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; cf. suture, accouter

Explanation

Couture is the design, manufacturing, and sale of designer clothing. You might like to wear couture styles, but your job at the ice cream shop makes jeans and T-shirts a more appropriate choice. Haute couture, or "high" couture, is a step above couture, referring to the most exclusive designers and their wares. The closest the average person gets to haute couture is watching movie stars walk the red carpet on Oscar night. If you like couture but live on a budget, you can shop at high-end consignment shops. Or if you can sew and have an artistic bent, you can design your own couture gowns for yourself and your friends.

Example Sentences

Sometimes, it’s the lack of access that holds filmmakers back; others, it’s the inability to find the point where history, couture and artistry intersect.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

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 • Mar. 19, 2026

The Lebanese designer Elie Saab went back to his roots for his couture show, entitled Golden Summer Nights of '71.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

"Now, I feel like I'm doing a PhD in couture," he explained.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

In the end, she had sent for her whole couture studio, and they had sewn him a jacket on the spot.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell