The Easter frocks out there right now are fairly irresistible. Exhibit A: M. Christian Lacroix’s orchid midi dress ($159 on desigual.com) It isn’t just its slim fit, sophisticated rear slit on the hem, and always-appropriate midi length that I love for the holiday — it’s the creamy overall hue, with a big splash of photographic large printed orchids, splattered with pretty pink petals. It’s the essence of spring, and you’re the walking canvas.

And how incredibly pretty is the Oliphant Jakarta Peri Sleeveless Smocked Maxi ($298 on tnuck.com)? It’s an absolutely gorgeous maxi in a lightweight cotton voile fabric in an ethereal periwinkle blue and white floral pattern that feels as perfect for spring as it does for  summer. Pair its beautiful tiered skirt and high neckline with white or blue espadrilles and a woven white bag, and expect heads to turn over the easy-casual chic of the whole look. You will stun.

If there’s ever a time to go over the top in embracing spring, it’s Easter. And do it while wearing Roschic’s Effortless and Playful Unique Print Sleeve Shirt Midi Dress ($49.99 on roschic.com). I adore the dress’s drama and sense of joy — its loose balloon sleeves in multicolor print, its shirt-collar design festooned with designs of nature, graphic shapes, and big-color. I dare you not to smile while wearing it.

The Short Sleeve Flutter Wrap Midi Dress ($190 on whitehouseblackmarket.com) features a vintage-inspired cut with flutter sleeves, wrap style, and midi length. It comes in an extremely feminine, blush-hued belt and dainty floral pattern. Plan on wearing it far past the Easter holiday to any number of special occasions — it’s that flattering and versatile.

What to do if you can’t shop fast enough to get anything new before  Sunday? Look to your closet and trust your own good taste of seasons past — and then reinvigorate a few pieces with a few easy updates. For example:

Layering is huge this spring, so pull out one of your favorite pastel or bright cardigans from past years with a light or neutral-colored shift dress or a simple floral frock, and — voila — you’ve got yourself an instant Easter-worthy look. Bonus points if you’ve got a colored trench (another on-point trend this season) hanging in a closet somewhere to add to the mix.

Is there a maxi dress you miss from last summer? Wear it over a thin plain turtleneck or pair it with a cashmere wrap, and you’re in business.

Remember those bow blouses from several years back? Well, bows of all kinds are all the rage again this spring. So tie one on (literally) in blouse form, or fake it by pulling on a dress with a simpler boat neckline and digging out a long scarf and fashioning it into a feminine bow around your neck or waist. It’s a casual and cheeky take on the more formal original.

Long days at the beach may be more than just a few weeks away, but beachy waves definitely don’t need to be. Embrace them with the just-redesigned and re-released Switch Kit Classic Trio ($299.99 on T3Micro.com, available April 1). The single iron sports three interchangeable barrels (now with clips!) in popular sizes (1”, 1 ¼”, 1 ½”) and 9 new powerful heat settings, so you can create polished curls or effortless waves in no time.

And since the sun is coming out of hiding, SPF is more necessary than ever. But now it’s paired up with one of the hottest new breakthrough ingredients, squalene. This powerhouse mimics our skin’s natural sebum, which makes it a great option for almost all skin types, and helps to seriously moisturize and work anti-inflammatory magic.

For all of the above, give Mirabella’s Defense CC Creme ($42 on mirabellabeauty.com) a whirl. It’s a lightweight foundation coverage (in three tints) with a natural SPF 20 thanks to titanium dioxide, squalene, salicylic acid that controls oil, soothing bamboo and lavender, and avocado oil and vitamin E for even more moisturizing.

But your face isn’t the only place that deserves care. Which is where Omorovicza’s new and first-of-its-kind Body Serum ($125 on omorovicza.com) comes in. The brand is on a mission to use the healing, mineral-rich thermal waters of Budapest and Iceland in all of its face and body products. Their serum uses Icelandic microalgae to firm skin, and contains a ceramide complex to boost moisture levels and improve skin barriers. Other key ingredients: gluconic and lactic acids to gently exfoliate and smooth skin, and hyaluronic acid to moisturize.

Which brings us to the subject of color. Is there anything more invigorating than a bold, bright lip to face a high-energy season? Here’s just the thing: The Lip Bar and Mielle Organics have — in celebration of Women’s History Month — paired up to create a liquid lipstick. So swipe on The Lip Bar’s Nonstop Liquid Matte ($13.99 on target.com) in Mielle Pink. It’s a nearly electric pink hue that almost shouts “I’m ready for spring!” It’s undeniably high-impact, and is unusually lovely and long-lasting. As so many of us also hope this spring will be.

One of the cutest polka dot numbers I’ve seen in a long time is the Wells Waterproof Coat ($225 on bodenusa.com). And we’re not talking teensy, demure little dots here — these are big, bold, fun dots, in colors like tomato red, bubble gum pink, and soothing aqua. And I love the jacket’s design bells and whistles, from the cinch-able cuffs and taped seams to the oversized hood.

Next up: The ever-joyful Mary Mary Reversible Raincoat ($188 on petalura.com). On one side it’s a floral fantasy — a wildflower garden on black with red piping on its seams. Reverse the coat and suddenly you’re wearing an aqua-and-orange confection showered with flowers. The hood is roomy, and the patch pockets on both sides come in handy— literally —at all times.

You certainly don’t need to live in Scotland to revel in the rain, but in the plaid Jasper Rain Poncho ($89 on us.rainkiss.com) will make you feel like you are. Its bright red and navy tartan pattern is on recycled polyester, so is as sustainable as it is fully waterproof.

On the rain boots front, the Glacier Weather Bootie ($124.99 on womanwithin.com) is trimmed in bright orange and stripes spanning the color spectrum against white. These short booties make up for in style what they lack in length.

Sometimes it pays to go back to a classic. Hunter’s Original Tall Gloss Rain Boots ($185 on zappos.com) are the classic design, but in bold-as-can-be Military Red, they’re anything but basic.

Whether or not your jacket’s got a hood, some stylish backup is always wise. So add on an extra layer with a topper such as the Bucket Rain Hat ($25 on totes.com), which is foldable (so you can easily keep it stashed in a bag or drawer for when you need it). The best part: all of the patterns it comes in. I love the leopard as much as I do the incredibly spring-y wildflowers, and the girly giddiness of the multicolor Rainbow Gingham. It’s all enough to have you actually wishing for showers — and the flowers that follow.

LOS ANGELES — Jeniffer Brown wanted the Ozempic body. She just didn’t want “Ozempic face.”

She got both, dropping 20 pounds in the first four months after she started taking the blockbuster injectable drug, which is intended to treat diabetes but has become better known for triggering dramatic weight loss fast.

By last May, Brown was down 40 pounds in a year without changing her diet or exercise routine. She had reached her goal weight of 125 pounds and was no longer prediabetic, but the swift and substantial reduction in fat left her with looser skin, more pronounced wrinkles and sunken cheeks — side effects that have been dubbed Ozempic face, although other parts of the body are also susceptible.

“My breasts definitely got saggier, but it was more the pockets for my implants got too big at that point and my implant was flipping. That breast fat was gone,” Brown, 47, said. “My face has been what I’ve spent the most time on. It’s like a melted candle.”

To restore volume and soften facial creases, she began getting dermal fillers in her cheeks, jowls and jawline. In September, she returned to her plastic surgeon for an arm lift to reshape her upper arms and a breast lift that also secured the shifting implants.

“It is a dream weight until you spend $25,000 on plastic surgery, and you go every three months to your injector because you’ve got to just continuously pump Sculptra and fillers trying to keep that skin on your skull,” said Brown, a hairstylist from Owensboro, Kentucky.

Approved by the FDA in 2017, Ozempic skyrocketed two years ago as word spread about its “miracle” weight-loss capabilities. Doctors began freely prescribing the Type 2 diabetes medication off label, causing a global shortage for the pricey drug, which costs about $900 a month without insurance.

Now many say they have become thin in the waist but old in the face. The initial doctor’s visit for an Ozempic prescription is, months later, being bookended by a trip to the plastic surgeon, forging a budding relationship between the medications and the fast-growing$58-billion cosmetic surgery market.

“A patient day doesn’t go by without dealing with somebody who says, ‘My face has changed, I’ve been on this drug and I want to do something about it,’” said Dr. Alan Matarasso, a plastic surgeon in Manhattan. “We’ll see it not only on the face, but in the breasts, in the abdomen, in the thighs. What Ozempic has done is it’s opened up a whole new class of people who are considering the benefits of plastic surgery.”

