This swingy, easy top suits my kick-back-and-relax mood perfectly.

1. Topshop striped top,
2. J.Crew coat,
3. Michael Kors faux leather leggings,
4. Balenciaga bag,
5. Stuart Weitzman ankle boots,

This chain handled bag pretty much sums up timeless elegance.

This sporty-chic color-blocked leather top makes a completely cool winter statement.

Rarely do my black (cropped, tapered) trousers stay at home when I travel. They pretty much go (and work!) everywhere, and this proved true last Saturday night, when I wore them out to dinner at the Waverly Inn in New York. It was a rainy and cold evening--and my pants stood up to the (damp-to-toasty-chic) conditions perfectly, along with this and these . Of course, we all know that black pants are slimming, flattering and universally appropriate--the ultimate wardrobe workhorse--but the really excellent ones are also strangely and frustratingly elusive. Which may explain why I've been wearing the same Zara do-it-all pair for years now! Still, I managed to sleuth out some new compelling options, as I'm selfishly wanting a back-up or two, and found these standouts from (similar to above), , , , , , , and .

It's as festive as a fancy frock but has the laid-back ease of a t-shirt. Genius in my book.

For this dress-up-and-go-out time of year, I like the idea of subbing in an elegant, embellished top for a fancy frock.

I'd caress this faux fur clutch like crazy, but I don't really see that as a problem.

In walked my sister last night for a casual Sunday family dinner, wearing a wintry outfit, comprised of a big, cozy turtleneck, slouchy menswear-inspired trousers, and sporty sneakers. The outside temperature didn't warrant a turtleneck, but she had just come from a freezing movie theater and, yes, she was eager to bust out her new winter uniform. I am too, and I'd like to break it in with this look from .

The basic white top gets a little twist with some twist detailing. Nice!

LA's bajillion-degree heatwave isn't stopping me from dreaming about wearing this faux fur trimmed sweater on a cold brisk day.