Gorgeous Gowns

Get glamorous this holiday season, darlings!
Fall 2010 runway inspirations via style.com.
Alexander McQueen
Christian Dior
D&G
Dennis Basso
Doo.Ri
Douglas Hannant
Erdem
Giambattista Valli
Hermés
Jasmine Di Milo
John Galliano
Juan Carlos Obando
Lanvin
Moschino Cheap & Chic
Nanette Lepore
Reem Acra
Rodarte
Salvatore Ferragamo
Stephen Burrows
Toni Maticevski
Versace
Vivienne Westwood
Which gown do you find most glam?
xoxox,
CC

Heroine Chic

Whether it’s fall’s brooding ad campaigns, the bevy of magazine editorial movie set re-creations, or the air of ladylike glamour that prevailed on the runways, Alfred Hitchcock and his leading ladies are certainly in the ether this autumn.

At left: Willy Van Rooy photographed by Helmut Newton, Vogue 1967. Courtesy Women Blog
Rear Window

ScarJo and Javier Bardem re-enact the classic for Vanity Fair

Somehow, stairwells always evoke Hitchcock for CC. A sculptural Viktor & Rolf top and echoes a spiral stair; featured in Italian Vogue. Gorgeous blonde bombshell and Fellow Fashionista S of Modern Guilt looks very Hitchcock chic! How film noir are the pose, her outfit and the setting?

How to get the look:

Think dramatic lips, demure jewels (a single strand of pearls, perhaps?), and ladylike, tailored clothing.

Here are CC's top 5 picks:

1) A cape(let) or bracelet sleeve coat

Above: Susana Monaco black nubby wool cropped swing jacket. Go to bluefly.com

Left: Brian Reyes runway photo via style.com.

Right: American Retro Hitchcock cape. Visit shopgoldyn.com.

The capes in the collage are from net-a-porter.com. And be sure to check out CC’s On the Cape post from yesterday, too!

2) A simple, fitted shift

A classic cowl neck dress from Black Halo, at Neiman Marcus; Banana Republic camel wool pocket dress

Below: Newport News purple sheath - just $39!

3) A delicately belted waist

Magaschoni Collection ecru wool jacket and high waist skirt. Visit saks.com.

AKA New York crochet collar periwinkle dress, at net-a-porter.com.

4) Gloves and a girly Blouse

At left: Robert Rodriguez bow-neck yellow lace blouse and black opera gloves and Nanette Lepore Evocative teal lace top, both at Neiman Marcus

Hermés aubergine leather perforated H gloves… H is for Hitchcock, right? At bluefly.com.

5) A substantial handbag, preferably scarf-tied!
Dolce & Gabbana runway photo (via Italian Vogue) and Autumn/Winter 2008 ad campaign
Who is your favorite Hitchcock leading lady... Eva Marie Saint, Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman, Tippi Hedren, Janet Leigh, Kim Novak or Joan Fontaine?
Click here for a roundup of the Women of Hitchcock.

At left, a model wears a Stella McCartney black wool dress in a decidedly "Hitchcockian" scene in W Magazine.

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??