Monday, July 7, 2008

Ladylike Glamour

A lovely polish has swept the runways for fall, echoing the glamour and conservatism of the 1940s. It is characterized by smart suits, pencil skirts, frilly blouses, crisp tweeds, statement bags, delicate gloves, and an air of confident beauty. Perhaps we might even don a brooch?
CC begins with a runway survey (pics via style.com except where noted):
Christian Dior Couture (top left)
.

Chanel Couture
Derek Lam
Javier Larráinzar; photo via Spanish Vogue
Catherine Malandrino Resort 2009
















Jean Paul Gaultier Couture handbag and glove detail
Christian Lacroix Couture brooch detail

Now, what to buy [or take out of storage!]:
1) A sleeveless or cap sleeve shift, like
this Oscar de la Renta tweed sleeveless dress, available at net-a-porter.com. CC loves the Greek key cutout at the neck!
Or this RM by Roland Mouret Moon dress, a Neiman Marcus exclusive! Go to neimanmarcus.com.
Another fabulously bright (yet still conservative) sheath? Diane von Furstenberg's bold orange Domino dress, at shopbop.com.
CC also likes Isaac Mizrahi’s tuxedo-inspired shift (photo via Spanish Vogue).
This cream-hued Dior cutout sheath is simultaneously alluring and demure. Go to neimanmarcus.com.





If your budget is a bit meeker, opt for Milly's beige rolled collar pencil dress, delicately ribbon belted at the waist. Visit shopbop.com.





If the spaghetti strap is more your style, opt for this Black Halo Bouquet cami dress in topaz. Note the skinny gold self-belt! Go to revolveclothing.com.
Even an asymmetrical dress can fit the ladylike bill, as with this Black Halo one shoulder sheath, in ravishing royal blue. At Neiman Marcus.


For those blessed with sewing skills: fashion your own sheath using Vogue Pattern 1043, a wonderfully dainty full-skirted frock, circa 1953. Available at voguepatterns.com.
2) A pencil skirt, such as this J. Crew Domino jacquard pencil skirt.
Lorick Zeina navy embroidered skirt with yellow silk dupioni slip, at gargyle.com.
3) A conservative heeled shoe, preferably with a pointed toe, like this Manolo Blahnik tasseled wool pump.






Alternatively, invest in a brown or black leather bootie, such as this buckled platform by Jonathan Kelsey for Mulberry. These two photos courtesy style.com.
4) A frilly, girly blouse, either patterned (See by Chloe abstract print silk blouse at right, available at Neiman Marcus) or solid.










Forever 21 Victorian ruffle blouse. Go to forever21.com.
5) A substantial bag. In terms of accessories, it is time to invest in a durable leather shoulder bag that will stand the test of time. Think luxury and rich color, like this smashing Alexander McQueen stamped patent leather tote, for purchase at net-a-porter.com.





CC is also loving this grape-hued Botkier Morgan satchel. Visit singer22.com.






6) Gloves, gloves, gloves! Stay tuned to Couture Carrie for myriad ideas, but here’s a sneak preview:
Moschino leather gloves, available at Saks
Fifth Avenue; photo courtesy elle.com.
7) (optional; for experts only): a brooch! (Valentino Couture at right)

CC is so excited about this trend, and she hopes you are, too, my lovelies!
What's in your wardrobe already and what ladylike pieces are you poised to buy??

38 comments:

alex said...

i love ladylike looks! the outfit of Catherine Malandrino Resort 2009 it's perfect and Alexander McQueens' bag is fabulous...

Myriam said...

The dior couture shows are always so perfect! And I'd love to get a roland mouret dress..ooh

Sharon S said...

Another fabulous post, couture carrie!! I already have a navy pencil skirt, pussy bow patterned and plain blouses. I have to get black shoes this autumn and I am into the brooch trend too!! I've found 4 so far-a gold and diamante double heart one, a marcasite flower one, an S in black enamel with butterflies and a Kenneth Jay Lane for Avon floral one too!

Pamcasso said...

great post, I immediately thought of Roland Mouret's fabulous dresses:)

niki said...

i really fell in love with the ports 1961 spring collection so i'm even more excited to take a look at what they offer for fall/winter.

ps. i wish women still wore gloves. its so charming.

Couture Carrie said...

Alex - Agreed! I was so impressed with the accessories at the couture shows.
Myriam/Miji & Pam - Mouret is fantastic!! At least the RM line is a tad more affordable, so maybe we can all buy one?
Sharon - sounds like you are all set for fall's ladylike glamour - those descriptions of your brooches make me want to see them :)
Niki - Ports 1961 is classic! And let's you and I try to bring back the glove, okay?

