summer-thon

 

Given how many frequent flier miles I racked up the summer, it should come as no surprise then that both Malibu's Chili Cook Off and New York's US Open are on my long-weekend itinerary. I thought my wardrobe was ready for it all until this morning when I came across Shopbop's end-of-season sale featuring all kinds of new and ready-to-roll statements. Also included are some summer staples I wore to death, such as the Agua Bendita dress, above. I'm now coveting this leather-pocketed striped Staud sweater (total Loewe vibes, below!), this Posse vest (immediately below), this drop-dead red Caroline Constas, these pleated trouser-like Slvrlake jeans, these Rag & Bone forever-chic sandals, and this Heaven Mayhem belt (very Khaite!). There's truly a thousand more on-sale options here!

solid gold

$495, my theresa

 

Over the top in the best way. 

1. Jacques Wei sequin top, $495, mytheresa.com

2. Khaite leather skirt, $2900, netaporter.com

3. H&M trench coat, $59, hm.com

4. The Row bag, $1990, bergdorfgoodman.com

5. Khaite slingback pumps, $880, mytheresa.com

cold front

While some people amass bags or shoes, I have a penchant for collecting jackets. Thanks to LA's perpetually cool evenings, my habit thrives. Plus, it serves me well, because a good jacket is the ultimate (and easiest) remedy to any what-to-wear crisis. Around this time of year, before true jacket weather hits, my stockpiling begins. Here's the line-up so far: the Loro Piano-spirited shawl-collar, belted coat from H&M (above!), the red and long fleece Maje, below, the sleek gold-buttoned Anine Bing cashmere, the leopard Zara, this crazy Isabel Marant, and this statement Khaite.

staying power

 

Long hair is the enemy of earrings. This is what I am being told by my friend Kate, who is in town from Hawaii, along with her lush and lengthy locks--minus her usual ear stack. That's because, she explained, her hair is snagging on the backs of her earrings and now she has just glaring empty holes. To the rescue: Adina Reyter's sample sale! I'm sure you know by now that  my stay-on, never fall-off jewelry is by LA-based designer Adina Reyter. As you can see in these pics taken this summer, it's all I wear, and so, so, so much of it is seriously discounted (up to 80% off!) here! 

the front row

 

After my kids laughed at me in these red jelly shoes, I seriously questioned if I'd ever dare to wear them again. Honestly, if The Row hadn't turned them into a must-have trend--and had I not bought the $59 dupe, above, on Amazon--I’m not sure they’d ever be on my feet in the first place. But I mustered up the courage yesterday and waltzed them over to a fashion showroom appointment, where they were extremely well-received. In fact, the compliments emboldened me to ponder the knockoffs of the currently all-the-rage suede slippers by The Row, below, plus contemplate these spot-on Jil Sander strappy sandals, these sheer leopard-print ballet flats, and these Miu Miu-spirited boat shoes. FYI: J.Crew and Alohas are also nailing The Row loafer. Oh, and one last thing: my new soft and stretchy Citizens of Humanity jeans are no-joke next-level comfortable and flattering. I am going to live in them for as long as they will have me. 

in transit

 

In case you missed my latest Substack, published this past Sunday, I shared how I am in a state of transition, not only straddling summer and fall like everyone else, but also on the cusp of my firstborn’s senior year and the eve of his final high-school days. While the tug of war between childhood and adulthood rages around me, I am trying to look pulled-together with a harmonious mix of fall and summer pieces, wrapping up in August-worthy skirts, like the Desigual, above, paired with more buttoned-up coverage on top. (P.S. I plan to wear this well into fall with tights underneath and boots!). I'm also teaming light and airy organza dresses with autumn-ready knee-high boots, like Jessie Loeffler Randall, below, flouncy denim skirts with fur-trimmed Mango mules and leaning on these go-with-the-flow styles from Simkhai (truly a forever dress!), Demellier and Bally.

suede staple

 

$39, h&m

Thanks to Miu Miu, a suede jacket is a must for fall. I'm going to give this trend a whirl in this faux (size large) shirt. 

