couture

1 of 2

noun

cou·​ture kü-ˈtu̇r  -ˈtᵫr 

1

: the business of designing, making, and selling fashionable custom-made clothing

the world of Paris couture

2

: the designers and establishments engaged in couture

For more than a century, the couture was the undisputed fashion source for women in the Western world.

—Bernadine Morris

3

: the clothes created by couture

For them, buying French couture has become a status symbol, something to rack up along with their brand-new BMWs and their hacienda-style villas …

—Vogue

couture

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being high-end custom-made fashion

Neither are these designers unduly concerned about styles that lend themselves to being folded and packed—the couture clientele travels with trunks, not duffel bags, and, presumably, there is always someone on the other end to take care of the wrinkles.

—Bernadine Morris

However, Owens credits his success to the ease of what he calls his "T-shirt versions of couture dresses."

—David Colman

Examples of couture in a Sentence

Noun

The book discusses the relationship between culture and couture.

I can't afford to wear couture.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To make the day even more special, both the bride and groom wore couture looks by House of Gilles, which is designed by Chloé’s father, Gilles Mendel of J. Mendel. —Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2023

After conquering the fashion industry with their couture eyewear line, the sisters weren’t just content to be entrepreneurial powerhouses. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2023

The couture show involved a clever bait and switch: guests were funnelled through the back door of the Palais Garnier and, unbeknownst to them, onto the main opera-house stage. —Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023

There’s an earnestness here that’s not always felt in some of the more traditional couture circles. —Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 8 Sep. 2023

The company is offering 13 designs inspired by the couture items —silky robes, lacey pants and bustier bras — for sale in late September. —Anne D'innocenzio, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2023

SoCal, time to get your fork and your spoon ... Alexander McQueen The late fashion designer was such a visionary of futurist-Edwardian dark glamour that the Met Museum exhibited his couture work. —August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2023

The actress wore a couture gown from the late Vivienne Westwood, the exact dress inspired by the iconic 1960 Enchanted Evenings Barbie. —Emily Rochotte, Redbook, 21 Aug. 2023

Just as high-flying couture clients are no longer simply whisked away on flashy shopping trips but on transformative journeys, the standard-bearers of ultra-high-end travel hospitality have also, over the last decade, leaned into the realm of intrepid experiences. —Paul Jebara, Town & Country, 5 Sep. 2023

Adjective

Focus showed a sneak peek of its brand-new trailer for Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, a whimsical, heartwarming comedy starring Lesley Manville as a British housekeeper whose dream of owning a couture Christian dress and travels to Paris. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Apr. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Old French cousture sewing, from Vulgar Latin *consutura, from Latin consutus, past participle of consuere to sew together, from com- + suere to sew — more at sew

First Known Use

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1916, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing couture

• haute couture

• haute couture