LE CATCH

Huge for Spring: longer hemlines. Since I'm tall (5'8"), this is a trend that in theory I can easily pull off--BUT first I have to get over my fear of feeling dowdy in a calf-grazing skirt. So, for inspiration, I rounded up some pics of girls, who prove that a long skirt teamed with the right extras can be seriously sexy. Plus, I sourced some styles that can do no wrong, such as this, this, this, and this.

Photos: Stockholm Streetstyle, Harpers Bazaar, Citizen Couture, Elbows and Knees

$275, j.crew (click and then scroll down for shoe)

Not only are head-turning clothes and accessories essential for Fashion Week, but so is a razor-sharp memory. You see so much, it's almost impossible to remember every dress, coat, bag, shoe, and detail that regales the runways. Still, there are certain things that make an indelible impression on your brain. For me, it was this ankle-strap heel that I saw and immediately started lusting for at J.Crew's Spring 2013* presentation back in September. The crazy thing is it's even more gorgeous than I remembered it to be...

1. Erdem floral print silk dress, $1040, netaporter.com
2. Tom Binns pyramid stud hoops, $176, shopbop.com
3. Madewell shrunken denim jacket, $118, madewell.com
4. Deux Lux striped bag, $65, shopbop.com
5. J.Crew ankle-strap heels, $275, jcrew.com (click and then scroll down for shoe)

*You can now pre-order spring styles that are not yet in J.Crew stores. (Shipping starts in February.) Very cool. You can check out the all the pieces here.

On my last two warm-weather getaways, I have somehow forgotten to pack a beach bag. This is, of course, a major omission since, apart from a flattering bathing suit or three, a super chic (and durable!) beach bag is a arguably the most critical component of your fashion assault on whatever pool or beach you are visiting. You need one you can throw your magazines, phone, sarong and sunscreen into and that can travel seamlessly from poolside to barside. I've got some serious beach vacations coming down the pike this year (Mykynos! Hawaii! The Hamptons!) and I'd love to stuff all my essentials into one of these hand-painted canvas babies by V73. P.S. How cute are the charms? P.P.S. Why not make one of these an everyday throw-around bag?

$79, mango

This bold (Chanel-y) statement of a cardigan would go just as well with an everyday t-shirt and a pair of boyfriend jeans as it would with something entirely unexpected, like this...

1. River Island flower applique t-shirt, $31, riverisland.com
2. Mango cardigan, $79, mango.com
3. Marni clutch, $320, netaporter.com
4. Jimmy Choo pumps, $575, forwardbyelysewalker.com
5. Faith Connexion sequin cropped pants, $630, netaporter.com

When I was in New York last month, several friends of mine urged me to check out a new line called Figue. Walking into its Soho showroom was like stepping into a glamorous globetrotter's apartment. There were vibrant Moroccan poufs, Moorish lanterns, and rich embroidered textiles draped everywhere. And then there were the racks of clothes, bags and jewelry, all fantastically suitable for the resort-hopping life: marigold-colored kaftans, sequined ikat print tunics, fringed cardigans, tassled Bolivian wool ponchos, etc. The line is especially compelling because though the fabrics look like they came straight from the most dazzling North African bazaar, the cuts are flattering in a way that the market vendor ones seldom are. Designer Stephanie Von Watzdorf, a native New Yorker, who spent her summers in Europe, is creating clothes that reflect her own gypset wardrobe, ones that are "seasonless," and that can, with some savvy styling, be worn all year round. Here are some highlights:

$95, the outnet

Everything about this See By Chloe blouse--the light chambray denim, the cascading ruffles, the sleeveless-ness--embodies Spring 2013.* Even so, I'd make a good argument for wearing it this very minute with...

1. See by Chloe chambray top, $95, theoutnet.com
2. Theyskens' Theory bomber jacket, $565, netaporter.com
3. Asos beaded clutch, $61, asos.com
4. Gucci printed pump, $312, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Vanessa Bruno leather skirt, $915, matchesfashion.com

*When the weather warms up, I'd wear it with shorts like this, or jeans like this, or a skirt like this!

I had a fun catch-up-with-girlfriends lunch at the Beverly Hills Hotels last week. It was a pretty stereotypical LA scene: Kourtney Kardashian and her crying infant to our left, Kelly Preston to our right, and Shaquille O'Neal front and center, holding court. After the six of us had each ordered the same exact salad customized six different ways (one without dressing, one without bacon, another with feta instead of bleu, etc.), we got down to the serious business of the cashmere J.Crew sweater that not one but two (including me) of us was wearing. I was the opposite of embarrassed since my outfit twin is the glam girl everyone wants at their parties, who has worked with designers like Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren, etc. It turns out that she and I both own multiple colors of the sweater, and by the time we had finished extolling its virtues, it was clear that jcrew.com would be selling at least four more of those babies that night. The sweater is here. I (obviously) recommend it.

$130, shopbop

The debut of this excellent spring-y dress marks the end of a several-month-long wild-goose chase. Ever since I came across this picture, I've been searching high and low for something similar--and here it is! (Update: if it's sold out at Shopbop, try here too as they may restock.)

1. Club Monaco leather-pocket striped dress, $130, shopbop.com
2. C.Wonder pave heart stud earrings, $28, cwonder.com
3. Topshop parka, $120, topshop.com
4. Melie Bianco satchel, $65, piperlime.com
5. Charlotte Olympia leopard print loafers, $825, netaporter.com

This spring's statement sunglasses can help amplify your style message. The newest and coolest options range from circular to oversized to mirrored to embellished. Me? I am partial to subtly edgy sunglasses, like this round and retro Madewell, this oversized cat-eye Asos, and this angled tortoise-framed Karen Walker (pictured above). (P.S. How good is the girl's vibrant pucker, above? Her lipstick may just be this.) (P.P.S. Asos and Topshop boast an impressive stock of inexpensive sunnies to choose from.)

 Photos: Tuula Vintage, Jak & Jil, Pinterest

$95, piperlime

There's no mistaking this clutch's resemblance to the studded Valentino variety, yet it's almost incomparably more affordable and just as wear-with-everything versatile. Think spring-clean-simple, like this...

1. Topshop shift dress, $100, topshop.com
2. Illesteva sunglasses, $260, netaporter.com
3. Michael Kors pave stack ring, $125, shopbop.com
4. Rebecca Minkoff studded clutch, $95, piperlime.com
5. Manolo Blahnik gladiator sandals, $665, bergdorfgoodman.com