Injectable alternatives including Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound have also seen sales soar, and new versions — including in pill form — are in the works, marking what medical specialists are calling a revolution in anti-obesity treatment.

Patients say the drugs, which reduce appetite and slow the rate of digestion, have been a game-changer after years of trying to lose weight on their own and seeing little to no movement on the scales. But the speedy results are also creating problems.

“If you lose weight slowly, many times our skin can shrink and contract with it,” said Dr. John Diaz, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, who noted that fat is actually desirable in the face because it makes people look youthful. “With rapid weight loss, the volume quickly deflates and the skin has no time to catch up.”

Diaz, who performs facial, breast and body procedures, estimated that half of his patients are on Ozempic or an alternative. For those wanting a “full comprehensive facial rejuvenation” — a face, brow and neck lift with extras such as eyelid surgery and fat grafting (in which fat is transferred from one area of the body to another) — the out-the-door cost could top $100,000, he said.

“The patient who is more likely to take Ozempic is someone who is concerned about their weight, and that very same person is the person who is very concerned about their appearance and is more likely to seek a plastic surgeon,” he said.

Their adoption has become so widespread that the country’s two main plastic surgery associations — the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Aesthetic Society — are now monitoring their emerging effect on the industry.

In its most recent annual report, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons highlighted a “noteworthy 8% growth in face lift procedures” from 2019 to 2022.

Patients weren’t asked why they got work done, but the group theorized that weight-management drugs could be one factor, noting a“phenomenon colloquially termed ‘Ozempic Face,’ where the face exhibits more pronounced signs of aging due to rapid and significant weight loss.” (It also said the increase could be partly due to remote employees feeling self-conscious from using video conferencing platforms during the pandemic.)

In a follow-up article in November, the society said that because of the injectable drugs, the well-established link between “weight loss and body contouring is becoming ever more connected.” (The long history between the two includes liposuction to suck out fat deposits; excess skin removal after bariatric surgery; and CoolSculpting to freeze targeted pockets of fat.)

“The future of plastic surgery is transforming before our eyes,” the article said. “As the demand for medications like Ozempic grows, so does the need for board-certified plastic surgeons who can refine and perfect the weight-loss journey that begins, increasingly, with a prescription.”

Those prescriptions are now easy to obtain from family doctors, sleek med spas, online weight-loss programs and plastic surgeons, propelling the drugmakers to stunning sales.

Last month Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant behind Ozempic and anti-obesity drug Wegovy, reported that its 2023 revenue surged 36% in constant-currency terms compared with the year before. Its market cap of roughly $550 billion is up from around $257 billion at the end of 2021.

The popularity of the injectable drugs has sparked intense discussions about the controversial measures people will take to look a certain way, especially as dieters who fall within healthy weight ranges seek out the medications.

“We’re seeing almost designer Ozempic — ‘I need to lose my last 10 or 20 pounds,’ as opposed to somebody that is what we call morbidly obese,” Matarasso said.

Critics say the stunning demand has exposed the cracks in the body-positivity movement, showing that beauty standards are still extremely high — and probably rising — thanks to Instagram and TikTok, anti-aging filters, selfie culture and relentless celebrity and influencer self-promotion on social media. They worry that the weight-loss drugs will perpetuate a cycle of costly medical procedures that people don’t need and only a rarefied subset can afford.

“We live in Los Angeles — everyone looks good, and there is a lot of pressure about being thin and fit,” said a medical aesthetician who began taking Mounjaro, another Type 2 diabetes drug, last summer when she weighed 130 pounds. “There’s a lot of shaming if someone wants to lose 10 or 15 pounds and they can’t. If you’re doing everything and your body’s not budging, which is where I was, this was a solution for me.”

The 5-foot-5-inch woman, who declined to provide her name so she could speak openly about her weight loss and cosmetic surgery, spent $2,200 on Mounjaro over four months and got down to 115 pounds.

She said the drug — which regulates blood sugar levels through a weekly injection in the stomach, thighs or upper arms — helped her curb her alcohol cravings and better control her portion sizes without any of the nausea and other gastrointestinal issues that the medications are known to cause.

“I was never overweight, but I wanted to get back to where I was and this allowed me to do it very easily,” she said, although she wasn’t 100% satisfied. “I was like, ‘OK, I like how my body looks, but my neck and my face, I don’t like.’”

In November, she paid $30,000 for a lower face lift and neck lift with Dr. Suzanne Trott in Beverly Hills to fix her drooping skin; many of her girlfriends, she said, have done the same after losing moderate amounts of weight on the drugs. It has become such a common post-weight-loss combination that Trott now refers to it as the “skinny lift.”

“If you saw me, you would never guess that I was 57,” the patient said after her surgery. “I look like I’m in my 40s. So yeah, it was worth it.”

Other patients are using semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, to slim down ahead of planned tummy tucks and other tightening procedures, said Dr. Kelly Killeen, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon.

“Because a tummy tuck looks great,” she said, “but a tummy tuck on a patient who has also lost 20 pounds may be even greater.”

“I’ve had patients put their surgeries off — they were scheduled with me for surgery and were a totally normal, healthy weight. And then they were like, ‘You know what, I’m on Ozempic now — let’s see how much weight I can lose,’” she continued.

In 2018, a patient named Jennifer came in for a consultation with Killeen hoping to get rid of the “wrinkly stomach pouch” left over from having twins a decade earlier and to repair a hernia. At 200 pounds and 5 feet, 4 inches, she was encouraged to get down to 170 before undergoing the procedure for optimal results.

But Jennifer, who declined to provide her last name to protect her privacy, struggled for years to lose the weight, exercising and eating healthy to no avail and putting on a few more pounds during the pandemic. As a Type 2 diabetic with a high BMI, she was a prime candidate for Ozempic and began taking the drug last year.

In late January, 40 pounds lighter, she finally got her tummy tuck.

“I’m so glad I did it — I wish I’d done it sooner,” the 64-year-old piano teacher from Santa Monica said during a post-op checkup this month, her exam gown pulled open to reveal a nicely healing scar across her abdomen. After having low self-esteem about her body for so many years, Ozempic was “life-changing,” she said.

Patients were casually mentioning the drug so often in her practice that Dr. Melinda Haws, like many plastic surgeons around the country, added rapid-weight-loss medications to her intake questionnaire a year ago.

“We like patients to be at a healthy weight, and as close to the weight that they’re going to maintain, when they do surgery,” said Haws, president of the Garden Grove-based Aesthetic Society. “I hate to do a breast lift on someone who has lost 20 pounds but is on Ozempic and plans to lose another 30. Because for sure by the time she loses more weight, we’ll need to redo the surgery I just did.”

The new weight-loss drugs could also prove to be a boon for the so-called noninvasive side of the aesthetics industry. Such cosmetic procedures don’t require surgery and include Botox, lasers, injectable fillers and chemical peels.

During an earnings call this month for AbbVie, the parent of Botox maker Allergan, one analyst wondered how the latest generation of weight-management drugs could affect sales for the pharmaceutical company in the years ahead.

“It’s a potential headwind if patients only have so many dollars to spend on aesthetics and they reallocate their out-of-pocket spending away from dermal fillers and toxins towards obesity drugs,” analyst Tim Anderson of Wolfe Research said on the call. “Or it’s a tailwind if patients using obesity drugs get things like the so-called Ozempic face and they end up using more toxins and fillers.”

Carrie Strom, president of Global Allergan Aesthetics, said the company had so far not seen an effect but noted that there was “absolutely” an overlap between its customers and patients taking the weight-loss drugs, which could lead to a financial boost down the line.

“Any time people are getting more engaged in their appearance, that’s a positive thing for aesthetics,” she said. “We’ve learned that it does reinforce the long-term tailwind because the majority of people who engage in these medical weight-loss products are more interested in aesthetics afterwards than they were before.”

For Brown, the Ozempic patient who got the breast lift and arm lift, there’s more work to be done.

“Another thing I’ve noticed is my eyelids are really saggy,” she said. “When I put my eyeliner on, I can tell that my eyelids are definitely different than they were.”

Brown is now getting a quote for blepharoplasty, which removes excess skin from the eyelids, and would like to get the procedure done by the end of the year.

“I can either be thin and have to fight this skin, or I can be heavier and have the volume,” she said. “It’s like a double-edged sword: You can have one, but you have to take the other with it.”

