LE CATCH

My newly purchased vintage Yves Saint Laurent sandals (above) and I made a cameo on Refinery 29, where I talk about my strategy for wearing lace-ups. Check it out here.

Photo: Jessie Webster

$234, asos

Meet my newest partner in crime, which will see me through this summer's cosmo-swilling soirees.

1. Three Floor lace dress, $234, asos.com
2. Lulu Frost earrings, $190, shopbop.com
3. Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick in Princess, $31, nordstrom.com
4. Edie Parker clutch, $1395, modaoperandi.com
5. Gucci buckle sandals, $695, netaporter.com

While logging some beach time over the last few weekends, I've been thinking about my summer hat strategy. For a while, I've been working the requisite straw fedora, like everyone else, but I'm noticing that style changes are afoot: hat brims are either shorter (of the porkpie/trilby variety) or longer (akin to a floppy hat) than seasons past. Which direction to go in? I'm thinking both, as it never hurts to have options. I've edited down my selects to these short-brimmers from Eugenia Kim and Bop Basics to these ultra shaders by Melissa Odabash and J.Crew.

Photo: Maritsa

$285*, tibi

I love trans-seasonal skirts, especially ones that make a big, look-at-me graphic statement. This one by Tibi is 25% off (along with--yes!--all full-priced merchandise at Tibi).

1. OAK jersey tank, $68, netaporter.com
2. Tom Binns stud earrings, $225, charmandchain.com
3. Venessa Arizaga charm bracelet, $225, shopbop.com
4. Avant Garde Paris serpent cuff, $155, shopbop.com
5. Loft raffia clutch, $29, loft.com
6. Alexander Wang ankle strap sandals, $495, bergdorfgoodman.com
7. Tibi print skirt, $285*, tibi.com

*Use FRIENDS25 at checkout to get this for $213 (25% off) through May 17.

I must confess that I once felt rompers were better off left to those under the age of five, but this season's iterations have me seriously tempted. After all, they allow for one-step dressing, work in and out of the city and they're swelter-proof. Check out the proof here-- along with summer-ready options from Club Monaco, Splendid, Thakoon Addition, Asos and 7 for All Mankind.

Photos: Stockholm Street Style, Vanessa Jackman, Pinterest, Garance Dore

$135, j.crew*

Think of these as a fresh alternative to your crisp white jeans. Breeze around in them right now with...

1. Madewell chambray blouse, $69, madewell.com
2. Topshop bomber jacket, $70, topshop.com
3. Opening Ceremony tote bag, $800, shopbop.com
4. Zara metallic flats, $89, zara.com
5. J.Crew printed jeans*, $135, jcrew.com

* Get these pants for $108 (and 20% off all J.Crew women's clothing) through May 21 with the code LOOK20

A friend's milestone birthday party in Santa Barbara this past weekend entailed a day-to-night celebration, kicking off with lunch on the beach, followed by a hike capped off with summit-top sunset cocktails, then dinner and dancing in an oak forest known to be frequented by mountain lions, and then still more dancing in a barn complete with disco-ball. It was an amazing day, but not without its fashion challenges: What garment moves seamlessly from beach to hike to dance floor? What shoes are stylish enough, but still facilitate a speedy escape in-case-of-mountain-lion? I found resolution in a post-beach wardrobe change from kaftan to flowy open-back (sweat-proof) dress and (beach-, hike-, boogie- and flee- friendly) flat metallic sandals. But other women took their beach cover-ups straight on through the evening. Albeit, these were cover-ups that were fun and festive looking, or worked after hours teamed with a cute pair of shorts (like the one above)--but all of them were thoroughly inspiring. Very much like these from Theodora & Callum (a graphic knockout), Emamo (floral and feminine), Natalie Martin (I adore this new line, and this flowy number can explain why), Surf Bazaar (easy breezy), Isabel Marant (an investment with long-term benefits) and Asos (strapless, ruffled and flirty).

Photo: Cheyenne Meets Chantal

$129, mango

I really want these shoes. And it seems so do many others, as they have been available in only size 6 for weeks--until today.

1. J.Crew sweater, $79, jcrew.com
2. Super Sunglasses, $229, shopbop.com
3. Gorjana ring set, $50, shopbop.com
4. Asos embroidered clutch, $50, asos.com
5. Mango studded sandals, $129, mango.com
6. Kenzo skirt, $378, netaporter.com

Last night had me running (actually bumper-to-bumper commuting) to Beverly Hills to catch a Prada-sponsored screening of The Great Gatsby, of which I watched 45 (dazzling!) minutes before having to dash off to Mr. Chow for a dinner in honor of designer Haider Ackerman, where I came across a longtime friend looking particularly striking in a little black dress. It was vintage, she explained, something she just threw on at the last minute. But its distinct detailing, a deep V-neck with a lace panel, made it a standout--i.e., not just a basic black dress. This encounter inspired me to hunt down the very best LBD's out there, and here's what I've come up with: a Parisian chic, dress-up-or-down Sandro, this draped, seductive Alexander Wang, a strapless, ruffled Thread (on sale!), this short and snappy (and nicely priced) Three Floor, a sleek leather Rag & Bone, and a forever-elegant Rebecca Taylor shift. I also rounded up some snaps of a few inspirational LBD's, above (by Gucci, which can be found here) and below.

Photos: Pinterest, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue.it

$198, shopbop

While I am putting away my heaviest sweaters for the season, I am looking for new featherweights that will see me through California's sometimes foggy summer days and cool nights. This one fits the bill perfectly.

1. Equipment silk sweater, $198, shopbop.com (for more sizes, try here or here)
2. Madewell sunglasses, $134, madewell.com
3. Topshop friendship bracelets, $28, topshop.com
4. 3.1 Phillip Lim drawstring tote, $1250, shopbop.com
5. Givenchy ankle strap heels, $650, bergdorfgoodman.com
6. J.Brand boyfriend jeans, $216, netaporter.com