LE CATCH

$159, zara

A smattering of sequins for some holiday sparkle.

1. Chloe dress, $3550, mytheresa.com

2. Zara embroidered jacket, $159, zara.com

3. Reformation boots, $478, shopbop.com

4. Sarah Chloe stackable rings, $145, goop.com

$69, zara

Function and fringe all in one bucket bag.

1. Farm Rio dress, $248, nordstrom.com

2. Byredo Lipstick in Reunion, $36, bergdorfgoodman.com

3. Zara bag, $69, zara.com

4. Heaven Mayhem earrings, $110, shopbop.com

5. Schutz boots, $258, shopbop.com

For me, dressing up for a holiday party this season won't require wearing an actual dress. Instead I'll be swirling around in festive pieces that will bring the party--without a single stitch of tulle in sight. In London I wore an old H&M studded cardigan with velvet trousers and a tuxedo blazer and felt perfectly (and very comfortably) at home at the stylishly opulent Maison Estelle. Other party animals in my wardrobe waiting for their invites: the feather trimmed J.Crew chiffon blouse, below, this sexy deep V-neck blouse by Courtney Zheng, this Jacques Wei embellished top, this sparkly Costerellos sweater, this gold-chain trimmed Givenchy (on major sale), and this satin Chloe tuxedo blazer (on sale!).

In between long and lavish meals at Scott's, La Petite Maison, Wild, Maison Estelle, 5 Hertford Street and The Park, there was barely time to shop in London. Still, I managed to rack up a few scores. I found the Prada-spirited embellished bomber jacket at Reserved, below, which prompted some London friends to beeline over and follow suit. I am not sure if Zara's inventory is actually better across the pond, or if my travel-induced excitement just amplifies the assortment but what is certain is the coolness of the above faux fur one-shoulder top. It's fluffy--and so fun. ME +EM's knits kept my friends and me captive in the Notting Hill store for a while, and not only did I leave with the chocolate brown layered wrap cardigan, below, but I walked out wearing it! It's that good! The Kurt Geiger bow-tie flats stopped me in my tracks at Selfridges, as they reminded me of the Chanel ballerinas I'm coveting. Lastly, if anyone finds the fringed And Other Stories, immediately below, in UK size 10, let me know! It was sold out on Regent Street when I popped in.

It's hard not to get into the holiday spirit in London, where every Christmas tree-lit corner sparkles like a scene from a holiday movie. Fittingly, my fashion sense is trying to match the festive mood, with frivolous fringe (Zara sweater, above), plush velvet pants (beyond comfortable!) and lush silk blouses, like this Maison Mayle, pictured, this on-sale Isabel Marant and this Jamie Haller. I'm even sporting mini-ornaments on my feet with these new flats. I can't leave without loading up on more festive styles, so I snapped up this (SO Gucci!), this and this to bring the holiday spirit home!

Overpacking can feel like a safety net, but it can backfire when faced with a suitcase full of options and no clear direction. Wowza, did it hit me hard this morning in London, as I stood in front of a chaotic array of "maybes." The clock was ticking, and my seven girlfriends were waiting in the lobby, ready to shop and blowing up my phone to hurry down. Meanwhile, I was trapped in a loop of indecision. That’s when I could have used the effortless 3.1 Phillip Lim outfit, above—a true throw-on-and-go staple! Thankfully, it's on sale for Cyber Monday (for next time--no more waiting, my friends!), along with a slew of other one and done wonders including this Kika Vargas dress, this Staud and this Rhode. Shop the 25% off last licks-sale here!

After sleeping off mounds of stuffing and three slices of homemade pumpkin pie, my Black Friday fatigue and my FOMO duked it out until approximately 8:10AM. Then I caved and bought the faux fur Source Uknown jacket, above, for $139! I also trawled Khaite's richly-stocked 40% off sale (jeans, jackets, dresses!). But, wait, there's even more Khaite, Toteme, Ulla Johnson, The Row, etc, at My Theresa's up to 50% off sale. Seriously, go! And while you are at it, stop by at Shopbop for 25% off site-wide: denim galore, jackets and coats, and every trendy shoe under the sun. The beauty products I really want but don't buy because they're too expensive are now on sale at Nordstrom--and I stocked up on this and this (i.e., the reason I wear my hair down more often these days!) Last stop: the highly sought-after blazers at Kallmeyer. I'll let you know if I keep going... chances are high!

Even though long lines stretching outside restaurants, coffee shops, and trendy stores have become commonplace in New York, I am still amazed by them--and by the unwavering patience of those willing to wait. Many of these queues, fueled by social media buzz and word-of-mouth recommendations, are worth it (I Sodi, L'Industrie Pizzeria, Ess-a-bagel, La Cabra, Lucali) and, IMHO, some are not (Apollo Bagels, Pop-Up Bagels, Bubby's). With so many people waiting outside, often for long periods, how one dresses for the weather has taken on new importance, as the outdoor queue itself is now a visible, social centerpiece of the experience. Hence, outerwear, once just a practical necessity or finishing touch, is now a focal point and defining element. But it's not just about the coats and jackets--hats, gloves, scarves, socks and tights all work in symphony to create a cohesive, long line-proof, Insta-ready look. While I can't help you cut the line, I can offers up ways to finesse it with this And Other Stories cape (30% off), below, this knit H&M balaclava, the Proenza Schouler made-for-layering sweater (second pic down), these Carolina Amato zip-up leather gloves, the Anthropologie fringed jacket, this Via Carota-ready JW Anderson fleece, the below Cos fringed scarf (love the cashmere collar accessories on sale too!), a sweater-matching scarf from Favorite Daughter, and this statement-making Toteme shearling hat. I also love the idea of layering staples we already own in an unpredictable way, so it looks new and fresh, like a barn jacket under a pea coat (last pic).

While 18-pound organic turkeys are in scarce supply down in Tribeca today (my sister's husband forgot to order it last week--whoops!), there's a stack of my favorite baubles, above, on sale to indulge in at Adina Reyter. Save 20% with the code MERRY2024 through Friday, 11/29. SO many (gift) options your head (and neck) will spin! Another noteworthy BFCM event is happening over at Maison Mayle, which, if you know this revered NYC brand, never goes on sale. The feminine, vintage-inspired dresses and shirts are fashion editor-stylish and IYKYK-cool. To all my friends who keep borrowing my Mayle pieces, run forth, please! One more honorable mention: My Theresa's First Call (30% off) sale is teeming with fall's most coveted items, like the Joseph coat, last pic, with full size runs! Also these Khaite jeans, this Isabel Marant fringed jacket and this JW Anderson bucket bag. My recommendation: pounce now!

True happiness is a pair of pants that always puts up with you–comfortably keeping up with your little (and big!) indulgences. They can squish into a coach seat with ease–and still turn heads at the most elegant soiree. These clever pants, rendered in the softest jersey fabric, boast elastication through the back of the waistband, allowing for a sophisticated finish at the front. They can be sourced at ME + EM, along with this sleek pair of pinstriped trousers aptly named “Travel Tailoring” (I can only imagine how comfy they are!), plus the holiday-proof pieces that I am wearing: the organza lace blouse and cozy cashmere turtleneck. More standouts: the embroidered lace top, below, this chic boucle bomber jacket, this ski-to-street jacquard sweater, and this made-for-layering half-zip knit. This post is in paid partnership with ME + EM.