LE CATCH

$60, topshop

It seems that every fashion editor in New York City got the memo to wear a skirt for the first day of New York Fashion Week--or at least the ones I spied on my way into Lincoln Center this morning. This sleek wrap skirt would have fit right in.

1. Isabel Marant sweater, $520, netaporter.com
2. Ray Ban mirrored sunglasses, $165, shopbop.com
3. Asos leather clutch, $75, asos.com
4. Michael Kors ankle strap heels, $395, shopbop.com
5. Topshop wrap skirt, $60, topshop.com

$278, j.crew

In prepping for New York Fashion Week--i.e., packing my bags at the 11th hour--I rounded up my favorite new fall pieces in my closet, including these J.Crew block-heeled boots. Note: the perfect faded black shade. Not only will they be perfect for running around in between shows, but back at ho-hum home, too. (P.S. They're 25% off through September 8.)

What I'd wear underneath this outfit-making buffalo check coat is almost irrelevant--it's just that good!--but it would look something like this...

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