couture

American  

[koo-toor, koo-tyr] / kuˈtʊər, kuˈtür /

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.

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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 British  

/ kuːˈtʊə, kutyr /

noun

1. 1. high-fashion designing and dressmaking

   2. ( as modifier )

      couture clothes

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of couture

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

Example Sentences

He did a poorly received grunge collection that incoherently tried to marry haute couture with thrift-store shabbiness, and was fired for it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nevertheless, kudos to the costume team for a different outfit that Grace wears in the second half of the film that’s an absolute jaw-dropper of goth couture with black netting and a tiara.

From Los Angeles Times

It was the turn of the women's ready-to-wear collections, following January's haute couture week.

From BBC

McKinnon has become the must-have name in figure skating couture, dressing the entirety of the U.S. and South Korea women’s teams.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, experimenting with haute couture can serve as a confidence booster.

From Barron's