couture

[koo-toor, koo-tyr]

noun

1. the occupation of a couturier; dressmaking and designing.

2. fashion designers or couturiers collectively.

3. the clothes and related articles designed by such designers.

4. the business establishments of such designers, especially where clothes are made to order.

adjective

1. created or produced by a fashion designer.

   couture clothes.

2. being, having, or suggesting the style, quality, etc., of a fashion designer; very fashionable.

   the couture look.

couture

/ kuːˈtʊə, kutyr /

noun

1. 1. high-fashion designing and dressmaking

   2. ( as modifier )

      couture clothes

Word History and Origins

Origin of couture¹

1905–10; < French: literally, sewing, seam < Vulgar Latin *cō ( n ) sūtūra, equivalent to Latin consūt ( us ) past participle of consuere to sew together ( con- con- + suere to sew ¹ ) + -ūra -ure; suture, accouter

Word History and Origins

Origin of couture¹

from French: sewing, dressmaking, from Old French cousture seam, from Latin consuere to stitch together, from suere to sew

Example Sentences

Additionally, when food inflation and rising beef prices prevail, it’s hard to imagine that ostentatious couture would be at the top of consumers’ spending list.

Read more on Salon

The announcement unleashed fury across Paris as city officials worried the Chinese fast-fashion giant was planting its flag in the home of haute couture.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Los Angeles played host to a spectacle of style and storytelling as Vogue World: Hollywood unfolded — an immersive celebration of cinema, couture and celebrity.

Read more on BBC

Francis began his own couture journey making clothes, and was given his first gig after being discovered stitching a leather jacket on a park bench.

Read more on Barron's

Puech, among other endeavors, helped to launch a couture business that eventually declared bankruptcy and dabbled as a water-skiing instructor, but in recent decades he lived almost entirely off the dividends from his Hermès shares.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When To Use

What does couture mean?

Couture most commonly refers to or describes clothing that was designed by a fashion designer or has that level of quality.Couture can also refer to fashion designers collectively, their profession, the clothes designed by them, or their businesses. Couture is found in (and can be used as a shortening of) the term haute couture, which refers to the world of high fashion and custom-made garments.Example: She’s known for wearing couture looks that are straight from the runway.