LE CATCH

My Instagram feed served up a last-minute Christmas present in the form of Julia Kalmanovich's inspiring style. The Russian designer's day-to-day uniform is anchored in jeans and topped with massively compelling statements, from striped faux fur tops (yes, you read that correctly and you can find it here and also try this and this) to Hermes loafers (I'm tempted to buy a less expensive, pre-loved pair here) and fur-trimmed flats (this Staud pair is actually everyday doable). I also love the Loro Piana hat (immediately below), the long faux fur coat trick (over a t-shirt and jeans!) the unexpected argyle socks, and everything Chanel! Wrap it all up for me, please!

On the slopes, I dress like a pro, ski like a solid intermediate, and enjoy every moment like a true expert. Works for me! My latest style hack involves a just-launched Vermont-based line called Jorde, rife with flattering cuts and colors (I love the distinctly different rich ruby hue, above). It's also less pricey than most technical brands (the ski pants are under $400.) Plus, the myriad jackets will stand up to Cloud Nine's champagne showers. Just because I'm way above sea level, however, doesn't mean my whole wardrobe has to acclimate to less oxygen. Instead, for apres, I make a point of wearing what I'd normally wear to stay warm, which currently includes everyday puffers, like the Varley, below, or this BlankNYC, along with a few recent statement sweaters (this striped H&M, below, this IYKYK LL Bean, and this La Double J, aptly named the Ski Lift) and layering with a pop of red Cos on top of outwear. The $128 Astr The Label, second to last pic, comes with a fixed scarf to pull off layering without thinking twice--a perk when you have altitude-induced brain fog!

First Photo: Olivia Longin

The storm before the calm--holiday parties, festive lunches, last-minute shopping--is reaching its crescendo. My approach to the tis-the-season maelstrom: do more than just get through it-- seize the once-a-year opportunity to shine! This holiday season is my chance to bring energy, joy and inspiration to the table, and make things memorable. So I'm bringing on the sparkle in the form of bold embellished mini dress by Tanya Taylor, above, wearing the twinkly TWP blouse around the clock (and plan to throughout 2025), swapping out my drab black ballerinas for bright and merry Loeffler Randall red (below), going for gold for under $300 and above, tying a bow on everything, and managing the usual high's (brocade!) and low's (these new jeans!). Happy holiday weekend!

Winter hasn't officially arrived yet but its coolest must-have sweater has made a smashing debut. High Sport's vibrant iteration of the classic fair isle sweater is out and about everywhere from Val d'Isere, above, to the Upper East Side, below. This knit is the kind that turns heads, goes with everything and keeps things toasty, making it the ultimate winter wardrobe update before the frost even settles. It comes in cream, blue, and black for now--but, I bet, not too much longer.

Photos: Laura Vidrequin Rosa, Leandra Cohen

$118, gap

Fringing out!

1. GAP fringed jean jacket, $118, gap.com

2. Matteau pants, $580, netaporter.com

3. Soeur hoops, $175, soeur.com

4. YSE Beauty Lip Gloss (my absolute hands-down favorite!), $38, ysebeauty.com

5. Chanel pre-loved bag, $4950, shopbop.com

6. Loeffler Randall mesh ballerinas, $250, loefflerrandall.com

It's officially faux fur o'clock! Time to wrap up in a layer of warm, fuzzy-coated comfort that also radiates cold-weather chic. I wore a one-shoulder Zara, above, to a festive holiday party last night and raked in the compliments. (And stayed warm!) Meanwhile New York City-based Mimi Nguyen is going for it day in and day out with short jackets (this, this J.Crew and this which is reversible) and long coats (white Toteme pictured but this is also a good one!).

$128, river island

Because blending in is overrated.

1. Toteme turtleneck, $420, netaporter.com

2. Citizens of Humanity jeans, $260, netaporter.com

3. River Island leopard print jacket, $129, riverisland.com

4. La Double J macrame bag, $490, ladoublej.com

5. Ralph Lauren bangle, $58, dillards.com

6. Staud boots, $395, netaporter.com

I am not a gift guru--yet the deluge of DM's I'm getting over these past few weeks is convincing me otherwise! Coincidence or not, many of them are asking me about the same bag. It's like the universe collectively decided this studded Clare V, above, was THE gift of the moment, and somehow I've become an authority on it. Given I've been appointed to this position, my answer is simple: it's chic, versatile and has just enough edge to stand out without being over the top. In other words, the unicorn everyone's looking for! But if you're still searching for more inspiration, here are some other ideas I've secretly doled out: this studded Madewell tote, the stay-on Maison Mayle necklace (I'm already wearing mine!), this Leon & Harper apres fleece, this decadent Toteme faux fur scarf and this Dehanche suede belt!

$54, h&m

Everyday black trousers, fringed with fun!

1. Vince cashmere sweater, $217, mytheresa.com

2. H&M fringed trousers, $54, hm.com

3. Frankie Shop faux leather coat, $696, netaporter.com

4. The Reformation leopard-print flats, $268, shopbop.com

For most of Sunday, I scoured the far corners of the internet hunting for holiday gifts for my kids. From ski and surf gear to personalized stationary and even a mobile tv projector, I covered it all! Along the way, I may have veered slightly off course and treated myself to a few pieces of (affordable!) clothing that will work in all corners of my world. I am most excited about the cropped denim trousers, last pic ($140), that are everyday comfy but elegant looking, the faux suede jacket, immediately below, the $120 party-ready pleated dress, and the fancy faux fur collared jacket that belies its price!