1. St. Agni wool bra, $94, modaoperandi.com

2. The Frankie Shop capri pants, $240, modaoperandi.com

3. H&M faux suede shacket, $39, hm.com

4. Khaite shearling trimmed leather bag, $3400, netaporter.com

5. Balenciaga mules, $850, mytheresa.com

back to school blues

 

For my teenage sons, the first day of school demanded their finest denim--carefully selected for their just-right oversized fit and roughed-up patina, all exactingly cinched with a shoelace belt. Yes, there was some hand-wringing in the process but the execution was pure nonchalance. Now it's my turn to debut some fall-ready denim, and as fate would have it, Shopbop is offering 20% off today on a motherlode of jeans and other back-to-reality, of-the-moment clothing. (Use this code to redeem discount.) Highlights include the Khaite-like sheer WAYF blouse, below, these Reformation knee-high boots (also love these black ones!), these everyday-cool Jenny Bird hoop earrings, this suede Staud bag, these Lioness trousers, this Pixie Market vest, this English Factory zip-knit sweater, and this BlankNYC biker jacket. Shop it all here!

Photo: Madina Mariposa

friday finds

 

I popped by my sister's fashion shoot the other day at Milk Studios, and not only were the clothes fantastic on set, but off, thanks to the models milling about in their off-duty best. I spotted this sumptuous studded Clare V, which I mistook for Khaite, along with this, this and this. I also shared my own new finds on set, including the embellished Sandro, below, that doubles for Gucci's $8300 crystal-embellished cotton sweater, above. (The short-sleeved Sandro version is coming soon!), along with the pre-cuffed, ready-to-go Zara jeans, layered Cos trench, Mango leather bag, J.Crew denim field jacket and outfit-punctuating Prada mules. Happy Friday!

scarf down

$44, h&m

 

Bringing out this fall jacket early. P.S. The scarf is detachable. 

1. H&M felt jacket, $44, h&m.com

2. Citizens of Humanity jeans, $260, netaporter.com

3. Chimi sunglasses, $160, shopbop.com

4. Brinker & Eliza bracelet, $118, shopbop.com

5. By Pariah diamond and gold cocktail ring, $4400, shopbop.com

6. Alaia bag, $1290, mytheresa.com

7. Bottega Veneta loafers, $1100, bergdorfgoodman.com 

 

Mercury in retrograde is really screwing with my last (enjoyable) licks of summer. While August typically flows like an easy beach read, this month unraveled more in the vein of a dramatic telenovela with toxic texts, non-stop conflicts, physical injuries, canceled flights, bouts of insomnia, and even a potential ghost sighting! But today I'm starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel, specifically in J.Crew's pre-fall clothing, which will stylishly transition me into September without a single fashion emergency. I'm loving the easy-to-layer paisley satin dress, above, the studded jeans, the A-line midi, the print camisole and pleated skirt, the ruched loafers (a dead ringer for The Row), and the cropped waxed jacket in refreshing baby blue. Check out the entire collection pre-fall here. 

short order

 

Short dresses for fall are what midi skirts were to summer. A must. Model Kaia Gerber strutted her mod Susamusa LBD to dinner in New York last night, paired with knee-high boots (these and these) and a perennially-cool trench coat. I also love Copenhagen-based Pernille Teisbaek deep-V Gucci (with built-in shorts) below. Other similar minis to max out in by The Reformation, Norma Kamali, SNDYS, Posse, and Alexis.

cos and effect

 

Cos is proving it's all about styling, not buying this fall. Exhibit A, above: belt a wool cape to effect a structured jacket a la The Row, above. Or, Exhibit B, throw a chunky turtleneck over a flounced midi-skirt for a louche, Khaite-esque vibe. Another instant Fall 2024 update: a pair of knee-high, flat-heeled boots, like this, this, this and this. They're a must, people. 

barn beauty

$178, everlane

 

Because you're going to need more than one barn jacket this fall. Trust me. 

1. La Ligne layered silk dress, $350, laligne.com

2. Everlane denim barn jacket, $178, everlane.com

3. The Row leather tote bag, $1050, mytheresa.com

4. Prada leopard print slides, $825, nordstrom.com 

off duty denim

 

Just like the Italians, my jeans take a vacation every August. They bask peacefully in the dark corners of my closet, enjoying their well-earned break. During this traditional downtime, however, they also plan how and who they will spend their time come fall. Already, they've come up with some good ideas including a belted leather jacket similar to above, a long Madewell trench with perhaps nothing underneath (how novel and daring!), with a statement Sezane coat, an oversized shacket like this and this, a chunky turtleneck that doubles as outerwear for as long as possible, and, of course, as always, some delicate lace.

knit pick

 

$520, sandro

Fringe, sparkle, and crochet. What more could I ask for?

1. Sandro knit dress, $520, sandro.com

2. Marant Etoile jacket, $750, mytheresa.com

3. Clare V bag, $365, clarev.com

4. Madewell sandals, $59, madewell.com