LE CATCH

As I walked by the Time & Life Building (where my father used to work!) in Manhattan the other day, a trio of impeccably dressed women paraded out of the revolving doors. They must be fashion editors at In Style, I thought. One of them had on a particularly excellent outfit: a leopard print flounce skirt with a denim button down blouse and black flat sandals. Easy to emulate, provided that one can track down the elusive cute leopard print mini, of course, so I wondered where she got it and whether it was old or new. I figured I'd be able to hunt it down somehow, someway and, sure enough, a few days later I came across the picture, above, of Olivia Palermo, wearing the same skirt! Turns out it's by Zara from last spring. It's available in various sizes on Ebay--but now I'm thinking I'll just re-create this look with other eye-catching versions, such as this striped one from Club Monaco, this floral Thakoon, or this animal-print Antipodium. Come winter, I'll definitely take some layering cues from Ms. Palermo and go for it with opaque tights and a big, cozy knit.

$59, mango

Back to school. Back to work. Back to reality. Slipping into this one-step-chic (Isabel Marant-ish) dress would mean one less thing to stress about.

1. Mango ruffled dress, $59, mango.com
2. Topshop leather moto jacket, $120, topshop.com
3. Fendi shearling bag, $1750, netaporter.com
4. Pour La Victoire boots, $369, shopbop.com

For me, summer ended with a literal thud on Saturday, when I returned home from a family vacation and plunked down my big, stuffed Mulberry satchel on the kitchen floor. This trusty and seemingly bottomless bag saw me (and my kids's paraphernalia) go from the Temple of Dendur to the Montauk Lighthouse and basically everywhere in between. Though the bag is years old, it's still yielding a nice ROI--just the way it should be. As it so happens, fall is dictating a return to bigger bags, including briefcase-like carry-alls and portfolio-sized clutches, so I thought I'd investigate the latest and greatest offerings--i.e., the ones that will look up-to-date for years and years to come. (Note: when I say big bag, I don't mean tote-sized, necessarily. I am referring to something along the lines of the classic Alexander Wang bucket bag, above--roomy enough that you can carry more than you need, but not burdensome and unwieldy.) The highlights thus far: this slate-hued Chloe, this Saint Laurent duffle, this sleek Prada, and this Valentino stud.

$240, topshop

This pristine, butter-soft leather sweatshirt is post Labor Day perfection--and, get this, machine washable.

1. Topshop leather sweatshirt, $240, topshop.com
2. Henri Bendel pave stud earrings, $58, henribendel.com
3. Lizzie Fortunato clutch, $333, netaporter.com
4. Gianvito Rossi ankle boots, $1000, netaporter.com
5. Matthew Williamson floral jacquard skirt, $1085, netaporter.com

$253, asos

Skimpy and leather are two words that I don't usually like together--except in this case. In fact, I have a dress that's very similar to this one in white, which I wore to a wedding last year in Palm Beach. (You can see me in it here.) There's no doubt this is va va voom sexy and definitely more appropriate for the minimally-endowed, but the fullness of the skirt keeps it tasteful. Come colder weather, I also like the idea of wearing a black turtleneck underneath or a cropped sweater over it. But for now, I'd pull it off like this...

1. Asos leather dress, $253, asos.com
2. J.Crew cardigan, $89, jcrew.com
3. Burberry Prorsum clutch, $1595, netaporter.com
4. Aquazurra peep-toe booties, $595, shopbop.com

I grew up (in NY) thinking that knee high boots were for cold weather only, and since I've never been able to shake this belief, I only bust them out occasionally when LA actually gets "cold." That being said, I really, really like how they look on other people, regardless of the temperature, and how they can make an outfit (see above). If you are a fan, there are currently loads of fall's most spot-on styles on sale now at Nordstrom. The highlights include this wear-everywhere black pair by Vince Camuto (33% off), this classic chestnut-hued Via Spiga (50% off), and this buckle-trimmed riding boot by Enzo Angiolini (35% off).

P.S. The boots pictured, above, are by Givenchy and can be found here.

Photo: Vanessa Jackman

$150, topshop

There's something different and maybe even a bit rebellious about a wool motorcycle jacket. Which makes this Topshop version extra cool. (P.S. Topshop also just came out with the best leather pencil skirt and elegant satin-looking joggers--two potential workhorses for the fall!)

1. J.Crew merino turtleneck, $85, netaporter.com
2. Topshop wool moto jacket, $150, topshop.com
3. 3.1. Phillip Lim satchel, $1350, saksfifthavenue.com
4. E. Porselli for J.Crew cap-toe slippers, $325, jcrew.com
5. Current/Elliot distressed jeans, $228, netaporter.com

I bought my first plaid shirt of the season yesterday, wore it out to dinner last night (despite the heat!), and now know I will be wearing it relentlessly, with all sorts of things from dressier trousers to print pants to pencil skirts. I think it's the easiest way to be/look Fall 2013-ready. And I might even need more than one. I just looked into some more highly wearable pretties--ones that will bridge the grunge/polished gap--and here's what I dug up: a black and grey One by Rails, a silk blue Equipment, and a red Madewell.

Photo: Pinterest

$327, the outnet

The wildly discounted Marni situation going on right now at The Outnet is totally worth checking out. This killer striped skirt (reduced from $910!) is proof in the pudding. (I am also swooning over this and this!)

1. Theory leather trimmed sweater, $495, netaporter.com
2. J.Crew drop earrings, $98, jcrew.com
3. 3.1 Phillip Lim shearling bag, $495, saksfifthavenue.com
4. Stella McCartney boots, $1130, netaporter.com
5. Marni striped skirt, $327, theoutnet.com