LE CATCH

Super duper cool: Goop asked me for a round-up of some amazing summer pieces that won't break the bank (plus a few splurges), and the feature is live today! You can check it all out here!

$268, jcrew.com

Of all the "it" white bags this summer, I especially like this one for its priceless where-did-you-get-that aura and striking horn handle.

1. J.Crew perforated sleeve top, $88, jcrew.com
2. Bauble Bar turquoise studs, $32, baublebar.com
3. Saint Laurent cat eye sunglasses, $295, shopbop.com
4. J.Crew leather hobo bag, $268, jcrew.com
5. One by Mint & Rose metallic cap toe espadrilles, $125, shopbop.com
6. Frame Denim jeans, $210, netaporter.com

The plan last Saturday was for my husband, kids and their cousins to attend a Giants baseball game in San Francisco. Mine was to shop. Yes, store-hopping is one way to familiarize yourself with a new city! The touristy adventure, of course, requires an outfit that is stylish, heat-proof and walking-friendly--one that, in my opinion, should involve a sophisticated pair of shorts. The kind that you team with low-heeled or flat sandals and a crisp blouse, maybe even a blazer (see above), and wow, you're done. Ones that are tailored, flattering and not too short. (P.S. They should also be able to go seamlessly from the city to the seaside!) In other words: perfect all-around shorts. Among my favorites are pairs by J.Crew, Whit (70% off!), Rag & Bone, Joie, Tibi, Kate Spade Saturday, Gucci and Zara.

$237, nordstrom*

A glam, go-with-everything summer sandal is hard to come by, much less one by Lanvin, on sale (60% off)!

1. Saloni crepe de chine dress, $450, netaporter.com
2. J.Crew open-weave hat, $32, jcrew.com
3. Ray-Ban sunglasses, $155, netaporter.com
4. River Island tapestry leather clutch, $85, asos.com
5. Jules Smith ear cuff, $39, shopbop.com
6. Lanvin sandals, $237, nordstrom.com (60% off)*

* The Nordstrom designer clearance sale happening now has a ton of amazing stuff at serious discounts. Check out yesterday's post to see my favorites!

Indeed summery prints are in full bloom (expertly demonstrated by New Yorker Lily Kwong, above)--and on crazy sale at Nordstrom--by the designers who do them best like Erdem, Missoni, and Phillip Lim. My picks include this sequin floral Erdem dress (60% off), this Prabal Gurung pansy print silk top (60% off), this Mary Katranzou photorealistic print dress (60% off), this embroidered Marc Jacobs lace skirt (60% off), this MSGM candy-colored dress (40% off), and this Valentino Rockstud camouflage reversible tote bag (30% off). Other summer scores: these Prada wraparound sandals (50% off), this zipper-trimmed Alexander McQueen leather clutch (35% off), this classic Chloe satchel (35% off) and this elegant 3.1 Phillip Lim color-block shift (40% off).

Photo: Pinterest

$91, asos

Now's the time to bust out loud, vibrant prints. This floral shift executes perfectly.

1. Warehouse floral print dress, $91, asos.com
2. Saskia Diez Tahiti pearl ring, $908, stevenalan.com
3. Mary Katranzou leather clutch, $245, modaoperandi.com
4. Tibi ankle strap sandal, $425, shopbop.com

When I worked at Lucky Magazine, there was a regularly running column called How to Dress Around a. . . (insert a newly trendy, hard-to-wear item here). Accompanying pictures showed how to style the piece, so that ultimately you could pull it off with aplomb (rather than look like a fashion victim). For me, this column was especially convincing whenever I was on the fence about buying edgier pieces. Since I'm now considering a pair of culottes--an item of clothing I haven't worn since I was in the single digits--I spent some time this morning assembling my own version of "How to Dress Around." These images pretty much persuade me that my wearing culottes is 100% doable--and effectively cute. My options so far: this pleated Tibi (similar to above), this silk Whistles, this Kate Spade Saturday, and this textured Topshop.

$114, miss selfridge

A great t-shirt alternative that also makes a glam statement.

1. Miss Selfridge beaded top, $114, missselfridge.com
2. Lanvin sunglasses, $300, shopbop.com
3. J. Crew woven bag, $55, jcrew.com
4. K. Jacques sandal, $255, shopbop.com
5. Equipment silk shorts, $170, netaporter.com

While the fashion tribe may be favoring Birkenstocks (white birks in particular right now!) and slides this summer, I am remaining loyal to my gladiators, keeping them very much in the mix. They're classics, after all, and one can never go wrong with a pair with a few simple, narrow straps in a neutral solid (i.e., black, brown, metallic) with minimal details. Gladiators are also an alluring mate to a flowy dress or short shorts, and they emit summer's laid-back vibe. Some of my favorites this season wind up the leg a little (emphasis on little!), such as these lovelies by Madewell, Sam Edelman, and House of Harlow. Other ones I like have a decidedly feminine edge such as this Tibi and this Ancient Greek Sandal. I also like these classic versions from Jason Wu, Kurt Geiger, Circus and Dolce Vita.

$80, topshop

For me, a perfect summer day calls for a perfect white (denim, frayed piping) dress.

1. Topshop denim dress, $80, topshop.com
2. The Row sunglasses, $460, netaporter.com
3. Juicy Couture evil eye stud earrings, $32, shopbop.com
4. Cleobella fringe leather clutch, $158, anthropologie.com
5. Chinese Laundry mixed print sandals, $80, piperlime.com