LE CATCH

When I worked at Lucky Magazine, I loved contributing to an annual story called "The Next Big Thing," which predicted future fashion trends, including micro ones. My wagers were usually spot on, so today I am going to forecast with confidence that cargoes are up and coming. They are showing up as shorts, above, recently photographed in Copenhagen, with a borrowed-from-the-boys or vintage aura, but made modern and feminine with heels or slinkier separates. Good examples: this and this. Alexa Chung, below, the inveterate fashion bellwether and the first to try and validate new silhouettes, is already on board this trend with her cargo jeans and pants, below. The streamlined, straight-leg silhouette keeps them polished and everyday-wearable. I am into these iterations from Marant Etoile, 7 For All Mankind and Citizens of Humanity (also here), pictured below.

This summer’s non-stop travels (Corsica! London! Cotswolds! The Hamptons!) fine-tuned my carry-on packing skills, but what also simplified my globetrotting was some incredibly versatile clothing. One of my latest and greatest suitcase staples is this dress, above and below, from UK-based brand ME + EM. I recently wore it to a beachside soiree in the Hamptons, then again the following day for lunch at Le Bilboquet in New York City. I could use more of ME + EM’s multi-talented pieces, particularly for transitioning into fall and beyond, such as these cropped tuxedo pants, this cashmere cardigan, this herringbone blazer, and these wide-leg cargo pants. This post is in paid partnership with ME + EM.

School doors may be opening soon, but, let's be clear, summer's not over yet. Surely, there is still lots of time to wear your warm weather best--and add to your arsenal for less! Matches' sale not only has the season's greatest hits on offer, but is also teeming with year-round desirables that I will wear till the end of time, such as the forever-chic Valentino lace-up sandals, above, at 30% off. There's also this enduringly cool Chloe denim dress, this Paco Rabanne chainmail bag, this belted Toteme blazer, this Gabriela Hearst pleated merino dresses, and street style-statement Loewe t-shirt, below. Check it all out (up to 70% off!) here!

I'd love to get away with no makeup and (gently) sun-kissed skin for the rest of my life, but as fate would have it, I need miracle-working beauty product back-up! Thanks to my fashion photographer identical twin sister, who essentially lives on photo shoots and works with many of the top makeup artists, who are always giving her personalized styling tips, I have a discerning curation of efficacious skin care and cosmetics. And thanks to Shopbop's rarely-held beauty sale, I just re-stocked my vanity with our (never-on-sale) faves for less! Let's start with the research-backed Augustinus Bader Rich Cream, an ultra deep daily moisturizing cream that makes my skin look noticeably smoother and more supple. Also amazing: Augustunus Bader's Eye Patch (for de-puffing my eyes!), Supergoop Glowscreen (yields Mediterranean glow year-round!), Ouai Hair Oil (no frizz!) and aloe-based, vitamin and omega-packed body lotion from Costa Brazil. Shop all the rarely-discounted goodies here.

$168, j.crew

A light sprinkling of sequins gives these stripes extra sleekness!

1. J.Crew sequin shirt, $168, jcrew.com

2. Staud pants, $395, netaporter.com

3. Ben Amun bracelet set, $245, bergdorfgoodman.com

4. Khaite bag, $1800, mytheresa.com

5. TKEES sandals, $65, shopbop.com

My Tory Burch skirt, above, had as much fun as me this past weekend in the Hamptons, lounging at Dune Deck, above, then later at a Surf Club concert and again the following evening for dinner at The Quogue Club. Now for the work week I've moved on to these perfect under-$100 cargo pants, this Zara studded overskirt and these cute new Saint Laurent bow-trimmed flats! Back to business!

I tend to be more fly by the seat of my pants than plan ahead, but for some reason, I always buy a bulk of sweaters in August. Perhaps this happens when I am most excited about sweater weather--which is when I am not actually in it?! Who knows, but I am certain these knits will work wonderfully when cooler times come. I bought the above Cos set, yesterday, in 85 degree weather! The t-shirt-like sweater from And Other Stories, below, will also be a mainstay, along with these from Proenza Schouler White Label (both a statement and a staple), J.Crew (size up for a louche fit), Prada (forever and ever), and Tory Burch (ladylike yet loud!).

Look at the sexy and refreshingly affordable Norma Kamali dress below. Now close your eyes and imagine topping it with an oversized blazer and finishing it off with sleek Toteme kitten heels (on sale!) or even a pair of The Row-like flip flops. How good is that?! And for the next trick: how about subbing in this under $300 Norma Kamali vegan jacket for the Prada, above? Lastly, let's swap in the red Farm Rio in lieu of an equally resplendent Valentino!

$240, farm rio

Scallops, ruffles, eyelets, oh my!

1. Farm Rio blouse, $240, farmrio.com

2. AGOLDE jeans, $200, netaporter.com

3. Blaze Milano leather jacket, $1581, mytheresa.com

4. Justine Clenquet bracelet, $68, shopbop.com

5. River Island studded loafers, $90, riverisland.com

Copenhagen currently feels more like fall, with its 50-degree temps and gusty rain squalls--and the city looks like it too, with cold weather-suitable coats, leather jackets and layered trenches out in full fashion-week force. Also ubiquitous: low-slung, loose-fitting, wide-leg white jeans. The unexpected summer carry-over is like a bright ray of sunshine in next-season's lineup, striking in its versatility and fresh-looking fit. Some solid options to defy the chill and gloom come from AGOLDE, Levi's, Slvrlake, Citizens of Humanity, and The Row.