LE CATCH

Thanks to my recent trips to tropical climes, I've reacquainted myself with summery clothing, and the ones I'm liking best go everywhere without breaking a sweat. I'm talking plane-to-train-to-automobile tops, breathable trousers, day-to-night shorts, sandals that work with beach tunics and cocktail dresses. These are the season's most versatile and reliable pieces, and it happens that loads of them are 25% off today (along with pretty much everything else through April 9!) at Shopbop courtesy of their Friends & Family Sale--get code here! Seriously, people, this is the time to stock up on all things sunny and 80-degrees! Here's what I'm loving: these party-ready lace-up Aquazurra heels, this knockout Mara Hoffman maxi dress, these cute L'Agence denim shorts, this work-to-weekend Splendid lace-up blouse, this breezy lace Madewell top (similar to above), this chic canvas Hershel Supply weekend bag, these metallic gladiator sandals, and this sexy PilyQ halter bikini.

This is the time of year when my army jacket gets a lot play, because it's just-right lightweight and seems to go over everything and anywhere. A friend of mine recently took advantage of these special qualities, wearing hers on a flight down to Tulum, where she then proceeded to layer it over filmy dresses at night. I love how stylist Natasha Goldenberg makes this spring staple look fresh-as-ever with a belt. Some compelling versions (that look spot-on vintage-y like Natasha's) include these by Sundry, Current Elliott, River Island, Anine Bing, NLST, and The Great.

Photo: Natasha Goldenberg

$78, asos

I have a similar looking exotic-meets-elegant metal clutch that I bought many moons ago, and I'm telling you, it still hasn't gotten old. I wear it all the time. This one is even more gorgeous than mine!

1. Warehouse suede dress, $196, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
2. Noir Jewelry earrings, $35, shopbop.com
3. Ilia Lip Gloss in Peekaboo, $24, netaporter.com
4. Asos metal clutch, $78, asos.com
5. Prada metallic leather sandals, $750, bergdorfgoodman.com

St. Barths has long been on my bucket list for several reasons: it's a place where lounging on the beach, swimming in the turquoise ocean, drinking rosé at lunch, eating dinner late, shopping, and dancing on tables are pretty much everyday routine--and all up my alley! It's also a trop chic playground, where things happen a little slower, the food tastes a lot better and life feels carefree. A few weeks ago, my husband and I spent some time with some frequent-St. Barths-visitor friends on this French-speaking 9.7 square-mile isle for some bon temps. We all stayed at Le Sereno, a tranquil, minimalist-chic resort designed by Christian Liaigre, situated on the beach, above. The hotel has a mellow, intimate vibe, as if you're staying at a friend's perfectly-appointed, elegantly laid-back estate. This works for me.

Le Sereno's entrance, above, featured some seriously chic symmetry. I especially love the lipstick red doors.

Open-air lobbies are usually a sign that you have deplaned in the right latitude.

A quick trip to our room yielded outfit change No.1! St. Barths' dress code centers around a striking bathing suit and a head-turning cover-up--my favorite kind of outfit! Here, I'm wearing a past-season dress by Thakoon, Chanel sandals, a Lisa Marie Fernandez bathing suit and an H&M hat. If only I had these standout cover-ups by Loup Charmant, Tory Burch and Melissa Obadash in my suitcase!

And here is the above-mentioned room. It was airy and serene--well suited for our early morning idleness and late afternoon naps.

I easily tore through my book on our balcony's well-positioned chaise lounges. On windier days, kite-surfers reign on this bay, known as the Grand Cul-de-Sac.

Breakfast was my favorite meal of the day, mostly because of where it was served: in an open-air, thatched-roof dining room, steps from the sea. I also think the perfectly crusty croissants may have had something to do with it!

Lunch at Nikki Beach, the island's most famous club-like seaside restaurant, kicked off with a ginormous magnum of rosé wine. In fact, the bottle was so big and heavy, the waiter had to rest it on his shoulder to pour the wine into our glasses. As you might expect, our lively lunch was capped off with dancing on the tables. It turns out at least some of us must dance pretty well, as one of my (male) friends was asked more than once if he was a paid dancer.

