LE CATCH

Meet my new girl crush, Geraldine Saglio. She's French (of course), a stylist at French Vogue, and a poster girl for Parisian chic, favoring streamlined staples, such as skinny jeans, a button-down shirt, leather jacket and sky-high heels. With her minimal makeup and undone hair, Saglio has the city's nonchalant flair nailed. Check out the inspiring pics below and divine the Gallic girl in you. (P.S. You can buy her Current/Elliot leopard print jeans here.)

Funny coincidence: Next week I was planning to feature a blue and white color-blocked sweater from Mango that looks exactly like the one Saglio is wearing in this picture. But here it is now, if you are so inspired.

$39, asos.com

If there is one thing in my closet that's indispensable, I'd say it's my black ballet flats. They're my everyday go-to's. They're classic, comfortable and go with everything. So, here's another black slipper, with a little more pizazz, to rotate into the mix. The sheer lace and patent toe cap lend a very Chanel (or even Valentino) elegance. Wear them with...

1. Madewell sweater, $72, madewell.com
2. Topshop lipstick in Fire Cracker, $16, topshop.com
3. Jerome Dreyfuss Carlitos small tote, $289, barneys.com
4. Asos lace ballet slippers, $39, asos.com
5. Reiss printed jersey trousers, $150, reissonline.com

Dear Readers,
I have a confession to make: this jacket is one of those items that I love so much, I felt the impulse not to share it. The little girl in me wanted it to be mine, all mine! That being said, my fiduciary duty to you, LE CATCH faithful, is to share all my secrets. Having said that, and as long as we are on this sharing topic, I have a special request. A frighteningly large number of you have told me you love LE CATCH so much, that you feel a similar impulse not to share it with others (lest they get in on your fashion secret weapon)! My special request is please DO share LE CATCH with your friends, family, long lost acquaintances etc. (via email, twitter, pinterest etc). Your spreading the word can make a huge difference, and I would be very grateful!

Okay, enough with the public service announcement. Back to the jacket. My sister actually bought this leather-sleeved Zara jacket in New York last week. According to the sales clerk that helped her, the jacket has been selling out as soon as it hits the floor, with people calling in to put them on hold. The demand is understandable, what with the gold hardware, cinched waist and leather sleeves. I got lucky and scored mine two days ago at the Grove in LA (there were only two left on the racks). I've been waiting for the jacket to come up on Zara's website, and it finally did TODAY. If you're interested, now's the time to pounce. And don't forget to share!

$39, nordstrom.com

This sandal combines two of my favorite trends--embroidered friendship bracelets and studded gold hardware--and the result is exceedingly cool. Now just imagine wearing them with a white Mexican style dress. Perfection.

$48, riverisland.com

One of my best friends has more kaftans in her closet than regular clothes. And it's not like she spends her days lolling around on the beach. (Hardly. She's a hugely successful interior designer.) We've taken numerous girls-only getaways together, mostly to warm faraway beaches, and though our trips are often short and sweet, I kid you not, she brings enough kaftans to dress an army. She usually ends up taking up most of the room in the closet, as she likes to hang her kaftans, and every time I complain--until I need to borrow one, because the few I have in rotation end up too wet and/or salty to wear again. Or, I'll just want some variety. So, here's one more to add to my own repertoire, replete with tassels, embroidery and a vintage bohemian spirit. Wear it (to the beach) with...

1. River Island kaftan, $48, riverisland.com
2. Topshop African-print bandeau bikini, $52, topshop.com
3. Anya Hindmarch beach tote bag, $295, anyahindmarch.com
4. Corso Como sandal, $79, nordstrom.com

$348, coach.com

I'll never tire of my LL Bean boat bags, but they're going on hiatus while I break in this new green leather-trimmed (yes, that's right!) Coach tote bag. It's a limited edition bag from the men's spring line, but it's chicly androgynous. Even though it's big and roomy, it's a carryall that looks less like luggage and more like a hip handbag. It also features a detachable shoulder strap, a practical inside pocket (for my cell phone), and it can be monogrammed. What I love most about it is that it's unidentifiable--i.e., you would never know it's Coach, or any brand for that matter. It's basically everything I need it be--a weekender to a beach bag to a cross-continental carry-on--and dashingly handsome, to boot.

$225, barneys.com

This blouse is as versatile as a white button-down (i.e., I'd wear it anywhere), but a million times chicer. And enduringly stylish too. (In fact, I'd say it falls squarely into that fail-safe French girl category.) I'd wear the outfit below to work, and feel comfortable going straight to dinner afterward.

1. CO-OP Barneys color blocked blouse, $225, barneys.com

2. Madewell camo print jacket*, $128, madewell.com

3. Coach Op Art tote, $348, coach.com

4. Zara platform sandal, $89, zara.com

5. Reiss tapered trousers, $210, reissonline.com

* This jacket is like your average green parka, but only better because it has a cool abstract animal print and it's cinched in at the waist. But it's just as wearable!

Though I have no upcoming occasion to warrant the purchase of this Zara dress, I am compelled to buy it. (Afternoon update: I bought it, but apparently so did many of you, because it's already sold out! My guess is they will restock this one, so I'll tweet it if I see it again.) That's because it's classic in design, undeniably elegant and could stand up to the swankiest of occasions. I know I will wear it at some point, even if it's in the way distant future. And, oh, it's $89! Added bonus: I could style this dress in so many different ways. I could go all out and accessorize it with crazy blingy earrings, or punctuate it with a sparkly belt, like this one from J. Crew, or go casual and clean and simply throw on a pair of lace-up sandals. Okay, this one is in the bag...

$118, jcrew.com

J. Crew cleverly reinvents a pair of khaki shorts with a feminine scalloped hem. (Just FYI: these are my ideal day-to-night shorts: great with a lived-in white t-shirt or a statement blazer.) I'd wear it with...

1. 10 Crosby striped tank, $225, barneys.com

2. Callula Lillibelle oversized satin tuxedo jacket*, $450, netaporter.com

3. Givenchy buckle sandals, $880, barneys.com

4. J. Crew scalloped shorts, $118, jcrew.com

*Push up the sleeves on the blazer to effect a more casual vibe.

What is it about French women? Why do they always get it right? It seems to me that French women stay loyal to their signature styles and stick to them--in the face of all the neons, pastels, and floral prints out there. Take for instance, the French Vogue editors, who trotted out to every fashion show, from Milan to New York to Paris, in slight variations of the same basic outfit: jeans, high heels, a button-down blouse with a big jacket (leather or puffy) or sweater. (See pics of French Vogue editors above and below.) Perhaps this is what makes their style so distinguishable--so unmistakably, enviably, effortlessly, alluringly chic. The one constant in many French women's wardrobe is the button down blouse. It's obviously a classic, and while it can come across as conservative, the French make it look anything but. Here are some Parisian-polished blouses to consider integrating into your wardrobe: a denim color-blocked (Isabel Marant-inspired) one from Asos, another from Sandro, (a French line that nails Gallic cool, which explains why I also LOVE this one by Sandro too), and a pinstriped classic from J. Crew.

P.S. Take a cue from the French and wear the blouses unbuttoned, with the sleeves nonchalantly rolled up, half tucked in.

Photos: Grazia