The Sequin Goes Glam

Happy 4th, darlings! Let the spangling begin!

The sequin, once the dreaded domain of the pageant-goer, is being embraced by the fashion mainstream. Even couturiers are sanctioning the use of the pailette (stress on the second syllable), as it is sometimes called. Think less disco, more runway. Behold the beauty and sophistication of this striped Armani Privé Couture strapless gown; photo via style.com.
Solid silver sequins reigned at Collette Dinnigan. Photo courtesy nymag.com

Putty was the word at Valentino, where a tiered strapless frock glittered unassumingly. Runway photo via nymag.com.

And at Valentino Couture, gold pailettes adorned a fabulously sheer long sleeve gown. Detail photo at right via style.com.

Monochrome sequins were rejected in favor of . . .

leopard spots at Krizia,
. . . Flora at Paul & Joe,

and . . . patchwork at Emilio Pucci (sequined tank dress at right available at Net-a-Porter.com)
How can you get the look without looking like a Vegas showgirl? Keep the sparkled to one piece!

CC adores the understated sparkle of this Narciso Rodriguez sequin embellished gray v-neck shift dress. Visit net-a-porter.com.

For some attention-grabbing footwear reminiscent of both Cinderella and Dorothy, don these Miu Miu multicolor pailette pumps; picture via style.com.
There are lots of cute sequined tops out there, like this Sass & Bide Day Dreamer embellished camisole. Purchase at chickdowntown.com.

Dress this ASOS Premium Label sequin waistcoat up or down. Go to asos.com to buy.

In terms of sequined skirts, keep it short and sweet.

CC is loving this playful pink Moschino Cheap & Chic skater skirt, at net-a-porter.

If you're a bit more conservative, try this Derek Lam cotton tulle skirt with sequin embroidery, currently on sale at eLuxury.com.

For evening, carry a stunning Marc Jacobs Iris fuchsia sequined bag. Go to net-a-porter to purchase this adorable frog-embellished convertible clutch.

Take a basic dress to black-tie heights with Tracy Reese's 3/4 sleeve cardigan, for purchase at eLuxury.com. CC likes the uniqueness of the square sequin!

Sparkle and shine, just like tonight's fireworks!

Matador Chic

Say olé, darlings! Intricate embroidery, boleros, and dramatic red, black and white combinations have CC reminiscing about the torero at a bullfight she once saw in the little Spanish town of Ciudad Rodrigo, outside Salamanca.

On the runways, couturiers delighted in matador-inspired details.

Christian Lacroix (these four "fuchsia carpet" photos courtesy style.com)

Alexander McQueen, via nymag.com.

Note the gold leggings and the model's toreador stance - genius!

Givenchy black and white jacket detail; style.com
Alexis Mabille black and gold vest; runway shot courtesy Australian Vogue online
Want the look? ¡Corre! to Neiman Marcus for this delightful D&G tiered silk bolero.

Or tango over to Topshop for this fringed jacket.
If you are willing to take a fashion risk and don the toreador trend more literally, may I suggest Anna Sui’s velvet cape? This photo via elle.com.
And the shoes? ¡Qué fantásticos!
Christian Louboutin open-toe scarlet Passementerie hidden platform, at neimanmarcus.com.
Mary Norton rose satin pump with gold embroidery; photo via elle.com
Alexander McQueen black suede peep toe ankle wrap sandal with white embroidery, via style.com.

Grab the bull by the horns, ladies!!

The Beautiful People + TAG!

Okay darlings, today's post is totally gratuitous, and may be filed away under T.M.I.: Couture Carrie is using a recent tag from fashionable Brit The Dapper Kid as a pretext to share her personal predilections.
First, THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, according to CC, beginning with Selma Blair, featured in Mens Vogue.
Second (see end of post): TAG!

Above: Kate Moss

Left: Rachel Bilson

Gwyneth Paltrow

Sophia Bush in Maxim Magazine

Left: Cameron Diaz

Ali Larter, instylemag.com
Above: Zooey Deschanel, blackbookmag.com

Emma Maclaren (all 3 photos at right via hintmagazine.com)

Laurel

(see #6 below)

Dear Readers: Who do you consider beautiful?

