LE CATCH

Because everyone's outfits were concealed under layers and layers of outerwear in frigid New York last week, it was often their bags that basked in the spotlight. Each tote newer, better and more fabulous than the next! My big takeaway... I need more statement bags! I love buying them, but they can be bank-breakers, so I am not at all above acquiring super nice ones second hand. I thus found myself this weekend inspecting the goods over at Shop Hers, a high end consignment website I've featured here before (and whose warehouse my friends and I periodically raid since it's nearby). They seem to consistently stock the latest and greatest investment bags, some of them new and others gently used, and my latest trip did not disappoint: I uncovered a gold mine of incredible options, which I thought I should share. (Think the equivalent of what you'd see on the first floor of Bergdorf Goodman!) Among the standouts, all priced below retail, of course, are this never-used-before black suede Balenciaga (50% off retail), this drop-dead red Chanel (a serious collector's piece!), this chic bucket Hermes tote (which a friend of mine sported the other day, only to compound my bag envy), this ever-sleek chain link-strap Celine (30% off retail), this never-worn color-blocked micro Celine Luggage bag, this classic chocolate brown Hermes Constance bag (40% less than retail), and this pristine (tags still attached) red Celine Trapeze Coquelicot.

Photo: The Cut

$178, nordstrom

These sandals have an offhand glamorous air that I find irresistible. They also have the insta-outfit-making gift!

1. Peter Pilotto for Target dress, $44, netaporter.com
2. Selima Violet sunglasses, $165, clubmonaco.com
3. Antik Batik clutch, $127, shopbop.com
4. Dolce Vita sandals, $178, nordstrom.com

Having received loads of queries about the provenance of my red coat in the last post (it's H&M from two years ago!), I thought I'd round up some recent snaps from New York and London to prove (a) I'm not the only devout fan and (b) that this bold topper remains a must. I also hunted down some shoppable scarlet standouts, including this belted/ruffled Cinzia Rocca (50% off), this textured Asos, this single-breasted Club Monaco (30% off), this double-breasted Oasis, this trench-inspired Giambattista Valli (76% off), this bright boyfriend Topshop, and this funky faux fur Ainea.

Photos: Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue

My trip to New York was action-packed! Lucky me, I landed at JFK right before a snow storm hit and departed before another. In between meetings, photo shoots and fashion shows (that's me before the Phillip Lim show, above--I clearly have my game face on!), I managed to treat myself to some yummy meals, most notably at the Marlton Hotel, Sean MacPherson's new fashion crowd hot-spot (try the kale salad, sunchokes, and burrata); Terra, a cozy neighborhood Italian in Tribeca; and Bergdorf Goodman's tried-and-true epitome of chicness BG restaurant, where I indulged in a late day lunch for one (this allowed me to gawk at all the fancy ladies and their major handbags, spot Anne Hathaway, etc.), complete with a glass of rose champagne and more kale salad. My Fall 2014 runway watching and trend spotting--picture cropped wide-leg pants, over-the-top fur, more pink, and plaid, plaid, plaid!--inspired some personal shopping, of course. Along with friend and stylist Amanda Ross (below in the cute fur trapper hat), I checked out the recently opened Dover Street Market, Rei Kawakubo's must-see seven-story store situated in Kips Bay, featuring a Louis Vuitton pop-up shop with exclusive pieces, along with masterfully curated selections from Prada, Thom Browne, Gaia Repossi, Saint Laurent, etc. It also houses a branch of Rose Bakery, the British-style bakery/restaurant with a cult following that serves up the most delicious scones, quiches, and pound cakes. I also made pit stops at Topshop, where I snagged this scuba print top and at J.Crew and got these wear-everyday jeans. It was a whirlwind tour per usual, with an extra side of cold, but as always, I loved it.

Fyi, I am standing on a table above i.e. I am not in a dollhouse!

$70, asos

Valentine's Day (happy, happy!) has me fantasizing about a romantic tropical getaway wearing this short off-the-shoulder dress over a very cute bikini. Hint, hint, hubby!

1. Asos ruffle dress, $70, asos.com
2. Sunday Somewhere sunglasses, $260, shopbop.com
3. Dolce & Gabbana floral print reversible bikini, $485, netaporter.com
4. Venessa Arizaga bracelet, $84, theoutnet.com
5. Kate Spade gladiator sandals, $228, shopbop.com

Over cocktails the other night a friend of mine asked me what new bag she should get. Without an ounce of hesitation, I replied, "A bucket bag." Because, truth be told, this is the type of bag I want! It also happens to be the bag of the season, with Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior offering up sumptuous iterations. Naturally, bucket bags are out and about right now during New York Fashion Week, especially the cultish leather version by Mansur Gavriel (above and below) and the classic standby by Alexander Wang. These bags by Elizabeth and James, A.P.C. (30% off), Topshop, and See by Chloe are also seriously excellent.

Photos: Pinterest, Vogue

$140, topshop

I love this sophisticated satin take on the everyday striped dress.

1. Topshop striped satin dress, $140, topshop.com
2. Jacquie Aiche ear cuff, $275, shopbop.com
3. Sophie Anderson clutch, $305, netaporter.com
4. Aquazurra tie-back ankle booties, $625, neimanmarcus.com

New York Fashion Week's annual dead-of-winter occurrence has typically necessitated that attendees forsake body warmth and comfort in the name of style, whether in the form of a skin-baring skirt or barely-there stilettos. This year has been different--at least from what I saw in the footwear department. Super practical, old-school lace-up sneakers reigned off the catwalks. I spotted Adidas Originals Superstars (above), Nike high-tops, classic Stan Smiths (below) as well as some inspired sleek sneaks by Twins for Peace and Saint Laurent (featured in the last image below). Chalk up this trend to the triple whammy of sidewalk snowdrifts, black ice and below-freezing temps (and let's not forget the imminent Nor'easter, A.K.A., Pax) beleaguering the city. The sneakers' unifying element is their simplicity, and despite their retro roots, they look fresh and new--a virtual style-180 from last year's neon, color-blocked varieties. This is a trend I'd be happy to wear all year round!

Photos: Style, Vogue, Pinterest

$96, topshop

The true cuteness of this felt skirt is thoroughly realized upon touching its soft furry texture, which I did yesterday at Topshop when I tried it on and then did not want to take off!

1. Equipment cashmere sweater, $280, netaporter.com
2. Tom Ford lipstick in Wild Ginger*, $49, nordstrom.com
3. Kotur florescent glitter clutch, $350, shopbop.com
4. Gianvito Rossi ankle-strap leather and perspex pumps, $726, matchesfashion.com
5. Topshop pink felt skirt, $96, topshop.com

*I recently bought this lipstick and love it! It's a beautiful coral-y red--a fresh/everyday alternative to my go-to Nars Heat Wave.

Speaking of hot boots and killer sales, Forward by Elyse Walker has both--and more. I'm telling you the deals are almost dizzying, but let's start with Columbine's super sexy (and uber wearable) Tabitha Simmons booties, above, which are 50% off. Those in the market for a killer dress should check out these discounted knockouts from Givenchy (65% off), Stella McCartney (70% off), Isabel Marant (40% off) and Alexander Wang (85% off!). There's also jeans and jewelry galore!

Photo: Columbine Smille