the maxi skirt

 

Next season is asking for a maxi skirt and so now I am searching for the right answers. Thus far I've reaped these options from Principles, above, and Leset and Staud. However, I also like the cleverness of converting a maxi slip dress into a skirt, like below--and getting a two-for-one! This Dannijo or this Loulou Studio do the trick!

cozy cardi

 

$489, doen

Chunky, cute, and cozy: the perfect cardigan (that also works as a fall jacket). 

1. Cos organic cotton t-shirt, $35, cos.com

2. Doen cardigan, $498, shopdoen.com

3 Khaite denim shorts, $380, bergdorfgoodman.com

4. Coach bag, $195, coach.com

5. Jules Smith ring, $45, shopbop.com

6. The Row loafers, 

cargo load

This fall I'm going to give my go-to jeans a little holiday and sub in some in fresh-looking, loose-fitting cargo pants. I love the pair, above, by H&M, and how they're elevated with a crisp button-down and pointy-toe heels. I want them in white too! I could also work a denim pair, like these by Alex Mill and Mother Denim. 

in the tank

 

I'm going to take my summer tank top routine straight into fall with these just-discovered wool and cashmere Zaras. They look luxe but are laid back and great for everyday. I also love them layered as seen here. 

in between

And just like that, while I was eating my avocado toast lunch on the beach in Quogue yesterday, sweater weather blew in. The temperature suddenly dipped from sleeveless-balmy to skin-tingling breezy. Luckily, I had a striped La Ligne with me and I threw it on over my swimsuit. For the seasonal transition, I plan to be well prepared with stylish layers that are not too heavy, not too light, but just right, starting with the faux fur trimmed Scotch & Soda vest, above. I will wear it under my winter coat when it gets really cold, too. I also love the $99  quilted H&M trench coat, below, this faux leather Pistola Denim blazer and this Lioness parachute jacket.

back to school shopping

 

All of a sudden, my teenage sons are asking me for fashion advice. Of course, I try to play it cool and act like I know what I'm talking about... but, truth be told, I don't. Oversized skater hoodies and extra-big jeans are not in my wardrobe wheelhouse. Still, I am learning on the job, trying to discern what's cool and what's not and source cool vintage t-shirts and sweatshirts that will lend a bit of in-the-know edge. During a back-to-school shopping mission, I discovered these vintage-inspired sweatshirts and t-shirts--along with this, this and this--that will not only suit them but ME too. I just can't tell them I bought some for myself because then they won't wear them. 

all adina

I'm taking my summer jewelry and all its playfulness and vibrancy straight into fall, thanks to Adina Reyter's custom beaded necklaces and bracelets. I mixed in some earthy-autumn hued beads along with solid gold and pave diamond nuggets into my anklet, above, which will stay on even during winter rain and snow! And my necklace, below, features a new 14K-gold and ceramic pave diamond bead with my Zodiac (Libra) sign. In case you want to follow in my blingy footsteps, you can save 20% with my code MRxAR20 through Friday 9/2. 

 

out and out hot

 

August may be winding down, but, take consolation: it's always summer somewhere. And we might as well be prepared and perfectly-stocked at a discount, correct? The Outnet just received a fantastic stash of Zimmermann gems, including the cute leopard-print suit, above, along with this crochet-trimmed dress, this one-shoulder maxi and this floral midi. Other excellent finds include the $178 Sachin + Babi ruffled dress, below, this gorgeous floral Ganni midi, these Veronica Beard braided leather sandals, and this floral print Red Valentino. Make is stay summer forever here.

chill out

$598, veronica beard

 

This is exactly how I want to face up to the first fall chill. 

1. Khaite turtleneck, $680, mytheresa.com

2. Khaite jeans, $420, mytheresa.com

3. Veronica Beard jacket, $598, veronica beard.com

4. Hereu bag, $490, bergdorfgoodman.com

5. Loeffler Randall boots, $395, shopbop.com

mind the gap

 

If I asked you to guess the provenance of the clothes pictured here I doubt you'd say The Gap! But it's true! Not only was I surprised to stumble upon its new fall line-up, but also delighted to access next season's best trends at affordable prices! Like the must-have moto, for example, and the drawstring cargoes. Plus: the wool coat, the high-waist jeans, the stripes, all of it, so good! (P.S. This in NOT a sponsored post.)

step up

Babba Riviera, pictured here, pulls off a summer-to-fall wardrobe update in an instant with Anine Bing 's wide-shaft, high-knee boots. This new must-have silhouette goes with skirts, jorts, and with wide-leg pants, and comes in various neutral shades. I also like these iterations from Staud, Isabel Marant, and Khaite.

malibu style

 

 

I'm telling you: the wood bench outside Sunlife Organics in Malibu is the equivalent to a front row seat at a fashion show. On display: the latest and greatest SoCal style. The other day I sprinted after a woman to ask her where she'd gotten her cute printed fleece, above, and was delighted to learn it costs under $200 and has cute brethren, to boot. (I'm planning to wear it underneath my Chanel pea coat and ski jacket this winter!) Also in the spotlight: Simone Fan's IYKYK terry cloth cover-ups and post-surf wear that all the Point Dume it girls love, including surfer and model Carolyn Murphy, below. I have the cropped polo top in green--it's super cozy and chic off the beach as well. (My prediction: this recently-launched and already insider-cool brand will soon have a huge cult following.) I also spotted (and shopped on the spot) these perfectly-cropped, super flattering jeans by Tu Es Mon Tresor (a line I had never heard of!), this sleek Khaite skirt that looks equally home in both Malibu and Manhattan, and these statement fisherman shoes by See by Chloe. P.S. I used to be really shy about stopping and asking people where they bought their clothes, but that Sunlife bench has turned me into a pro!

