LE CATCH

$95, missselfridge.com

As if you didn't know this by now, I am a sucker for sequins.

Last winter I visited a very stylish clothing-designer friend of mine at her New York office before grabbing lunch. (She's the type who always looks polished, even when she's at home by herself!) After a few minutes of chatting, she excused herself to get her jacket and returned wearing a cape. A cape! It was then that I realized I too needed to wear a cape. There's something out-and-out sophisticated and elegant about a cape--or maybe it just makes me feel like my superhero stylish friend. This one by Gap is perfect.

$116, warehouse.andotherbrands.com

Rich tweed dresses up this biker jacket and makes it suitable for work. I'd head into my office wearing it with...

1. Madewell oxford shirt, $52, madewell.com
2. Warehouse tweed biker jacket $116, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
3. Asos metal handle tote bag, $70, asos.com
4. Ash ankle boots, $220, shopbop.com
5. J Brand leather pants, $895, netaporter.com

I love this woman's whole look--billowy sweatshirt with a ladylike Stella McCartney trumpet skirt--but what sent me over the edge were her pumps. So plush, so feminine, and so oxblood, the color of the season. They're the perfect instant update to any outfit. Check out these options from Charles Jourdan, Miu Miu and Boutique 9 (for $120!).

Photo: Style.com

$298, frenchconnection.com

A couple of things about this dress: for starters, it's very reminiscent of a Lanvin frock (and a lot less expensive, even when the Lanvin frock is on sale). Secondly, fringe is gearing up to be a big trend next season, thanks to Altuzarra, Tracey Reese, etc. Lastly, and arguably most importantly, it's a cocktail party slam dunk. I'd wear it with...

1. French Connection tiered fringe dress, $298, frenchconnection.com
2. Bauble Bar drop earrings, $44, baublebar.com
3. Diane Von Furstenberg lace clutch, $325, netaporter.com
4. Giuseppe Zanotti metal back sandal, $695, barneys.com

Some fashion waves seem to hit London first: think space age prints, hyper-realist detailing, neon lace. The latest one to sweep the city's civilized streets is the coatigan. For those of you not familiar with the term (I wasn't until last week's visit), it's a hybrid of a cardigan and coat--a knit coat. Very slouchy, very comfortable and very perfect for brisk fall weather. I saw them everywhere in London, and every store offered its own iteration(s). The burgeoning trend seems to be crossing the Channel, too, as sartorially up-to-the-minute women like French Vogue editor and front-row stalwart Geraldine Saglio, above, have embraced them (note her flared jeans!). I love these versions from Topshop, Burberry Brit and Vince.

Photo: Grazia.it

$70, theoutnet.com

If you're in the market for a pair of seriously flattering, leg-lengthening, body-slimming blue jeans, here's your ticket*. The flared silhouette is in sync with many of the Spring 2013 collections (i.e., Isabel Marant, Rebecca Minkoff, Gucci), and an additional bonus: they're marked down from $200. Try them with...

1. Mulberry tweed top, $465, netaporter.com
2. Warehouse pea coat $151, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
3. Mulberry beaded bag, $775, netaporter.com
4. Alexander Wang ankle strap heels, $485, shopbop.com
5. Mother jeans, $70, theoutnet.com

*These jeans are now sold out. I also love these options from MiH, JBrand, and Paige Denim (on sale).

I just had the pleasure of attending my father's book launch party in Amsterdam, where he is from. The book, called Footprints, is a retrospective of his work as a photographer, and it includes his most iconic pictures, from the snow monkeys of Japan to his Marlboro-man advertisements to Bali in the late 1960's (above), where he met my mom. It was a quick 36 hours in the city, during which my sister and I enjoyed some long walks along the canals, and it was preceded by a few days in London, where I spent a good portion of my time shopping (surprise, surprise!). Years ago I would fly to London just to shop at the High Street stores, because the offerings are so on the mark (i.e., runway-inspired but affordable) and relatively unidentifiable (i.e., rarely seen in America). Today, as LE CATCH readers know, you can get virtually all of it online, often via the miracle(!) of free shipping and returns, but I still thoroughly enjoy scouring in person the brick-and-mortar versions of the stores you so often see on LE CATCH. I bought a bunch of great stuff including some recent "le catches", such as this Miss Selfridge jacket, these Topshop jeans (almost sold out) and this (already sold-out) Monsoon cardigan, plus some new finds, including this faux fur trimmed dress by Minkie (which I plan on tailoring into a top). Below are some snaps from my trip.

Coco and I ambled along the canals and poked around The Leidseplein, a hip and bustling boutique and cafe-studded neighborhood (somewhat akin to NYC's Greenwich Village). Earlier in the day we went running in Vondelpark, where the leaves were just starting to turn. It was amazingly beautiful--one of those endorphin-flowing runs that makes you count your blessings.

Here we are (me on the right) leafing through my Dad's book in the lobby of our hotel, The Conservatorium, a former 19th-century bank-turned-music school that was recently renovated by Milanese architect Piero Lissoni. It's a spectacular sight to see, as it features original neo-Gothic architecture along with a fantastically modern multistory glass atrium. And it's conveniently located next to the Van Gogh and Stedelijk museums.

Back in London, on a mission (me on the left)!

$149, asos.com

Many of you have inquired about the provenance of a jeweled sweater that I was wearing in a previous post, which, unfortunately, is not available for purchase online (it's from H&M), so I am thinking this embellished top from Asos is a fantastic, perhaps even more glamorous stand-in. The loose, sweater-like fit means it can be paired with easygoing pieces, like boyfriend jeans, but it will also go hand in hand with dressy, even holiday-festive things. I'd wear it with....

1. Asos jeweled blouse, $149, asos.com
2. Topshop leather jacket, $400, topshop.com
3. Clare Vivier ponyhair clutch, $180, shopbop.com
4. Zara satin sandals, $89, zara.com
5. J Brand cargo jeans, $270, netaporter.com

I am a huge fan of Heidi Merrick's playfully stylish, easy-to-wear designs, and the LA-based designer's Spring 2013 collection might just be my favorite yet. It draws inspiration from the beaches of California's Central Coast, and is reflected in the cool ocean colors, seaweed prints, and, of course, the breezy silhouettes, as seen in these looks, here. I also love how she re-interpreted a few of her signature pieces (like this top and dress), effectively making them must-have's. Winter has not even come, and I am already looking forward to wearing these pieces, come spring!