LE CATCH

$364, the outnet

I feel weird toting a big leather bag around when it's a zillion degrees out. It just feels.... wrong, or more specifically, too heavy. Enter Alexander Wang's sleek city-to-country canvas tote that can be responsible for carrying my life around and look easy breezy at the same time (and, oh, it's half off, too).

1. Madewell silk bow blouse, $88, madewell.com
2. Sensi Studio hat, $125, netaporter.com
3. Kelacala Q necklace, $194, shopbop.com
4. Topshop bangle, $80, topshop.com
5. Alexander Wang canvas tote, $364, theoutnet.com
6. Alexander Wang sandals, $351, bergdorfgoodman.com
7. Mango paisley print pants, $44, mango.com

Is it just me or are this season's bathing suits more daring than ever? There are cut-outs, crochet, mesh and laser-cut accents, graphic prints, high-waist bikinis, you name it. I'm inclined to think that a statement-y suit can (can being the operative word here) help draw eyes away from other body parts you don't necessarily want people focusing on, you know what I mean? But since I am not that adventurous, I may just dip my toes into this trend and start off with some more-attention-getting-than-usual-but-not-crazy-over-the-top suits such as this Amore & Sorvete black beauty, this French Connection one-piece and this leopard print bikini.

Photo: ATG Swimwear

$80, miss selfridge

It's just about beach o' clock in these parts, hence the recent parade of summery dresses. This one has the wherewithal to go from beach to street (and perhaps a music festival or two) and look fun and fresh throughout.

1. Miss Selfridge lace dress, $80, missselfridge.com
2. Ray Ban mirrored sunglasses, $165, shopbop.com
3. Ginette NY rose gold signet ring, $685, charmandchain.com
4. Sophie Anderson handwoven bag, $350, modaoperandi.com
5. Isabel Marant sandals, $1035, netaporter.com

People, it's a big week for sales, and based on my web travels this afternoon, it seemed like a public sales announcement might be in order: Neiman Marcus is basically Bargain Basement right now... well, not exactly, but the expensive things are less expensive, and in some cases, a lot less. Most compelling are the bags, such as this Reed Krakoff cross-body, above (reduced from $590 to $395), along with temptations of the Alexander Wang, Gucci, and Marc Jacobs variety. Over at Barneys, there are incredible Saint Laurent sandals, Isabel Marant gladiators, and Proenza Schouler PS1 messenger bags, plus a whole lot of primo designer clothing. For shoes, check out Nordstrom's sale for the Miu Miu, Prada, and Dolce & Gabanna options.

They're definitely going to be a thing this summer, these suitably relaxed-fitting shorts. Think of them as the above-the-knee equivalent to boyfriend jeans: comfortable, slouchy, casual. They're also longer (read: more forgiving) than your average shorts and come in a variety of fabrics from denim to leather to cotton. I am seeing them just about everywhere from The Gap (in denim and no-fail army green) to J.Crew. The shorts pictured below are by Theory, and they're available in black (and on sale!) here or in baby blue at 60% off here. To avoid looking sloppy, I'm teaming my boyfriends shorts with more fitted tops and a cute pair of either flat or heeled sandals.

Photos: French Voguettes, Vanessa Jackman

$157*, shopbop

Super short and seriously cute--and perhaps the easiest way to stay cool this summer. At least in my book!

1. Three Floor dress, $157, shopbop.com*
2. Bountki turquoise earrings, $92, charmandchain.com
3. Jules Smith bangles, $105, shopbop.com
4. Pauls Boutique clutch, $33, asos.com
5. Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent sandals, $198, shopbop.com*

* Shopbop is having a crazy sale (this dress is 40% off and the sandals are 20% off). Check out the mother lode here.

If there's one thing I've learned while working on LE CATCH it's that shopping the Net-A-Porter sale (which launched this morning) requires a sound strategy. You have to act fast (i.e., even if you've put something in your shopping basket it can still sell out by the time you check out--a tragedy I experienced this morning with a Chloe skirt I had been lusting after!); you also have to remember you can return anything free of charge (so buy multiple sizes if you are not sure which one fits, as all sizes will eventually sell out); and go big! I use this sale to buy items that would normally be out-of-reach and/or not everyday practical, like a super fancy evening dress, such as this one by Halston Heritage, or a pair of statement shoes, like these iconic Valentinos, above, or this pair that now costs just over $100 bucks. Some other crazy good finds include this wear-with-everything Alexander McQueen clutch, this party-perfect Milly dress, this vibrant Altuzarra skirt, this forever stylish Missoni bikini and these highly coveted Chloe boots. Click here to see more.

$125, netaporter

I came across this this score of a skirt over the weekend. Not only is it striking (an up-to-the-minute mirror print! zippers!), it's (almost shockingly!) well priced--i.e., one does not need to wait for it to go on sale to grab it. But while you're there (at Net-A-Porter) check out all the amazing stuff that just DID go on sale (up to 50% off like the clutch below) this morning! I'll publish a full round up of my favorite sale picks shortly...

1. Topshop snakeskin effect sweatshirt, $240, topshop.com
2. Avant Garde Paris star earrings, $50, shopbop.com
3. Kotur lace neon clutch (50% off), $280, netaporter.com
4. B Brian Atwood sandal, $284, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Michael Kors print skirt, $125, netaporter.com

These filmy ethnic print dresses are exactly the kind of thing I'd throw over a bathing suit (or sport for a post-beach shopping spree in Malibu, East Hampton, Capri, etc.), but now I'm convinced they'd fare just as well in the sweltering city, in a relaxed-glam way, along with the right extras, such as a sophisticated wedge or metallic sandal. The one pictured above is by Mango, which debuted here back in March and is now sold out, sadly!) I'd also like to breeze around in this Free People, or this one, or this one, or this Mes Demoiselles.

Photos: Collage Vintage, The Blonde Salad

$130, topshop

This partly sheer lace skirt channels the delicacy of a wedding dress--but is appropriate for any type of engagement. I like it toughened up like this...

1. Madewell chambray shirt, $59, madewell.com
2. Noir earrings, $79, shopbop.com
3. Kenzo clutch, $205, netaporter.com
4. Sole Society ankle strap sandals, $59, nordstrom.com
5. Topshop lace skirt, $130, topshop.com