LE CATCH

$98, madewell

Fall is dictating that flats are more essential than ever (especially with pencil skirts). These pointy-toe black shoes exude French girl-chic and yet can stand up to this New Yorker's pounding the pavement.

1. Michael Kors cashmere sweater, $775, netaporter.com

2. Joomi Lim earrings, $85, shopbop.com

3. Lulu Guinness pouch, $92, asos.com

4. Madewell flats, $98, madewell.com

5. Topshop pencil skirt, $56, topshop.com

This picture pretty much sums up casual summer style, and it all boils down to a dress that looks as good on the beach (or, say, the Hampton Jitney) as it does the city. (Which explains why I have/featured the white lace dress, above! P.S. It clearly looks amazing with these rockstud Valentino flats.) With summer winding down, you'll loads of these valuable beach-to-street dresses on sale, such as this one by Dolce Vita and this one from Trina Turk. (BTW: Revolve Clothing has gobs and gobs of these gems and other goodies on crazy sale, including fall-ready pieces, like this Marc by Marc Jacobs sweater, this perfect striped Joie tunic, and this embellished Elizabeth and James jacket.

Photo: Pinterest

$90, coast

The cubist pattern and glitzy beads ramp up the glamour factor here. And it's not necessarily an evening-only kind of deal either...

1. Acne sweatshirt, $290, netaporter.com
2. Share With...Vintage military jacket, $162, madewell.com
3. Coast beaded bag, $90, coast.andotherbrands.com
4. Won Hundred boots, $325, shopbop.com
5. Paige jeans, $189, netaporter.com

Fall's jewel tones and a fun leopard print do wonders for these go-everywhere calf-hair flats by Gap. I am leaning towards the elegant emerald green ones.

$53, dorothy perkins

Knee deep into the September issues, I am seeing vivid, eye-popping prints galore. I love how this dress full-on embraces the trend, yet its ladylike silhouette keeps it forever classic.

1. Dorothy Perkins print dress, $53, dorothyperkins.com
2. Chrishabana earrings, $138, anthropologie.com
3. Asos clutch, $47, asos.com
4. Alexander Wang booties, $626, shopbop.com

Street style photographer Phil Oh's photo essay and edit of this fall's best bags has me lusting after some be-still-my-heart beauties: this furry Phillip Lim satchel, this striking print Proenza Schouler, and this Reed Krakoff black tote. I'll take them all in one bag, please.

Photo: Phil Oh

$137, miss selfridge

Fur will be flying (again) everywhere next season, and I am thinking about joining the fray with this supremely cozy faux fur-trimmed parka.

1. Lanvin embellished sweatshirt, $2390, netaporter.com
2. Miss Selfridge parka, $134, missselfridge.com
3. J.Crew bag, $258, jcrew.com
4. Tibi boots, $575, shopbop.com
5. J.Crew trousers, $150, netaporter.com

For me, boots are like jeans. They come in all shapes, sizes, styles, etc., and so (duh, obviously) I need more than one pair! Having nailed the open-toe bootie last week, which will be perfect for transitioning from warm to cool weather, I am now craving a pair of low-heeled buckled boots, like the ones above by Jeffrey Campbell, but in winter-worthy black. Yesterday I came across this Kurt Geiger pair that's a little more sophisticated and polished--one that could work through 30-degree temps with a pair of tights and then up into next spring as well, with a feminine dress or cut-off shorts. Okay, two down... more to go?

Photo: Sincerely Jules

$49, loft

An instagram of a friend (she's a well-known stylist!) lounging in the Hamptons, decked out with just the right amount vintage costume jewelry inspired me to start piling on the baubles. I'd like to start with this sublime gem-laden collar necklace...

1. Victoria Beckam t-shirt, $185, netaporter.com
2. Loft collar necklace, $49, loft.com
3. Rochas tote bag, $1420, netaporter.com
4. Ancient Greek Sandals, $170, forwardbyelysewalker.com
5. MiH jeans, $175, netaporter.com

Among the new, trendy silhouettes to wear this fall, I want a knee-length skirt the most. Celine's Phoebe Philo is single handedly responsible for this. The backbone of her Fall 2013 collection were elegantly flared skirts. Fitted at the waist, they had a retro undertone, but paired with boxy turtlenecks, they looked thoroughly chic and modern. Added bonus: they're incredibly flattering. As Celine's version will likely break the bank, I'm considering these lovelies from Stella McCartney, Tory Burch, and Topshop. And I am planning to put my longer pencil skirts into consistant rotation, too. I just think they look so right for fall, especially these ones from J.Crew and Asos. Styling-wise, I will finish off these skirts with one of fall's chunky heeled ankle boots or a no-fail classic pump.

Photo: Vanessa Jackman