STYLE DU MONDE said...

Always loved feminine looks! Thanks for this wonderful post!

Adele said...

oooh i cant wait for fall fashion to hit the real world! i dont no how much longer i can take all this tribal and floral no mater how much i love it!x

Reena Rai said...

Amazing looks. I guess I gotta scrub up a little and become a lot more ladylike come Fall!

Anonymous said...

i've fallen in love with the mcqueen bag. <3

WendyB said...

Love that orange bag. Great color.

Sam said...

it's all so cute!
i love the gold gloves.

Imelda Matt - The Despotic Queen of Shoes said...

timeless and oh-so-damn chic, how can you not love ladies who dress like Grace Kelly?

Always In Style said...

Fall runway or not I love the old school glam of 40s bombshells -- it's a look that never gets old for me. Nice picks!

Lil Midget said...

Gorgeous! I love the Gaultier outfit. He's def one of my favs. And the yellow and black skirt...

elena relucio said...

gracias por la visita. bonito blog
_un saludo

♥ Marta ♥ said...

I am really excited for this fall, everything is so feminine and classy. My favorite fall collections would have to be Bill Blass and Chanel :)

STYLE AND THE CITY . COM - PARIS said...

wouah !
can you introduce me to thiese beautiful ladies? lol

The Paris Fashion week just ended.
if you are shoes addict, don't watch my last posts, you could have a heart attack my friend ...

i wish you a great day

cheers from Paris

Kamel
STYLE AND THE CITY - PARIS

thesil said...

Love ladylike looks!
Excellent choices and good advises.

Syed said...

Wow, love these looks, they're so elegant!! And yes please help bring back gloves for ladies, it looks super! Oh and I love the McQueen bag!

Charlotte said...

I loved Dior collection, it is soooo inspiring.

I have been reading through all your old post today and i have been touched with the one about your father. I have like it very much. My father died a year and a half ago. I still feel very sad when I think of him but I hope to be able to pay him a tribute like yours in my own blog.

Charlotte said...

Hey! And i also Studied in Salamanca for 4 years! Which faculty did you go to? Me: Translation

Anonymous said...

You really should. Nylon's a great magazine, even though I'm not really into their covers, sadly.

Anonymous said...

And this post is lovely (they all are) :)

Anonymous said...

great pictures!! i absolutely love that first picture!!!

Penny said...

I am so happy about this trend! I absolutely adore that prim and proper 40s look. I already have a couple of vintage pencil skirts and ruffle bouses, but I am dying for a little pair of leather gloves to pull together the outfit.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous post, CC!

Ladylike looks are so glamorous ^^

Hanna said...

I think the ladylike look is fantastic on some people. On me, I just look like a young, slightly hopeless secretary from the 50's.

Nemerae said...

I really love this style!! *.*
John Galliano is a genius! I also like a lot the outfit of Catherine Malandrino Resort ^^ and that pink dress, and... everything!
Great post :D
xxx

the Constantly Dramatic One said...

I love that orange dress. Just the colour though, not the style. Too conservative for me.

As for that Alexander McQueen bag: WANT.

Madame Dior said...

i completely agree, the fall runways did ooze a 1940's feel, how gorgeous was the Christian Dior Haute Couture collection? My jaw seriously dropped =] As for your picks, they are fantastic as usual, i love the black dress with the white bow tie

Ella Gregory said...

Don't you think all these clothes would look lovely on a glamorous mistress?
I love the bag at Javier Larráinzar!

Rich Hippie said...

Wow your blog is amazing im ashemend for not finding better words to decribe it, kinda an honor to have a real carrier woman visit my blog, im hoping to become a contract lawyer, and just trully amazes me how much you've been able to achieve in your life time and how you burn and seek to achieve more

real insperational!
Thank you

Carolina Lange said...

That sleeveless Oscar de la Renta dress is so beautiful!

Toni Alexis said...

I am a huge fan of black halo, that color is amazing...also digging those buckled platform by Jonathan Kelsey for Mulberry

xoxo

Mica said...

I'm on the lookout for the perfect pencil skirt and lovely frilly, girly blouse! I'm happy to wait until I find the right pieces in the sale though :)

Anonymous said...

I love the dresses and the bags. Actually I love it all.

Thanks for your comment. :)

MA said...

Wow, there are so many things I love in this post..the forever 21 blouse, the striped scarf - oh my so lovely!

Thanks for stopping by my blog - and leaving a lovely comment. Not sure how you found me, but was so excited to have you stop by!