©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Color theory (i.e., using colors to influence our moods and behavior) is a fairly new discipline, and there’s good research to show that it can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and can change your mood. Color theory suggests that in carefully selecting a color (or color family) that you surround yourself with, you can positively impact your mental health and well-being.

For example? Bright, warm colors (such as reds, oranges, yellows) are said to stimulate energy and bring about responses that generate happiness. Cooler and more subdued colors (think: blues, greens, and purples) tend to make us feel more soothed and calm.

So how to best incorporate this into your everyday life? Let’s start at home. Give yourself and guests some exposure to bright, cheery colors in the dining room with the Courtney Hand Tufted Wool Rug ($270 on allmodern.com), in big, contemporary shades of of tangerine. Its playful abstract design is made in India from 100% high-quality wool that can stand the test of time, even if you want to swap it out for a different mood in the fall.

When it comes to work time, let the vibe be mellow yellow — with the super comfy Ataya Task Chair ($57.99 on wayfair.com), which also comes in bright turquoise, pink, and orange.

And your wardrobe? That’s almost too easy. Nothing wakes up winter like one single solid neon, as does the electric red-orange in AQUA Cashmere’s Turtleneck Cashmere Sweater ($79.99 on bloomingdales.com) or the Stevie Crewneck Sweater ($130 on revolve.com) in electrifying pink. That ought hold you over till at least St. Patrick’s Day…. When it’s time to start wearing bright green!

The best ski clothes of the moment are incredibly comfortable, but they also take style into account, and are inspired by everything from global trends and classic Nordic motifs to sleek tech that goes along with your every move.

Up first: the base layer. Instead of the usual ho-hum long underwear, reach for Terramar Women’s Thermasilk Pointelle Scoopneck Shirt ($45.22 on amazon.com) and Terramar Women’s Thermasilk Pointelle Pant ($50 on amazon.com). Both are lightweight and don’t add bulk. They use thermoregulation Comfort Technology to regulate your body’s natural temperature.

And now for the sweaters. We’re talking sleek, fitted, and flattering — as in the Kate Mockneck Sweater ($328 on alpnrock.com). The retro-inspired pullover design is a quarter-zip with an “Après” motif with intarsia lettering and colorblock striping. Just as minimalist and elegant but more Scandinavian in approach is the Dale of Norway Geilo Fem Sweater ($166.41 on bobleisure.com) It’s made of 100% super soft merino wool in Norway that’s also great for exceptional insulation. It’s a clever mashup of traditional craftsmanship and modern aesthetics.

Ready for the pants? Some of favorites out there are the Glacier Bootcut Pant ($159 on athleta.com) in bright white. Their semi-fitted cut is so sharp and crisp and skims right over your body, with side zip pockets to secure your essentials and they feel incredibly luxurious thanks to a brushed lining. They come in a durable water repellent fabric. If it’s a one-piece you’re after, I highly recommend taking a look at the Isabel Soft Shell Bib Pant ($355 on halfdays.com), which is flattering, functional, and comfy thanks to a stretchy fit and adjustable elastic straps. And they come in all kinds of sassy hues, too. Keep an eye out for the lilac — just the pretty jolt of color a wintry day needs.

Speaking of jolts, you won’t want to miss the Metallic Talia Pant ($‌590 on perfectmoment.com) in silver foil. The high-shine, big-glam, down-insulated quilted pants have extendable flared legs (which not only look cool, but fit perfectly over ski boots). They keep keep you comfortably dry with water-resistant breathability and also sport four-way stretch.

As jackets go, the Women’s Verglas Glacier Down Jacket ($270 on hellyhansen.com) is the total package. Constructed of uber soft and warm European goose down and PrimaLoft® water-resistant synthetic insulation, it packs into a small sack and has an adjustable hood and hem, a brushed tricot chin guard, and durable water repellency. It also comes in a hot tangerine that’ll straight-up light up your vacay.

In February the shows look ahead to fall. So when NYFW kicked off last Friday, one of the first to wow was Helmut Lang’s autumn-friendly looks. Down the runway came plenty of color blocking, bright chunks of tangerine, along with lots of the brand’s signature sharp, all-black suiting. But there was also some exceptional easy-going one-sleeve blouses in pearly grays that are terrific for day-to-night dressing, paired with slightly flowy skirts.

On the same day at Libertine, a brand known best for its silk-screened vintage garments, handmade prints like the bold and fun “lip print” came out alongside clothes that referenced iconic figures ranging from Lord Byron to Peggy Guggenheim and everything from ‘70s punk to pop art.

I’d be remiss not to mention Yigal Azrouel’s new collection. I love his figure-conscious and environmentally aware designs, and this season’s lean on recycled furs and leathers. He presented some terrific new color blocked and metallic jackets, and beautiful body-conscious dresses.

That all led into the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection, which did all of us practical ladies the favor of offering looks that move easily between work and non-work life, pairing dressy and casual elements — witness his athleisure-like pants and tailored jackets. I’d also point out winning pieces like the V-neck tennis sweaters, cargo utility skirts, metallic button-down blouses, all of it extremely mix-and-match-friendly.

More reasons to look forward to fall came out Prabal Gurung’s show, too: Like the intensely saturated red, flowing and fluid caftan-like dress over pants and a turtleneck in the same crimson hue. And I also can’t wait to wear one of his one-shoulder dresses that he sent out in silhouettes ranging from fitted and mini to baggy and maximalist.

On Saturday, the Badgley Mischka show went in big for old school elegance — metallic ruched evening dresses and column gowns. And Proenza Schouler once again didn’t disappoint with their collection, which I would describe as long, luxurious, and louche. That meant refined white trench coats in silk and satin, gauzy mock turtleneck dresses dipping down to the ankles, and shearling coats. In black there were button-down shirts and dresses that would’ve been prim if they weren’t so sheer, alongside sleek black leather pants and midriff-baring sleeveless cowlneck tops. I love all of these big, fun statements, which the Proenza Schouler team can always be depended on to reinvent with daring and ingenuity.

On the heels of that came Eckhaus Latta’s show, filled with all kinds of cool details — skirts with slashed sides, baggy chocolate brown slacks, and denim jackets-and-pant sets in dark indigo. Plenty of it was paired with sporty and asymmetrical skirts, lined in pink striping that could be worn as easily on the weekend as to the office any day of the week.

At Jason Wu, the designer leaned into beautiful deconstruction. There was tons of wrapping and draping, with loose asymmetrical over-the-shoulder swaths on tops and dresses that almost called to mind ancient Greek statues. And for all of the grandeur that suggests, they were pieces that could be worn to any date night dinner, and bright, fun shirts that could be in a boardroom, too. Ulla Johnson’s show turned heads with a series of gorgeous and bright yellow and purple dresses in boiled wool — perfect examples of the kind of beautiful bright spots we’ll get to look forward to in the seasons ahead.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The muted sounds of hammering and sanding drift down to the first floor of Bario Neal, a jewelry store in Philadelphia, where rustic artwork that mimics nature hangs on warmly-lit walls.

Waiting for one of those rings is Haley Farlow, a 28-year-old second grade teacher who has been designing her three-stone engagement ring with her boyfriend. They care about price and also don’t want jewelry that takes a toll on the Earth, or exploits people in mining. So they’re planning on buying diamonds grown in a laboratory.

“Most of my friends all have lab-grown. And I think it just fits our lifestyle and, you know, the economy and what we’re living through,” said Farlow.

In the U.S., lab-grown diamond sales jumped 16% in 2023 from 2022, according to Edahn Golan, an industry analyst. They cost a fraction of the stones formed naturally underground.

Social media posts show millennials and Generation Zs proudly explaining the purchase of their lab-grown diamonds for sustainability and ethical reasons. But how sustainable they are is questionable, since making a diamond requires an enormous amount of energy and many major manufacturers are not transparent about their operations.

Farlow said the choice of lab-grown makes her ring “more special and fulfilling” because the materials are sourced from reputable companies. All of the lab diamonds at Bario Neal are either made with renewable energy or have the emissions that go into making them countered with carbon credits, which pay for activities like planting trees, which capture carbon.

But that’s not the norm for lab-grown diamonds.

Many companies are based in India, where about 75% of electricity comes from burning coal. They use words like “sustainable” and “environmentally-friendly” on their websites, but don’t post their environmental impact reports and aren’t certified by third parties. Cupid Diamonds, for example, says on its website that it produces diamonds in “an environmentally friendly manner,” but did not respond to questions about what makes its diamonds sustainable. Solar energy is rapidly expanding in India and there are some companies, such as Greenlab Diamonds, that utilize renewables in their manufacturing processes.

