LE CATCH

$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

A sweaty, celeb-studded LA yoga class might just be one of the best places to get an overview on nail polish trends. During the umpteenth downward dog the other day I noticed a concentration of both tawny and light (nude, cream, alabaster) shades as well as bold and dark (blue, charcoal) tones, with barely a red toe in between! I gravitate toward the more natural hues--I think an almost skin-matching polish looks fresh and easy (i.e., a refreshing step away from all the crazy nail art that's been hyper trendy for a while now), plus it can make your fingers and toes look longer and more elegant. After consulting some of my beauty editor friends, I've found some amazing colors to try from Ciate Ivory Queen, Essie Like Linen, and Butter London in Crumpet.

Photos: Vogue, Pinterest

$68, warehouse

An editor friend of mine came over earlier this week, sporting a cute cross-body bag. She shared its story: it was a random, designer-looking, inexpensive find, worn to pieces, because it was accommodating and just the right wear-with-everything color. Those kind of bags are hard to come by--and this studded, tasseled, multi-handle tote falls squarely into that category.

1. Club Monaco print top, $149, clubmonaco.com
2. L'Agence tweed bomber jacket, $554, matchesfashion.com
3. Warehouse studded tote bag, $68, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
4. J.Crew leopard print sandals, $298, jcrew.com
5. Mother cropped jeans, $80, theoutnet.com

I just spent the better part of my morning trawling the crazy sale going on at Matches, where everything from these cute Anna & Boy bikinis to ravishing Lanvin dresses to this must-have J Brand x Christopher Kane denim biker jacket to this gorgeous faux fur Marc Jacobs coat are 50% off and in some cases more. You might want to check it out now as sizes are plentiful--but not for long, I am sure! Added bonus: Matches is offering free shipping through the end of the month.

$298, revolve

I don't plan on giving my statement jackets a rest this summer. In fact, I'll be working them like this..

1. Alexander Wang t-shirt, $78, netaporter.com
2. BCBG printed jacket, $298, revolveclothing.com
3. Alexander Wang bucket bag, $875, shopbop.com
4. Splendid wedges, $118, shopbop.com
5. J.Crew pleated shorts, $59, jcrew.com

The mini embellished bag could just work as this summer's go-to, adorning both beach-ready and city-slicker looks. It's a good thing for me, because a) I love the pop it lends to any outfit and (b) it possesses an I've-just-come-back-from-somewhere-exotic aura. Check out these options from Antik Batik, Accessorize, Anthropologie and Tory Burch. The one featured below can be found here.

Photos: Pinterest, Tory Burch

$119, mango

Leave it to Isabel Marant to update the gladiator sandal and make it more seductive with a block heel and studded leather straps. Mango's take on it is a little more subtle and a lot easier on the wallet...

1. Tibi sleeveless top, $225, tibi.com
2. Topshop army jacket with patches, $110, topshop.com
3. Bones and Feather suede bracelet, $30, baublebar.com
4. Melinda Maria gold-plated 18K ring, $156, charmandchain.com
5. Camilla print clutch, $105, shopbop.com
6. Mango studded gladiator sandals, $119, mango.com
7. Michael Michael Kors printed pants, $100, netaporter.com

If there was some type of ranking system among women with the most Henri Bendel sweaters, my mom would be stationed high up there. When I was growing up in New York, she had every color imaginable and in every silhouette, from crewneck to V-neck to turtleneck, and she would insist I stockpile them too. And, yes, we also amassed a collection of the store's iconic brown and white striped cosmetic bags. So when Henri Bendel asked me to contribute to its Summer Style Guide, I, still a loyal fan, happily agreed. You can check it out here where I am sporting some of my favorite bags and jewelry from their current collection.

$179, club monaco

It's always fun to see your friends at a party dressed to the nines, but it's another thing when you see one of your friends step out of her comfort zone--i.e., a short dress with subtle but strategically placed cut-outs--and own it. It certainly inspired me...

1. Club Monaco dress*, $179, clubmonaco.com
2. Miguel Ases blue jade earrings, $138, shopbop.com
3. Leghila clutch, $100, modaoperandi.com
4. Sophia Webster PVC and suede sandals, $535, netaporter.com

*This dress also comes in black!

I love the idea of throwing a mannish blazer over a long, feminine dress. It's a little unexpected, almost counter-intuitive, and yet modern, and I prefer it over more conventional cover-ups, such as a pashmina (yawn!) or a cardigan. The blazers that work for this kind of look need to be single breasted, slim-cut, and graze the hip, such as these by Helmut Lang, Faith Connexion, Mango, and Madison Marcus (on sale!). Perched on your shoulders, it kind of looks like you borrowed it from your husband or boyfriend, which, in my opinion, is gorgeously romantic.

Photo: Harper's Bazaar