LE CATCH

Split skirts are getting a lot of love lately, and it's easy to see why: they're sexy, edgy, and relaxed-fitting. Check out these options from Style Stalker (similar to the one above), See by Chloe, Sportmax, Ellery, and Topshop.

$59, uniqlo

I have a trench-inspired jacket like this that I bought ages ago and what I love most about it is that it's both indoor and outdoor-worthy. Cleverly, this one has buttons on its sleeves so you can roll them up and costs a mere $59.

1. Aerie sweatshirt, $49, aerie.com
2. Uniqlo jacket, $59, uniqlo.com
3. Madewell oxford shoes, $165, madewell.com
4. Jerome Dreyfuss leopard print calfhair bag, $815, shopbop.com
5. Topshop tweed pants, $80, topshop.com

For several seasons now the fur vest has successfully served as a cold-weather layering staple. But this winter it's being rendered in new cuts and entirely fresh colors and worn under and over coats and jackets. Among my favorite faux furs are a wintry white, tasseled Topshop (which I proudly own and have been wearing over filmy blouses and under my army green parka) and its multi-hued cousin; an adorable, leopard print Alice & Olivia (imagine over a black coat or even a jean jacket--love!..and 40% off); a forever-chic and rich-looking chocolate brown Barneys Co-op, and a leather-lined black Patterson J. Kincaid (35% off).

$95, miss selfridge

What about a ruffled organza eggplant confection in lieu of an LBD? Yes, please.

1. Miss Selfridge ruffled organza dress, $95, missselfridge.com
2. Bountkit prehnite drop earrings, $430, charmandchain.com
3. Henri Bendel leopard print clutch, $278, henribendel.com
4. Acquazzura cut-out pumps, $695, shopbop.com

$130, shopbop.com

Every December some friends and I get together for dinner and (lots of) wine and swap gifts in our version of the Yankee Swap tradition. It might just be my most favorite night of the year, bonding with my besties and reveling in the joy of the season. If you aren't in the habit of doing one of these, here's how it works: we all bring wrapped gifts (the max you can spend is supposed to be $100, but everyone always seems to spend slightly more). We each draw numbers to determine the order in which we open the presents. The person who draws #1 goes first and opens a gift from the pile. The person who draws #2 goes next and opens a present and has the choice of taking the one opened by #1, or keeping the present she just opened. The person who draws #3 goes next and can either take #1's gift, or take #2's gift, and so on. After everyone has had a turn, player #1 can swap gifts with any other player. Over the years, the swap has become more competitive, as we all want to give away something dazzling and highly coveted while still being able to claim that we have adhered (sort of) to the spending limit. This has required us to become super creative in sourcing high-impact, low-budget giftables. And, the resulting bounty is proof: this year's Yankee Swap, held earlier this week, included vintage Oscar de la Renta chandelier earrings, an Hermes horn cuff (that was definitely over $100!), a gorgeous, on-sale Serpui Marie ombre clutch (above), and a studded Valentino bracelet, pictured below, along with some of the other highlights:

$85, jcrew.com

$160, stylebop.com

$168, jcrew.com

$180, saksfifthavenue.com

P.S. I won the cashmere J.Crew snood above, and yours truly gave away the Clare Vivier snakeskin embossed clutch pictured above, which, not surprisingly (it's a gem), was appropriated and and then re-appropriated by more than a few of my fellow discerning Yankee swappers.

$395, shopbop.com

I couldn't believe my eyes when I came across this Derek Lam satin skirt--rendered in the sweet floral print that defined his Fall 2012 collection--on sale at half off. Score!

1. J.Crew sweater, $138, jcrew.com
2. FACE Stockholm for J.Crew lipstick, $20, jcrew.com
3. Madewell ID cuff bracelet, $28, madewell.com; Madewell sparkle cuff, $32, madewell.com
4. Alexander McQueen buckled ankle boots, $830, ssense.com
5. Derek Lam satin skirt, $395, shopbop.com

Just looking at this pretty lacy J. Crew tunic transports me to a balmy beach holiday, and I am sure some of you have a warm-water jaunt on the horizon. Unfortunately, I don't, but it's so fetching I still asked my husband to tack this on to his holiday shopping list, knowing it will serve me well when the warm weather surf is back up, or perhaps even sooner, with a pair of jeans and a chunky cardigan.

$34, old navy

Even a little animal print goes a long way. At $34, you won't think twice about wearing them through winter rain, sleet or shine. I'd pair them with...

1. Etoile Isabel Marant mohair sweater, $210, netaporter.com
2. Mango shearling lined parka, $189, mango.com
3. J. Crew saddlebag, $298, jcrew.com
4. Topshop opaque black tights, $12, topshop.com
5. Old Navy faux fur boots, $34, oldnavy.com
6. Topshop skirt, $76, topshop.com

Black and white was an overarching trend on the Spring 2013 runways in Paris, New York and Milan and among show-goers such as those pictured, above and below. Styles ranged from 60s mod at Prada and Louis Vuitton to classic stripes at Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana and Alexander Wang. This graphic combo is already starting to trickle into stores, and the chicest looks thus far include this Marc by Marc Jacobs dress, this print blazer from Myne (which I have/love and wore here), this super cute ALC striped tank, this color blocked blouse by Tibi, and these Zara striped pants.

$270, netaporter

These Sass & Bide jeans prove that big and bold can be better. I love the gallant ikat pattern and the head-turning contrast of the black and white. I'd go for it with...

1. J. Crew wool sweater, $65, jcrew.com
2. Warehouse parka, $169, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs chain link and leather wraparound bracelet, $148, shopbop.com
4. Topshop messenger bag, $50, topshop.com
5. Rag & Bone ankle boots, $495, saksfifthavenue.com
6. Sass & Bide ikat jeans, $270, netaporter.com