LE CATCH

The first thing I mistook for designer this morning wasn’t even in the Shopbop Designer Half-Off Sale. It was the sumptuous Sézane bag above, with its folded leather and little gold chain threaded right through it, oozing with Chloe’s je ne sais quois. But, of course there’s more: the embroidered RRL blouse I’m eyeing (last pic, buttons unbuttoned!) is somewhere between Bode and Etro. And at Quince, it’s the styling I want to steal. A layered cardigan fastened a little askew, and suddenly I’m thinking Céline. Then there are Walmart’s $47 embellished jeans (again!), the Miu Miu-ish leather bag (stocking stuffer!) charms at & Other Stories, and Maria La Rosa’s $78 satin bandana pouches (I also love in blue!). Also totally compelling: Goop’s sculptural little silver vessel looks like something from a vintage design store but it’s actually a refillable lip balm, made with an ingredient derived from a microorganism NASA identified and researchers later studied aboard the International Space Station. I was sold at the case, but I do appreciate that my lip balm has a better backstory than most of what’s in my bag!! Oh, as for Shopbop’s sale, my picks: this Versace bag, this Marc Jacobs leopard print jacket, and this party-hearty Ulla Johnson.

Skiing is officially on my holiday calendar. El Niño is picking up, there’s talk of near-historic snowfall averages in the Sierras, and I’ve already mentally rounded up to an epic powder day. I’d like to be prepared and, obviously, cute. Good timing, then, for Halfdays x Guest in Residence’s limited edition capsule, which just dropped. The $100 red waffle top and $100 waffle leggings, below, each cost less than a day on Buttermilk, which is apparently how I do ski math now. And the knits are entirely sea-level chic. I’d wear the Highland cashmere turtleneck with jeans and loafers (that look like The Row but are not) in LA tomorrow. Cordova’s new lineup is Cloud Nine-level good , and so are Varley’s chic fleeces (see below, also in the best colors). The magic, I think, will be in the mixing and matching—with extras: a $26 cashmere bandana scarf, a $35 cashmere beanie, and stylish apres-ready snow boots! P.S. I also love Performance Ski’s Ajax-coded zip-ups and puffers, second to last picture, and Jorde’s monochromatic sets! P.P.S. White + Warren’s cashmere fringe, last photo, and other statement knits will be HALF off tomorrow for just 48 hours. Add to cart now!

I always keep an eye out for the first signs of runway trickle-down. This morning, it was all happening below the ankle. Celine’s just-out lace-up bootie, below, is already sold out—but Larroudé’s very good version is now up for preorder (mine is coming late December).Then there are Prada’s 2027 gem-encrusted shoe clips, above, which will be all over the place by spring. A little trickle-down Prada is already happening at Tuckernuck, and with three parties on my calendar, I’m thinking my classic black pumps could some shine! I also just got a pair of Aerosoles kitten heels with a sparkling crystal bow built right in. They’re beyond comfortable and will fool everyone. They also come in boots; more sizes here). Coco already tried to steal them! I also love these elegant pumps with a pearl and crystal brooch.

$69, h&m

A little peplum in my 10,000 steps!

1. Bimba y Lola t-shirt
2. Citizens of Humanity jeans
3. H&M beaded peplum jacket
4. Dix Hectares Sap Balm
5. Jimmy Choo cherry and gold clutch
6. Celine lace-up jazz pumps

There’s research suggesting that the years feel shorter as we get older. My less scientific evidence: I tried on this fun ostrich feather belt at TWP’s showroom in June (below), apparently blinked, and now it’s November. I remember thinking it would be so good for the holidays (proof, above). I just assumed I had a lot longer to figure out the rest of my winter wardrobe. So, what am I wearing this week? Last night, Walmart sparkles got a reception well beyond their $47 price point. The Guest in Residence cardigan, below, helped (P.S. the new collection is bonkers good). Plus, a little burnt-out vintage-looking velvet, a statement earring (that’s affordable!), a leather cummerbund, a beaded bag from Mango, everyday $50 gems, and open-toe sandals with no plans to snowbird. Even the weeks are skipping ahead: some Black Friday sales have already started. Cos, below, is 20% off site-wide, plus primo designers are majorly marked down at My Theresa (Valentino top, below, sadly not included)—and yet here I am still getting dressed for Friday!

