LE CATCH

I love how Alexa Chung tames a glitzy sequin pencil skirt with the help of a casual, loose-fitting knit turtleneck. Can this work as a holiday party uniform? Yes, indeed! All one needs is a good versatile sequin skirt, such as this nicely sparkly Topshop, this discounted Burberry, or this Monsoon. Donesville.

$58, nordstrom

This elegant bejeweled velvet clutch will dazzle up the holiday party circuit--and look like a million bucks in the process.

1. Adam Lippes lace camisole, $550, netaporter.com
2. Emilio Pucci tuxedo blazer, $1772, theoutnet.com
3. Madewell earrings, $20, madewell.com
4. J.Crew coated jeans, $135, jcrew.com
5. Shiraleah velvet clutch, $58, nordstrom.com
6. Reed Krakoff ankle-strap sandals, $595, neimanmarcus.com
7. MAC lipstick in Lady Danger, $15, nordstrom.com

Just FYI: a bounty of winter-ready goodies went on sale today at Shopbop, including the highly-coveted Camilla and Marc mixed-print top, above, worn by London-based stylist/blogger Marie Hindkaer. Also noteworthy: this edgy-cool striped Alexander Wang sweater, this statement-making 3.1. Phillip Lim satchel and this Unreal Fur faux fur jacket--all 30% off! The sale runs three days only, so get in there, quick!

Photo: Blame it on Fashion

My husband will be quite stoked to read here that wide-leg pants continue their resurgence. You see, he happens to believe that the right pair suits me far better than the skinny jeans I wear...pretty much every day! He does have a point since wide-leg pants can be very comfortable and length-lengthening/figure-flattering. But what's really appealing to me is how fresh and right-this-minute they look. By the way, I think they look best paired with simple, streamlined blouses and sweaters, as demonstrated in the pictures here. I have to say I am pretty inclined to weave them into my weekly rotation--and I'm thinking the husband won't mind one bit should a big box arrive at home packed with these options from Stella McCartney, J. Brand, Adam Lippes, and Topshop! P.S. The printed pants in the last pic are by Clover Canyon.

$32, she inside

This bubble-sleeved striped sweater makes morning-to-evening chic as easy as can be.

1. She Inside bubble sleeve sweater, $32, sheinside.com
2. Gap motorcycle coat, $168, gap.com*
3. Dorothy Perkins hat, $17, dorothyperkins.com
4. Paige jeans, $178, netaporter.com
5. Asos faux fur bag, $62, asos.com
6. Tibi boots, $525, shopbop.com

*Get 35% off at Gap through 11/5 with the code HOL2013

Leave it to Kate Bosworth to prove once and for all that dramatic statement earrings go hand in hand with a casual sweater and jeans. Of course, this hard evidence demands that my blingy baubles get even more airtime and that I look into more earrings that can straddle the fancy/casual gap. So far, I have turned up these dazzling options from Kenneth Jay Lane, Isabel Marant and Juicy Couture.

$190, oasis

If this super luxe looking faux fur coat were in my closet, I'd be begging for the elements every day! I also love how it's dressy enough for those major nights out.

1. Prabal Garung dress, $2995, netaporter.com
2. Oasis faux fur trimmed coat, $190, oasis.andotherbrands.com
3. Topshop chandelier earrings, $70, topshop.com
4. Rafe New York clutch, $495, nordstrom.com
5. Vince booties, $475, shopbop.com

It's unfortunately quite rare that I get to indulge in a luxuriously long weekday lunch, but on Friday I did just that at an event celebrating jewelry label David Webb's 65th Anniversary. Of course, the getting dressed part was far from luxurious, as I managed to leave myself ten minutes to select my Erdem skirt / Louboutin heels / Asos sweater ensemble. I threw it on and off I went. I was thinking I looked pretty darn good despite my haste, until I arrived at the event and saw my twin sister, who immediately pointed out the huge stain on my sweater! Arghhhh! Miraculously though, this particular jewelry party also featured beautiful jewelry pieces you could borrow and wear during lunch, so I found the biggest honking look-at-me-not-my-sweater-stain necklace I could find and put it on. Any doubt I had about this working quickly faded when Harper's Bazaar chief Glenda Bailey complimented my style. Drama over, I finally commenced the luxuriousness part, catching up with friends over quinoa and roasted squash blossoms and sips of Domaine Ott. I also engaged in some serious table hopping (clearly that's not my place card above!), where I gleaned all kinds of useful lady-lunch info including the virtues of cooking with coconut oil and various upcoming must-see art exhibits. The biggest take-away, however, was coming face-to-face with a certain limited edition J.Crew Collection navy shearling cardigan, worn by Liseanne Frankfurt, a Venice-based jewelry designer friend, who did it justice with a filmy chiffon dress and an excellent number of self-designed baubles (check out some of her quietly elegant earrings and stackable rings). She had the unbuttoned cardigan casually thrown over her shoulders--and the effect was cozy-luxe cover-up perfection. Liseanne explained that the sweater was a recent birthday gift from a few of her friends, who consequently loved it so much on her that they each decided to buy one for themselves!

I was happy to have my twin sister as my date at a swanky cocktail party earlier this week--but it was no easy feat getting her there. An hour before the start of the party, she called me in a panic, declaring she had nothing to wear and asked me to bring her a dress. To the party. She said she'd change in her car outside the venue, near the valet stand! The idea sounded a little crazy to me, but also kind of super fashion woman-y, too, so why not?! I brought her a no-fail, super sleek Celine dress that I had borrowed from the online consignment site, Shop Hers, and told her to bring a leather jacket and black statement heels to go with. Presto-change-o, she emerged looking party-ready and, I must say, her tuxedo-like palette nicely complimented my Monique L'huiller red lace dress. Fun times! You can see more party pics here.
Photo: Stephanie Keenan

$28, anthropologie

I'm definitely combating some Halloween fatigue today, but I wouldn't mind dressing up with this big, honking candy-hued cocktail ring.

1. Suno embroidered cropped sweater, $495, netaporter.com
2. Melisma ring, $28, anthropologie.com
3. Paula Cademartori clutch, $935, modaoperandi.com
4. Reiss t-strap pumps, $340, reiss.com
5. Reiss metallic trousers, $240, reiss.com