To cool off, I proceeded to take a glorious dip in the ocean. My bikini is by Kiinis. It's super awesome--girls kept stopping me to find out what it was.

Rosé in the afternoon can be hard work--and requires rest. I will never get tired of this view though.

One day we chartered a boat to circumnavigate the island and snorkel. We anchored near the former Rockefeller House, just off Colombier Beach. The triangular structure in the distance is the estate's guesthouse studio, designed by Nelson Aldrich. I am just about to jump in to swim with the technicolor fish.

After another sumptuous lunch, I shopped at Poupette, by far the island's best boutique, and bought the crochet dress, above.

As the sun set, we would gather for drinks and/or dinner each night at the hotel bar, above, before heading into the night. There are all sorts of dining options on the island, some low key and some that end up with your drinking several cocktails called "Don't Feed the Models," outfit changing into a Laker cheerleader uniform, and then, yes, dancing on tables. No pictures of that shall appear on this website, however.

I actually took this photo on the flight in, but I think it works well as a parting shot, too. St. Barths is awesome. Go there!

While lately I've been all about wide leg jeans (this pair in particular), relishing their virtues (long, lean silhouette! vintage-y detailing but right now looking!), I haven't completely given up on straight-cut jeans, and if I had my druthers, I'd have this Point Sur pair in my denim arsenal. That's because they possess the same qualities I love about wide leg jeans: a flattering high waist, standout pockets and buttons, and an everyday-cool sensibility. LOVE!

$85, topshop

When it's time to get seriously dressed, I'd like to bling it on in this!

1. Topshop sequin tank, $85, topshop.com
2. House of Harlow 1960 stud set, $48, shopbop.com
3. M Missoni raffia bag, $395, shopbop.com
4. Gianvito Rossi leather and vinyl sandals, $835, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Peter Pilotto skirt, $1705, netaporter.com

I'm in Tulum, Mexico, and while I have yet to experience the Mayan Ruins, swimming in the cenotes, and sipping margaritas at Coqui Coqui, I have already discovered (on my twin sister) the greatness of this super cute beach-to-street Zara jumpsuit (it has attached shorts underneath the skirt!) above, this reversible Basta Surf bikini bottom and these walk-everywhere Tory Burch sandals. Snaps of my adventure to come! In the meantime, you can see me in action on Instagram @marlienrentmeester

Yesterday I assumed the role of a lady who lunches and played it rather successfully, thanks to Vogue and Etro, who hosted me at the Sunset Tower Hotel. (I am on the left, second one in, wearing this dress.) Bubbly and sorbet were on hand, of course, and the incredibly gorgeous Joseph Free blooms bestowed the most intoxicatingly sweet smell of spring. I wanted to wear this floral dress, which would have blended in nicely with Etro's printastic vibe, but, as fate would have it, it did not arrive on my doorstop until after lunch! However, once I tried it on, I got a whole new buzz. It's gorgeous! To see more snaps from the lunch, click here.

Photo: Donato Sardella/Getty Images for Vogue

This Instagram pic of model Anita Hodosi, seaside in Tulum, not only inspires major wanderlust but seriously sexy bikini lust. Hers is by Agent Provocatuer. I just snapped up some of my own beach-ready statements, including this luxe-looking choker-accented bikini top, this wraparound black top and this one shoulder triangle top, all from Victoria's Secret. I'd also like to hit the beach in these options from Ephemera, Missoni, L*Space, Bettinis, Michael Kors, and Tory Burch.


Photo: Anita Hodosi

In my (style) book, there is a crop top, above, and a cropped top, below. I am a fan of the latter, the kind that falls at the waistline and shows no skin. Historically, for me, the right cropped top has been hard to find (either too short, too tight, too wide, etc.), but now suddenly there is a plethora of perfect-fitting options. I'm chalking up this phenomenon to the resurgence of high-waisted jeans, pants and skirts, which go inextricably with cropped tops. Topping my list are these by Club Monaco, Tibi, Alice & Olivia, English Factory, Elle Sasson, Vika Gazinskaya, and Zara, which I have, or this one, as recommended by my sis.