LE CATCH

The High Street is looking extra compelling right now—and not in a “can you believe this is from…?” way. Just compelling, period. I’ve already gone on about the very IYKYK appeal of Valesque, and now H&M is riffing on that same clean, pared-back bag idea, above. I also like the Dolce Vita luxe-looking tote, below. Especially for $148! Beaded Asos, also fun, plus pretty (Doen-ish) Topshop lace, black and blue Zara, Mango’s super cool wide-collar knit and Madewell’s lace-up oxfords in oxblood (for 25% off, no less). Even Walmart has some look-twice pieces in the mix: the denim cropped jacket and this pleated denim skirt. Consider this your reminder to keep the radar wide: good things are turning up everywhere.

Last night, it was a jacket that dragged me off the couch. It literally greased my wheels all 10.9 miles to Crescent Heights and Sunset for a dinner party. Which is why, if there’s one thing worth investing in this fall, I think it’s this: the jacket that gets you places. The one you can throw over whatever you’re already wearing and suddenly look like you had a plan. The one that helps me become one with Waze. I’m especially drawn to this season’s styles with a high neck, an embellished collar, some kind of fastening or flourish that makes everything underneath almost beside the point. Here are others that will earn their keep: the embroidered Never Fully Dressed, above, this Theory shirt-like jacket (on sale—I almost wore last night!), this vegan leather Modern Citizen blazer, the $49 Zara lace situation, below, the Polo Ralph Lauren cropped jacket (the denim version is compelling too), and Hill House Home’s chocolate herringbone.

The latest addition to my precious metal collection.

1. Rohe sweater
2. Phoebe Philo pants
3. Alexis Bittar stud earrings
4. JS Health Skin & Digestion Formula
5. Fallon chain maille bag
6. Partlow boots
7. Dries Van Noten Velvet Violet Eau de Parfum

I recently found myself sitting around a table with a group of women who essentially style, shop and recommend clothes for a living, and, not surprisingly, we got onto the subject of jeans. The interesting part was how much our answers overlapped. The same brands, the same styles, the same very specific fits kept coming up. An entirely unofficial denim focus group—and, somewhat surprisingly, a pretty strong consensus. Considering how many pairs have collectively passed through our closets (vetting processes), I figured the intel was worth sharing, starting with Levi’s (of course), Pistola’s Cassie Super High Straight Jean (if you like a bowed shape, this is it), AGOLDE’s 90’s Pinch, Mother’s Reifler jeans (hands-down, the most comfortable), Madewell’s vintage-inspired denim (the nicest price), Ossou Noon jeans (sleek, chic), and Still Here (whatever is not sold out!). Some new additions to the collective rotation: J.Crew’s carpenter denim that I saw everywhere in NYC in blue, but I like the berry wash better, (also Phillip Lim has a really good pair that’s selling fast), Reformation’s baby boot cut jeans, and Citizens of Humanity’s new crisp dark denim.

I went for a walk early this morning with energy healer Jakki Leonardini, whom I met many years ago in Aspen. I’d signed up for one of her workshops at the GOOP store on the eve of New Year’s Eve and pretty much instantly decided I needed her in my life. And not just because she was wearing the chicest Western boots I’d ever seen. That helped. In fact, I bought my own! Jakki’s philosophy is that intuition isn’t some special gift bestowed on a lucky few; It’s a skill we all have and can strengthen. Her work draws on energy healing to help clear out some of the old stuff that can get in the way of actually hearing ourselves. She does private sessions, groups and workshops, and I always leave her feeling a little more tuned in. This morning, after I told her about my very compressed, very social, very energy-intensive Fashion Week in New York, she prescribed a little (ongoing) replenishment: Creatine Monohydrate for less brain fog, better muscle tone (I’ll take both, please) and Adrenal Health to, as she says, “keep calm and carry on.” Apparently running around Manhattan, talking to approximately 4,000 people and getting dressed three times a day has an energetic bill that eventually comes due. But my bigger takeaway from our walk was simpler: recovery isn’t necessarily doing nothing. Sometimes it’s being a little more deliberate about what—and who—you let refill the tank. Anyway, consider this my post-Fashion Week energy edit!

Sézane is in refresh mode, and while there’s plenty to discuss—the sharper styling, more directional clothes, generally elevated point of view—I think the bags might be making the most convincing argument. Evidence: most of them are sold out. They’ve landed in a particularly useful sweet spot: interesting enough to change an outfit, practical enough to use every day, and priced at a level that doesn’t require a lengthy justification caption. I took my Sézane clutch to New York and it ended up working overtime—day, dinner, Fashion Week, repeat. Naturally, it’s now sold out, although a new suede version is available for preorder. More interestingly, a new batch is currently sitting in the “Coming Soon” section, including several I’d put on the short list now rather than discover three weeks from now when they’re marked “Notify Me.” My frontrunners: this suede bucket bag and this structured tote. (Plus: my sweater and skirt!)

