The perfect dress combines many elements; a great sleeve, perfect drape and cut, a fab fabric, a great neckline, and a stand-the-test-of-time silhouette. Jean Paul Gaultier' s silk floral print dress with flutter cap sleeves and back collar caplet is as close to dress perfection that we've seen here at Couture in quite a while. Add strappy sandals, simple silver jewelry, and a mini clutch for the perfect exclamation point to a simple, elegant ensemble.



Jean Paul Gaultier'

It's good to see stores are realizing not everyone is blessed with fast metabolisms. Old Navy is the latest retailer to launch a plus size collection. Its fall collection has all the right trends - florals, bright colors and even some evening wear. Old Navy joins several other brands - Liz Claiborne, Dickies, Betsey Johnson - that have plus size collections (OldNavy.com/plus), which goes to show women of all sizes can look and feel fabulous.

Trends are dictated by many mediums, notably film and television. With the success of Mad Men many trends have emerged from it. There is the Don Draper effect - manicured hair, crisp white collared shirts and cigs, the resurgence of the hour glass silhouette, crystal encrusted brooches and of course, the exaggerated collar. Couture is loving this Ali Ro '50s-inspired, exaggerated collar ponte knit dress with attached hip belt. Give it the full Mad Men effect by pairing it with a crystal brooch and colored stiletto heels.

Whether or not you are a fan of San Francisco, and how could you not be, there are a lot of great things about the city to be grateful for. There are the wonderful hotels, fabulous dining, great wine bars, the Castro, and now the Swedish retailer Filippa K’s first U.S. flagship store. The 2,500 square foot space reflects more than just the Swedish retailer’s fashion sense, but also the minimalist aesthetic that Sweden is known for — clean, open design, lots of windows and lots of wood. The store is equitably split between mens' wear and womens' wear, with a 20 foot natural log table running down the center acting as the gender divide. The brand Filippa K, not to be confused with its fast-fashion brethren H&M, is best known for their reasonably priced, quality clothing. The designs are focused on cuts and materials, rather than trend cycles, producing items that amortize beautifully into anyone’s current wardrobe. Think perfectly cut trousers, blazers, effortless shirtdresses, military-styled jackets, crisp white blouses, denim and everyday tees. So if you are in San Francisco, any where near Kearny Street, do drop in.

A little banding here, a little ruffle there... the perfect feminine and fun touch to any top. Couture is loving this Custo Barcelona button-front shirt with its floral lace pattern and asymmetrical ruffle yoke. Pair it with skinny jeans tucked into your favorite modern duck boot or with a fitted skirt and booties.

What could be better than a man who's style combines an air of preppy and modern cool? Fashionably, nothing. We are loving this French Connection loop toggle-closure sweater. Pair it with a plain or graphic tee, dark rinse jeans and leather slip on car shoes for a modern preppy, polished look.

Ah, the boyfriend sweater, truly one of the most important trends of the last season. It is an effortless and chic addition to any outfit. We are loving this deep v-neck olive green version by Splendid. Pair it with a neutral colored cami, black stovepipe jeans and high heel peep toe lace-up pumps.

There are a lot of wonderful new things happening on Couture.Zappos.com and we couldn't wait to let you know about them. The Couture team will be featuring new labels that launch on the site via our What's New blog. Today we are letting you know that the site now carries the Jean Paul Gaultier clothing collection for women. Today's picks: JPG's Striped Bubble Dress, the Black Trench Coat, JPG's Black/White Stripe Hat, and the fabulous Wing Tip Toe Two-tone Leather Boots.

THE SCENE: Calling the families to get out of holiday obligations.

Ah, home for the holidays... we all remember them well. You and your beloved wish for a tropical excursion, where you can lie on the beach, sip Mai Tai cocktails, and watch the sunsets. Then, bam! One phone call and you are snapped out of your fantasy into the reality of family obligations. Now, of course, it does not really have to be that bad; there is a certain comfort in embracing the family call and soldiering through it. That is why the film Four Christmases, a delightful new romantic comedy, is the perfect pre-holiday antidote for the upcoming holiday season. We may not be able to get out of our responsibilities, but we sure can laugh at seeing how other people deal with it on the big screen. Four Christmases - In Theaters November 26th!

TM and (c) MMVIII NEW LINE PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Featured styles: Boss Hugo Boss Striped Max Collared Shirt, Rip Curl Dakar Wristwatch, Boss Hugo Boss Volcum Enowen Jeans, Cesare Paciotti Rubber Patent Black Kicks.

The divine Ms. Kate Moss is at it again with her newest presentation for Topshop for spring. The Londonista is working with London-based Liberty store print designers to create exclusive fabrics for her upcoming line for S/S 2009. Liberty - a print maker that dates back to 1875 - is not new to high profile collaboration. In the past they have worked with everyone from Nike to the Gap. The Kate Moss for Topshop prints are not the brands first foray into fashion with Topshop either. Earlier in the month they launched a lingerie line made from their famous prints for Topshop's Oxford Circus locale. So if you are a fan of Moss and Liberty, keep your eyes peeled on Topshop's online site because anything Ms. Moss makes, sells out like hot cakes.

From its humble beginnings on Scottish battlefields in the 1500s, to designer runways for Fall 2008, tartan and tartan-esque plaid have made a huge fashionable resurgence. Couture is loving the definitive plaid on lace up ankle boots , on stylish flats, on chic tunics, wrap braelets and shoulder totes. Our pics (from upper left): Disney Couture Pirates Wrap Bracelet with Swords, Brixton Red Plaid Hooligan Hat, Jean Paul Gaultier Tuile Plaid Tank, J. Renee Scottie Plaid Skimmer, L.A.M.B. Rose Suede and Plaid ankle boot, and Roxy Crimson Make It Happen Shoulder Tote.

Ladies, rev your engines! Cooler air calls for leather jackets – but think biker chic, not greased lighting. A cropped, contemporary black leather jacket looks tough-girl fabulous over a long tank top with skinny jeans tucked in to black boots. Soften the look by pairing it with a flowy skirt and metallic pumps. Both looks are understated yet sexy. Our pick: Bod & Christensen Black Azzure Lamb Bolerzo.

Ah, the musical, lyrical, edgy cool Mr. Phil. Stylish Brand Designer by day, musician, father and husband by night. Phil rocks the sweater vibe, brings an understated cool to the sweater vest, works multiple faux hawk dos, styles hot kicks, and works vintage levi denim like no one else. But perhaps what is most wonderful about Mr. Phil is not just his style sense, but his humility and humanity. Thank you Phil, we are loving your style.

Ah, home for the holidays... we all remember them well. You and your beloved wish for a tropical excursion, where you can lie on the beach, sip Mai Tai cocktails, and watch the sunsets. Then, bam! One phone call and you are snapped out of your fantasy into the reality of family obligations. Now, of course, it does not really have to be that bad; there is a certain comfort in embracing the family call and soldiering through it. That is why the film Four Christmases, a delightful new romantic comedy, is the perfect pre-holiday antidote for the upcoming holiday season. We may not be able to get out of our responsibilities, but we sure can laugh at seeing how other people deal with it on the big screen. Four Christmases - In Theaters November 26th!

TM and (c) MMVIII NEW LINE PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Channel your energy into finding this different fall trend: the funnel neck. Open funnel neck sweaters are roomier versions of the turtleneck - this LOVE Moschino sweater has a wearable funnel neck that can look smart with a knee-length skirt and heels for work or jeans for a casual look.