LE CATCH

$60, topshop

The other day I spotted what could possibly be the coolest t-shirt ever: it tied in the front and had a long dramatic sash. Turns out the t-shirt was actually a dress by Free People, which a woman had stylishly tied around her abdomen, transforming it into a dramatic top. Then along came this fantastic discovery: a Topshop tee that ties cutely/discreetly in the back.

1. Topshop tie-back t-shirt, $60, topshop.com
2. Lady Grey cuff, $288, shopbop.com
3. RMS Beauty Lip Shine in Sacred, $25, netaporter.com
4. Chloe fringed bag, $2230, nordstrom.com
5. Repetto flats, $340, bergdorfgoodman.com
6. Topshop suede culottes, $280, topshop.com

My trip to Paris was a whirlwind of fashion shows and incredible meals (L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Prunier, L'Avenue, Le Perchoir, Ma Cocotte), mixed in with shopping, chateau-ing (Vaux le Vicomte), Kir Royal-ing and Left to Right Banking, and, fortunately, the clothes I packed stood up to it all. The true saviors were my various white blouses, which I wore day in and day out (and sometimes at night, too!) with everything from cropped jeans to fitted black pants to navy wide-leg trousers. In the pic, above, taken after flea marketing at Le Marche Aux Puces, I'm wearing a tie-accented top by Zara, which I snapped up right before I left for my trip. The other one I brought garnered multiple tres jolie compliments. Since I can't ever have too much of this good white blouse thing, I hunted down some more and found these stylish globe-trotters from Tibi, Theory, Vanessa Bruno, Derek Lam, Ellery, Warehouse, and Anna Sui.

$34, h&m

I just got back from Paris where sweater weather was in full swing (details to come!). I wish I had this beaut with me.

1. H&M fringe sweater, $39, hm.com
2. Madewell ring set, $28, madewell.com
3. Sisley-Paris Lip Twist in Coral, $50, barneys.com
4. Clare V. patchwork clutch, $225, shopbop.com
5. Chloe ballet flats, $550, neimanmarcus.com
6. Alexa Chung xAG jeans, $255, netaporter.com

What do you get when President Putin comes to Paris during Fashion Week? Gridlock and a high concentration of chic walking-friendly flat shoes. In the mix: the new must-have Gucci loafers (seen above, left, and below, also available here), ankle boots, strappy flats and good old Adidas sneakers. Other Paris-worthy picks include these by Rochas, Vince Camuto, Jeffrey Campbell, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Isabel Marant.

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Photos: Collage Vintage

My fall wardrobe could use the helping hand of a sleeveless knit tunic. For starters, it's so right-this-minute looking, plus it's fantastically versatile: it can be worn over dresses or with a pair of jeans and a blouse. I'd also try it without anything underneath and team it with a midi skirt. The one above by Pixie Market is pretty perfect. I also like these from Theory, Vince, Whistles, Warehouse, Isabel Marant, and ASTR.

La dolce vita-loving Italians' predilection for the grandissimo is nowhere more apparent their current choice of outwear: sweeping, statement-making fall-perfect capes, which made their debut during Milan Fashion Week, above. I'd like to get into the dolce spirit with these striking beauties from Vince, Burberry Prorsum, Apiece Apart, Tory Burch, Theory, Warehouse, Autumn Cashmere, H&M, and Mango.

Photo: Urban Spotter

$60, topshop

A swanky birthday party last Saturday night ushered out a slew of cocktail dresses--and one distinctly cool, simply elegant tank top, worn by a friend, which looked a bit like this.

1. Topshop asymmetrical tank, $60, topshop.com
2. Rebecca Minkoff earring set, $45, shopbop.com
3. Tom Ford Lip Color in Moroccan Rouge, $52, neimanmarcus.com
4. Loeffler Randall shearling clutch, $395, nordstrom.com
5. Maiyet suede mules, $625, shopbop.com
6. Tibi skirt, $495, netaporter.com

The wrap skirt is all the rage this fall, and the one to have is by Tibi, as seen, above and below. (You can also find it here.) The ring accent, lush suede material and below-the-knee length make it a true standout. Plus, it boasts major day-to-night, office-to-out-to-dinner versatility. Other less expensive but equally cute options include this Asos, this Whistles, this Zara, and this Jacquemus.

$50, front row shop

This flared-sleeve drama queen arrived on my doorstep yesterday and I feel like I can't sport her soon enough! (FYI: it runs slightly small.)

1. Front Row Shop flared sleeve blouse, $50, frontrowshop.com
2. Jules Smith earrings, $49, shopbop.com
3. Lipstick Queen Tinted Lip Balm in Belle Pink, $20, netaporter.com
4. Sophie Hulme clutch, $385, nordstrom.com
5. Christian Louboutin suede pumps, $675, bergdorfgoodman.com
6. MiH Jeans, $205, netaporter.com

Speaking of bags, I'm going to be packing my Stephanie Johnson travel cases, above, a lot this coming month (Paris! New York! Nashville!) and stocking up on more as the designer is staging an unprecedented half-off everything sale. (Use the promo code sixteen.) These bags make great gifts--I like to give them out as hostess presents, stocking stuffers and to my kids' teachers at Christmastime. They also double as clutches, and are, of course, essential for traveling. My current favorites include: the Flat Pouch in Bollywood Black, Traveler in Hamptons White, the Jewelry Roll, and the Dopp Kit. The sale ends October 2.

Photo: Tiffany Olson