I am bursting with LE CATCHES today. There are approximately six posts I want to write, and in the interest of not assaulting your inbox (or your brain/wallet/etc), I’m condensing them here, so excuse being all over the place. New York always does this to me. Leaves me scattered. Over-stimulated. I come home wanting to dress like I have somewhere fabulous to be at 10 a.m., when the reality of my LA life does not accommodate the fantasy. But there were ideas everywhere that I can actually use—and, more importantly, use with things I already own. The big one: one bossy piece with everything else quiet. I kept seeing people do this brilliantly—an emphatic coat (I just bought!), an oversized belt, a shoe with something going on (Loeffler loafer pictured)—and then almost aggressively basic everything else. See the experts demonstrate here. This all feels extremely doable—at home too, no less. I’m starting with the long duster coats I kept clocking in New York, like this Modern Citizen, Reformation or Chan Luu (even a very utilitarian with something extra trench coat would work too), thrown over a no-fail jeans/tee situation. Or maybe a crisp tuxedo shirt (which I’m about to do). If not a coat, a fur-trimmed jacket (a la Connor Ives, above) will deliver and then some. I ordered the less expensive Rixo version, below. Altuzarra also drove home something I’m now fully committed to: extra-long cuffs, which might be the lowest-effort styling update of the entire season. Let them (Cos, Theory, The Latest) poke out from under jackets, sweaters, coats. So, yes, I came home with a lot of thoughts. But maybe that’s the actual takeaway: I don’t need a whole new New York wardrobe!

Yesterday was a full Lower Manhattan pinball situation—subways, Ubers, blocks and blocks on foot, flip-flops on my feet with kitten heels tucked in my Lee Radziwell bag, above,—and I was not mad about any of it. I was overstimulated, over-inspired and, in a good way, over-wanting. I mean how could I not be with all the creativity in the air—not flashy or precious, but tactile, decorative, substantial and, frankly, much needed. Tory Burch’s bead-embroidered granny cardigans (I’m wearing her lush corduroy skirt and double-collar knit, above)! TWP’s hefty leather belts! Things with weight, sparkle, craft, personality. Yes, please! I ended the marathon with dinner and friends at Cleo, hosted by Counter’s Gregg Renfrew, and even caught up with my LA neighbor and designer Tessa Tran of Chan Luu, who crouched down beside me to tell me about her show next week—and the new fall collection she’s launching today. It pretty much encapsulates all that sparkly, hopeful energy I’ve been seeing on the runways, including the $345 feather-trimmed slip dress, sequin scarf, and cut-out knit. J.Crew is even getting in on the action with its new farm-to-fab barn jacket!

A few notes from running around Manhattan: apparently “cocktail attire” now includes jeans, kitten heels, below, and a (really nice) t-shirt. Noted for next time, but, thankfully, I had on my new infallible Prada tank top last night, which has yet to let me down. Also: New Yorkers are not getting ahead of themselves. Despite fall fashion coming at us from every direction, everyone is still dressing for the actual weather, leaning into fluid, in-between pieces that straddle the seasonal divide, like these jeans (it’s all about a non-blue jean!), this poplin shirt, a decadent Dries halter top (spotted on Team Vogue), more fringe, and capri pants (yep). Meanwhile, an old red Massimo Dutti shirt I wore prompted a deluge of inquiries, further proof that a pop of color is almost always the answer (similar here and here, plus this green apple parka tied around my waist). And the new Aflalo fall collection? To die for, especially the heavyweight satin jacket, below. TWP Spring 27 was also impeccable (and the place to be)! More data to come!

After landing in New York yesterday, it took approximately six minutes to realign with my native New Yorker self. Which meant a post-landing turn-and-burn at the apartment—suitcase open, quick change, back out the door—to meet friends at Frenchette. This is where having one easy, statement-making outfit at the ready earns its keep: nothing complicated, nothing requiring a mirror conference, just extravagant lace and easy ready-to-go red jeans. A strategy I’ll be leaning on heavily this week, because my calendar is packed and several outfit changes each day are in order. My only complaint: I was hoping New York would give me a little more fall so I could wear this sleek coat (I still might!) and this cashmere quarter-zip knit. In the meantime, these are the things making the cut: my new Thatch charm necklace (I like its extra long length), above, Posse’s under $200 satin bag, this instant glam $100 top, this Monica Vinader gem stone necklace, these garnet ballerinas, these new J.Crew loafers, and these new Dorsey drop earrings. Hel-lo, NYC!