LE CATCH

It should come as no surprise that Prada ranked as the world’s hottest brand on Lyst’s just-released Q3 report, which draws on data from 160 million shoppers. Chalk it up, in part, to the small but mighty nylon pouch above: an $875 entry into the Prada universe, just restocked in rich new hues. Meanwhile, my own research department—endless scrolling, a highly curated feed, and a steady diet of fashion lunches and dinners—has a few additions to the bestselling list: baggy, cuffed jeans (here and here) and faded washes (pictured below); soft, flowy pants from taffeta drawstrings to fluid trousers; vibrant versatile knits tied nonchalantly at the waist, and high-vamp ballet flats (Jeffrey Campbell’s new take on the perpetually sold-out Jamie Haller). Also gaining ground: shawl -collared jackets and funnel-neck coats (both below), preferably thrown over all that easy movement. A smaller sample size than Lyst’s, admittedly, but a strong case for further fieldwork.

Apparently, it’s not just CVS getting dressed for the holidays early—our clothes are, too. The upside of this trend is that we can keep the outfit simple and let the sparkly, beaded, gilded, and embroidered trimmings do all the entertaining for now. I just ordered the embellished Zara skirt, below, and am eyeing these brooches from Cos (floral rosette, $59!), Tory Burch (sardines!), Tuckernuck (pinned on a basic knit!) and Me + Em (dripping with bling). P.S. I am not above this super inexpensive one and also this one that echoes the colorful Dries Van Noten pins, below. Yes, that’s me pictured putting trimming into practice with a satin-collared Donni and new patent-leather ballerinas—and soon to be me in the cute faux fur-trimmed Ciao Lucia jacket and Walmart (!) peplum situation (to be festooned with a brooch or a belt, of course!). When it’s officially time to dress up, I have the $250 sparkly Anthropologie dress, last pic, already waiting in the wings!

Google just released its annual When to Buy Guide, analyzing historical promotions, search trends and discount data across U.S. merchants to predict when holiday deals are likely to peak. The findings are compelling—but they also complicate our annual Black Friday cart sprint. Shoes, for example? Buy them over Black Friday weekend, when both selection and discounts are strongest. Fragrance? Shop within the two weeks afterward. Personalized gifts (read: jewelry and last post!) need securing early—as in now. As for designer bags, late December brings the deepest discounts on whatever remains. Emphasis on whatever is left. The Row just re-released its Idaho bag—and it’s already sold out. I ended up snapping up a very good $99 dupe on Amazon, below. This led to another useful discovery: Shopbop is selling many of its bestsellers at up to 40% off right this minute—and only for the next three days! Apparently smarter holiday shopping requires both historical data and the occasional well-timed scroll. Some of my picks: the best-selling Alex Mill jacket, above, that my sister stole from me and needs to buy for herself (hint, hint!), AGOLDE’s zipper-trimmed sweatshirt, Aeyde’s knee-high boots, plus jeans galore.

My mother has lately been giving me jewelry straight off her wrist. A watch, a bracelet—pieces I’ve spent years seeing on her suddenly coming home with me. Of course, I love how they look. But I find myself looking at them differently than anything I’ve bought, and I’m especially glad she gets to see me wear them. It’s made me think about the jewelry I give, too. The best choice isn’t necessarily the biggest gesture or the piece I’d pick for myself. It’s the one I can immediately picture on someone else—and picture them still wearing years later. Which brings me to Catbird’s sale–a rare opportunity to get/gift everyday diamonds, personalized jewelry, milestone rings, solid gold and silver classics, all at a thank-you-very-much discount! (FYI: for made-to-order pieces, this is your only chance to shop on sale with a guaranteed holiday arrival!) I can’t buy the sentimental part, but I can give it somewhere to start, namely with a flower garland initial charm (J and W, above, for my sons), a gold locket, also above and below, this engravable signet ring, and these teeny birthstone charms. All so pretty–and infinitely meaningful. Shop the rare sale here.

