LE CATCH

I have not one but two new pleated metallic (gold and silver) skirts hanging in my closet--and they've been there for weeks, untouched. Though I desperately want to wear them, I haven't been able to summon up the bravado (or, frankly, the occasion) to bust one out. But then there I was in Bali last weekend at a wedding and the best dressed guest was an older woman wearing a long pleated gold metallic skirt with a fitted, just-below-the-hip black sweater. She looked elegant and glamorous. She stood out. And I watched as she received compliments left and right. So, now I am all fired up to wear one of my skirts--and even drum up a little backyard cocktail party to do so. In the event you're interested in making a gleaming statement too, I found some tempting options from Topshop, Rules of Etiquette, Cedric Charlier and H&M.

$148, madewell

This lightweight biker-meets-bomber jacket cannot be more fall-friendly--and chic.

1. Equipment striped cotton blouse, $180, netaporter.com
2. Madewell nylon bomber jacket, $148, madewell.com
3. Victoria Beckham Denim skinny jeans, $365, netaporter.com
4. Poverty Flats cross-body bag, $78, nordstrom.com
5. Eddie Borgo cuff, $315, shopbop.com
6. Stuart Weitzman suede pumps, $355, shopbop.com

Lucky for us this year, summer's easy, let-loose vibe will carry into fall, in the form of casually untucked shirts. This fresh look is easy to pull to off by pairing long button-downs over skirts, tailored shorts, or sleek fitted trousers. Some tops to try out this trend include this J.Crew, this MiH, this Victoria Beckham and this Acne.

Photos: Harper's Bazaar, Fabsugar

$65, pixie market

This shirt dress is my ticket to hot-summer-day-in-the-city chic.

1. Pixie Market shirt dress, $65, pixiemarket.com
2. Ray-Ban round sunglasses, $150, jcrew.com
3. Elizabeth and James earrings, $175, shopbop.com
4. See by Chloe suede bag, $445, netaporter.com
5. Vince slip-on sneakers, $136, shopbop.com

I've been bounding around Bali this past week (more details and snaps to come!), wearing thoughtfully chosen clothes that go from day to night, rice paddy to restaurant, such as this white lace For Love and Lemons open-back dress. I'm wearing this white bikini top underneath, so I am also pool-ready, of course. Thanks to my twin sister, who snapped this pic of me in action in Ubud!

Before long (blanket) coat weather comes cape weather, naturally. This fall is calling for eclectic-looking ponchos, the kind a global jet-setter would wear, and they look chicest atop citified street wear. I'd like to throw on one of these ponchos by Nasty Gal, Miss Selfridge, Burberry (or this one), Michael Kors, and Etoile Isabel Marant nonchalantly over my shoulders

Everything about this Instagram pic of London-based stylist Caroline Sieber, above, is glamorous, from the Positano backdrop to her white scalloped bikini. Her choice of a floppy wide-brimmed hat is also suitably fabulous--and it's all I want right this very minute. To completely shield my face from the (already-had-too-much) sun. To add more dramatic flair to my swimsuits. So far, I like these options from Melissa Odabash, Bop Basics, and Jonathan Adler.

Photo: Caroline Sieber

Gold will be in the spotlight this fall, and I'd like to go for it with this head-turning shimmery skirt.

Yes, summer's end is in sight, but, thankfully, there are still weeks left to wear sandals, even new ones, like these from Alexander Wang, which are not only 40% off but will stride deep into fall. More end-of-season sale gems at Neiman Marcus include this Pam & Gela striped sweater, this Nanette Lepore studded sandal, this striking Elle Sasson embroidered skirt, this cute Whit dress, and this Vince leather jacket. You can check it all out here.

$375, tibi

An asymmetrical hemline adds the perfect amount of drama to this day-to-night dress.

1. Tibi dress, $375, tibi.com
2. Alison Lou stud earring, $295, kirnazabete.com
3. Kate Spade case, $498, shopbop.com
4. Valentino sandal, $875, bergdorfgoodman.com