Last night I met some of my dearest girlfriends for dinner in Beverly Hills. There were new “work” clothes, post-summer downloads, a go-around-the-table moment of what’s happening with everyone, and some loose plotting of what happens next. I’ve known all of these women for decades, intimately enough that I could give you a thorough résumé for each of them: what they’re brilliant at, what they’ve built, what they’ve weathered, what they’re working on now. And sitting there last night, it struck me that everyone seemed to be hitting some particularly good stride right now: more accomplished, more certain. And, yes, better dressed for all of it. There was at the table, a new necklace, a and (both miraculously bought on sale ). Nothing crazy over the top, just a series of little tells. Clothes accumulated and deployed by women who know what works on them, what is worth buying, what can do the heavy lifting when the rest of life is decidedly less pulled together. What worked for me last night: a perfectly-cut blazer, a deep-V , straight-leg jeans, a, and s. This past week: a tie-neck print blouse, loose-fitting jeans (size down), , sparkle, and a . Coming up next: this for a back-to-school event tonight and these cute embellished pants, nabbed on sale!