going long

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

the standout

$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.

bag envy

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?

checking in

$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

figue

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:

spring training

$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!

ladies lunch

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.

lost & found

$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

vision quest

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

in my clutches

$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 

fur love

Couture show-goers, including Russian blogger Miroslava Duma, above, are not letting Paris' cold snap crimp their style, and it seems a chic fur hat is essential to their heat-trapping strategy. But it's not just these hot shots who are fur-hatting it (see last two images, below). I, too, have a faux fur one, and I wore it skiing on my last few outings, but now I have convincing evidence that this hat doesn't just belong on the slopes, but very much on the streets. Some heady faux fur options for you all to ponder from Nine West, Steve Madden and Asos, along with this knit and faux fur one on sale.

Photos: Harper's Bazaar, Pinterest

yesterday

$177, joie

I had a fun LA adventure yesterday that led to, among other things, the boots above. It started with a trek for a meeting to Echo Park, which for me, a westside-dwelling Angeleno, is the equivalent of traveling to the other side of the world, gridlock traffic and all. Post-meeting I set out to explore some of the great food joints and vintage stores that I am always hearing about, but never seem to get to. I checked out Cookbook, a gem-sized grocery stocked with organic foods, sustainable meats, locally grown produce, and yummy pastries, a box of which I snapped up for a dinner party I was attending later. Then I mosied on over to Tavin, an amazing vintage store, chock full of fresh-from-Tulum embroidered Mexican lace camisoles and tunics (the lovely kind that look like they may be from Greece or Turkey) as well as vibrant Suno-like dresses. Next stop: the opening of Joie's new Melrose store, where I was greeted with a glass of champagne, and soon thereafter the sight of these boots. They were on sale. I tried them on. Perfection in every way. Good heel height. Super comfortable. Hits right where it should just above my ankle. In the bag. You might just see me this week wearing my new boots with...

1. Etoile Isabel Marant cardigan, $570, netaporter.com
2. Kenzo military trench jacket, $822, matchesfashion.com
3. Topshop beaded bracelet, $30, topshop.com
4. Whistles brass ID bracelet, $39, whistles.co.uk
5. Joie boots, $177, joie.com
6. Goldsign for J.Crew jeans, $288, jcrew.com

the pleated leather skirt

I've been thinking about what to pack for New York Fashion Week in early February, and finding clothes that can both stand up to the cold and the cutting-edge crowd outside Lincoln Center is no small feat! Pieces that can also be worn more than once would be ideal, and that's where this sleek pleated leather skirt comes in. I see it going from work (i.e., not just the fashion blogger kind!) to cocktail parties, all for $150! And the excellent colors (navy, green, and khaki) from which to choose!  Check them fully out here.

polkadots, sequins and more

$350, netaporter

Imagine having to quickly get dressed for a party and then the exquisite relief of putting on this glittery, comfy sweatshirt. Yessss....

1. Thakoon Addition sequin polka dot sweatshirt, $350, netaporter.com
2.  Fallon Jewelry drop earrings, $140, shopbop.com
3. Assad Mounser cuff, $270, charmandchain.com
4. Alexander McQueen clutch, $795, netaporter.com
5. Gianvito Rossi plexi/suede pumps, $625, forwardbyelysewalker.com
6. Sonia by Sonia Rykiel skirt, $305, netaporter.com

jenna's jeans

The New York Times recently heralded Jenna Lyons,  J.Crew's executive creative director, as "the woman who dresses America." I regard her as a fashion bellwether, at the vanguard of style, the first to try and validate new silhouettes, color combinations, and combinations (like teaming a denim jacket with a long pink satin skirt at the Met Ball). Looking at pictures of Jenna is like looking into fashion's crystal ball and divining what's next. This image, taken a few weeks ago at a premiere in New York, reveals a new jean silhouette on the horizon. One that's cropped, boyish, distressed, straight leg--and refreshingly different from all the skinnies we've been wearing. One that might be the next bestseller. One that we may all be wearing very, very soon. Here are some possibilities from Acne, Current Elliot, and Madewell (as pictured on Jenna).

Photo: Vogue

no sweat

$198, french connection

This just in from the pre-school birthday party circuit: a friend of mine--who happens to be six-feet-tall, blonde, and a former model--wearing these sweatpants-inspired pants. Don't let the concept or the venue throw you--these pants were not of the throw-in-the-towel, motherhood-has-defeated-me-and-I-only-wear-sweatpants variety. They were chic. Grey, lounge-y, with elasticated cuffs at the ankles, and luxe-looking, the pants looked amazing with heels and an oversize blue blazer. So, of course, I set about scouting a few options for myself, and I found this sleek pair by Whistles, as well as the silk drawstring trousers, above, from French Connection, which have a subtle sporty vibe, but are definitely party-worthy--even if I'm not six-feet-tall, blonde and/or a former model. 

  
1. Raquel Allegra cotton jersey top, $265, netaporter.com
2. Topshop striped blazer, $90, topshop.com
3. Anya Hindmarch bag,* $398, theoutnet.com
4. Christian Louboutin python T-strap sandals, $895, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. French Connection silk trousers,  $198, frenchconnection.com

*60% off! 

the statement sweatshirt

Pure comfort is always hard to resist. Which may explain the growing preponderance of the statement sweatshirt. Striking graphics, luxurious fabrics and interesting embellishment take this cozy basic from everyday to party hour. Try them with dressier pieces, like a pencil skirt or tailored trousers. Current standouts on the racks include a lace-print Topshop, a neoprene and floral embellished Tibi, a glinty metallic Club Monaco, and a gorgeously beaded Matthew Williamson.

 Photos: Pinterest, Wayne Tippetts, Streetpeeper

flare tactics

$82, the outnet

Ever since I came across this picture of Vogue's Meredith Melling Burke wearing faded wide-leg jeans, I've been on the hunt for the perfect pair. Eureka! And they are on sale for $82!

1. Chloe broderie anglaise top, $1236, matchesfashion.com
2. Isabel Marant earrings, $155, netaporter.com
3. Tory Burch clutch, $295, toryburch.com
4. Rebecca Minkoff sandals, $292, shopbop.com
5. Mih chambray wide-leg jeans, $82, theoutnet.com

emerald club

In case you hadn't heard, emerald is the new oxblood. In fact, Pantone has named it the color of 2013. I like pops of it here and there, like on a shoe or a clutch or a necklace, even a top, or a jacket or a pant. Herewith, some ways to get the perfect dose--a sexy Alexander Wang ankle strap heel or luscious cross-body satchel, an emerald bib necklace, a sleek pair of jacquard J.Crew pants, and an easy, everyday sweatshirt from Topshop-along with ways-to-wear-it inspiration. 

Photos: Streetpeeper, Pinterest, Melanie Galea, Streetpeeper, Adam Katz Sinding, Pinterest