What’s the Difference Between Couture and Ready-To-Wear?

While both couture and ready-to-wear clothing make a fashion statement, they aren’t the same thing. What are the differences between couture and ready-to-wear clothing? Fashion designers may create both couture and ready-to-wear lines and put their names on both of them, but each carries a very different ethos than the other.

Haute Couture: The Pinnacle of Fashion Artistry

Haute couture is the highest form of fashion, embodying the artistry required to create unique pieces tailored to an individual client.

These garments are handmade by skilled artisans and often take hundreds of hours to complete. This makes them extremely valuable and exclusive.

The term “haute couture” is protected by law in France, with only select fashion houses officially designated as couture by the French Ministry of Industry.

The one-of-a-kind aspect of couture garments means that they come with an exorbitant price tag suitable for the most affluent clientele.

Ready-To-Wear: Fashion for the Rest of Us

Manufacturers mass-produce ready-to-wear or off-the-rack clothing to fit standard sizing, making it more accessible and affordable.

Many manufacturers see why they should switch to automation to streamline the production process for ready-to-wear fashion. Automation allows them to produce more clothing items faster. Machines assist in tasks such as cutting fabric and sewing (but, as it turns out, humans are still better at the sewing part). That’s why couture pieces won’t benefit from automation.

While not as exclusive as couture, ready-to-wear can still offer high-quality garments and reflect the latest trends. Many high-end fashion brands and designers offer ready-to-wear collections for their wider audience.

The Intersection of Couture and Ready-To-Wear

In some cases, designers adapt their couture designs into ready-to-wear collections to make them more accessible. These off-the-rack versions of couture gowns usually come at a lower price point, enabling a broader audience to enjoy the designer’s vision.

So whether you’re in awe of the artistry of haute couture or appreciate the availability of ready-to-wear fashion, understanding the difference between couture and ready-to-wear can help you appreciate the intricacies of the industry.