 

sweater statements

 

 

The sweater weather forecast is bright and bold--anything but the same old! I'll be embracing this new fall trend with statement knits like these from Mango, below, Jonathan Simkhai, Isabel Marant Etoile, H&M, and Rosie Assoulin.

baby steps

 

I'm totally down with Natalie Martin's easy-breezy interpretation of fall dressing, above. It's the equivalent of baby stepping, very elegantly, into cooler weather. Her new collection also features this belted dress (perfect now and later with boots and a big cardigan). I could also seamlessly transition into next season in H&M's head-to-toe (under $100) look, below, along with these affordable wardrobe updates from Farm Rio (so Dries looking!),  And Other Stories, Frankie Shop, and Line & Dot.

simply framed

 

Thanks to a family full of photographers (my father and two sisters), I own a lot of beautiful prints. However, I completely lack the much-needed talent for framing these prints. After all, choosing the right frames, borders, floating prints, etc., is in an art in and of itself. So, I was thrilled to discover Simply Framed, an online service that helped me select the frames, measure the art (which I am terrible at doing precisely), choose the mounting styles (full bleed, floating, single mat)--basically everything that I find debilitating about the whole art-hanging process. Recently, I sent in a triptych of Roy Lichtenstein prints via a FedEx tube and within a week, they were framed and shipped back to me. It seriously could not have been easier. I highly recommend!

major mini

 

All those minis that summer ushered in will be sticking around for a while longer, just FYI. They'll look fall-appropriate when paired with more skin-covering pieces, whether it's a menswear-inspired button-down or knee high boots, or simply rendered in heavier, textural fabrics. I'm loving these options from La Double J, Sir, The Reformation, and Ulla Johnson.

late summer style

 

Zara is nailing my last-lazy-days-of-summer look, above, with an easy tank top, linen trousers (that will transition into early fall), stripes and sandals. Also in constant rotation: this vibrant Pistola Denim knit that I've been throwing on at night (and will be wearing all winter long), this ba&sh strapless top (that I'll wear under a blazer in a few weeks time) and these Gucci leather loafers to sport forever more. 

loafer love

Clearly, Kendall can't wait for cool weather to bust out fall's pretty much sold-out tasseled loafer by The Row. I found a few sizes left here, here and here! These less expensive iterations by GH Bass, Johnston and Murphy, and  J.Crew will also step up your style! I also love this statement-making pair by Gucci!
 

swim and sale

 

Summer's not over yet, people! There's still plenty of sunshine to soak in--and in the hottest swimsuits and cover-ups that are now on sale. Most notably: loads of Hunza G's universally flattering bikinis and one-pieces, above, along with this iconic Missoni Mare zigzag swimsuit, this Gabriela Hearst macrame top, this Poupette St. Barth mini, these Isabel Marant sunglasses and this Anna Kosturova crochet dress (I'd take the lining out). Check out more options here. 

new knits

$79, mango

 

All set for sweater weather with this tasseled cutie.

1. Vince slip dress, $261, shopbop.com

2. Mango tasseled sweater, $79, mango.com

3. Stella McCartney bag, $1076, mytheresa.com

4. Soko coil ring, $108, shopbop.com

5. Schutz ballet flats, $88, shopbop.com

courtney grow x dillard's

 

Courtney Grow is that girl--smart, witty, friendly, hilarious, fun, beautiful, and stylish. She's also the only reason I'm excited to wear fall clothes, courtesy of her just-launched collection with Dillard's, featuring super chic pieces from the faux fur-trimmed coat, above, to the puff-sleeve blouse, below, that are very much inspired by her own spot-on wardrobe (replete with Khaite and Target).  I also love the ruffle-trimmed tank, slip dress, pictured and velvet ballet flats. Shop it all here!

yes, yatri

 

My back-to-business Monday-to-Friday look just landed a promotion, thanks to London-based stylist Yatri Pabari. She executes chic timeless minimalism like a seasoned professional. Her strategy is rooted in straight-leg Zara jeans (also this pair), this oversize Karen Millen blazer, pictured above, With Nothing Underneath and A.L.C. boyfriend shirts, pleated Cos trousers, striped dresses, lace-up sandals, Aligne jackets, and a forever-stylish Celine basket bag.

pants on fire

 

It used to be a summer wardrobe was not complete without white pants. But this season colorful pants are in order, at least for the fashionistas currently attending Copenhagens  runways shows, pictured here. They're opting for pastel pink and yellow hues, which yield a warm, relaxed vibe, yet come off as a versatile neutral. There are some good options from The Frankie Shop, Veronica Beard, Denimist, Victoria Beckham, Zara (second to last pic) or these, Cos, and Alex Mill.