LE CATCH

Both coasts may be sweating out heat waves right now, but winter will eventually deliver its cold wallop, and there's no better time to prepare for it than right now. Shopbop's three-day "Event of the Season" is as epic as it sounds, a sale replete with tons of chic, fall/winter pieces. (Spend up to $500, get 20% off; spend over $500, get 25%. Get the code here.) My faves include the Ganni satin dress, above, which you can wear in this 80-degree heat, and when the mercury dips, topped with a cozy knit! I also wouldn't mind keeping warm (yet looking cool!) in this brocade, faux fur-trimmed Pampelmousse coat, these Sol Sana ankle boots, this Line & Dot balloon sleeve sweater, these perfectly faded Re/Done jeans, this Stella Jean faux fur jacket, this Trademark bucket bag, this Ulla Johnson parka, these Loeffler Randall mules, and Check it all out here.

With September winding down(!), I'm working on winter's sweater game, and my action plan is: go big, or go home. As you can see here, it's all about the oversized knit, souped up with balloon sleeves, puff shoulders and billowy silhouettes. I love the open-back Ganni, above, (also here), and these by Theory, Temperley, H&M, Tibi, and T by Alexander Wang.

$395, intermix

This little leopard bucket bag, kitted out with gold handles, will make any outfit roar!

1. MSGM asymmetrical floral dress, $760, matchesfashion.com
2. Marni earrings, $330, shopbop.com
3. Maison Boinet leopard bucket bag, $395, intermixonline.com
4. Aquazzura velvet pumps, $750, netaporter.com

You'd think it's bridal season with all the long white dresses out and about, but these white-hot statements are this fall's greatest hallmarks. They look especially fresh when partnered with boyish extras (i.e., structured blazers, utilitarian sneakers) and functional, chill-proof layers. I'm a fan of this trend, because these dresses are wearable year-round, and head-to-toe white always looks clean and elegant. I'm in love with these iterations by Capulet, Spell, Tibi, Veronica Beard, Maje and Helmut Lang.

$129, h&m

This chic bow belted faux fur coat gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling!

1. Etro printed silk blouse, $800, netaporter.com
2. H&M faux fur coat, $129, hm.com
3. MiH Jeans, $225, netaporter.com
4. Rafe flask minaudiere, $895, neimanmarcus.com
5. Nicholas Kirkwood satin loafers, $795, matchesfashion.com

Leave it to Zara to perfectly winterize the basket bag. It comes with a removable faux fur inner lining, so you can tote it on warm getaways too. Genius!

$128, pixie market

Balloon sleeves, a flattering nipped-in waist and an open back--my kind of statement sweater!

1. Pixie Market balloon sleeve sweater, $128, pixiemarket.com
2. Mar x Clare V. Marmy jacket, $395, lecatch.com
3. The Row velvet bag, $990, matchesfashion.com
4. Gucci spiked pumps, $1190, neimanmarcus.com
5. Frame jeans, $250, netaporter.com

On those days (and nights) when my friend Annie doesn't know what to wear, she always turns to her leather trousers and executes successfully (i.e., stylishly) every time. It has me thinking I need to invest in a pair. Now. I'm way into the cropped Mango pair, above, with its zipper fly and wallet-friendly price. I also like these versions by J.Crew, Rag & Bone, Joseph, Veronica Beard and Vince.

$128, gap

I want to throw this cozy, chic poncho over everything--a jacket, leather moto, cashmere turtleneck--to fend off fall's chill. (I also love it in cream.)

1. Sonia Rykiel sweater, $840, netaporter.com
2. Gap fringe poncho, $128, gap.com
3. Gucci calf-hair bag, $2890, neimanmarcus.com
4. Sam Edelman velvet ballerina slippers, $100, shopbop.com
5. Masscob wide leg jeans, $225, matchesfashion.com

In London for the next round of runway shows, the fashion pack is stepping out in fall's requisite ankle boot and teaming them with unexpectedly feminine, flowy dresses. I like! The soft/tough juxtaposition breathes new life into our old booties--and maybe even justifies a fresh new pair. Some worthy options come from Loeffler Randall, Steve Madden, Prada, Topshop, Jimmy Choo, and Vince.

Photos: Vogue Espana, Vogue, Vogue Paris