LE CATCH

Though my twin sister and I have the exact same DNA, we have our differences. Most notably in the shoe department. For example, she can sport Converse high tops, motorcycle boots, and in general, more tomboyish footwear with confidence and look great. When I put them on, confidence is not what comes to mind, even though in theory I look exactly like her. But I am still game to try, particularly with this season's cool lace-up boots. They look a lot like Dr. Martens, but less clunky and counter-cultural, and with designers like Saint Laurent, Jimmy Choo and Acne Studios offering their own renditions, there are many options to choose from, including these standouts from Rag & Bone, Madewell, Via Spiga, Walter Steiger, Vince and Eileen Fisher. Leila Yavari, above, wears lace-up boots from Robert Clergerie.

Photo: Phil Oh/Vogue

$198, club monaco

Jane Mayle's retro-chic boutique on Elizabeth Street in New York used to be one of my all-time favorites until it closed in 2008. This new bag that she designed for Club Monaco captures everything that I loved about her signature vintage-y/feminine/downtown aesthetic--and then some.

1. Preen Line embroidered satin and chiffon dress, $890, netaporter.com
2. Rebecca Minkoff spike cuff ring, $46, shopbop.com
3. Mayle x Club Monaco studded cross-body bag, $198, clubmonaco.com
4. Gianvitto Rossi suede lace-up boots, $1020, bergdorfgoodman.com

Ever since J.Crew staged its Fall 2014 presentation in New York last February, I've been coveting the gorgeous poppy red lipstick makeup artist Troi Ollivierre used on the models. Finally, it's just now available, along with J.Crew's signature orange-y red lip color called George, here. To get the model pout, above, first moisturize lips with lots of lip balm, apply Troi Ollivierre Parker lipstick, then follow with Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss for serious shine.

$187, nordstrom

Last year I stole an amazing braided cable knit sweater from my sister's closet in New York, which she had procured on a photo shoot, and though it was a little snug, I wore it like crazy. I think I might return it now that I've found this beauty! (P.S. It runs large, so size down.)

1. Eleven Paris braided cable knit sweater, $187, nordstrom.com
2. Henri Bendel pave arc stud earrings, $88, henribendel.com
3. Smith & Cult Nail Polish in Plastic Beach, $18, netaporter.com
4. Bensimon camouflage pouch, $28, shopbop.com
5. Sophia Webster x J.Crew pumps, $595, jcrew.com
6. Adam Lippes pleated leather and organza skirt, $1790, netaporter.com

Any hesitation about wearing white jeans into the fall (and winter) should be assuaged by these pics, which also nicely demonstrate how to wear them. With beefy beautiful sweaters like this (25% off), this and this. With sexy stilettos or boots. With cozy, cold-proof layers. I also prefer a mid- to heavy-weight white denim jean, such as these by Citizens of Humanity (60% off!), Current/Elliott, Victoria Beckham and AG. Winter white perfection!

Photos: Trendy Crew, I Want to be an Alt, Harpers Bazaar UK, Tommy Ton/Style

$49, joe fresh

Pair this cozy sweater dress with boots and tights. Repeat.

1. Joe Fresh sweater dress, $49, joefresh.com
2. Tai cubic zirconia earrings, $45, shopbop.com
3. Troi Ollivierre lipstick in George, $28, jcrew.com
4. Valentino appliqued leather shoulder bag, $2995, netaporter.com
5. Madewell boots, $238, madewell.com

$78, pixie market

Now these are the kind of pinstripes I want working at my office.

1. Joa pinstripe dress, $78, pixiemarket.com
2. Rebecca Minkoff faux pearl studs, $38, shopbop.com
3. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lacquer in Hall of Fame, $22, nordstrom.com
4. Zara mini doctor bag, $49, zara.com
5. Sergio Rossi metallic brogues, $1180, netaporter.com

Shopping for wardrobe staples isn't the most exciting kind of shopping, but for me, it's the kind that keeps on giving. Take, for example, my new J.Crew grey (heather graphite, to be exact) wool sweater, which has been on repeat for, oh, three consecutive days now. I am already considering buying another one, because it's just that good--and it's 25% off, along with a slew of other fall staples and statements through October 26 with the code here. I'd like to stockpile such pieces as this hooded bomber jacket, this white side-zip pullover, these wear-everywhere cropped pants, and these high-rise black coated jeans.

