Gonna go BACK in time!

CoutureCarrie is loving backless dresses, and lucky for us, all three of these beauties are currently on sale at Neiman Marcus! Counterclockwise from top, Marc Jacobs chiffon-sleeve silk wrap dress; Rachel Roy jeweled cutout dress (do I detect some side-boob?); Valentino Roma bow-back dress.

HEAD GAMES

The options are limitless for crown adornment these days. While Mary-Kate Olsen was lambasted for wearing the Marc Jacobs Jazzercise-inspired headband pictured above in a recent W Magazine spread, she was ahead of the fashion curve and should be applauded! Below, HEADGEAR REDUX:

THE TIARA: overused by brides, pageant winners, and royalty; underused by the rest of us! Would that we could get our hands on the fabulous pieces worn at the recent Chanel Couture show (runway detail photo at right courtesy style.com)!

HEADBAND: the Stacey Lapidus three-row crystal band (above left) is very Blair Waldorf - try it! Go to http://staceylapidus.com/insideha1.cfm. Couture Carrie also enjoy the SATC-ified the Jane Tran flower/feather version, pictured at left.

WRAP: whether DIY or J. Crew "no-hassle" (pictured at right and available in a variety of preppy patterns at jcrew.com), the headscarf is an excellent summer solution, whether your problem is overheating, frizz, or chemically-treated, sun-phobic tresses.

I LOVE THE 80s

It’s official . . . they’re baaaaaaack. To jog your memory, see the cinematic wonders of the decade at http://www.fast-rewind.com/. Dress the part with fluorescent socks; Madonna bracelets; Jordache jeans; Vans, jellies, tricked-out Nikes or patent pumps; leg warmers or stirrup pants; Wayfarers; and dangly bright plastic earrings. While the iconic pieces pictured in the collage above are all "vintage", the rest of this post consists entirely of CURRENT fashion trends, all nods to the past but available NOW!

Some famous 80s labels that have recently reinvented themselves include: Lacroix, Halston, and Norma Kamali, and Ossie Clark. Other 80s trends that have been resurrected? Sperry Topsiders; Moon Boots; Tretorns; bodysuits; lanyards; and side ponytails. And don’t forget about Member Only jackets like this delightmare gold version at right, for purchase at traceyross.com !

An undeniably retro look by Enrico Coveri (photo at right taken from Italian Vogue’s coverage of the fall runway shows in Milan) is the modern embodiment of the 80s bright minidress, tights and booties trend. Awesome!

Ra Creations reminds us simultaneously of feather-trim roach clips and friendship bracelets with this Marykate peacock hair clip, for purchase at shopbop.com. Dope!

Don't forget your leggings! Whether they are leopard or lace, like Kova and T's (pictured at right and available at ronherman.com). Apparently Lindsay Lohan, determined to see that her favorite clothing item remains on the radar, has jumped on the legging-design bandwagon (though I have yet to see her creations in any store). Rad!

Of course, we all know how to channel the 80s with some fab retro sneakers. But how to go dressy, you ask? Darlings, fear not: the deliciously decadent footwear for Fall 2008 will keep you right in step with the Wall Street crew.

Just check out these fluorescent pink Emilio Pucci patent leather lace-up boots (at right).

Or, even more tragically hip, Christian Louboutin's ridiculously patterned leather and suede high-heel boots (at left). Both photos via style.com. Bitchin'!

I totally did a Jane Fonda double-take when I saw this photo of a performance by Girls Aloud at dailymail.com/uk. Holy leotards, Batman!

Well, darlings, it is true: girls just wanna have fun!

SURRY WITH THE FRINGE ON TOP

ADORNMENT, FLAPPER-STYLE

From gowns to handbags, fashion is on the fringe! The most fanciful (and doubtless, expensive) takes on the trend were those sashayed down the runway for Bill Blass's Fall 2008 Collection. The dalmatian-spotted mini-dress (left) and frilly black-fringed white gown (above) are show-stoppers! Photos via nymag.com.

A more achievable way to wear the trend? This sexy Elizabeth and James French lace minidress, for purchase at Neiman Marcus. Scandalous!

If you dare not don the fringed dress, you can carry the look with an adorable clutch. I am absolutely smitten with this silver Easter-grass strewn Roger Vivier Exotica bag, featured in style.com's coverage of accessories for Fall 2008. Even more fanciful, with a splash of teal, is Salvatore Ferragamo's tiered mesh fringe frame bag with resin barrel closure. Handbag pictures courtesy style.com. Now shake it like a Polaroid picture!

RUFFLES HAVE RIDGES

THE RUFFLE FRONT . . .

Ah, the frippery of the tuxedo shirt!

Luckily, it has been softened in recent seasons, as evinced by this delicate silver Etro ruffled silk blouse, for purchase at bergdorfgoodman.com. Perfect under a fitted blazer!

But the ruffle is not limited to blouses! I adore the bold persimmon-hued Valentino Roma mini-frock pictured at the top of this post. It has a delicate keyhole detail in back. The frilling (ha!) news? It's on sale at neimanmarcus.com!

Check out this kicky Moschino Cheap & Chic white ruffle front sleeveless a-line dress (currently fifty percent off at shopbop.com).

Not sure which came first, but it looks curiously similar to Albino's zipper-front leather version, which Couture Carrie discovered while perusing Italian Vogue online.

