LE CATCH

People, it's a big week for sales, and based on my web travels this afternoon, it seemed like a public sales announcement might be in order: Neiman Marcus is basically Bargain Basement right now... well, not exactly, but the expensive things are less expensive, and in some cases, a lot less. Most compelling are the bags, such as this Reed Krakoff cross-body, above (reduced from $590 to $395), along with temptations of the Alexander Wang, Gucci, and Marc Jacobs variety. Over at Barneys, there are incredible Saint Laurent sandals, Isabel Marant gladiators, and Proenza Schouler PS1 messenger bags, plus a whole lot of primo designer clothing. For shoes, check out Nordstrom's sale for the Miu Miu, Prada, and Dolce & Gabanna options.

They're definitely going to be a thing this summer, these suitably relaxed-fitting shorts. Think of them as the above-the-knee equivalent to boyfriend jeans: comfortable, slouchy, casual. They're also longer (read: more forgiving) than your average shorts and come in a variety of fabrics from denim to leather to cotton. I am seeing them just about everywhere from The Gap (in denim and no-fail army green) to J.Crew. The shorts pictured below are by Theory, and they're available in black (and on sale!) here or in baby blue at 60% off here. To avoid looking sloppy, I'm teaming my boyfriends shorts with more fitted tops and a cute pair of either flat or heeled sandals.

Photos: French Voguettes, Vanessa Jackman

$157*, shopbop

Super short and seriously cute--and perhaps the easiest way to stay cool this summer. At least in my book!

1. Three Floor dress, $157, shopbop.com*
2. Bountki turquoise earrings, $92, charmandchain.com
3. Jules Smith bangles, $105, shopbop.com
4. Pauls Boutique clutch, $33, asos.com
5. Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent sandals, $198, shopbop.com*

* Shopbop is having a crazy sale (this dress is 40% off and the sandals are 20% off). Check out the mother lode here.

If there's one thing I've learned while working on LE CATCH it's that shopping the Net-A-Porter sale (which launched this morning) requires a sound strategy. You have to act fast (i.e., even if you've put something in your shopping basket it can still sell out by the time you check out--a tragedy I experienced this morning with a Chloe skirt I had been lusting after!); you also have to remember you can return anything free of charge (so buy multiple sizes if you are not sure which one fits, as all sizes will eventually sell out); and go big! I use this sale to buy items that would normally be out-of-reach and/or not everyday practical, like a super fancy evening dress, such as this one by Halston Heritage, or a pair of statement shoes, like these iconic Valentinos, above, or this pair that now costs just over $100 bucks. Some other crazy good finds include this wear-with-everything Alexander McQueen clutch, this party-perfect Milly dress, this vibrant Altuzarra skirt, this forever stylish Missoni bikini and these highly coveted Chloe boots. Click here to see more.

$125, netaporter

I came across this this score of a skirt over the weekend. Not only is it striking (an up-to-the-minute mirror print! zippers!), it's (almost shockingly!) well priced--i.e., one does not need to wait for it to go on sale to grab it. But while you're there (at Net-A-Porter) check out all the amazing stuff that just DID go on sale (up to 50% off like the clutch below) this morning! I'll publish a full round up of my favorite sale picks shortly...

1. Topshop snakeskin effect sweatshirt, $240, topshop.com
2. Avant Garde Paris star earrings, $50, shopbop.com
3. Kotur lace neon clutch (50% off), $280, netaporter.com
4. B Brian Atwood sandal, $284, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Michael Kors print skirt, $125, netaporter.com

These filmy ethnic print dresses are exactly the kind of thing I'd throw over a bathing suit (or sport for a post-beach shopping spree in Malibu, East Hampton, Capri, etc.), but now I'm convinced they'd fare just as well in the sweltering city, in a relaxed-glam way, along with the right extras, such as a sophisticated wedge or metallic sandal. The one pictured above is by Mango, which debuted here back in March and is now sold out, sadly!) I'd also like to breeze around in this Free People, or this one, or this one, or this Mes Demoiselles.

Photos: Collage Vintage, The Blonde Salad

$130, topshop

This partly sheer lace skirt channels the delicacy of a wedding dress--but is appropriate for any type of engagement. I like it toughened up like this...

1. Madewell chambray shirt, $59, madewell.com
2. Noir earrings, $79, shopbop.com
3. Kenzo clutch, $205, netaporter.com
4. Sole Society ankle strap sandals, $59, nordstrom.com
5. Topshop lace skirt, $130, topshop.com

Inspired by these snaps, I dug up an old ID bracelet given to me by a high school boyfriend. I still love it as much as they day it was given to me--its man-size chunkiness, its old-school, classic vibe, and how it connotes "I'm taken!" (but in this case, taken by someone other than the actual giver, but no one needs to know that... except you). I also adore these versions by Luv AJ, Nicholas (in rose gold), and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Photos: Stockholm Street Style, Sincerely Jules, Camille Over the Rainbow

$116,* warehouse

This cute cropped swing trench makes me want to do a rain dance. I'd wear it in any summer shower with...

1. J.Crew short sleeve sweatshirt, $59, jcrew.com
2. Warehouse cropped trench, $116*, warehouse.andotherbrands.com
3. Luv AJ ID bracelet, $110, shopbop.com
4. Anya Hindmarch bucket bag, $275, theoutnet.com
5. Manolo Blahnik loafers, $725, bergdorfgoodman.com
6. Etoile Isabel Marant jeans, $355, netaporter.com

*Get 20% off by typing in DASH20 at checkout through May 26.

A longtime music festival staple, the kimono jacket is making its way, big-time, on to the hard city streets and looking suitably sophisticated. (Zara is even going long on this lightweight cover-up, currently offering no less than 15 on its website!) I like a kimono jacket paired with more modern pieces, so it looks less hippie-dippy, and a print that's subtly striking, such as this black and white one by Asos, this lace Anna Sui, this beaded topper from Zara (or this vibrant one) and this pastel Blu Moon.

Photos: The Sartorialist, Fashion Salade, Chicismo