LE CATCH

I continue to work on my ski game, and it's coming along slowly but surely. (Kudos to ski instructor Alan Bush with his Stanford physics degree, who most recently helped me make sense of all the technical to-do's. Try him, he's awesome if you are in Aspen!) Of greater importance though (in these pages at least) is that my ski fashion game has made significant progress. This season it's been all about the ski sweater! Now made with technical, sweat-wicking fabrics, these sweaters make it possible to look chic and keep the cold at bay. For me, the style high is equivalent to finessing perfect S-turns down a double black diamond, particularly these fun, retro-inspired knits by Maje, Perfect Moment, Fulsap, Tory Sport, Orcival and Sweaty Betty--all of them can swish on and off the slopes!

I've long associated designer logo t-shirts with conspicuous tackiness, but this season, for some reason, I'm warming up to them. For starters, they look vintage-y, not glitzy. Slightly distressed and not at all precious. And I like how they're being worn: nonchalantly rather than reverentially, with casual jeans, under blazers, tucked into skirts--pretty much thrown on. I especially dig these versions from Gucci (or this one), Stella McCartney, Isabel Marant, and Kenzo. The primo price? Not so much, but given this t-shirt's endless wearability, it "could walk itself to the washing machine," affirms journalist/stylist Pandora Sykes, pictured immediately below.

With LA shrouded in rain and clouds for days on end, the sunny sight of a friend wearing this beautiful blush-hued coat was most welcome. "Chloe?" I asked. "Club Monaco," she said with a smile. I'd like to wear it, rain or shine!

$88, five story

Leather trim makes this basket bag year round chic.

1. Whistles sweater, $180, whistles.com
2. Saks Potts shearling jacket, $1027, matchesfashion.com
3. Seagrass basket bag, $88, fivestory.com
4. Golden Goose sneakers, $460, shopbop.com
5. Current/Elliott jeans, $210, netaporter.com

Some more good lace, this time in spring-perfect (or vacation-ready), shoulder-baring form. It's very Zimmermann-ish sans the hefty price!

$395, rebecca taylor

A little lace softens the blow of another cold and blustery day.

1. Rebecca Taylor lace-trimmed turtleneck, $395, rebeccataylor.com
2. H&M oversized bomber jacket, $349, hm.com
3. Balenciaga tote bag, $1955, bergdorfgoodman.com
4. Toga embellished raffia flats, $291, matchesfashion.com
5. J Brand jeans, $200, netaporter.com

New year, new go-to jeans! I just snapped up the zipper-fly Rachel Comey pair, above, after seeing them on a friend of mine. I love the contrast stitch detailing, vented hems, and overall fresh vibe. Additional great new blues from Icons, Frame Denim, AGOLDE, Suno, J.Crew, and Warm.

Deep into winter and I am totally over my everyday coat. The ritual of putting it on in the morning is so Groundhog Day, and all I want to do is mix things up and throw on unexpected layers. Like a statement stole such as these by Sole Society (similar to above), Asos (or this one), or Kule. I also wouldn't mind throwing something like this hooded Mackage cape over my coat, or simply on its own, or this fur-trimmed Sam vest underneath. Other stylish ways to beat the brrr's: this Kate Spade striped muffler, this Urban Outfitters oversized blanket scarf, and this Third Piece cowl hoodie.

Yesterday's kajillion leg exercises at Body By Simone weren't the only things making me pant. It was also the plethora of new-looking, out-of-the-box workout wear that my class mates sported! I'm talking butt-flattering, bust-supporting, heart-pumping cuteness--the kind that actually motivates one to go to the gym and look all the better for it. I'd like to jump into action this new year with these stylish body-enhancing pieces from Free People (above), Heroine Sport, P.E. Sport, Olympia Activewear, Outdoor Voices, Track & Bliss, J.Crew, and Beyond Yoga.

The new year calls for new interpretations of past classics, which is why I love this bell-sleeved army jacket, inspired by Dries Van Noten's version, above, as well as these fresh 2017-ready updates from Club Monaco, Puma, And Other Stories, Theory, Gucci and The Upside.