If you need something a bit fancier, try Valentino’s lovely ruffle and jewel-adorned gown for Resort 2009 (photo at right via style.com).

That's a seahorse of a different color!

Cutesy stuff like this kinda makes CoutureCarrie nauseous, but for those who want to channel a little prepitude without wearing Lilly Pulitzer, here are some adorable seahorse clothes and accessories . . .

Clockwise, from top left: Letarte seahorse bikini, at figleaves.com; Seaton tee, at shopbop.com; J. Crew bead necklace, at jcrew.com; Giles & Brother stud earrings, on sale at shopbop; Eva Franco navy tank dress, at shopstyle.com.

FASHION, CUBED!

Accessories for fall, which are reviewed and photographed extensively at style.com, are gleaming the CUBE!

Christian Louboutin's purple suede bracelet-strap handbag (upper left) channels Rubik, as does Pierre Hardy's moiré velvet sandal with cube details.

And Hardy's leather clutch (lower right) evokes another 80s fave: the Atari classic, Q-bert!

It's hip to be cube!

All photos via style.com.

DIY ASYMMETRICAL LOOKS

It's sew time!

The Resort 2009 collections proved that the one-shoulder look is still alive and well.

What better way to channel this lovely,

seasonally appropriate and utterly chic look (as evoked at both Oscar de la Renta, top left, and Calvin Klein, bottom left) than by re-creating it yourself at a fraction of the cost?

If you have any sewing skills whatsoever, simply purchase VOGUE Pattern V8387 and fashion your own frock! Go to: http://www.voguepatterns.com/list/dresses

Runway photos via style.com.

SATC Roundup

I feel a sort of moral obligation to critique my iconic (albeit fictional) namesake's fashion choices . . .

While we mere [stateside] mortals will have to wait until tomorrow to witness the resurrection of HBO’s wildly popular TV series on the big screen, fashion insiders have already shopped the pun-laden, Manolo-filled Carrie Collection.

WWD gave the film’s fashion a lukewarm review on Friday, citing Carrie’s schizophrenic style: “For half of the film she comes off as a polished, uberfashionable grown-up; the other half, she's the quirky, experimental fashion trailblazer/victim.”

Indeed, the pictures tell the same story. The former failings are embodied in the pajamas, white booties and oversize fur getup donned by the main character in the snowy scene pictured at the left. The latter version (and the Carrie many gals aspire to emulate) is encapsulated by the chic black and fun floral ensembles shown opposite the fashion disaster.

For the full WWD article, go to: http://wwd.com/issue/article/125153?page=0. Photos: James Devaney/WIREIMAGE. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts and add my own to the mix . . . just one more day!

ALL EYES ON YOU!

Pretty or creepy? Or pretty creepy?

Either way, designers can't keep their eyes off the clothing and accessories for Fall 2008.

Just L@@K at this Jean Charles de Casteljabac dress at left, which I came across while perusing Italian Vogue's photographic coverage of the Milan runway shows. It's cartoony and garish at once . . . do we love it or hate it?

Or SEE these eye-conographic jewels by Delfina Delettrez. The cleverly crafted silver, enamel and Murano glass ring and bracelets were recently featured in style.com's accessories report.

CoutureCarrie can't believe her eyes!

GRAY MATTERS

I know it's difficult to contemplate fall on such a gorgeous, sunny spring day, but we simply must keep an eye out for pieces that will round out our wardrobe and transition us into the next season! Here are some great grays to bear in mind:

LIKE PUTTY IN YOUR HANDS. . .

At Shipley & Halmos, former Trovata designers Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos exhibited a pared-down aesthetic apparently inspired by Hitchcock’s Rear Window. I think Alfred would approve of this demure charcoal frock and opaque tights… Image at right via style.com.

Halston showed a delicious boot, bag and dress monochrome combo in various shades of gray. Runway photo at left courtesy style.com.

I am loving the smoky boot! Above, in the polyvore collage, I have pictured two options: a toeless patent Dolce & Gabbana bootie, at eluxury.com, and a heeled knee-high number from Bottega Veneta, for purchase at net-a-porter. A third, and utterly practical (not to mention gorgeous!) choice: this Loeffler Randall light grey Matilde flat wedge boot, pictured at right and available for purchase at shopbop.com.

Andrea Turchi showed a more fanciful amalgam of autumn grays, complete with patterned shirt and swingy boyfriend cardigan. Runway shot via Italian Vogue. A word to the wise, darlings: charcoal and other opaques are a lovely alternative to the black tight this fall. However, unless you are a supermodel, pale or heather grey leggings are a no-no (attention: Lindsay Lohan!)!! Soooo unflattering and 80s gym girl--in a bad, not a Fondabulous, way.

Celine also showed grays for fall, ranging from a soft, full putty-toned bubble-skirted dress to a cropped fitted collarless leather jacket. Runway photo at left from nymag.com.

Every gal should snap up a gray nail polish. CoutureCarrie predicts that cement laquer shades will outrank black and navy for fall. Try Rescue Beauty Lounge's Concrete Jungle soft dove grey shade asap!

Lastly, and of the utmost elegance and innovation: a chiffon-draped gown by Monique Lhuillier in black and gray ombré. The chiaroscuro is offset by a sparkly brooch a the delicately cinched waist. Hop in the cement mixer, dears!