NEW TAG! From the stellar http://dapperkid.blogspot.com/

The rules:

1. Link back to the person that tagged you.

2. Post these rules on your blog.

3. Share six unimportant things about yourself.

4. Tag six people at the end of your entry.

Unimportant things:

1. I can swim one lap of a 25 meter pool underwater.

2. My favorite items of clothing are my La Petite Salope bustiers. I have four (one recent ebay purchy pictured at right).

3. I am the oldest of five children.

4. I have three degrees: a B.A., an M.A., and a J.D. (and not a clue what to do with ‘em!).

5. Words and etymology thrill me! For example, have you heard of the mysterious Japanese concept called “moe” (pronounced both moh and MORE-ay) Literally translated, moe means “blossoming or sprouting like a flower from a bud,” but it has come to refer to the quality of overwhelming cuteness (like a Miu Miu minidress!).

6. I am totally obsessed with voting for our fellow fashionista & blogger Laurel of It's Her Factory – wouldn’t it be awesome if she won the V Mag model search?? (Vote for her here, daily until August 1!)

Couture Carrie is tagging these lovely people:

1. Sunniva of http://style-spot.blogspot.com/

2. Miss B of http://imacrazydreamer.blogspot.com/

3. Diabolina of http://diabolinafashiondiary.blogspot.com/
4. Mary of http://hailmary-fullofgrace.blogspot.com/

5. AusAnna of http://nextannawintour.blogspot.com/

6. Always in Style http://alwaysinstylenyc.blogspot.com/

This tag is a fantastic excuse to share something non-fash with your fellow bloggers – have fun with it! xoxox CC

Short Sleeves are a bit of alright!

Couture Carrie is so confused as to whether she should keep posting summer looks, or dive headlong into fall, so: let's split the difference! Today's focus is the short sleeve - a lovely way to tolerate wearing a jacket on these steamy July days!

On the runway for Fall 2008, Bottega Veneta showed some gorgeous cap sleeve suit jackets. The monochrome looks, like the heathered maroon combo at top left, are incredibly streamlined and ladylike. Note the little gloves!!
CC particularly enjoys the unique neckline and angular "ruffles" Bottega's gray ensemble.

These two Fall 2008 runway shots courtesy style.com.

Another way to sport the look? As instructed by Diane von Furstenberg, layer a short-sleeve cardigan over a frilly long-sleeve blouse. What a wonderful way to get away with wearing a sheer shirt at the office! This runway look is surprisingly wearable - no translation needed! Just add a pencil skirt and a skinny belt and you're all set!

Photo via nymag.com.

Instead of a sweater, toss a light jacket or a short-sleeve belted "safari" shirt over that blouse; CC likes the look of the printed chiffon peeking out from under this short sleeve Derek Lam coat. Go to bergdorfgoodman.com to buy.

Even topcoats have gone short-sleeved! CC is drawn to this Dsquared2 crystal encrusted raincoat, available at eLuxury.com.
If you are reluctant to buy a short-sleeve coat, perhaps you might substitute a tiny cape? On the runway, Blugirl's winter white capelet stood out.

CC really appreciates the inverted triangle shape created by the capelet -- makes your bottom half look infinitely slimmer by putting the focus on a bold shoulder!
Photo at left via nymag.com.

For around twenty dollars, get the capelet look in bold orange at forever21.com (Forever 21 Lindsay triple button trapeze jacket pictured at left).

There are some amazing options for short sleeve dresses, like this stained-glass inspired printed Diane von Furstenberg Lionel flared silk jersey dress, at intermixonline.com.

And flower prints are here to stay for fall, but in a darker palette. CC is really digging this Roberto Cavalli floral print dress, available at neimanmarcus.com.

Also loving this Catherine Malandrino Vendange print dress, for purchase at Net-a-Porter.com. This one feels versatile; wear it this summer with sandals, and come fall, with opaque tights and booties!

If your look is more casual, opt for a crisp white belted mini-trench, like this Adidas by Stella McCartney. At shop adidas.com.

As ever, CC saves the best for last: How genius is the coatdress? Is it a jacket? Is it a frock? No need to decide! Behold, the beauty and impeccable craftsman-ship of this Alexander McQueen bouclé coat dress. At Neiman Marcus.

That's the long and short of it!