Who hasn’t been in a situation where, at first, something may seem innocuous, but the longer you consider it, the more you pause. Broadly speaking, this is how I feel when couture is described as whimsical. Though the term captures the elaborate garments’ fanciful nature, it can suggest that they are not made to be worn. It can also impart a capriciousness to an art form that involves painstaking construction and hundreds, if not thousands of hours, of work — oftentimes to create a single piece.
But few words were more accurate than “whimsical” to describe the fantastical, storybook looks in and outside of the couture shows in Paris last week. There were feathery coats and adorable balaclavas, corsets and cinched waists, big skirts and waifish silhouettes. Much of the fashion had a youthful air that sometimes made people look a little like living dolls, whether they were walking on a runway or just in the streets.
A potent pairing of autumnal tartan.
Looking cool in various blues.
The braids’ loopy shape evoked that of a bow.
A confident display of color blocking.
This Chanel confection, even with its bedazzling, seemed lighter than air.
A textural all-black outfit, center, bookended by soft shoulders and sharp-toed shoes.
Both the earring and the gown’s neckline brought flower petals to mind.
These two, while not dressed in unison, were pleasingly in sync.
It was almost as if this enchanting Schiaparelli look were floating down the runway.
The shape of this Dior dress recalled hourglasses in fairy tales.
An elegant meeting of beads, buckles and lace.
Combat boots toughened up a corseted frock.
Not Charlie’s angels, but Coco’s.
An outfit involving a cloak and a high collar that some might say was serving justice.
In a crisp white jacket, Sinéad Burke, an activist and writer, cut a bright figure among a throng of dark coats.
A sloping runway at Chanel allowed guests to appreciate the clothes from different angles.
This gown was one of several exquisitely beaded pieces in the Armani Privé show that suggested the page had turned on quiet luxury.
Gaurav Gupta’s collection included a slinky dress that looked like silvery snakeskin.
An ethereal headscarf …
… and a delectable combination of sequins, ruffles and lace.
Flavors of Beetlejuice and Jay Kay of Jamiroquai were detectable in this ensemble.
The “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Bronwyn Newport accessorized a shimmering harlequin-print jumper with a sparkly clutch that resembled a sandwich.
This crumpled look, center, by Viktor & Rolf seemed like it had walked straight from the ’80s onto the runway.
Large umbrella lights and what appeared to be a puddle of gold amped up the glamour at the Schiaparelli show.
This slouchy brown leather jacket was worn with neon socks …
… and this slouchy brown leather jacket was worn with a pale blue pair.
Ribbing made this fitted leather jacket look more like a corset.
The model Baptiste Giabiconi spotted off-duty in elevated denim workwear.
This Sacai jacket offered an optical illusion: Protruding from the sleeves were clumps of fringe instead of the model’s hands.
A model’s wet, curvilinear bangs emphasized the swirly pleats of a Jean Paul Gaultier dress.