I went to hear Adam Grant speak last night about his new book Vibe, which means everyone I talk to today is getting unsolicited relationship research. The book explores the science of strong connections, along with some inventive ways to keep them healthy. One couple, for example, defused household tensions while working from home by blaming an imaginary coworker named Ryan. Lights left on? Ryan! Dishes piling up in the sink? Ryan. Sometimes inventing a common enemy is a bonding exercise. Also fascinating: in one experiment, newlyweds who watched and discussed a relationship movie weekly for a month were about half as likely to separate or divorce over the next three years as those in the control group. Easy enough, right?! I left thinking about the people who make life better by sharing what they know. Which brings me to my role as a (sometimes over) sharer: Today it’s H&M’s scarf-collar blazer already on its way to me, the just-out Victoria Beckham x GAP launch, the perfect lightweight cashmere V-neck I’ve worn literally all week long, supple Zara newness worth noodling over, plus Massimo Dutti’s double layers, and September’s best-selling jeans. Different research department. Same commitment to sharing my notes. Happy Weekend!

I’d like to congratulate myself on everything I have not bought from Reformation this fall. It’s taken considerable effort. Every week, there’s something else: exactly what I’ve been looking for, or something I hadn’t realized I was looking for. The excellent styling hooks me in either way. So I put together an edit for myself–a hand-picked curation of my wardrobe gaps filled, plus familiar fall staples made interesting again, like that viral scoop-neck sweater, above, that everyone, including me, is swearing by, plus this oversized cashmere crewneck, along with the belted blazer, these embellished mules, this sleek day-to-night blouse, plus, yes, lots more. Consider this edit my valiant attempt to narrow things down. That is for both of us.

The leaves seem to have turned overnight. Or at least the equivalent happened on my laptop, which I opened this morning to find fall in full effect across approximately 27 tabs. Festive plates, above, for having people over—they’re made of paper, can you believe it?! Faux fur flying. Feathers, fringe, ruffles, checks, and enough sparkle to suggest I have evening plans I haven’t yet been told about. I’m inclined to glam up with the faux fur-trimmed velvet jacket, below, the faux fur-collared Maje parka, chocolate flats, a lot of $300 statement fringe (OMG!), the beaded rhinestone bodysuit (YES!), Zara’s (outfit-making) printed scarf, a vintage beaded Chanel necklace available to borrow at Vivrelle (use my code MARLIEN to save 80% off your first month of membership ), a satin tux Seblime shirt and Simkhai’s fun feathers.

There are outfits I screenshot on my phone, and then there are outfits I’d actually put on. You’d think there would be more overlap, considering how much inspiration I’ve collected—and how often I still wonder what to wear. Lately, I’m giving those screenshots a little more scrutiny. Where would I wear this? Could I walk in those? Would I still be happy in it at 6PM? My saved folder is getting smaller. And more useful. What’s currently inside has something very specific going for it: standout detailing, a flattering shape, day-to-night, NY-to-LA wearability. Below are the latest pieces making the cut: the faux fur Carelli, pictured above, and the print vest, below (or a less expensive alt), the vintage (forever chic) Gucci clutch ($300), this Polo Ralph Lauren corduroy shirt, these Sold Out NYC drawstring pants (I have them in khaki and LOVE), the black V-neck cashmere I wore yesterday (the best for framing my necklaces), the (en route) brooch-button Aligne cardigan, the Modern Citizen indoor/outdoor coat (fantastically renders anything underneath irrelevant), and Banana Republic x Zankov’s cashmere scarves.

Apparently, some stores have already decided it’s Christmas. I’m still buying Halloween candy—and feeling… demi-spirited. Given everything happening in the world, full-on sparkle feels like a lot to ask. But there are still places to go, people to see, and perfectly good reasons to put on something other than the sweatshirt (albeit a chic one that’s Zoom-worthy) I’ve been working in. A gold lamé jacket, like the Kallmeyer, above, with jeans feels about right. Same with a tapestry-print blazer or an elegant (throw-on-and-shine) cardigan. Sequins can check back with me in December. I’ve noticed this compromise creeping into my day-to-day: my new tiger-print satin pouch and pink Rachel Comey satin tank for a night out; an easy shoe that makes jeans and a button-down look more considered, both below. Same approach at home. I had people over last night to watch the sunset, with a Boarderie cheese board—the kind that arrives with cheeses and accompaniments that makes entertaining a breeze. I even lit the candles before anyone arrived. Practically a gala!

h&m

Monday needs this one-two brooch and blazer punch.

1. H&M brooch jacket
2. Pistola straight-leg jeans
3. Guerlain L’Heure Bleu Eau de Parfum
4. Ettica Mariner Chain watch
5. Vintage Christian Dior bag
6. Polo Ralph Lauren bow-trim velvet pumps