China is the other major diamond manufacturing country. Henan Huanghe Whirlwind, Zhuhai Zhong Na Diamond, HeNan LiLiang Diamond, Starsgem Co. and Ningbo Crysdiam are among the largest producers. None returned requests for comment nor post details about where it gets its electricity. More than half of China’s electricity came from coal in 2023.

In the United States, one company, VRAI, whose parent company is Diamond Foundry, operates what it says is a zero-emissions foundry in Wenatchee, Washington, running on hydropower from the Columbia River. Martin Roscheisen, CEO and founder of Diamond Foundry, said via email the power VRAI uses to grow a diamond is “about one tenth of the energy required for mining.”

But Paul Zimnisky, a diamond industry expert, said companies that are transparent about their supply chain and use renewable energy like this “represent a very small portion of production.”

“It seems like there are a lot of companies that are riding on this coattail that it’s an environmentally-friendly product when they aren’t really doing anything that’s environmentally friendly,” said Zimnisky.

HOW ITS DONE

Lab diamonds are often made over several weeks, subjecting carbon to high pressure and high temperature that mimic natural conditions that form diamonds beneath the Earth’s surface.

The technology has been around since the 1950’s, but the diamonds produced were mostly used in industries like stone cutting, mining and dentistry tools.

Over time the laboratories, or foundries, have gotten better at growing stones with minimal flaws. Production costs have dropped as technology improves.

That means diamond growers can manufacture as many stones as they want and choose their size and quality, which is causing prices to fall rapidly. Natural diamonds take billions of years to form and are difficult to find, making their price more stable.

Diamonds, whether lab-grown or natural, are chemically identical and entirely made out of carbon. But experts can distinguish between the two, using lasers to pinpoint telltale signs in atomic structure. The Gemological Institute of America grades millions of diamonds annually.

MARKETING COMPETITION

With lower prices for lab-grown and young people increasingly preferring them, the new diamonds have cut into the market share for natural stones. Globally, lab-grown diamonds are now 5-6% of the market and the traditional industry is not taking it sitting down. The marketing battle is on.

The mined diamond industry and some analysts warn lab-grown diamonds won’t hold value over time.

Some cultures view engagement rings as investments and choose natural diamonds for their value over the long term. That’s particularly true in China and India, Zimnisky said. It’s also still true in more rural areas of the United States, while lab-grown diamonds have taken off more in the cities.

Paying thousands of dollars for something that drops most of its value in just a few years can leave the buyer feeling cheated, which Golan said is an element that is currently working against the lab-grown sector.

“When you buy a natural diamond, there’s a story that it is three billion years in the making by Mother Earth. This wondrous creation of nature … you cannot tell that story with a lab-grown,” said Golan. “You very quickly make the connection between forever and the longevity of the love.”

“If we really want to get technical here, the greenest diamond is a repurposed or recycled diamond because that uses no energy,” Zimnisky said.

Page Neal said she co-founded Bario Neal in 2008 to “create jewelry of lasting value that would have a positive impact on people and the planet.” All of the materials in her jewelry can be traced throughout their supply chain. The store offers both lab-grown and natural diamonds.

“Jewelry is a powerful symbol … it’s a keeper of memories,” she said. “But when we’re using materials that have caused harm to other people and the environment to create a symbol of love and commitment or identity, to me it feels at odds. We want to only work with materials that we feel like our clients would be proud to own.”

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And I can’t see any good reason not to bring some of that into our own lives. Here are some of the most inspired looks from the Grammys, and how we can weave them into our own wardrobes in ways that make us smile.

Taylor Swift gave us a huge fashion moment in a white Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown and black opera gloves. But while none of that is particularly wearable every day, there’s zero reason not to be inspired by her custom-made Lorraine Schwartz wristwatch as a cool choker. Made of glimmering black stones in a square faced design, hers was a more glam version of what we could all be pairing with, say, a white button-down shirt or a V-neck sweater: a Vintage Watch Choker Necklace ($34.53 on etsy.com). This one also sports all kinds of extras— drop designs like quartz and pearls, crosses, and other charms.

Did anyone else notice Ice Spice’s faux fur-lined black denim jacket by Baby Phat? That’s a winner over hundreds of looks, from formal dressy dresses and sleek black casual work dresses to more denim or a refined and tailored wool pant. I like the Big Fur Collar Denim Jacket Womens/Winter Fleece Thick Coat ($109.99 on goatfind.com), which is warm enough to wear as a real coat in winter. The collar’s oversized and the cuffs fit over almost everything you need them to, so it’s a cool and practical piece.

Black dresses, meanwhile, held their own in the evening’s spotlight. Most predominantly by the inimitable Janelle Monáe, who donned a killer, close-cut, black sequined Armani Privè dress with a low neckline rosette detail in the middle of her waist. She, like Taylor, went with a choker — a black one with a diamond centerpiece. And singer Caroline Polachek pulled out all the stops in a vintage black and red dress by Olivier Theyskens. While no one’s going to be heading off to their office meeting in a plunging V-neck sequined dress like Janelle’s, I could certainly see it being the reason you chose to wear something sleek, long, and black like Paige’s Sundara Dress ($249 on paige.com). The slim, retro design is made from recycled materials, and is as flattering and elegant as can be.

Billie Eilish, who won Song of the Year for her beautiful “What Was I Made For” for the movie “Barbie,” accepted her award in a cool black and pink bomber jacket by Chrome Hearts — with a Barbie logo emblazoned on the chest in big ol’ pink type. The Good American Varsity Contrast-Panel Woven Bomber Jacket ($197 on selfridges.com) is as cheeky as it is comfy — case in point: The color is actually called “Love Potion 007.”

Miley Cyrus can always be counted on to electrify any stage, and in this case she lit up the scene with barely-there looks. I was particularly impressed by her Maison Margiela gown, made entirely of gold safety pins. It isn’t exactly what I’m about to wear to lunch with my girlfriends or my family, but why not let it be what I have on my mind when I pull on a whole lotta gold in the form of the Michael Kors Metallic Ciré Logo Tape Puffer Jacket ($158 on michaelkors.com)? The puffer adds huge instant glam to just about any otherwise ordinary weekend outfit.

For me, if nothing else, it’s a great reason to wear joyful colors in the middle of an otherwise bleak midwinter. There’s nothing quite like pulling on something deep red on a day filled with gray skies and snowy landscapes. Or snuggling into a soft swirl of pretty pink cashmere.

With that in mind, here are a few ideas for fantastic pieces to snap up in time to wear for V-Day.

First up:  Alice and Olivia’s attitude-rich Karrie Embroidered Heart Cutout Jean  ($495 on aliceandolivia.com). Maybe it’s the cool mid-rise and straight leg that add to their appeal, but it’s definitely the heart-shaped embroidered cut-outs that make them a standout.

When a cozy sweater dress is what you’re looking for to warm up your February day, pull on the Hyacinth House Pink & Red Color Block Scarlett Sweater Dress ($168 on tnuck.com) and revel in its pop of cheery colors. Its simple long sleeves, crewneck, and mini length are offset by the cable-knit texture.

Just as playful is Line & Dot’s Frankie Dress ($134 on revolve.com) in color blocked pink and burgundy, in a high-stretch jersey fabric with an alluring side slit. I love the sleek fit of this so much — it’s especially flattering with a set of black heels and a minimalist black evening bag.

On the polka dot front, I smile whenever I think about the Blouson Sleeve Midi Tea Dress ($138.60 on bodenusa.com), a midi-length frock in lined viscose. It’s flowy, flirty, and flips back and forth between its reversed red and pink dots in the cutest way, accented by dramatic balloon sleeves.

Cute and casual, the Nic + Zoe Heat Mix Striped Sweater ($158 on bloomingdales.com) is a pullover crewneck in a cotton candy hue. I love it with designer denim as much as I do paired with a winter white pant. It’s sassy and youthful but also sophisticated, and perfect for a night at the movie theater or the art gallery.

A terrific topper for any V-Day outfit — day or evening — the Alyse Relaxed Velvet Blazer ($70.97 on bananarepublic.gap.com) comes in a gorgeous dark jewel tone called Red Madder, and adds a tailored sharpness to your whole look. Check out its peak lapels and single breasted silhouette.

