What’s Black and White and Fabulous All Over?

These striped looks are lined up perfectly, darlings!
First image courtesy Fellow Fashionista CheapandChic. Runway photos via style.com.
Christian Lacroix Couture
Elie Saab
I-D editorial by Patrick Demarchelier, 2003.
Irina courtesy vintagetraffic.blogspot.com.
Maybelline ad, 2003.
British Vogue editorial, September 2003.
Wild Fox Couture, via refinery29.com.
British Vogue editorial, February 2003.
Juicy Couture elbow sleeve tunic; this and next at shopbop.com.
Whitley Kros knit tank.
ASOS stripe drape cardi, at asos.com.
By Malene Birger Cain double-layer striped tank, at my-wardrobe.com.
Silk trapeze slip at victoriassecret.com.
Heidi Klein Hamptons bandeau bikini, at my-wardrobe.com.
Giles peplum dress pictured courtesy Fellow Fashionista Sharon Rose.
Milly striped cashmere dress; this and next four at net-a-porter.com.
Hervé Léger zebra stripe dress.
Michael Kors striped cotton dress.
Miu Miu stripe drape dress.
Narciso Rodriguez striped canvas dress.
Vivienne Westwood Anglomania dress, at lagarconne.com.
Warehouse Cut About stripe strapless dress; this and next at asos.com.
Ben Sherman striped racerback dress.
Sonia by Sonia Rykiel full stripe skirt, at net-a-porter.com.
Wide-leg silk pant, at victoriassecret.com.
McQ tiger print trench, at lagarconne.com.
Last look: Vogue, February 2009.
Do the jailhouse rock, darlings!
xoxox,
CC

NEWSPRINT

Couture Carrie is not usually a fan of the "black & white" look . . . I find it a tad stark, and I'm certainly not suggesting that you wear the above items together! But, properly channeled, graphic can work. Am loving the simple Abaete shift dresses in the lower left-hand corner of the collage (all items above, btw, are available at bluefly.com!).

Ways to wear the trend? Try the D&G silk frill skirt at upper right [does it remind anyone of the cotton-tail-bottom green satin mini that Carrie wore to dinner with Big on SATC??] with a basic white tank, and maybe a bright accessory or two. To buy this puffy D&G mini, go to aloharag.com.

Or jazz up virtually any casual look, no matter the color scheme, with a summer-weight scarf, like this Elizabeth Gillett fringed plaid/houndstooth wrap (above left, on sale for a mere $36 at b*fly).

For fall, remember these wonderfully playful Louis Vuitton lambskin gloves (photo at right via style.com).

A complete look in black and white that totally works? Behold, this Emanuel Ungaro backless sweater dress paired with opaque tights. Gorgeous!Runway photo via nytimes.com.

Get graphic, darlings!

NOW, STRIPE!

ALLOVER STRIPES are ubiquitous these days, despite the average fashionista's innate phobia . . .

First, and most striking, is Lanvin’s jailbird stripe dress (at right, via style.com), which reminds me of a super villain’s costume. Though padded and horizontally striped (a seemingly killer combo!), CoutureCarrie thinks we might just be able to pull it off, given that (1) it has an hourglass shape; (2) the sleeves are three quarter; and (3) the pattern is jostled at the waist by a playful marsupial pocket.

Tracy Reese’s take on the trend combines a sheer striped “swishy” overlay with a black slipdress (at left). The look is elegantly belted at the waist with a wide white cincher – a splendid idea when wearing horizontal stripes, as it breaks up the monotony and creates curves. Go to net-a-porter.com.

Jean Paul Gaultier’s red and white striped ensemble for Spring 2008 is quite fetching, though one would do well to lose the pirate chapeau and extra-long belt when translating from runway to street! Pic courtesy nymag.com.

This Elie Saab variegated stripe gown seems a bit more wearable, perhaps because of the airy feel lent by its wisps of chiffon (photo at left via nymag.com). The added hint of color at the bust line saves this frock from awning overkill. Lovely for a black tie summer wedding, don'tcha think?

This gray and putty striped minidress from the Chanel 2009 Resort Collection is more subtle, for those who are still leery of the horizontal stripe (runway shot at lower right courtesy style.com).

Couture Carrie's advice for wearing allover stripes? Be sure the look is fitted, or create your own curves by cinching the garment at the waist! But don't be afraid of the horizontal stripe, darlings! It is really quite "arresting"!