Fall is dictating that flats are more essential than ever (especially with pencil skirts). These pointy-toe black shoes exude French girl-chic and yet can stand up to this New Yorker's pounding the pavement.

1. Michael Kors cashmere sweater,

2. Joomi Lim earrings,

3. Lulu Guinness pouch,

4. Madewell flats,

5. Topshop pencil skirt,

Fur will be flying (again) everywhere next season, and I am thinking about joining the fray with this supremely cozy faux fur-trimmed parka.

This leather trimmed short sleeved J. Brand jacket is going to facilitate those transitional late summer to early fall days of what-do-I-wear dressing. (You may recall my fondness for these stylish last spring.) Bridge the cool/warm gap like this...

I see this army green wrap skirt as the cooler, edgier, more feminine cousin of the cargo pant. But it's just as utilitarian and will go with everything from flat sandals to heeled ankle boots. I'd work it like this...

For me, fall begins with a new boot (or two or three!). I need one in my arsenal that's right-this-minute looking and extremely versatile--i.e., goes equally well with a killer dress and an old pair of jeans . This black beauty pretty much nails it. Come the first hint of autumn chill, you might see me in...

When I was in Athens, I popped into Mango, which was down the street from my hotel, and picked up a cute checked knit that was not only on sale, but previously featured on LE CATCH. But now I want this new crochet-trimmed (very Coco Chanel) metallic one, too. Gah!

This simple utilitarian swing-cut sweater is poised to become integral to my everyday running-around-doing-a-million-things wardrobe. It's sooo good, and it comes in too!

Playful zingy hues update these leopard print pants in a very Stella McCartney-meets-Mulberry way, and I love that they are wearable both day (with a simple white tee and a pair of ) and night, like so. . .

Even though summer has not officially begun (summer solstice occurs on Friday!), J.Crew's last summer collection shipped today, and there are gems aplenty, all reduced by 25% courtesy of the site-wide sale through June 24*. On my wishlist: this graphic print , above, this striking fringed , this embellished party-ready striped , and these floral print .

*Use code NEWSTYLE at checkout.

I walked in late for a lunch with a friend--a start-up CEO--who was already sitting at the table, wearing an office-friendly blue blazer over a silk blue blouse. We ate, talked, laughed, and paid the bill. Then she stood up and, to my surprise, she was wearing graphic print shorts and wedges, making for an outfit that was all business on top and party on the bottom. Nice! With this as my inspiration, I'm feeling these shorts, which though a little bit more beach-friendly, are equally cool and statement-making.