LE CATCH

Inspired by Louis Vuitton's highly coveted (and totally sold out!) tie-the-knot belt, above and below, I'd like to whittle my waist and add a right-this-minute flourish to an outfit by twisting one of my own skinny belts into a neat, new-looking loop--or even better, tying on one of these pre-knotted agony-free leather belts such as this B-Low The Belt, this Asos, or this Topshop.

$108, nordstrom

These booties boast sexy Alaia-like gorgeousness--minus the sky-high price.

1. Kenzo dress, $590, modaoperandi.com
2. Holly Dyment 18-karat multi-stone earrings, $2150, netaporter.com
3. Bobbi Brown Art Stick lipstick pencil in Harlow Red, $23, nordstrom.com
4. Rafe striped minaudiere, $495, neimanmarcus.com
5. Nine West caged booties, $108, nordstrom.com

I can't recall a year when there wasn't a J.Crew box under our Christmas tree, and this year there will be a surfeit, as over the weekend, I mined its crazy sale (think 40% off sweaters, 30% off everything else--get the code here--hurry sale ends today!). Of course, I couldn't help snapping up a few things for moi, including this cashmere boyfriend sweater in black and this cashmere hoodie. Other good gift ideas: this glass tumbler set (too cute!), this sleek choker (want!) and this pajama set (need!). While I was busy mining, I came across some of these beautiful images on their site and remembered that, duh!, my twin sister shot them in Norway last summer. Pretty stunning, huh? Now if she can just shoot my kids this way for next year's holiday card...

$197, the outnet

This chain handled bag pretty much sums up timeless elegance.

1. J.Crew sweater, $70,* jcrew.com
2. Topshop quilted jacket, $95, topshop.com
3. Halston Heritage leather bag, $197, theoutnet.com
4. Derek Lam sneakers, $195, shopbop.com
5. Rag & Bone leather slim boyfriend jeans, $695, netaporter.com

*Get this price or 40% off(!) all sweaters at J.Crew and 30% off everything else--sale ends today. Get the code here and check back later today for a roundup of my favorites from the sale!

$227, asos

This sporty-chic color-blocked leather top makes a completely cool winter statement.

1. Asos color-block leather top, $227, asos.com
2. J.Crew shearling collar coat, $416,* jcrew.com
3. Stella McCartney wool and silk track pants, $775, netaporter.com
4. Loeffler Randall bucket bag, $295, shopbop.com
5. Vince slip-on haircalf sneakers, $206, shopbop.com

* To get this price or 30% off at J.Crew through 12/15, use the code GIVETHIS

A few weeks ago, friends of mine told me they were planning to host a '70s-themed party at Aspen's Cloud Nine, a rollicking fun, dance-on-the-tables, champagne-dripping-from-the-ceiling lunch spot atop Aspen Highlands Mountain. Of course, I loved this idea and even plotted my outfit (all before having an actual plane ticket to Colorado in hand!): a pair of swirly-print Pucci ski pants, a skintight turtleneck, and a rainbow-bright ski vest! But as luck would have it, the hosts are now thinking '80s (and Vuarnets, neon)--and thus (though I still can't wait for the party!) I've been left looking for somewhere else to focus my '70s mojo. Fortunately, I have not had to look far, as the Spring '15 looks from designers like Chloe, Prada, Gucci, and Stella McCartney, are all about re-interpreting the free love era's best (and slinkiest!) silhouettes, chief among them the tie-neck blouse. It looks a lot cooler and sexier than its '70s-secretary predecessor. Take, for example, Chloe's gorgeous pre-fall version, pictured above, with slightly sheer billowy sleeves. (P.S. Also note how it's tied around the neck!) With so many designers successfully executing this soon-to-be-a-staple now, I'd like to get the party started with these elegant lovelies from Topshop (which my twin just bought and I plan to steal!), Equipment (also work-appropriate), Red Valentino (40% off), Miu Miu, Derek Lam, and NYDJ.

Photo: Style.com

$79, asos

This glittery clutch boasts a distinctly glam, right-now-chic Edie Parker-esque vibe--along with an absurdly reasonable price!

1. Proenza Schouler wool top, $590, netaporter.com
2. Isabel Marant shearling jacket, $2737, matchesfashion.com
3. Warehouse glitter clutch, $79, asos.com
4. Reiss ankle boots, $320, reiss.com
5. Christopher Kane skirt, $383, theoutnet.com

There are certain pieces of clothing that have the ability to up your game in an instant, and the Free People linen jacket, pictured above, is one of them. With its spot-on frayed edges and waterfall collar, it looks cool in that effortless-I just-threw-it-on-and-look-seriously-chic way. Plus, it's everyday wearable and crazily versatile. Seriously, what more could one ask for?

$285, steven alan

I love this luxe take on the grey sweatshirt--and how it would offer (consecutive) days of style and comfort.

1. Toteme cotton and linen blouse, $230, netaporter.com
2. Steven Alan wool pullover, $285, stevenalan.com
3. J. Crew wide-leg cropped jeans, $148, jcrew.com
4. Henri Bendel rose gold ring set, $98, henribendel.com
5. Deux Lux drawstring bucket bag, $98, shopbop.com
6. Ivanka Trump pumps, $134, nordstrom.com

Rarely do my black (cropped, tapered) trousers stay at home when I travel. They pretty much go (and work!) everywhere, and this proved true last Saturday night, when I wore them out to dinner at the Waverly Inn in New York. It was a rainy and cold evening--and my pants stood up to the (damp-to-toasty-chic) conditions perfectly, along with this black embellished Topshop sweater and these Gianvito Rossi black pumps. Of course, we all know that black pants are slimming, flattering and universally appropriate--the ultimate wardrobe workhorse--but the really excellent ones are also strangely and frustratingly elusive. Which may explain why I've been wearing the same Zara do-it-all pair for years now! Still, I managed to sleuth out some new compelling options, as I'm selfishly wanting a back-up or two, and found these standouts from Vika Gazinskaya (similar to above), Vince, Etro, The Kooples, 3.1 Phillip Lim, J. Crew, Zara, and Burberry Brit.