Apiece Apart

A sweater with its own built-in stylist.

1. Apiece Apart skinny scarf sweater
2. AGOLDE jeans
3. Le Bop faux shearling jacket
4. Dix Hectares The Seasonal Cream Autumn Winter
5. Polo Ralph Lauren bag
6. Chloe boots
7. Fable England ring

Tonight I’m heading to Substack’s Bestsellers cocktail party, where, happily, I qualify as more than someone’s plus-one! It feels like the official commencement of the holiday party circuit. Dinner party tomorrow, beach party Saturday, dinners out next Monday and Tuesday, a chic breakfast meeting on Wednesday, a gathering chez moi Thursday. Apparently, my calendar has waived the warm-up period! My wardrobe, however, is easing in. For now, I’m thinking holiday-adjacent, which means my everyday black jeans, above, are still in command but with an added flourish like an extra crisp tuxedo shirt (or this tuxedo blazer that I’ve already been working for the last few weeks), or a one-and-done dramatic sweater (that’s absurdly comfortable too) or a pair of python-print pants, a feather-trimmed Chan Luu trench, always-elegant velvet, an insane bag that holds everything—including my post-party must-have. Another holiday hack: a fringed H&M head-to-toe set! Meanwhile, full-on glamour can wait until December, although I’m already eyeing this Ralph Lauren, this Simkhai taffeta mini (works as a top or a dress, below) and this sleek Tuckernuck pencil skirt, all of which look capable of keeping the party going well beyond New Year’s. I’ll need January off. They won’t!

This morning, it feels like a few things in this country are being set right. In the considerably smaller matter of fashion, I have a rebuke of my own. Miu Miu wants about $2,600 for a fleece jacket! Fast Company pointed out that it looks a lot like something a startup hands out on day one. Not wrong! Still, I wear fleece practically every day to work out, and I like where Miu Miu has helped take it—as in strongly making the case for fleece with actual clothes. I’d happily trade my gym fleece for a reversible western-inspired pullover from The Great or a sleek zip-up Varley or a fair-isle print Polo Ralph Lauren (for skiing, too!). I also love the $37 knot-buttoned H&M, below, the knit Zara, and this dark plum and strawberry combo. I’d still wear any of these piece to work out. I might even put them back on after I shower!

$47, walmart

My kind of disco ball—for $47!

1. Cos cashmere sweater
2. Walmart embellished jeans
3. Chloe check wool cape
4. Electric Picks ring set
5. Balenciaga tote (Borrow this bag with the code MARLIEN and save 80% off first month of Vivrelle membership)
6. InnBeauty Project Extreme Cream

Coco just arrived from New York as if she hadn’t bothered to check the weather in LA. In her defense, I’d probably ignore 72 and sunny for the above fringed Apiece Apart jacket she had on, too. I was about to ask what else she’d packed when I remembered who I was dealing with! I’m always happy to grant full access to my closet to my twin sister, though she has a funny way of making me take a second look at things I already own. The minute she puts on a shirt I haven’t worn in weeks, I remember exactly why I bought it. Usually right around the time she asks if she can take it to New York. Of course, I’m just as susceptible to Coco’s taste. When we sit down together to online shop, half the things I end up wanting are things she’s already pulled up on her phone. Today we are both eyeing just-dropped J.Crew, including the fringed knit pullover, the embellished wool collar, the pearl-buttoned shirt (size up for a borrowed-from-the-boys look!), the tweed shacket (so good!), the Miu Miu-ish polo, and these tasseled pajamas (such a good gift). Also getting two yes’s: the $89 desk lamp, Ariel Gordon’s happy face pendants, Gerard Darel’s red parka, Adina Reyter’s new art deco lariat (currently around my neck, where it’s safe!), and the $55 flower ballet flats from Amazon (courtesy of Courtney Grow). Then there’s the new trench from Sophie + Lucie that just arrived and will probably be at JFK by Friday, along with my pair of beloved jeans she’s wearing to work today!