And finally, one of my favorite designer houses Veronica Bear has come through for the holiday with a fabulous red silk number — the Sabri Stretch-Silk Charmeuse Dress ($349 on veronicabeard.com). It’s a masterpiece of effortless eveningwear worthy of Old Hollywood. With an understated boat neckline and long sleeves and ruching at its waist, it’s figure-defining and graceful, and just the thing for a big night out.

It’s safe to say it’s time we all upped our travel style game just a little. Or at least found a happy medium between comfy and cute.

That’s where designer athleisure comes in play. It’s been a key force in creating that happy medium. Athleta even has a “Travel Collection.” So book your tickets and let’s get shopping for pieces you’ll need, like these.

A versatile extra layer: In Athleta’s Travel Collection, you’ll find crossover pieces like the Cosmic Layer Dress ($189 on athleta.gap.com), with its long sleeves (for chilly flights), flattering A-line skirt, and button-down front. You can wear it as a either an incredibly comfy dress or unbutton it and wear it as a coatlike caftan—which is pretty much the definition of cool. It’s machine washable and dryable, so no worries if you spill your ginger ale on it when the flight gets bumpy.

Pants that move but still look sharp. You don’t need to deal with anything fussy on a plane, train, or in a bus or car. No silk that wrinkles, thank you very much. Or that doesn’t stretch. No wide legs or bell bottoms that get caught on things, no matter how great they look. A clean and streamlined look is still the way to go. So to that end, pull on a pair of Comfort Cropped Pants ($103 on garnethill.com) in black or navy heather. They’ve got elongated vertical seams that give structure to your profile, but are made in heavy stretch material that offers give and cushy support. Meanwhile, the cropped hems keep your ankles free and clear, and the wide, flattering waistband keeps your shirt tucked in (should you want it to be), so you still look and feel pulled together even while breathing easy enough for a nap.

A high-style, low-maintenance bag: Who on earth wants to have to rummage around in their tote when they’re on the go — no matter how good it looks? Well, this one makes finding things easy and still looks posh. The JW Anderson Belt Tote ($385 on gretta.co) is one I sell at my store because I love how its roomy main compartment and big open top make everything in it such a cinch to locate. And its internal slip pocket keeps the small things I need handy, while its tonal stitching and top tie closure give it plenty of noteworthy and lovely details. All that, and it’s 80% made of a recycled polyester blend. So you’ll feel as good as you look carrying it.

No-pain, all-gain shoes: You want at least a little lift, right? Don’t we all. But with miles and miles ahead of you, no one wants to arrive at their destination cranky about sore feet. Since you’ll probably be departing from Boston (wherever you’re going), you’ll be starting out in the cold if you’re traveling any time soon. So a fantastic-looking winter boot is in order. One like Sorel’s Women’s Hi-Line Heel Chelsea Boot ($142.91 on sorel.com), in waterproof leather or suede and a molded (and wide) rubber footbed for consistent comfort with loads of traction, so there won’t be any slipping when you’re running from gate to gate. Meanwhile, they’re easy pull-ons, so no need to lace on or off at security.

A comfy cardigan: You can’t be taking a sweater on and off over your head in a seat while traveling. But temperatures change, and you’re in it for the long haul, right? So bring the right, soft-as-can-be cardigan. And for many of us, that means cashmere. Like the C by Bloomingdale’s Cashmere Open-Front Cardigan ($79.99 on bloomingdales.com). In a spectrum of pretty hues, its shawl collar doubles as a scarf to keep you extra cozy.

A hard-working, multi-tasking accessory: Is it a warming shawl to wrap yourself in when it’s mid-flight naptime? Or a scarf? It’s both, and deserves extra snaps for its overtime efforts. The Scarf/Shawl Blocked Cobalt Blue/Naturals Alpaca Wool ($111 on wolfandbadger.com) is a subtly shiny and incredibly soft and luxurious color-blocked piece woven from the wool of Ecuadorian alpacas.

Sunnies, no question: Whether your destination is the depths of winter in New England, the sunny climes of the tropics, or just a weekend in NYC, you need a pair to keep the light low while you sleep on the trip, and for extra coolness once you arrive. So many designs should be chosen according to the shape of your face and your own personal taste, of course, but one universally flattering style is the cat eye shade. Like Prada’s 55mm Butterfly Sunglasses ($380 on nordstrom.com), a glam and subtly slanted design that will lend you all the retro cred you’re craving to revive the era of well-dressed travel — without any of the effort.

Your choice depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. There are all kinds of new and high tech clothes out there, all of them targeted to specific kinds of workouts and missions. So let’s take a look at what kind of results you’re after, and what to wear to help make it happen.

Get more flexible: Yoga is the obvious go-to on this one. And prAna makes all kinds of fantastic supportive and super comfortable designs. I particularly love their Luxara Impresa Pocket Legging ($99 on prana.com), which are ultra-lightweight and let you move as freely as possible. They’re quick-drying and moisture-wicking, too. They’ve got a ton of stretch and clean finished drop side pockets to slip IDs and credit cards into, and a nice big wide waistband that’s flattering to most every body type.

Get stronger: Weight training calls for clothes with polypropylene or other fabrics that allow sweat to be evaporated from your skin. Marika has an excellent line of designs that are both cute and functional. I especially dig their Talon Tank ($35.99 on marika.com), which comes in a bevy of great colors, has a sharp-looking sleeveless scoopneck with a flap pocket on the lower back, and has Dry Wik moisture performance.

Get better balance: Whether you’re doing wall pilates, single leg deadlifts, or Bulgarian split squats, working toward improving your balance is about pushing your limits with your legs. You’ve got to be able to give them all the comfort they need when they’re working that hard. Vuori’s Performance Jogger pant ($94 on vuoriclothing.com) have a slim but relaxed fit with a slightly cropped leg, and they’re made in incredibly soft stretch fabric. You won’t want to take them off, even after you’re done working out.

Lose weight: This is where cardio is your best friend. Running, speed walking, rowing, tabata… whatever you choose to get your heart rate up and boost your metabolism shouldn’t weigh you down or get in the way. And your bra makes all the difference here, too — so get one that’s adjustable and can take real high-impact action, such as the Women’s Brooks Dare Scoopback 2.0 Sports Bra ($75 on marathonsports.com). It’s got built-in molded cups that help reduce motion and increase comfort, which feels pretty much custom-made.

Get peace of mind: When it comes to meditating, it’s less about moving than it is staying still. But posture and comfort are still crucial — as is being able to cross your legs and stay in that position for a while. So give yourself a leg up (literally) with flowing pants, like the Hareem Jersey Joggers ($70 on bodenusa.com). They’re made of incredibly soft and sustainably farmed cotton from the Better Cotton Initiative, and have a relaxed fit and gathered waistband. Need pockets? They’re here, along with cuffs to keep the legs from riding up while you reach your Zen place.

Most weekends at the Randolph Street Market in Chicago, Helena Kim can be found with her head inside the lining of a vintage Coach purse. After finding and restoring more than 30, she knows a good piece of leather by touch.

Kim, 31, has built a following on TikTok for her step-by-step videos restoring vintage leather pieces from Coach. Bringing old, worn bags back to life takes a careful hand. For West Loop resident Kim, who goes by her nickname Yoonie online, caring for vintage leather has helped her feel in touch with herself and her family.

“I started to personify these bags, and kind of like take care of them,” Kim said. “I keep getting very emotionally attached to these bags as I’m working on them.”

Kim went viral on TikTok in June 2023 with a video restoring a Coach Bleecker bag from the 1990s. Now, she has over 188,000 followers and 6 million likes on the app. Her most popular video, featuring a Coach coin purse found at Goodwill in December, has 1.6 million likes and 12.6 million views.

Kim learned how to take care of leather by watching her parents, Korean immigrants who bought a shoe repair and tailor shop after arriving in Chicago in 1998.

Money was tight at first, Kim said, and her family life revolved around the shop. As her parents mended clothes and shoes, she made tiny purses or glued buttons onto leather panels. Whenever Kim forgot her house key, she would return to the store and help her dad clean and condition leather shoes.

Decades later, the sights, sounds and smells of the family store rush back to Kim when she sits down with a new vintage purse.

“That just really stayed with me,” Kim said. “Stacks of leather shoes behind me that needed repairing, and leather glue stuck onto the table. My mom’s in the corner hemming pants, and I’m just tinkering with little things around the shop. … I think it’s become like a comfort place for me.”

Still, Kim didn’t rediscover leather until her late 20s. An avid fabric artist, she expected to take more after her mother, who attended fashion school and was a seamstress in Korea.

