There are those moments in fashion that cause us to pause - and not in a good way. Discover what members of the Coutorture Community have to say and more, in posts from:

The Beauty Bunny celebrates a milestone by highlighting the best product reviews of the past 100 posts.

Some fashion is too ridiculous, even for Painfully Hip.

Barb's Beauty Tips For Babes Over 60 tries out multiples of Orgasm.

Eye4Style finds a quote which makes her question her personal style.

How could a pretty dress suddenly turn into a boring one? Find out at Molly Cake.

If you're a fan of the cape/cloak trend that's been building over the last few seasons, you'll love Lindsey Thornburg's collection. Namely, for giving us the option to still wear a cloak in the summertime. These super soft, wool cloaks lack the tailoring of a proper winter garment (not that you couldn't cuddle into one when it's freezing) and so can be worn year round. In addition to their versatile tailoring, the cloaks also come in vibrant prints, like 'Tex Mex', that are cut-off-shorts-and-sandals appropriate. The prints were inspired by a trip to Machu Picchu, where Thornburg noticed "the versatility of the Highlanders attire". With cloaks in three different styles, each offered in six different wool prints, we think Thornburg did a great job manifesting that inspiration for her stateside clients.

Everyone knows that fashion people are much more pleasant to be around when they've a cocktail in their hands (yes, sometimes two at once is necessary). This week there are a few fashion happenings that we thought to shoutout for our New York readers. If you're not in New York, please comment with industry happenings in your neck of the woods. Hell, embed the invite. For all we know, everyone will be inspired to jot down the address and hop on a plane for the occasion.


Wednesday: Spend the day loitering at Bergdorf! From 1-2 you can meet the two designers for Marchesa's eveningwear collection and, let's not forget, take a gander at the gorgeous frocks. Grab a cocktail (it's Wednesday!) and then reappear for a chance to meet designer Roland Mouret from 4-6. Click for more info.


Thursday: One of our favorite showrooms, Archetype, is sponsoring an event that's a surefire bet for long lines and late night dancing. Spring Court, their client, presents Brantley Gutierrez's 'Sound and Light' exhibit in Nolita. LCD Soundsystem and The Secret Machines are playing and then, uhoh, there's an after party at Tribeca Grand. Click for more info.


Friday: Menswear designer Yoko Devereaux is running a Spring sale at their Williamsburg store all afternoon, followed by a birthday party/pre-summer bash at the new Trophy Bar down the street. It's right off the J Train so avoid Bedford Avenue, hit up Moto for lunch, pick up some boy clothes in small sizes, and show-off your tomeboy chic look at Trophy Bar thereafter. Click for more info.


Saturday: This Saturday, Brooklyn's hip and withit Co Op, 3rd Ward, is having an all-day open house. Activities range from Badminton to metal shop tutorials, but for fashionistas, head over anytime from 12-5 for a costume photo shoot. GoFish! in Carol Gardens is bringing over vintage clothes, hats, wigs, accessories, etc. for people to dress up in and photographer Cecily Upton will be on hand to take polariods of everyone (which they can buy for a $1).The party ends at the infamous '??' hour, which we suspect means that by 2pm the next day you'll be sitting at brunch with a complete stranger. Be careful, just because he's an artist doesn't mean he shouldn't buy your eggs benedict! Click for more info.


Sunday: Take a break from Fashion and try watching this video without smiling!

Our network partner, Pretty Legit, gave a shoutout to one of our most favorite vintage finds: the marching band jacket. A structured vintage coat, whether it's a military jacket or other kind of wild costumery, always gets us going. What we like most about Pretty Legit's shoutout, to a fashionista wearing the marching band jacket, are the tails on this particular coat. If this tailoring is what you seek, picking up a vintage version is easy enough. Every tuxedo store in town should have this style of coat, and it shouldn't cost you more than $150 (especially if you can sneak yourself into a boy's version!). If it's the structure and lapel details that get you going, check out our spread of some options, below. Either way, a structured, tight-fitting wool coat is always a smart wardrobe staple, as our educated network partner, Pretty Legit, points out.

The good thing about trends is that they often reference something you can still find in your Dad's closet, your local thrift store, or JCPenney, if you look hard enough. That said, the up-and-coming Southwestern prints were scoped out by our Network Partner, We Are The Market, by way of American old-timer Pendleton Woolen Mills. If you haven't heard of them that might be because you're a New Yorker, and you grew up with Marni rather than these Americana stock brands. Pendleton Woolen Mills is the sort of catalog-based brand that outfits American parents with dependable sweater sets, chinos, and flannel shirts. Among these sensible knits and cottons are home furnishings, blankets, and accessories that draw upon the company's Southwest Native American heritage. Check out our trend forecast for these prints, and We Are The Market's sweet find.

Roberto Cavalli accepts bids from interested enterprises for a share in his fashion label. Merill Lynch, The Carlyle Group, and Blackstone Group Holdings are among the crop of bidders. Cavalli is seeking the best deal possible. It is reported that he has turned down offers in the past.


Alexander McQueen launches a new store in L.A. that displays a towering sculpture of a nude male. Hung directly above the rooftop of the space, the stainless steel work of art entitled “Angel Of The Americas” is created by Robert Bryce Muir.


At her boutique in Notting Hill, Alice Temperley will be showing her new bridal collection this week. Her gowns carry a price tag of approximately 3,500-20,000 USD. The event commences tomorrow from 12 PM to 4 PM.


Anya Hindmarch establishes a store front in Shanghai. With this venture, the designer acknowledges the economic explosion currently taking place in China. Hindmarch will also launch new spaces in Dubai, Russia, and Kuwait. The London label has 37 shops to date, with plans for an additional 18 stores to be opened by February of 2008.


Pringle Of Scotland will launch a second store in Hong Kong this Spring resulting from the prosperous outcome of the first. The luxury brand aims to open new stores within the area towards the end of the year.


Research Assistant: Zoe Su

One of the most visible trends that erupted from Fall 08 fashion week in New York was the hat trend. When something is so clearly on it's way to the forefront of fashion, and we've still months to go before the collections hit the stores, there has to be a way to make due. Luckily, hats for Fall 08 came in all shapes and sizes and so finding one for Summer shouldn't be too difficult. On a practical note, wearing a hat in summer has countless benefits including protection from the sun and a solution those limited clothing options when it's ninety degrees outside. That said, here are our favorite hats for Summer 08, some for the beach and some that might actually take you straight into the Fall trend.

Do you know who is behind your favorite brands? Find out more about your favorite brands in today's Must Reads from:

Blooming Lily discovered a new handbag line full of customizable options.

Wrong Wroks is saddened over the end of Boon Magazine.

A Mom In Red High Heels profiles Lebec, the creator of Lebec Cosmetics.

Flying Saucer needs a few reminders of her Spring focus.

The Scented Salamander wonders what is going with this year's Fifi Awards.