LE CATCH

$110, topshop

Subtle sequins and Chanel-inspired chain-link detailing take this salt and pepper cardigan into high-glam territory.

1. Mango blouse, $59, mango.com
2. Jovonista chain link cardigan, $110, topshop.com
3. Each x Other velvet tuxedo pants, $415, netaporter.com
4. Marc by Marc Jacobs print tote bag, $78, shopbop.com
5. Henri Bendel twin ring, $118, henribendel.com
6. Madewell flats, $118, madewell.com

There is nothing more luxurious than packing a bag and heading off on a tropical winter getaway--except for, of course, packing a very large bag and heading off on that same getaway! For my recent trip to Careyes, Mexico, a few weeks ago, I brought along more swimsuits, dresses, and kaftans than I could possibly wear in a week, but it felt so indulgent to have those options with me (and, as it turned out, unpacked for me as well!). With the holidays coming up--and high hopes for warm weather vacations ahead--I did some reconnaissance on all things resort wear and came up with a list of the latest and greatest must-pack items. Because the list is quite lengthy, I thought I'd break it up into two parts and start with swimwear and cover-ups today. For starters, the array of swimsuit options is immense, but I love that you can get a bunch of styles to try on from sites like Netaporter, Asos and Shopbop with free shipping and returns--and avoid the harsh lighting of a department store dressing room! I tend to bring a mix of staple suits (i.e., the solid black bikini) with more adventurous styles (the cut-out one-piece) and wear according to mood/agenda. I actually just bought this crazy sexy Asos suit, which I fantasize wearing on a far-away beach with just my hubby, but I also fancy this one-shouldered lovely and this floral gem, all of which would be suitable at a family resort! Bikini wise, I still swear by this Victoria Secret's hipkini (I took it with me to Mex!) as it's perfect for all sun, sand and sea outings, but I also love these just-out stunners by Lisa Maree, Vix Swimwear, Charlie by Matthew Zink and Asos. Statement-y kaftans and tunics that go from the beach to the bar, such as this one (on sale!), this one and this one are fantastic in my book, but the easy ones you can throw on over a wet swimsuit and feel dressed are also practical, like this one, this one , this one, and this one. Stay-tuned for winter-getaway part deux, where I will cover sandals, apres beach wear and accessories!

$170, topshop

The party begins as soon you slip into this swishy metallic fringed dress. And then, of course, you sashay the night away.

1. Topshop fringe dress, $170, topshop.com
2. Wilhelm feathered caplet, $465, wilhelm-nyc.com
3. Emma Cassi earrings, $198, anthropologie.com
4. Sylvia Toledano clutch, $1650, netaporter.com
5. Sergio Rossi t-strap sandals, $995, shopbop.com

While doing some "window shopping" on Shopbop yesterday I came across a new line called Cooper & Ella that stopped me in my tracks. Founded by New York-based fashion exec, Kara Mendelsohn, the line specializes in stylish tops that are designed for work, date nights, girls dinners, and everyday life. In other words, they do it all--and they're priced between $78-$150! Cooper & Ella's crepe t-shirt, above, is my favorite of the bunch, thanks to its elegant, minimalistic, infinite-versatility. It's the kind of thing I'd buy two of as I know I'd get so much wear out of it. I'm also smitten with this sexy lace-trimmed tank (great under a blazer or a super chunky cardigan). Oh, and while you're at Shopbop, you might be interested in knowing that a slew of desirables just went on sale including these cultish Rag & Bone boots, this Haute Hippie beaded jacket, this gorgeous resort-ready Indah tunic, and this Kara shearling clutch.

$71, asos

I love the spiky, glinty craziness going on here--and how it pretty much demands a fun night out on the town.

1. Preen satin and chiffon dress, $796, theoutnet.com
2. J.Crew jean jacket, $128, jcrew.com
3. Makeup For Ever lipstick in Matte Lip Red, $20, sephora.com
4. Eugenia Kim rabbit snood, $285, netaporter.com
5. River Island embellished bag, $71, asos.com
6. Aquazurra peep-toe bootie, $595, shopbop.com

$71, asos

I love the spiky, glinty craziness going on here--and how it pretty much demands a fun night out on the town.

1. Preen satin and chiffon dress, $796, theoutnet.com
2. J.Crew jean jacket, $128, jcrew.com
3. Makeup For Ever lipstick in Matte Bright Red, $20, sephora.com
4. Eugenia Kim rabbit snood, $285, netaporter.com
5. River Island embellished bag, $71, asos.com
6. Aquazurra peep-toe bootie, $595, shopbop.com

Like other twins I know, my twin sister and I call each other all the time. Even when we know it may disrupt work, wake up a husband or overtired kids, we generally cannot help ourselves. But the one time we do not call each other is between the hours of 7AM to 8AM on weekdays, when we are both in the hectic throes of getting our kids dressed, fed and off to school. So when she rang me during that crazy hour last week, I picked up the phone, knowing whatever she had to say was direly important. "You have to put my new H&M sweater on LE CATCH," she said. She went on to describe the perfect chunky-knit navy turtleneck that she's been wearing to photo shoots in New York and how she's inspired famous models to drop everything and go buy one for themselves. "It kind of looks Celine," she explained, "and it doubles as a jacket--perfect for this transitional weather." I waited till after I dropped the kids off at school to check the turtleneck's availability on H&M's site only to discover it was no longer available in blue, just in black, with most sizes sold out. Since my sister proclaimed the navy one far superior, I started prowling around for other options, now feeling like I had this giant hole in my wardrobe. First, I came across the one above from Emerson Fry. Truth be told, it may have been the whole outfit that sold me on it. (You can find the boots here and the jeans here). Clearly, there's an art to wearing these big knits stylishly, lest you want to look slovenly, and the key is to balance the oversize sweaters with more streamlined, form-fitting pieces--i.e. a skinny jeans, a fitted jacket, etc. I rounded up some snaps, below, for how-to-wear-a-big-slouchy-turtleneck inspiration along with some amazingly cozy knits, including this, this, this, and this --all of which will stand up to winter's chilliest days.

$39, gap

As you may recall, I have been in flat-shoe mode, and these cracked metallic ballerina slippers may just keep me there a little longer--and help spice up my everyday running around!

1. River Island sweater, $70, riverisland.com
2. Vanessa Bruno coat, $1020, netaporter.com
3. Topshop cross-body bag, $130, topshop.com
4. Gap metallic flats, $39, gap.com
5. J.Crew coated pants, $135, jcrew.com (get 25% off purchases of $150+ with the code SHOPNOW through 10/30)

It's always fun to see what people show up wearing to the airport, because it usually offers clues about where they are traveling. In Gwyneth Paltrow's case, above, seen at LAX a few days ago, I think her jacket connotes two things: JFK or LHR bound and universal chicness. Of course, the Alice & Olivia topper is already in short supply but I found sizes here, here, here and here. P.S. Gwyneth's sunglasses are by Oliver Peoples and you can find them here.

Photo: Just Jared

$188, shopbop

You may recall my obsession with a certain pair of Isabel Marant sandals last spring. But what you may not know was that I never found them in my size. This just-out budget-friendly version is going to help me lick that open wound!

1. River Island beaded fringe top, $80, riverisland.com
2. Theory leather-trimmed blazer, $495, netaporter.com
3. C. Wonder initial letter cuff, $48, cwonder.com
4. Topshop sequin messenger bag, $790, topshop.com
5. Schutz sandals, $188, shopbop.com
6. J.Crew cargo pants, $32, theoutnet.com