Then in 2020, Kim fell in love with a bag for the first time — a mahogany Coach Bleecker bag in sorry shape.

“I wanted to clean that bag up, and I actually knew a lot,” Kim said. “I remembered my dad gluing leather pieces back together, using clamps to make sure they stayed, washing leather and polishing it and using the horsehair brush.”

These days, Kim’s main focus is the Ergo purse, a curvy shoulder bag. The oldest bag in Kim’s collection is from 1977, and her current favorite is a red Ergo. Some come with names attached — Andrea, Casey.

Once Kim takes a bag home, she tries to identify it through a reverse image search or by flipping through old catalogs.

Then she straps on a headlamp and sets up a small tripod.

Kim cleans each bag with saddle soap and molds it back into shape, sometimes by stuffing it with paper or foam. She uses a horsehair brush to scrub out stains. This can involve dyeing parts of a darker bag with leather paint, or dunking the whole bag in a cleaning solution.

“Sometimes I find a bag that’s just in really rough condition,” Kim said. “I know it won’t sell and that makes me want to get it even more, to go home and rehab it and show it the care and respect that it deserves.”

The last step is a thorough massage with leather conditioner, sometimes paired with various oils. Her favorite products include Leather CPR and Lexol leather conditioner.

Restoring a bag takes Kim as little as two hours. The most damaged bags can take a month to troubleshoot. If she’s really stumped, Kim calls her dad, or makes a trip to the dry cleaning shop her parents now own in Northbrook.

“The last three years, I’ve probably called my dad more times than I had in all of my 20s,” Kim said. “It’s been really healing for our relationship.”

Severely damaged purses can need time to rest in between treatments, Kim said. She’s drawn to leather because it’s strong and durable, but it genuinely responds to care.

“I think that’s so fascinating that leather can heal on its own sometimes,” Kim said. “Because it is skin. If you give it oils and moisturizing and the proper care, it just can come back to life.”

Whether she’s filming for TikTok or not, Kim prefers to work on her bags in silence. Every soothing rasp, click and brush stroke is captured on camera, overlaid with a scripted voice-over.

As Kim talks through each step on camera, she quips about her daily life and the treasures left behind in some bags. Each of her TikToks takes about two hours to edit, she said.

By day, Kim is a creative director at Rit Dye, where her work includes planning and producing videos. Editing on the job made it easier to find her rhythm with leather content, she said.

Along with the Randolph Street Market, Kim often sources bags on eBay. She also visits her local Goodwill about once a week. New Ergo bags go for $250 to $350 on the Coach website. Vintage bags can go for $400.

Kim focuses on vintage Coach bags because of the quality of leather for the price point, she said. Plus, something about Coach reminds her of the 1990s mall scene buzzing around her parents’ shop.

“It was just something that I have always attributed to being a cool girl,” Kim said.

She’s also adept at spotting fakes, sometimes through typos on bag labels or serial numbers.

The marketing team at Coach has responded casually but positively to her TikTok account, Kim said, with occasional compliments on her videos.

As Kim doesn’t plan to resell any of her bags, overconsumption is often on her mind. She doesn’t buy bags she knows she can’t fix, or pieces she already owns. She won’t spend more than $30 on a thrift trip, or $150 on an eBay auction. She also makes a point of wearing her bags in her everyday life.

Kim hopes her videos make people think twice before throwing away a damaged leather piece. Some of her followers have restored family heirlooms from the 1970s and 1980s by studying her videos, she said.

Sometimes, Kim thinks about the likelihood that with enough care, her bags will outlive her.

“There’s a lot of people who have personal stories about their first Coach bag, or their mom’s bag, or inheriting their grandmother’s coin purse,” Kim said. “That just makes me feel like they’re healing while I’m also healing, and that this is all circular.”

iarougheti@chicagotribune.com

©2024 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

As much fun as the holidays are, they’re exhausting. And after a long year of hard work, you can use a few days of rest. Or maybe a few weeks.

At the very least, you could use a few big fashion boosts to let you march into this upcoming year with your spirits lifted. So here are four great looks to help ring in 2024.

Something luxurious and ultra-comforting: That could mean a lot of different things to different people. Bottom line, it means this to many of us: cashmere. And not just in a blanket or in scarf form, but as a sweater. Because that means we get to wear it all day long. I recommend looking into Vince’s Plush Cashmere Funnel Neck Sweater ($425 on vince.com). Is it a steal? Nope. Is it a big statement-maker? Nope. But will it make you happy every time you slip on its incredibly soft, cosseting, flattering, high quality magic? Yes, so go for it.

Something to go for that new promotion in: Whatever kind of office you work in; in-person every day or every-so-often-when-you-feel-like-it; or completely virtual from across the country, there’s a good chance that at some point you’ll have to show up looking good. So you’ll need a confidence-boosting and office-friendly outfit that embraces your inner boss and encourages a thoughtful swagger. For that, I’d look to Veronica Beard. I love her cuts and clever, flattering way with jackets and pants. You can find my current favorite online: the Wright Wrap Dress ($548 on veronicabeard.com). It’s easy, sexy, comfortable, casual, and everything you need to kick your career into high gear next year.

Something to help you lean into winter: Although this winter so far just feels like one big mud season, even if it doesn’t get too terribly cold enough to ski, you can always use a pair of pants like the Glacier Bootcut Pant ($159 on athleta.gap.com), which come in black or bright white. Wear these 82% nylon and water-repellant numbers all day long indoors, and then for training outdoors wherever you want — they’re that durable.

Something for a new adventure: All the New Year’s resolutions to travel more in the world won’t change a thing if you don’t have the right bag. So get your gear lined up now — the Béis Carry-On Roller ($218 on beistravel.com) looks smart, tight, and cute, and it rolls and glides around airports like a dream. The wheels obey at 360-degrees, the trolley handle is cushioned with a silicone grip, and the interior expands so you can always bring a little more fun home after shopping. Which is, you know, possibly the very best way to start the new year.

Here are five iconic holiday looks for all kinds of occasions in the coming weeks.

A Bit of Black Watch Tartan

A favorite of Kate Middleton and Megan Markle thanks to its place as a revered tradition in Scotland, it pops up mostly around the holidays in America. And as fetching as it is on sharp-looking casual numbers like the Black Watch plaid Holland pant ($47 on factory.jcrew.com), with their slim and straight leg, I really fall for it in a fancier form for the holidays. Exhibit A: The Black Watch Plaid One-Shoulder Georgette Gown by Polo Ralph Lauren ($798 on neimanmarcus.com). The gorgeous one-shoulder neckline is fit for gala evenings and big nights out, with its sleeveless fit and flare silhouette and high-drama, floor-sweeping hem.

But of Course: Bold Red

It’s Julia Roberts breaking hearts at the opera with Richard Gere in “Pretty Woman.” It’s Nicole Kidman crooning with Ewan McGregor in “Moulin Rouge,” Marilyn Monroe’s sparkling showstopper in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” and Audrey Hepburn’s Givenchy sleeveless sheath in “Funny Face.” The red dress always creates a memorable moment, and holidays are just the big occasion for one. So kick your festivities up a notch with something as big-drama as the Sandra Plunge Crepe Trumpet Gown by Dress the Population ($198 on nordstrom.com).

Black is Always Back

Grace Kelly nailed it with her cinched-waisted and sheer-shouldered version in “Rear Window,” just as Anita Ekberg did in “La Dolce Vita” and, lest we forget, how Princess Diana got the world talking with her off-the-shoulder ‘revenge dress’ — the L.B.D. is the fastest way to ignite a party. Long the staple of New Year’s Eve shindigs, it’s also no stranger to Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations, or to office parties and festive dinners. So invest in a worthy and quality design, like the Maryse Cutout 3/4-Sleeve Midi Dress by Equipment ($325 on neimanmarcus.com). The below-the-knee length and keyhole neckline keep things prim and proper at first glance, but the bodycon silhouette and diamond open back and side slash pockets add some sexy daring.

The Gold Standard

No way is the tree going to be the only thing shining this season. Metallics are tailor-made for this time of year — especially gold. As illustrated by the long, lean, attention-getting machine that is Madewell’s Satin Maxi Slip Skirt ($98 on zappos.com). I love pairing it with a black cashmere turtleneck, or a tonal brown Fair Isle sweater and tweed jacket. Or lean even further into the sparkling nature of things with a bejeweled top.

