LE CATCH

I love the way New York City-based artist Jenny Walton goes about her business, elevating her work-ready outfit with an unexpectedly chic $60 basket bag. Inspired by a Japanese picnic tote and made of bamboo, the bag makes a street-savvy statement, plus is roomy enough for an iPhone and other on-the-go essentials.

Photo: Nabile Quenum

$64, nordstrom

Pretty scalloped straps--and a great price--make this sandal a slam dunk!

1. Apiece Apart dress, $495, netaporter.com
2. Super Sunglasses, $250, shopbop.com
3. Shashi beaded bracelet, $83, shopbop.com
4. Shashi tennis bracelet, $66, shopbop.com
5. Mango lattice bag, $69, mango.com
6. Sole Society sandals, $64, nordstrom.com

A sleek black dress that looks nothing like the other LBD's in my closet, boasts fashion-forward edge and a $145 price tag? But, of course!

Here's further proof that a bold skirt and a simple top add up to springtime success. And the funkier-than-ever print and perkier hue, the better! Prime examples: this floral Finders Keepers, this denim Marc Jacobs, this tweed Tory Burch, this boldly-colored House of Holland, this abstract patterned J.W. Anderson, and this embroidered Topshop. A white top like this or this would be the perfect teammate.

$70, river island

I'd like to revel in the warm temperatures by wearing a fun, flowery skirt like this. (Also love it with a more subdued, office-friendly black crew neck sweater.)

1. Stella McCartney print tee, $265, netaporter.com
2. Elizabeth and James sunglasses, $185, shopbop.com
3. Aurelie Bidermann, $225, netaporter.com
4. Clare V linen clutch, $165, shopbop.com
5. Alexandre Birman sandals, $595, bergdorfgoodman.com
6. River Island lace skirt, $70, riverisland.com

My bathing suits will have a lot to live up to this summer. Besides possessing the innate ability to make me look leaner and longer (already a lot to ask!), I've been thinking it would be nice if they--or at least some of them--would also work as a top. Meaning I could wear it (way) off the beach with a pair of shorts, a wrap skirt or just peeking out of a button-down shirt--all without a hint of embarrassment. Take for instance, Lucy Williams' striped Zara one-piece, above, that goes the extra mile or her Marysia scalloped halter (also here), which looks perfectly at home in the arid fields. (I also adore this one-shoulder version.) Other suits that make the cut: this striped J.Crew, this ruffled Lisa Marie Fernandez, this fringed Anjuna, this lattice-trimmed Topshop, this bustier-like Kate Spade, this strapless Tori Praver and this cut-out Kore Swim.

Photos: Lucy Williams

$96*, j.crew

There's nothing more easy breezy summery than a throw-on-and-go wrap dress. (*Get this price--or 30% off on your entire J.Crew purchase--through April 21 with this code.)

1. J.Crew cotton wrap dress, $96, jcrew.com
2. Luv AJ earring set, $60, shopbop.com
3. August teal bucket bag, $198, augustca.com
4. Giorgio Armani Nail Lacquer in 201, $20, nordstrom.com
5. Proenza Schouler sandals, $1065, netaporter.com

For me, summer usually comes with the challenge of finding the newest, most flattering white jeans. But this season it's all about an off-white pair, a shade that looks refreshingly different, more sophisticated, and, I think, more flattering! Designers like Acne Studios and Gucci are also crazy for this creamy-colored denim--and they along with others are making my jean-finding mission a lot easier this time around! My cream of the crop picks come from Levi's, Mother, Rachel Comey, Citizens of Humanity, and Free People.

I spent this #nochella weekend at the beach and witnessed a different kind of spectacle: a great white shark ate a seal just steps from shore (and my beach chair!). LAPD helicopters arrived on the scene and hovered while the shark continued to chill in the shallows. Needless to say I didn't swim in the ocean, and since I am your faithful fashion correspondent, I did not let the commotion distract me from diligently following the desert festival's fashion. While the typical crop tops, fringed kimonos, cutoff jeans, and crochet bodysuits reigned supreme, the most compelling looks, in my opinion, were those that can be worn post-Coachella as well, such as the Altuzzara dress, above. (I love how Pernille Teisbaek styled it over shorts and with sneaks in the last pic, below, proving some serious versatility. P.S. The high slit is everything!) Scalloped denim shorts, like these, are a great summer staple, and one can never go wrong in a breezy white dress ( here, here, here, and here). Romantic maxi dresses, such as this, this and this, also go gorgeously with the warm weather festival-to-fete flow.

$128, french connection

I'd like to roll up this jumpsuit's sleeves and get to summer work.

1. French Connection linen romper, $128, frenchconnection.com
2. Ray Ban sunglasses, $116, nordstrom.com
3. Elizabeth and James earrings, $95, shopbop.com
4. Sensi straw tote bag, $189, matchesfashion.com
5. Miu Miu platform sandals, $575, netaporter.com