LE CATCH

When Zara embraces an emerging trend, you can usually bet it's going to be big. As such, prepare yourselves for skinny scarves, as the big Z has styled most of their fall campaign looks with them. Next season's scarf craze also includes the neckerchief, tied tightly (very French chic-ly) around the neck. Some options to consider: this silk chiffon Saint Laurent, this Asos, this retro-print Gucci, this cotton J.Crew, this Topshop and this Henri Bendel.

I'll admit there are some bags on my closet shelves that don't get as much play as they should. One of them: an old Gucci weekender, which fell out of rotation due to a broken zipper that I never bothered to fix. Recently though I had it upgraded with the help of LA-based upstart DTLA Custom, which vibrantly hand-painted my monogram on it. It came out so beautifully that I thought it would be fun to transform/personalize a simple everyday bag, specifically a leather J.Crew tote. Since DTLA Custom could paint anything my heart desired, it took me some time to decide what kind of artwork to do. After some back and forth, we settled on doing some eye-popping trompe l'oeil bag charms. The result, below, is so excellently spot-on and cute. I also love how the bag is now more of a statement and less of a practical staple. In other words, a bag that is bound to get major play!

$395, tibi

This little black dress appeals to both the worker bee and party hopper in me!

1. Tibi wool dress, $395, tibi.com
2. Giles & Brother hexagon ring, $45, shopbop.com
3. Nars Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight, $26, netaporter.com
4. Berry fabric clutch, $68, nordstrom.com
5. Jimmy Choo studded metallic sandals, $975, saksfifthavenue.com

Looks like I am not the only one gravitating toward the short and sweet. Witness these lovelies, all sporting thigh-grazing, heat-beating shifts, recently dashing around Paris and Milan. If you're inclined to go short, you might consider these gorgeous frocks from Tibi, Topshop, Theory, Dolce & Gabbana, Ulla Johnson, Self Portrait, Narciso Rodriguez, BCBG and Amanda Uprichard.

Photos: Style du Monde, Harper's Bazaar, Style, Vogue Italia

$39, zara

I just snapped up this short and sexy dress for summer's steamiest days.

1. Zara dress, $39, zara.com
2. Gemma Redux chain cuff ring, $95, shopbop.com
3. Fendi clutch, $800, nordstrom.com
4. Aquazzura sandals, $565, netaporter.com

Simple, sun-soaked summer days never get old--but my swimsuit cover-ups, which I've been wearing non-stop (lucky me!), are starting to feel a wee bit tired! This pic offers up a cool and fresh solution: a maxi wrap skirt like this (which I just bought!), this, this or this. Leandra Medine, above, executes the look perfectly with this Lisa Marie Fernandez bikini. P.S. I'd wear all these skirts off the beach, too! Other stylish and out-of-the-ordinary cover-up options: this Anna Kosturova crochet mini or kimono, this off-the-shoulder Loup Charmant dress, this Acacia mini wrap, this Zara embroidered jacket, and this Zimmermann eyelet dress.

Photo: The Man Repeller

$120, river island

It'll be a while till I get to throw on this fall-perfect shearling cape but, once I do, it will be so good! (I will also sub in one of my own leather buckle belts to up its game even more!)

1. Tory Burch sweater, $295, netaporter.com
2. River Island faux suede shearling cape, $120, river island.com
3. Chloe bag, $1850, bergdorfgoodman.com
4. Iro sneakers, $478, shopbop.com
5. Mango jeans, $79, mango.com

While the blue-button-down is no stranger to my wardrobe, it's not exactly been in heavy rotation lately. But that's all about to change thanks to these chic European girls, pictured here, who are deftly demonstrating--and reminding me!--that it's the ultimate (neutral/easiest/throw-on-and-go) foil to all-out statement skirts, pants and even jeans. Here are some amazing iterations from Equipment, Nicholas, Elizabeth and James, Frame, J.Crew, Wes Gordon, Leith, and Adam Lippes.

$140, topshop

The cool detailing on this wrap skirt makes it a summer standout.

1. Adam Lippes top, $470, netaporter.com
2. Le Specs sunglasses, $69, shopbop.com
3. Aerin Lipgloss in Waterlily Sun, $30, netaporter.com
4. Marni color-block clutch, $630, modaoperandi.com
5. Stuart Weitzman sandals, $345, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Topshop mini wrap skirt, $140, topshop.com

Thought I'd bring it to your attention that Shopbop is staging a one-day crazy sale (up to 70% off through tomorrow July 15) on its designer offerings, including the most ravishing party dresses, such as these by Prabal Gurung, Narciso Rodriguez (or this one!), Dion Lee, Jay Ahr (above), and Sally LaPointe. I also love this statement-making Thakoon fringed cardigan. Check it all out here! You can thank me later. ;)