A Flash of Winter White

Cameron Diaz pulled it off like a champ in her role as Amanda in “The Holiday.”  In the film, Diaz’s snuggly, low-key luxury wardrobe designed by Marlene Stewart is filled with fantastic cashmere and neutral tones, and in particular, whites. Her cream, fitted cashmere turtleneck is dreamy as all get-out — a là the Chiara Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater ($240 on bananarepublic.gap.com) — and appropriate for any dinner, drinks invitation, or holiday party from now through the end of the year. Wear it with faded denim to brunch just as easily as with a fitted pencil skirt to a girls night out. And really, onward through April, until the birds start chirping about Memorial Day.

But wouldn’t it be lovely to have a few gifts for yourself lined up? You know, some little indulgences to get you through this hectic season? It’s like putting your own oxygen mask on first. Because we all know this is going to be a marathon of thinking of others and an ongoing outpouring of selfless giving. So it only makes sense to punctuate that every now and then with a few treats for yourself.

I’m talking about just a few delightful things here and there —nothing that’ll send your bank account into the red before the holidays really even get rolling.

Let’s say you’re piling up the presents for everyone from the boutiques along Newbury Street, and along you come to Chanel. Do you then need to burden yourself with whether to splurge on an iconic 2.55 Bag for $10,200? No you do not. You can experience a surge of happiness by sidling up to the fragrance counter and instead treating yourself to a bottle of Coco Moisturizing Body Lotion ($64 on chanel.com).

Or, let’s say you’re between stocking up on stocking stuffers in Downtown Crossing. You’re feeling peckish. Duck into Yvonne’s (yvonnesboston.com) and settle in for a quick restorative bite. Just a moment to rest your feet beneath the glittering chandeliers, and then dip into the house’s lovely steak tartare with lavender aioli, and you’ll be back on the pavement again, happily hunting down more treasures.

Or, maybe you’re weaving your way through all of the Shops at The Prudential Center. Stop at the Polo Ralph Lauren store and make a beeline for the socks selection. There you’ll find a pick-me-up for your tootsies after all the walking around you’re doing — namely the soft and pretty knit Patchwork Crew Socks ($12 on ralphlauren.com) that you can toss on when you get home.

Coolidge Corner has so many shops to enjoy, not the least of which is The Giftsmith — a shop-within-a-shop — at Brookline Booksmith (brooklinebooksmith.com). It’s a challenge to resist buying some of their wares for yourself, and seriously — why even bother? Especially when they’ve got the kind of hand-painted ceramic mugs perfect for sipping your favorite tea from. And cool and colorful pakkawood chopsticks that elevate your next sushi dinner. Resistance is futile.

And let’s say you find yourself on a day trip to Portland to snag some of the fantastic handmade and artisanal gifts crafted by Maine makers in a plethora of boutiques — like chic-but-unpretentious newcomer Viand Mercantile (viandmercantile.com). Do yourself a solid and drop into Twelve (twelvemaine.com) on the waterfront, and head straight to the bar for a bracing Twelve Toddy and a plate of acclaimed pastry chef Georgia Macon’s divine holiday cookies. From her butter-rich eggnog shortbread to the chocolate crinkle cookies, each one is a work of art. And yes, you deserve to sit and savor every last bite.

Because whatever Santa decides, it’s about time you put yourself at the top of your own nice list.

And that means a little something shiny. Possibly a few sparkles. More gloss than you’d usually wear during daytime. A darker eyeliner and an unabashedly contoured cheekbone. And no one will bat a (bejeweled and extended) eyelash at any of it.

Here’s some of the latest and greatest wizardry in this year’s holiday makeup to play with. Have a blast.

First up is the Too Faced Under The Christmas Tree Breakaway Makeup Palette And Mascara ($99.99 on amazon.com). It’s three palettes that add up to 18 eyeshadows, a stunning bronzer, a blush and highlighter, plus a deluxe-sized Better Than Sex Mascara that will have your lashes looking luxurious.

On the shine-for-days front, Benefit Cosmetics Twinkle ‘n Jingle Palette ($44 on bloomingdales.com) is the way to bring the glow to every party you’re headed to. The collection of three blushes includes a dandelion baby-pink brightening blush, plus a nude-pink and a golden honey highlighter.

For all-around gorgeousness, MAC’s Holiday Heroes Kit ($79 on ulta.com) is a holiday-exclusive seven-piece collection for eyes, lips, and skin. It’s a doozy, packed with bestselling high-drama, deep red shades perfect for holiday outings in products like the company’s Lustreglass Lipstick, retro Matte Lipstick, and Brushstroke 24-Hour Liner.

Givenchy’s big-luxury holiday limited edition collection has just been released, and it’s super glammed up and sparkling for the season. The Le 9 De Givenchy Holiday Eyeshadow Palette ($67 on givenchybeauty.com) is nine luscious shades of garnet pinks and amethyst purples, peaches and shimmering taupes. I also love the line’s Le Rouge Sheer Velvet Holiday Lipstick ($44 on givenchybeauty.com), which, while vibrant, is also not so loud that it couldn’t be simply blotted twice and worn throughout the rest of the year.

On that same level of luxury is Chanel’s holiday line Lumiere Graphique ($88 on chanel.com) — a limited-edition eyeshadow palette inspired by the opulence and magic of the roaring ‘20s. The five contrasting shades (platinum beige, bronze, black, beige, and white) all add up to a smoky effect that can be played up or down, and are easy to layer and build.

And they’re a perfect match to the spectacular holiday lip offerings courtesy of Lady Gaga, via her Haus Labs line. This season she’s thrown down with an Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer Duo ($39 on hauslabs.com) – -two high-shine, super glossy shades (a beautiful sepia and a deep burgundy) powered by marine algae. Both have a staying power that lasts so long into the night, they give Santa’s stamina a run for its money.

So here are some of the essential styles you’ll want to add to your closet.

The dressy classic: We all need at least one easy-to-toss-on overcoat to take us through the season of holidays, dinners out, work events, and nice lunches. And when in doubt, the beautiful neutral shade of camel is always a sure bet. So how about this: A streamlined ode to the iconic camelhair, Lauren by Ralph Lauren’s Double Breasted Coat ($495 on bloomingdales.com) is a truly excellent choice in this category.

The adorable duffel: Otherwise known as a toggle coat or a Paddington coat (since a royal blue version of the style is worn by the famed and beloved stuffed Paddington Bear), the duffel coat is a design that flatters not only men and women — and bears, apparently — but all ages. One example, the Women’s Classic Lambswool Duffel Coat ($279 on llbean.com), looks as sweet over everyday sweaters and button-down dresses as it does sophisticated over black silk. Its warm hood, four faux leather toggle buttons, low-bulk insulation, and luxurious Italian lambswool keep you feeling cozy and looking streamlined.

The perfect puffer: They’re known for being ultra-warm, since down —real and synthetic — is a great insulator that creates thousands of air pockets that trap warm air and create the puffy effect. The design has upped its cachet hugely in the last several decades with the rise of big luxury ski brands like Canada Goose and Moncler. But I also love the LUX ($395 on therecycledplanetco.com) — a fantastic deal given its killer design. Its recycled shiny and cropped nylon shell, and recycled faux fur collar as well as the belt and sleeve quilt make it clear that feminine shaping and cool design go hand-in-hand with sustainable style.

The sure-thing shearling: What’s better than doubling your money and your favorite wardrobe options? The Reversible Faux Shearling Coat ($370 on bodenusa.com) does just that. On one side it’s a suave faux shearling coat that falls down to your mid-calf, then reverse it, and it’s a sumptuous faux suede overcoat. It’s practical (i.e. machine washable) and flattering, thanks to a semi-fitted shape. And I’m a fan of the generous front pockets, to carry all the things I can’t bear to leave at home.

The fluffy fleece: Casual days cry out for fleece, but too many are so overly boxy, we get lost in them. The Women’s Retro-X Fleece Coat ($229 on patagonia.com) has all the smart design elements we need —including a cute collar that zips into a wide funnel neck and a low hip length to make it ideal for layering. It also sports zippered front welted pockets that are trimmed with nylon and lined with cozy brushed tricot to keep your hands warm. Best of all, there’s the irresistible coziness: It’s made of 100% recycled polyester fleece in a Fair Trade Certified factory, which also means the people who made it earned a premium for their labor.

