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

In Paris, especially during the German Occupation, the couture industry was tightly regulated. —Vogue, 19 Apr. 2024

According to The Business of Fashion, the designer’s inspirations were pulled from the ‘90s era of Jean Paul Gaultier where denim was worn on couture runways. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 17 Apr. 2024

That was shocking enough, but the star then undressed to reveal a second black couture gown underneath. —Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024

These included an ice-blue Swedish couture ball gown for Demi Moore as Ann Woodward and a silk lounge set for Naomi Watts as Babe Paley, both from the Kit Vintage. —Alexandra Jacobs, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024

My Aunt Mary Frances literally sewed for Hollywood and sewed for couture in New York. —Steve Hochman, SPIN, 15 Apr. 2024

British actress Rosamund Pike, nominated for her role as the bloodless matriarch in Saltburn, stepped out in Dior Fall 2019 couture. —Carol McColgin, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024

His London atelier operates as a Parisian couture house—with every piece handmade. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Milano, 2015, by Anh Duong, is her self portrait wearing Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda couture. —As Told To Vogue, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024

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

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