$199, gap

For me, a mod-inspired leather mini can make chilly weather a little more fun.

1. McQ Alexander sweater, $545, netaporter.com
2. Illesteva sunglasses, $290, jcrew.com
3. Elizabeth and James gold/white topaz earrings, $85, shopbop.com
4. Marc by Marc Jacobs striped bag, $268, shopbop.com
5. Topshop leather ankle boots, $150, topshop.com
6. Gap leather zip pocket skirt, $199, gap.com

My anxiety started to kick in around 1pm yesterday, two hours before Vogue Magazine's 2014 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Show at the Chateau Marmont. I did not know what I was going to wear. And for this occasion I needed to get it right. The past season Rodarte dress I had selected was amazing and gorgeous, but there was just one small problem: the June & Hudson cheetah print dress I had picked up for $78 kept staring at me from its hanger with that "you know I look better on you" look. Though I seriously questioned my sanity (can you really enter the den of Anna Wintour wearing a $78 dress and emerge alive?), in the end, I decided "yes," paired it with my Givenchy sandals, and off I went.

Within minutes of arriving I knew I had made the right choice. The compliments were not just flowing (and keep in mind this is quite a fabulous and discriminating crowd we are talking about), people were literally chasing me down just to find out where they could get the dress. Of course there was just one problem... I just did not really want to tell this particular crowd where they could get the dress. As you might imagine (given that I write LE CATCH), it is pretty rare that I am reluctant to reveal the provenance of my clothing regardless of how absurdly low its price might have been. But given the crowd, sponsor, venue, etc., this was just one of those times. Nonetheless, it quickly became apparent that I did not really have a choice, as people were getting impatient, so I offered that I would post it on LE CATCH today.

Relieved that I had put that day of reckoning behind me (or at least postponed it), we took our seats and the fashion show began. But as I looked down to check my watch, that is when the real fun started. There along my dress sleeve was a small tear. Strange I thought, as the dress was new and I had never worn it. Then I looked at my other sleeve. Another tear. When the show ended, I got up, and felt... a tear on my side. I walked a few steps... another tear.

So yes, there I was at a Vogue event with some of the fanciest and hard-core fashionistas living, and my dress was literally coming apart at the seams! Apparently, by forsaking Rodarte for my $78 number, I had clearly displeased the fashion gods, and no, I would not be leaving Anna's party alive or at least not with any clothes left on my body.

Of course, the cocktailing was just getting started, and I did not want to leave, so I queried a few trusted friends as to whether they could tell that my dress was disintegrating before their eyes. Though there was some concern as to where this might end, all agreed that, at least for the moment, the cheetah print hid the holes nicely and that I could continue.

Well I made it through the whole party with people still fawning over the dress, and then headed off to dinner at Soho House with a group, including several former Vogue editors. However, when I felt the dress seam split down my back and the air rush in, I knew it was time to leave. So I got up, said goodbye, and literally backed away from the table waving. Kristen Wiig should have been playing me. Seriously, it was crazy.

I am not sure what the moral of this story is. Obviously, I am and will always be a fan of good fashion, both high and low, since we are fortunate to live in world where beauty can be found at every price point (as long as you look hard enough or read LE CATCH!). Of course, fast fashion is not usually crafted as well as designer, but I am pretty sure that (a) I have now experienced, without a doubt, the worst case scenario and (b) it's quite fitting that this all happened to me. Oh, and FYI: I am returning the dress to get another one, because it is awesome and, of course, I am hoping that this was just one bad apple. You can get it here, if you dare!

Photo: Stefanie Keenan