LE CATCH

Found: the perfect spring jacket. This one is durable yet lightweight, water-resistant and warmly quilted. It's ideal for layering--i.e., over a jean jacket or thick sweater, or underneath a fur or leather moto vest. Love the wear-with-everything neutral army green color too. And it's on sale.

$122, monsoon

The last time I featured a sweater from British High Street store Monsoon, it quickly sold out. I ended up having to buy it when I was in London last fall (as it turned out, it was the last one in the store!) This mixed floral print jacket epitomizes vintage bohemian chic--and Monsoon's lockdown on this look. Fortunately it's free shipping! (But if you have to return from the US, it's probably $25 USPS.) I'm still thinking: better act fast.

1. Saint James striped t-shirt, $90, jcrew.com
2. Monsoon floral print jacket, $122, monsoon.co.uk
3. Mawi embellished clutch, $666, my-wardrobe.com
4. Belle by Sigerson Morrison sandals, $260, shopbop.com
5. J Brand distressed boyfriend jeans, $209, netaporter.com

When I left New York for LA years ago, I vowed that I would keep dressing like a New Yorker--i.e., proudly wear heels to the supermarket and never, ever leave home in sneakers for any reason other than a morning jog. Initially, I remained true and wore my heels everywhere like a champ, but over time a few things happened that altered the course of my history: LA's omnipresent casual vibe began its inevitable subversion of my fashion thinking; I had kids; and sneakers (the right ones) became much cooler, colorful and, well, chic. And so it began, the integration of sneakers into my everyday mix. Make no mistake: these are not your school run-to-workout-to-running-around-doing-errands sneakers. They're bold, bright kicks that go, yes, from school runs to yes, laps around the supermarket to a hike up Runyon Canyon and then, marathon-like, on to photo shoots, clothing showrooms, meetings at Soho House, and other fashionable jaunts around town (further justification shown, above, and below). Thankfully, there's a myriad of seriously good options from New Balance (similar to above, but for a more aggro version, try these), Madewell, Nike (vintage style!) and Sam Edelman (sporty meets high fashion love!). Don't be afraid. They are so comfy, you might not want to ever take them off.

Photos: They All Hate Us, Marie Claire, Pinterest, Stockholm-Streetstyle

$395, shopbop

This past week, I did a quick ski trip to the Sierras with my family and forgot to pack....my ski jacket. Luckily, my husband had an extra, which I borrowed. The oversize jacket effect was very snowboarder on skis, and since I have never snowboarded, I looked even more amateur than usual. But, I was warm, thanks to some smart multi-fleece layering, and really, isn't that what matters in the end? All of which brings me to this Rebecca Taylor boucle vest. Though it is not essential for snowy mountainous parts, it's exactly the type of thing I would try very hard to NOT forget to pack for getaways both wintry and otherwise. For colder climes, I could layer it over a sweater and underneath a jacket and accomplish the warm-and-chic thing. But it would also work in a warmer and/or city-setting, since the boucle fabric also gives this motorcycle-inspired vest a more polished look. For example, come this spring, I'd do it like this (in an ideal-for-layering size up)...

1. Topshop mesh panel dress, $190, topshop.com
2. Rebecca Taylor boucle vest, $395, shopbop.com
3. Stella McCartney sunglasses, $225, shopbop.com
4. French Connection embellished clutch, $127, asos.com
5. Alexander Wang lizard-print sandals, $540, saksfifthavenue.com

I pretty much always wear my hair up--and this gorgeous gold hair band gives me one more reason to keep doing it. Love.

$130, topshop

Wearing these strappy buckle-trimmed heels would make me feel so much cooler than I actually am--but still like me. Now that's a feat! On top of that, they're endlessly versatile, thanks to their neutral shade, and they'll look so spring-fabulous with..

1. Etro printed crepe wrap dress, $1830, netaporter.com
2. Tom Binns spiked hoops, $176, shopbop.com
3. Proenza Schouler bag, $987, farfetch.com
4. Topshop strappy sandals, $130, topshop.com

How insane are these clutches?

My new favorite jeans happen to look not very new. But that's the point, of course. But what really distinguishes my distressed denim is that they strike the perfect balance between looking lived-in and too lived-in (i.e., ratty), and this is why I adore them. Plus, judging from the pics, above, and below, these worn-in jeans seem to be a thing... Here are some other great options from J.Brand, Asos, and R13.

Photos: Harper's Bazaar, Pinterest

$188, netaporter

Rendered in mid-weight cotton, this animal-print sweater gives everyday (winter-to-spring) dressing a ferociously good lift.

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs sweater, $188, netaporter.com
2. Ciate nail polish in Fade to Greige, $15, nordstrom.com
3. Iosselliani ring set, $322, forwardbyelysewalker.com
4. Topshop clutch, $28, topshop.com
5. B Brian Atwood ankle strap sandals, $450, shopbop.com
6. Rochas floral skirt, $785, netaporter.com

There was so much to love about Phillip Lim's Fall 2013 collection: the biker-inspired leather vests, zipper-trimmed sweatshirts, quilted mini skirts--and perhaps, most of all, the gold hippie-chic chandelier earrings. As Harper's Bazaar put it, the earrings "provided a chic lesson in contrast." The shoulder-grazing 10-karat and oxidized gold statement-makers were designed exclusively for Lim's show and will retail for $395, starting in July. In the meantime, you can get your fix with these dopplegangers from Wendy Mink, A Peace Treaty, Anthropologie (only $38!), and Monserat De Lucca.

Photos: Glamour