LE CATCH

My sister's former studio manager turned me onto Madewell's Skinny Western belt, which looks almost identical to the OG and all-the-rage Khaite. Now, Madewell is making even more even spot-on ones, like the studded (also an exact dupe!) version, above. They're so good, I might be inclined to pile them all on and be totally on trend.

Copenhagen Fashion Week always provides a crystal-ball vision in to the fashion future. The slightly cooler temps welcome subtle hints of fall, currently in the form of calf-high boots, knee-high socks, and an extra layer tied around the waist. What's particularly hot: a cropped windbreaker/bomber jacket (see immediately below) that looks vintage and oversized, like this, this and this. I want this old-school Polo Ralph Lauren (which my Dad had in the 80s!). Mark my words: this is the jacket shape that will instantly update your look for fall.

Photos: Romilux, Vogue

$59, h&m

Because brown is the new black. Plus: major Miu Miu vibes.

1. H&M rhinestone-studded cardigan, $59, hm.com

2. Magda Burtrym suede mini skirt, $469, netaporter.com

3. Celine sunglasses, $455, mytheresa.com

4. Shashi bracelet, $96, shopbop.com

5. Gucci pre-loved bag, $2100, shopbop.com

6. Alohas leather loafers, $180, shopbop.com

Summertime and the living isn't always so easy! My therapist reminded me yesterday that unstructured time can feel like batting curveballs all day long, especially with kids who use every minute to exploit their fleeting autonomy (and break their nose while doing it!). But there also many upsides, of course, specifically in the getting-dressed department: the suitably unstructured pieces that I can wear wherever and whenever I want. Thankfully, there's a world wide web full of compelling options but the ones I like most transition seamlessly into more structured fall. Take, for example, the head-to-toe Mango look, above, with the excellent cobalt blue shirt leading the charge, and the flowy red H&M, and ruffled Doen, below. Also ready to roll in this one-shouldered Asos and this English Factory striped slip.

$159, mango

Buy now, wear a zillion times later. (P.S. I bet this one sells out soon!)

1. Simkhai Henley top, $295, saksfifthavenue.com

2. Prada skirt, $5700, farfetch.com

3. Mango jacket, $159, mango.com

4. The Row bag, $1520, modaoperandi.com

5. Schutz pumps, $138, neimanmarcus.com

A strong late-afternoon thunderstorm cancelled my flight out of JFK the other day but it also blew in an unexpected whiff of back-to-school air in the city. While I rolled my bikini-packed suitcase down Broadway back to my sister's apartment, I walked past buttoned-up, office-bound troops, their pace hurried, purposeful and ironed suit-clad. It's only the first week of August, but, hold on to your hats, school opens it doors to my kids in just 16 days! So, here we are already in pre-fall, back-to-work reality, a portal American Airlines re-routed me into, with kicking and screaming and no turning back! Thankfully, Shopbop debuted some on-trend clothes to wear during this transition, ranging from power reds and oversized denim (to which I conceded and wear Frame while writing this!), along with "it knits" and edgy, outfit-punctuating accessories, like this, this and this. If I could buy only one thing right now to prep for fall, it would be these walk-up-and-down-Broadway, kitten-heeled Madewell boots (named after Dimes Square to connote its cool factor) to wear through next spring, pre-summer and beyond.

$69, zara

There's no slump here--feathers always raise the bar.

1. Zara feather trimmed blouse, $69, zara.com

2. Khaite jeans, $520, netaporter.com

3. Agmes earrings, $330, shopbop.com

4. Bottega Veneta sunglasses, $415, bergdorfgoodman.com

5. A.L.C. bag, $395, shopbop.com

6. Madewell boots, $198, shopbop.com

I've figured out how we can manifest our European summer fantasy without a single delayed flight or one too many Aperol Spritzes! We just need to adopt a few continental-chic accents, namely a head scarf, which I spotted at all the rocky beaches in southern Italy. Vintage, cotton or silk, anything goes, but I would sport this dummy-proof Eugenue Kim or this vintage print pareo that finesses double duty. Also chic: piled-on shell jewelry, like the one pictured below by Renata Q, or this, this and this; a wide belt to cinch short t-shirt dresses, like this Linea Pelle and this Janessa Leone; a wide-brim bucket hat (Parfois, pictured, and Jenni Kayne); and lots of pretty bows (Abercrombie, Sea, Weworewhat). Et voila!

The playful romanticism of Chloe's Fall 2024 collection is wooing me with its swirling capes, flowy silhouettes, sexy lace, and cascading ruffles. Thankfully, I can jump right in now with various (and less expensive) iterations already available from H&M, above and below, J.Crew, plus Stella McCartney (50% off!), Azeeza, AFRM, Acne Studios, And Other Stories, and Anthropologie.

My last night in Poglinano a Mare had me walking off oodles of orrecchiette, meandering down a dimly-lit alleyway and into a closet-sized shop selling wall-to-wall colorful sandals that literally stopped me in my tracks. They looked very different from the strapped leather styles typically found in Italy. Instead, they brandished colorful braided rope that laced around your feet. There was a staggering amount of vivid variations to choose from, all of them rubber-soled, lightweight, and crazy comfortable. They also cost a mere 19 euros, which made them even more compelling. After sharing a picture on Instagram of some cute ones I tried on, above, I've been deluged with how-to-buy DM's. So, I did some trekking around online and discovered they're for sale on Amazon--like everything else in the world! I love the color combo, below, for $16 (!), minus the cost of airfare and 16 ounces of orrecchiette.