Ravishing Ruffles

For SS ’10, it’s all about flirty and feminine. Ruffles are really ravishing, darlings! Runway coverage via style.com except where noted.
Aquilano.Rimondi
Blugirl, via nymag.com
Chloé
D&G
Danielle Scutt
Erdem
Francesco Scognamiglio
Giambattista Valli
Givenchy
Halston, via nymag.com
Isaac Mizrahi
Isabel Marant
Jenny Packham

John Rocha; this and next via nymag.com
Krizia
Lanvin
Louise Goldin
Luisa Beccaria
Marchesa
Mark Fast
Moschino
Moschino Cheap & Chic
Oscar de la Renta
PPQ
Ralph Lauren
Stella McCartney
Stephen Burrows
Tibi, via nymag.com
Valentino
Viktor & Rolf

McQ ruffled wool dress; this and next four at net-a-porter.com.
Tibi ruffle halter dress.
Catherine Malandrino silk-chiffon mini dress.
Notte by Marchesa ruffled silk-crepe dress.
D&G ruffle-shoulder dress.
Theory Archan ruffle dress; this and next five at shopbop.com.
Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent ruffle front strapless dress.
Thread Social striped halter dress with ruffles.
Shoshanna one shoulder ruffle dress.
Brian Reyes ruffle skirt.
Deal of the Day: Free People ruffle miniskirt, $58.
Get ruffled, darlings!
xoxox,
CC

PRE-FALL (FOCUS: THE BLOUSE)

Nearly as exciting as viewing the fall collections themselves is surveying the pieces that the world’s finest clothiers select to populate their floors for the upcoming season. It must be a dizzyingly delicious chore to synthesize the runway craziness into a tame, refined collection of apparel that will titillate but not intimidate the Middle American Woman, who does the majority of her shopping on line, particularly if she wants to stay abreast of the season’s trends. Here’s are CoutureCarrie's top picks from the Neiman Marcus pre-fall selection, with a particular focus on a particular feminine fashion staple.


I can almost smell the eggnog already! This Oscar de la Renta ensemble is guaranteed to be the stunner at the office Christmas Party (I know, it’s barely Mother’s Day yet; so sue me if I want to be prepared!). What a perfectly edited choice from the collections: a cream silk organza blouse with accordion-pleated floral appliqués and jewel neckline is paired perfectly with a stunning Dip-Dye Silk Faille Skirt in cardinal red with black dip-dye and floral embroidery at hem. The high waist is accentuated with a black silk sponge covered-buckle crepe belt.


CoutureCarrie simply must take note of several other refreshingly sculpted and adorned blouses chosen by Neiman’s for its pre-fall feature. We'll proceed from most to least fabric . . .


This Stella McCartney pale pink ruffled silk top (at right) is the ideal, wispy piece to take you from the deck of your house on Shelter Island for that last summer bbq right to fall's first fab cocktail parties. Alluringly draped and showing just enough skin, this blouse is tres perf.


Just Cavalli's patterned chiffon blouse (left) in a unique diamond olive ombré print, with a sassy secretary tie at the neck, is going to suit us just fine this fall! Perfect under a little cardie or waist-cinching blazer.



Last, and with the least amount of material but perhaps the most universal appeal, given its beloved grape hue and waist-whittling silhouette, this Tuleh purple ruffled silk blouse (right) has just the right amount of plunge and punch.


One thing's for sure this fall: there's a blouse in the house!


All looks courtesy neimanmarcus.com