LE CATCH

$161, asos

This gem of a sweater has the power (and sparkle) to turn any outfit into a party.

1. Asos embellished sweater, $161, asos.com
2. Topshop lipstick in Hazard, $16, nordstrom.com
3. Marni beaded clutch, $935, netaporter.com
4. Asos lace-up shoes, $104, asos.com
5. J.Crew metallic skirt, $110, jcrew.com

What is it about French Vogue editor Emmanuelle Alt's tendency to belt everything that is so appealing? Whittled-down waist? Longer legs? Thrown together yet put together? Sexy and stylish (with a little Gallic je-sais-quoi thrown in)? Tie-me-up bondage? If you are reading this and are a professor of semiotics, please comment below with the answer. In the meantime, I will just keep drawing inspiration from it during my shopping travels. My latest related find? These J.Crew cardigans that come with a belt (effectively taking out the what-belt-to-wear guesswork) and in just about every color (and 30% off!).

Photos: Getty, French Voguettes, Gastrochic, Marie Claire, I Want to be an Alt, Style du Monde

$120, pixie market

This lace-trimmed dress will gracefully handle the holiday hoopla--and then some! (I especially love its Dolce & Gabbana-like silhouette.)

1. Pixie Market red lace-trimmed dress, $120, pixiemarket.com
2. Eddie Borgo set of gold-plated multi-stone rings, $150, netaporter.com
3. Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Stain, $35, neimanmarcus.com
4. Moyna embroidered velvet clutch, $188, anthropologie.com
5. Sergio Rossi suede Mary Jane pumps, $650, netaporter.com

An East Coast-based friend of mine left me a voice mail message over the weekend, lamenting winter's sudden ice cold arrival. The plummeting mercury, she said, warranted her Canada Goose parka--A.K.A, the fashion crowd's effectively cool yet warm--and, yes, slightly reluctant--answer to the polar vortex. I'd like to offer her (and others facing the deep freeze) some comfort in the form of a teddy coat. Because it's as snuggly, soft, cozy, cocooning and warm as it sounds. And it looks (unreluctantly) chic! Check out these sub-zero-friendly styles from Warehouse, Free People, Antik Batik, Sonia Rykiel, and Whistles. The coat pictured, below, is by Ganni, and the one, above, is last season Max Mara.

$171*, j.crew

I foresee a whole lot of merrymaking in these gorgeous and greatly versatile gold sandals.

1. Kenzo ruffled dress, $1280, modaoperandi.com
2. Dior Vernis Gel Shine and Long Wear in Mirage, $25, sephora.com
3. Shashi fringed bracelet, $66, shopbop.com
4. Oliveve snake print clutch, $125, shopbop.com
5. J.Crew gold sandals, $171*, jcrew.com

* Get this price or 25% off today only with the code SHOPNOW

Coincidence or not, I've had a few friends email me this past week, requesting a post on backpacks. It's been a while since I've written about them, and since these bottomless-seeming, physiologically-friendly and now stylishly practical bags are here to stay, I thought I'd share my current crop of favorites, all of which, coincidence or not, double as a handbag so you don't have to sling it on your shoulders (because, I'm sorry, sometimes you just don't want to!). I love Jerome Dreyfuss' luxe python and leather backpack, particularly its anonymous, where-did-you-get-that look. I also adore Proenza Schouler's minimally-sleek bag-meets-backpack (it's almost like you're buying two bags in one!). In the same vein, the Balenciaga Le Dix backpack, with a top handle and beautiful brushed hardware, is more compact but gorgeously, stunningly elegant. I'm also totally into this sporty-chic drawstring Deux Lux, and its $80 price cannot be beat! There's something very fashion-insidery-cool about toting a Mansur Gavriel (that is if you can get your hands on one!). And last but not least, you cannot go wrong with this forever chic Elizabeth and James, straightforward in its design, small in size but yet still big enough!

$160, topshop

I adore the sweet, hand-knit look of this fringed cardigan--and its cozy warmth.

1. Stella McCartney print silk blouse, $816, matchesfashion.com
2. Topshop hand-knit cardigan, $140, topshop.com
3. Proenza Schouler bucket bag, $1325, forwardbyelysewalker.com
4. Madewell boots, $218, madewell.com
5. J Brand jeans, $200, netaporter.com

There's a whole lot of jet-set glam packed into this Instagram pic of stylist Giovanna Battaglia, taken this past summer off the coast of Ibiza, while holding what else but a package of Swedish Kalles Caviar. What I'm fixated on though is her striking print blouse, casually buttoned (just once, mind you) over a bikini. It's the chicest yet easiest alternative to a traditional cover-up that I've seen yet! Truth is, I could even wear this kind of shirt now, completely buttoned, of course. The ticket to paradise is in the vintage-y, vibrant print, which festoon these possibilities from Miu Miu, Ken Scott, Anthropologie, Stella McCartney, and Tory Burch.

Photo: Giovanna Battaglia

$295, tory burch

At a work breakfast yesterday, I reunited with a former Condé Nast editor colleague in from New York who looked every inch the stylish urbanite in a tailored tunic-length top with wide leg jeans. I'd love a long top, untucked like this...

1. Tory Burch stripe tunic, $295, toryburch.com
2. Topshop quilted bomber jacket, $115, topshop.com
3. Saint Laurent clutch, $745, luisaviaroma.com
4. Fendi cross-strap sandals, $750, neimanmarcus.com
5. By Malene Birger skirt, $385, netaporter.com