LE CATCH

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

Speaking of great tops, in case you missed out on Joahnna Ortiz's highly coveted off-the-shoulder blouse, above, you can do what I did and snap up this Pixie Market version at a tenth of the price instead. It's gorgeously dramatic!

$55, stories

My first lunch at super sceney Nava yesterday called for the debut of this cute, wear-all-summer-long linen top. (My date Clare Vivier wore these cute trousers!)

I left a cooking class yesterday afternoon with a new found fondness for gluten free black bean brownies (believe it or not, they're out of this world delicious!)--and a hankering for summer slides, thanks to a stylish friend who turned up in a drool-worthy Celine pair. (Topshop's riff on it is pretty darn good.) I've actually been wanting to invest in the classic Hermes version, above, but they're sold out. So, I hunted down other compelling options and came up with these spot on goodies by Kendall Conrad, Ancient Greek Sandals, Diane Von Furstenberg, Acne Studios, Chloe, ATP Atelier, Manolo Blahnik, and Asos.

Photo: Vogue

$180, whistles

An excellent candidate for this summer's go-to running-around, breakfast-to-dinner dress.

1. Whistles tie-waist dress, $180, whistles.com
2. Illesteva sunglasses, $300, shopbop.com
3. Jennifer Fisher gold-plated cuff, $475, netaporter.com
4. Hillier Bartley leather bag, $1191, matchesfashion.com
5. Converse sneakers, $69, nordstrom.com

I have a robust collection of monogrammed tote bags in my closet, courtesy perhaps of my east coast upbringing, but now it looks like they won't even see the light of summer days ahead, due to this just-ordered monogrammed basket bag. I mean... how CUTE is this?? Given its reasonable $150 price tag, I'm thinking I should snap up a few more--it comes in other fun colors!--for hostess gifts, mother's day presents, etc. Check out all the options here.