The dictionary definition of couture defines it as 'high-fashion clothing created by designers'. My own definition of couture is 'high-fashion clothing possibly costing more than a month’s rent and purchased only through much forethought and financial planning'. It's justifiably hard to spend a wad of cash on a single piece of clothing. However, if you need to be convinced that every girl should have at least one piece of couture, consider the following:

1. Weddings
I believe if I’m spending a couple of hundred bucks at the wedding registry on a designer can opener, I deserve to spend double that amount on a designer frock for myself. Who says the bride has to be the best dressed person at a wedding? She’s already got domestic bliss and a designer can opener coming her way. She doesn’t need the satisfaction of dazzling the room in a knock-out frock.

2. Originality
I’m sure every city has an equivalent to the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. This carnival has very little to do with racing. It's really just an excuse to attend a mass fashion parade and pass judgement on your fashionable (or not so fashionable) peers. Since so many Melbourne girls see this as the event of the year, every October our city's stores are invaded by hordes of desperate fashionistas on a quest for the perfect frock. The problem often arises however that these frocks inevitably end up being worn by every third girl at the Carnival. Owning couture doesn’t necessary guarantee that you'll be in a 'one off', but it does decrease the likelihood of mass-replication. And if you do see somebody in the same outfit, at least you'll know how much she spent.

3. You're investing in history
How many times have you looked at photos of your mum and wished she'd had the sense to keep that impossibly chic Mary Quant mini? Imagine how much your daughter will appreciate a Chloe dress from 2006.

4. You're investing in art
A beautifully made piece of clothing is like a piece of art. But, unlike a painting, you can take your couture everywhere with you. When a designer has put their heart and creative spirit into a piece of clothing you can’t help but to look and feel fantastic.

If you need a little encouragement to buy a new designer outfit then the above list can help justify buying couture. I would never however advocate putting yourself in debt to achieve a designer wardrobe. The real charm of couture is that one good quality and timeless piece is usually enough. If you have a knock out frock in your wardrobe, it's much easier to get away with wearing a pair of shoes from Shoe Biz (as long as they're not synthetic)! There is also the risk however that when you find a designer you adore, one piece of couture may be the beginning of a very expensive fashion addiction!