LE CATCH

$59, swell

Thanks to my surfer husband, I've been to plenty of surf shops--and I know that there is more than just wetsuits and boards to buy. I usually sniff out something cool for my own wardrobe. Case in point: this exquisite lace jacket from Billabong. It's more than just beach-ready. It's vintage-y-cool, Fleetwood Mac-spirited, gypset-chic, music festival-perfect, and even date-night-out-sexy.

1. Kain silk camisole, $155, netaporter.com
2. Madewell necklace, $42, madewell.com
3. Billabong lace jacket, $59, swell.com
4. Clare Vivier leather messenger tote, $363, shopbop.com
5. Givenchy calf hair sandal, $850, bergdorfgoodman.com
6. Superfine silk paneled jeans, $395, netaporter.com

Earlier today I came across this picture from Isabel Marant's Fall 2010 show and found myself falling head-over-heels once again for the high-glam yet insouciant friend that is the sequin pant. I then found this pair in black by Reiss that are pretty perfect, along with this silver version from French Connection as well.

$235, missselfridge.com

Nothing gets me in the mood like a pretty embellished party dress. This one has a retro feminine appeal--and just begs for a dirty martini! Do it up with...

1. Miss Selfridge embellished dress, $235, missselfridge.com
2. Kenneth Jay Lane aqua beaded earrings, $113, charmandchain.com
3. Emilio Pucci velvet clutch, $649, mytheresa.com
4. Tabitha Simmons button-trimmed T-strap sandal, $1495, bergdorfgoodman.com

I love a statement necklace as much as the next girl, but I am especially partial to ones that are subtle enough to wear everyday, like the silver chain-link choker, worn by stylist and fashion editor Giovanna Battaglia, above. It's a classic, super wearable piece, but the oversize links make it fresh and edgy. Here are other quietly cool (yet wildly versatile!) chokers from Forever 21, Avant Garde Paris, and Max & Chloe, plus a stunning gold version from Kenneth Jay Lane.

$142, warehouse

I am still deep into my feather obsession, and now that the holiday hoopla is coming down the pike, I will have multiple occasions to parade my plumage. I came across this insanely good feather skirt in London and imagined I'd whoop it up in...

1. J. Crew wool sweater, $79, jcrew.com
2. Balmain satin-trimmed stretch wool blazer, $3845, netaporter.com
3. Anthropologie leather clutch, $128, anthropologie.com
4. Alexander Wang ankle strap heels, $485, forwardbyelysewalker.com
5. Warehouse feather skirt, $142, warehouse.andotherbrands.com

My twin sister just bought herself a pair of Stella McCartney cat-eye sunglasses for her birthday. I am happy about this for two reasons: she no longer wears the same black Ray Ban Wayfarers as me, which means we confuse fewer people, and they look really good on her--very retro-glam, feminine-cool. The cat-eye silhouette manages to be very flattering on most face shapes, and designers from Acne to Gucci are offering up their own creative takes on the classic shape. The fiercely embellished ones pictured above are by Alexander Wang. Among my faves are these by Yves Saint Laurent, Marc by Marc Jacobs, House of Harlow and Asos.

$228, shopbop.com

I have a pair of camouflage jeans that I bought a few years ago, which have gone in and out of heavy rotation. They're getting lots of play now, and feeling especially fresh with...

1. Topshop crystal ombre sweater, $96, topshop.com
2. Asos mini drop earrings, $14, asos.com
3. Jerome Dreyfuss bag, $730, forwardbyelysewalker.com
4. Madewell boots, $208, madewell.com
5. Elizabeth and James camouflage jeans, $228, shopbop.com

It transcends trends and time. It adds a sophisticated, polished, Parisienne finish to your outfit, and it goes with pretty much everything in your closet. Every season the classic re-surfaces, updated in new cuts and shades, but the inherent elegance remains the same. The latest and greatest iterations include a leather-sleeved Burberry (or a less expensive take by W118), a sleeveless Asos, a double breasted Nasty Gal, and a spiky-shouldered Sam Edelman. I am also partial to the signature wear-forever Burberry. This fall, to make my trench coat look fresh, I'm wearing a jean jacket underneath it, or layering a leather or fur vest over it (for extra warmth).

$84, topshop

Finally, sweater weather has arrived in LA! (It was relatively cool and cloudy this past weekend and I loved every minute of it.) Bring on the plush knits--something warm and fuzzy like this...

1. Topshop sweater, $84, topshop.com
2. C. Wonder collar necklace, $148, cwonder.com
3. Madewell double breasted wool coat, $268, madewell.com
4. Jean-Michel Cazabat Olsen sandal, $275, barneys.com
5. Givenchy tote bag, $1600, kirnazabete.com
6. J. Crew white wool pants, $148, jcrew.com

It's official: Fall's go-to flat is the loafer. (As I previously posted, they're hugely popular across the pond.) I prefer ones that are not super heavy and clunky, but rather slender and feminine, much like Alexa Chung's pair, above. No matter how you slice it though, loafers have a decidedly tomboy-ish appeal, and they look cutest when counterbalanced with feminine accents. Among my favorites are these ones by Dolce Vita, Steve Madden, Valentino (a splurge but so awesome--or similarly spirited but less expensive from Rowen Hindman), 3.1 Phillip Lim and Rosegold (in black suede).