LE CATCH

$140, monsoon.co.uk

There's a whole lot going on in this cardigan, and it's all good, from the pom poms to the electric print. It's all you need to render a basic jeans-and-t-shirt outfit thoroughly original.

1. Zoe Karssen t-shirt, $85, shopbop.com
2. Monsoon cardigan, $140, monsoon.co.uk
3. Givenchy pouch, $340, forwardbyelysewalker.com
4. Belle by Sigerson Morrison suede flats, $235, piperlime.com
5. Superfine silk paneled jeans, $395, netaporter.com

The racks at a Lucky cover photo shoot are always rife with fun styling ideas, and at the last one, there were loads of embellished collared blouses layered underneath basic crewneck sweaters. I loved how the collars worked to transform the knits into veritable statement pieces (Caroline Issa proves this in the pic above), and, of course, the mixing and matching possibilities were endless. Come sweater weather, you'll see me incorporating these combos into my workaday life. If you are also so inclined, here are some collared blouses you can play with from Topshop, Miss Selfridge (similar to Issa's blouse above), Club Monaco, and Maison Scotch.

Photo: Stockholm Street Style

$110, jcrew.com*

So in walks my very good friend the other day and she's wearing these blue velvet jeans that just made me want to reach out and touch her. I could not ask her where she got her jeans fast enough. She proudly replied: "J. Crew." What makes them so compelling is that they look like jeans but they're made of baby-soft velvet, so they have this stealth luxe vibe to them. They're also not overly thick--who wants those unwanted inches?--but they are comfortably stretchy and machine washable, plus hugely versatile. My friend worked them pretty much like this...

1. MiH voile blouse, $195, netaporter.com
2. Math tweed jacket, $770, my-wardrobe.com
3. Mod Cloth suede-front bag, $69, modcloth.com
4. Madewell ankle boots, $208, madewell.com
5. J. Crew velvet jeans*, $110, jcrew.com

*Just FYI: J. Crew is having a great sale through Sunday: 25% off + free shipping on orders $150+ with the code STYLE25

The spring catwalks from Diane Von Furstenberg to Marni to 10 Crosby Derek Lam are ushering in a new, languid silhouette: the loose trouser. The fringe benefits: slimming lines and longer legs. Um, yes, please! Here are some flowy finds from Mango, Alice & Olivia, and Chloe.

Photo: Elle

$150, missselfridge.com

I'm heading to London soon and looking forward to shopping like a mad woman at some of my High Street faves--COS, Topshop, Warehouse, and Miss Selfridge, and I am thinking about picking up this beaded jacket while I'm there. Fortunately, it's available online as well (with free shipping through October 2*). If all goes according to plan, then, cheerio, I'll be dining at The Wolseley wearing this stunner with...

1. Splendid jersey t-shirt, $64, netaporter.com
2. Miss Selfridge beaded jacket, $150, missselfridge.com*
3. Accessorize Chinese embroidered clutch, $74, accessorize.com
4. Christian Louboutin patent leather heels, $625, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Reiss perforated leather pants, $475, reissonline.com

*Use promo code PARTY26 at checkout to get free shipping

Time to bust out those cool graphic t-shirts and give them some play with dressier pieces. For example, these stand-by's are the perfect low-key foil to vivid printed pants. I'm liking these tees by Karl, Zoe Karssen, Gucci and Chaser.


Photo: Grazia.it

$107, warehouse.andotherbrands.com

I have a thing for silver pants right now. (So does Acne and Diane Von Furstenberg.) Okay, so they're not the most practical but they are arguably the glintiest and glammest, and I love the idea of wearing them in a casual way, too. I'd wear these metallic beaded pair with...

1. Dagmar sweater, $300, netaporter.com
2. Coralia Leets druzy earrings, $193, charmandchain.com
3. Loeffler Randall bag, $595, piperlime.com
4. Boutique 9 pumps, $120, shopbop.com
5. Warehouse beaded pants, $107, warehouse.andotherbrands.com

For fashionistas from Milan to New York, the eyewear du jour is mirrored and statement-y. Do you think it has something to do with all the flash-popping photographers constantly jostling around them? Highly unlikely. After all, these eye-catching frames look decidedly cool and cutting-edge futuristic. You can reflect on these photo-ready sunnies from Ray Ban, Urban Outfitters, Prada, Oakley, and Nasty Gal.

Photos: 1. Vogue, 2. Tommy Ton, 3. Tommy Ton, 4. Tommy Ton

$175, netaporter.com

I am at my least stylish from 8 to 9AM, when I am suited up in workout gear, frazzled from the bed-to-breakfast table-to-out-the-door routine, bent on making the school run fast so I can squeeze in a sweat session. Unlike most Angelenos, I do not exercise in head-to-toe Lululemon: an old t-shirt and some black leggings is my uniform. I try to camouflage this rather unsightly outfit with a big wrap-like cardigan or my green army jacket. But now I am thinking this cozy poncho-like cardigan is the ticket. I love the toggles and the chic cape-like fit. Not only will it act as a genius cover up but it will also be perfect on chilly fall days, with my regular (i.e. more stylish) clothes, when I am running around doing a million things. On those days, I'd wear it with...

1. J. Crew striped t-shirt, $34, jcrew.com
2. Michael Michael Kors poncho cardigan, $175, netaporter.com
3. Forever 21 zipper-trimmed bag, $44, forever21.com
4. Cynthia Vincent boots, $375, piperlime.com
5. Mango leather leggings, $189, mango.com

The ankle strap heel is emerging as Spring 2013's must-have shoe, as it's showing up on a wide range of runways from J. Crew to Marni--and on fashion bellwethers, like French Vogue editor Geraldine Saglio (above), who sported gorgeously feminine Valentino ankle-strappers during New York Fashion Week. Here are other possibilities to ponder from Pour La Victoire, Alexander Wang, and Zara.