style captivated by architectural details and subtle details. See if the Fall 2008 collection leaves you just as breathless.

If You Feel Like Playing It Safe

coutorture — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 08:37:06 -0800

If you've not a ton of change to drop on the brights this S/S, it's not a bad idea to stock up on some crazy tights. When you're having a brave fashion moment, or have the day to yourself (sometimes the best outfits come when no one's looking), check out these printed tights by Celeste Stein (get it?), brought to our attention by Coutorture partner, Kingdom of Style.