LE CATCH

$56, front row shop

Pinstripes get some added pep from an asymmetrical hemline and a corset belt.

1. Front Row Shop pinstripe shirtdress, $56, frontrowshop.com
2. Cornelia Webb earrings, $170, netaporter.com
3. Alexander McQueen belt, $945, netaporter.com
4. Salar mini bag, $350, shopbop.com
5. Zara boots, $119, zara.com

For those who missed the memo: a pair of vintage-looking cat-eye sunglasses and Rebecca de Ravenal earrings are mandatory at New York Fashion Week. Let's talk about the sunnies first: they're retro-glamorous, statement-making and, yes, paparazzi-ready. You can find them here (pictured above, right), here (pictured immediately below), here and here. Equally fun and bold: Rebecca de Ravenal's embroidered drop earrings, which may be inspired by far east bazaars but are able to straddle 14th Street (i.e., they work both uptown and downtown!). I like these silk cord ones in blue (pictured below) and red.

I'm stepping ahead with next spring's go-to shoe: the low-heeled, closed-toe mule. Popping up at designer shows like Brock (last pic), Tibi, Rag & Bone, and 3.1 Phillip Lim, these easy, breezy, walking-friendly shoes are already hitting the New York City pavement! The pair, above, is from Mari Guidicelli (also here), while the ones, below, are Manolo Blahnik. Other chic options currently available include these by Mansur Gavriel, Stella McCartney and Prada.

Introducing New York Fashion Week's official uniform: cut-off denim shorts with a decidedly dressed-up blouse and kitten heels. It's a look I want put into rotation, because there's nothing more effortless than a pair of jean shorts (and, of course, I already own several pairs!), and as these pics show, they have trans-seasonal versatility. Elevating them with a little elegant extras yields a slightly edgy yet not-trying-too-hard look. Excellent tops that will execute successfully: this Petersyn, this Tibi, this Zara, this Georgia Alice, this Asos, this Miu Miu, and this Milly. (P.S. Also ubiquitous: Rosie Assoulin's outfit-making bubble-sleeve, tie-neck top--see pics below.)

$137, matches

Totally in tune with all the ruffles, shoulder-baring, romantic tops currently coming down the New York Spring 2017 runways--at a buy-right-now price!

1. Cecile Copenhagen halter top, $137, matchesfashion.com
2. Gucci cat eye sunglasses, $470, shopbop.com
3. Anne Sisteron rose gold watermelon tourmaline ring, $745, annesisteron.com
4. Deux Lux woven tote, $208, shopbop.com
5. Prada velvet sandals, $825, bergdorfgoodman.com
6. Stella McCartney jeans, $450, netaporter.com

Now that my summer vacation's glow is fading away into back-to-work reality, I thought I'd share the highlights from my mid-August girls' trip to Venice and Croatia. There were nine of us in all, first exploring the canals of Venice, touring the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and bellini-ing at Harry's. Then we boarded a boat to Croatia, an archipelago consisting of over a thousand islands. On our three-day odyssey, we cruised through teal-blue waters and anchored in scenic harbors and historic towns, such as Losinj and Trojir. The picture, above, was taken at Carpe Diem, a beach club restaurant on the island of Hvar. I'm wearing a bikini by LA-based swimwear line Marysia (which, ahem, is currently featuring me on its website--see it here!) We capped off our holiday in the bustling city of Split, all with the best memories and amazing snaps. Scroll down to see a few of my favorites! (You can also check out more pics on Instagram @marlienrentmeester)

Majestic sights from our water taxi!

My Valentino dress blending in with the stunning Venetian tilework. A quintessential #ihavethisthingwithfloors moment!

A Calder mobile hangs in the entrance of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. There was also art by Picasso, Miro, Jackson Pollack, Kadinsky, and Cezanne.

I think I ate about a pound of burrata while lunching at Compagnia della Vela Asd--the best caprese I've ever had in my life!

The color of the ocean looked almost like malachite--so clear and gorgeous.

Dressed in Marysia on deck!

Climbing up the 14th century Karmalengo fortress in Trojir, where I was hoping to bump into Jonathan Snow. Game of Thrones has filmed scenes here.

Lunching under grapevine ceilings, drinking the yummiest Croatian wine.

The perfect swimming spot in Hvar.

Our last seaside supper at Dvor in Split.

Perhaps it's New York's scorching temps that has fashion week attendees streamlining: lightweight dresses, barely-there sandals, and teeny tiny bags, specifically Simon Miller's Bonsai bucket. This new "it" bag has a structured, compact shape, metal ring handles, along with an detachable, adjustable leather strap. Snap it up here and here before they sell out!

Photos: French Vogue, Vogue

Like Olivia Palermo, above, I'll be running around this fall with a track jacket. I love its right-this-minute sporty edge and, at the same time, it's a little unexpected looking, especially with sky-high heels. Practically speaking, it's a layer that's not too hot and not too cold--just right! Olivia's jacket is past season Boden. I like these by Joseph, Pam & Gela, Fred Perry, and Adidas.

While my kids and their friends brandished their new and carefully chosen backpacks on their first day of school, a few fellow moms took the opportunity to bust out their new fall bags. Most noticeable among them: Balenciaga's Bazar leather tote, above, which is both practical (i.e., roomy enough to tote a toddler!) and statement making. As I don't have any two-year-olds to run after any more (boo hoo!), I'm considering the compact, clutch-size version, which also happens to be a lot more wallet-friendly. Other new fall bags I'm lusting after: this Prada trunk bag, this Simon Miller cross-body bucket bag, this denim Meli Melo satchel, this Loewe hammock bag, this plum And Other Stories bag and this embellished Gucci tote.

Photo: They All Hate Us

$125, tory burch

These earrings are like little modern pieces of art--and surprisingly reasonable, too!

1. Co bow-tie dress, $895, netaporter.com
2. Tory Burch hook earrings, $125, toryburch.com
3. Amber Sceats ring, $119, shopbop.com
4. F.E.V. snakeskin clutch, $1144, matchesfashion.com
5. Stella McCartney croc-effect pumps, $995, netaporter.com