The wax jacket: Long the anglophile’s armor, this timeless design is the perfect garb for chilly (and foggy—if not downright wet) walks. Look to England’s luxury brand Barbour for a terrific version, in its Tan Townfield Wax Jacket ($560 on tnuck.com). The practical longline coat comes in a beautiful neutral color and goes incredibly well with everything from denim, Wellies, and a cashmere fisherman’s knit sweater to a smashing red satin dress. It highlights an oversized cord collar and long sleeves that you can fold back to reveal a pretty tartan lining. I especially love all of the pockets with zippers and snaps, so there are seemingly endless options about where to stash all of your stuff. Get one that’s a little roomy, and it’s ideal for throwing over multiple sweaters and scarves —perfect for layering up for all of what winter is about to throw at us.

“Basically, in directing myself it’s to step out of your way, trying to act like you are not the subject,” Hardison, an energized 80, explained in a Zoom interview.

“The good news is that whatever Frédéric wants to shoot, I could say, ‘OK, that makes sense.’ ‘OK, we’ll go to Mexico.’ ”

“For a while,” Cheng said, “I just want to say ‘Yes’ because it is about mutual respect. In the process of making the film I became even more impressed. It’s all about each of us trying to engage in a conversation that was meaningful. Trying to just have that dialogue.

“This is really about collaboration and when you put your best foot forward, trying to impress the other person. That’s when, hopefully, good things happen.”

Hardison was a Black woman pioneer in Manhattan’s garment district in the 1960s , a single mother who then made an impression as a new kind of runway model with a wired, emphatically personal style. In the ‘70s she broke barriers in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar

Hardison segued from modeling to being the first Black woman to run a fashion agency.  She co-founded with Iman the Black Girls Coalition to support Black models in the industry. Twelve years later, she shut it down and went off to Mexico.  Why?

“Because I never wanted to be in the model industry per se. I just did it to help somebody. By Year 12 I needed to do something more. That wasn’t meant for me to do forever. I did it very well. I had a white model, Black kids, Asian kids. I was really competitive to my counterparts of the other agencies.

“But when that time came in 1996, I needed to get out and get free. To see what else was there.”

“Invisible Beauty” boasts a remarkable lineup, a testament to her stature: Whoopi Goldberg, Zendaya,  Tracee Ellis Ross, Fran Lebowitz and the models Tyson Beckford, Pat Cleveland, Naomi Campbell.

A diplomat rather than adversarial, Hardison helped educate the fashion industry about diversity and the importance of representation with Black, Asian and otherwise unseen models.

What has she accomplished with “Invisible Beauty”?

“What we’ve been seeing,” Chen said, “is people get really inspired by how Bethann reinvented herself and just didn’t follow the rules.”

“It’s just taking yourself seriously,” Hardison concluded, “You have one life to live, and you need to make it the best it can be.”

“Invisible Beauty” is available on VOD

That really got its start in the early 1990s when a partnership between Self magazine and Evelyn Lauder emerged, and the very first pink ribbon popped up on the cover of the magazine, coinciding with over a million pink ribbons handed out at Estée Lauder makeup counters.

But since then, not all products and brands that have followed such success over the years have been true bearers of the torch. While many have and deserve our admiration and support, others have been criticized for hyping breast cancer awareness and donating to the cause, while simultaneously filling their products with chemicals that may be potentially harmful for the women who use them.

It’s something the community calls “pinkwashing,” and as Breast Cancer action.org describes it, it’s when “a company or organization that claims to care about breast cancer by promoting a pink ribbon product, but at the same time produces, manufactures and/or sells products containing chemicals that are linked to the disease.”

For that reason, I’m shining a light on a few of this year’s brands and products that not only have great style cred in their own right,  unequivocally support breast cancer awareness, and also prize clean and healthy products for women and are mindful of using safe ingredients.

Let’s start with Primally Pure — a deodorant that’s 100% natural. I get it. Body odor isn’t something you’re willing to risk walking around with, no matter how safe you want to be. But this non-toxic deodorant is concentrated and made with only a few pure ingredients. Instead of blocking sweat glands with lab-made chemicals, it revitalizes your skin. Throughout October, $1 per order (on all Breast Care Collection products) will be donated to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (bcpp.org), up to $15,000. Look for it at primallypure.com/collections/breast-care-collection.

One of my favorite clean nail companies is PLA Nails, which just this month launched a new PLA Lacquer Polish Line. Founder Michelle Nguyen designed it with our health in mind. The collection includes 290 colors to match the current Gel Polish Collections. PLA Nail Products don’t contain formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, or toluene. They’re also free of formaldehyde resin, camphor, parabens, xylene, phthalates, fragrances, and animal ingredients. And they’re all still utterly gorgeous. No wonder they’re loved by everyone from Selena Gomez to Blake Lively. Look for the new line at plapro.com.

Locally, I’m giving big snaps to Elena Frankel and Carolyn Barber—the duo have just opened Flyte 70, a niche beauty boutique in Wellesley. Frankel and Barber are makeup gurus with a passion for beauty lines —including their own age-positive line, also called Flyte 70 — that are independently owned, vegan, cruelty-free, making sustainable strides, and using mindful formulas. Through the end of October they’re donating 20% of all sales of any pink lipsticks to the Ellie Fund. Find out more at flyte70.com.

With a name like ‘100% Pure,’ you know from the get-go exactly what you’re putting on your body. The brand’s makeup line is pigmented by fruit, and skincare is vegan and cruelty-free — both have built a sizable following. And this month its spotlight is on the Breast Cancer Awareness Set ($57 on 100percentpure.com), which includes a hydrating Rose Water Milk, refreshing Rose Mist, and a gentle cleanse of Micellar Water. A portion of proceeds are donated to The Keep A Breast Foundation (keep-a-breast.org).

Have you heard of Beautycounter yet? It’s a leader in clean skincare and cosmetics. With a mission to get safer products into the hands of, well, everyone, it’s banned more than 2,800 ingredients from the products it sells, and has influenced the passage of 14 pieces of health-protective legislation to advance product safety. And they sell everything from hydra-gel toners and brow gels to exfoliators to lip jellies. It’s as fun and fantastic as any online beauty shop you can imagine, but it feels more like a movement than anything. Check it out at the beautycounter.com.

And then there’s Lemongrass Spa, which started — and continues — on a mission to reduce people’s exposure to chemicals by formulating safe, natural skincare. All four of the brand’s products are included in the limited edition Pink Box of Hope ($39 on ourlemongrassspa.com). That means a nail treatment stick, a lip butter, a hydrating body treatment, and a healing balm. And through October, $1 from the purchase of every Pink Box of Hope purchase goes to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (bcpp.org) to support science and advocacy to improve the safety of cosmetics.

I’m so thrilled to see so many individuals and groups getting behind a cause this important to women’s health. Let’s keep the awareness going all year long!

It’s been decades since the first pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness came along under the Susan G. Komen Foundation in 1991. And since then, the pink ribbon has become an almost ubiquitous symbol of the campaign for breast cancer awareness, and is found all over pink merchandise — some of which very legitimately puts proceeds toward breast cancer research, while some other products have been accused of using it as a marketing tool while actually giving little toward the cause.

I’m recommending products that I not only love in their own right, but that also give a decent amount, so your dollars actually make a difference.

One current partnership I love beyond measure — because 100% of the proceeds are donated and it’s a gorgeous piece that’s absolutely sustainable — is Apaya’s Pink Anastasia bag ($300 on apaya.org). The stunner is woven of Iraca Palm, festooned with pink flower appliqué details, and yes, a full 100% of the proceeds throughout October go to Susan G. Komen.

ChappyWrap’s partnered with the American Cancer Society and created a specially curated collection of cozy and warm blanket designs ($135 on chappywrap.com), including a beautiful “Ribbon of Courage Blanket” and a “Garden of Hope Blanket.” The company matched donations to the American Cancer Society, and from now through the end of the month, they’re offering complimentary embroidery.

This month at Gretta Luxe, my boutique in Wellesley, we’ve got a lot going on for the cause. We did a donation event earlier this month to kick things off, and are accepting clothing donations throughout the month to go to Cancer Cartel (cancercartel.org), a wonderful group that provides financial resources and relief to those undergoing cancer treatment — from gas money to groceries. So bring your lightly loved luxury items in and you’ll receive 20% toward new-for-fall arrivals.

We’re also donating portions of our sales to the Ellie Fund (elliefund.org), which provides all kinds of support services to breast cancer patients in treatment living or receiving treatment in Massachusetts. (And what they provide is essential — things like grocery gift cards, meal delivery, transportation, gas cards, childcare reimbursement, and integrative therapies.)

And I love the clothes we’ve picked out for the cause — fantastic pieces like the Isabel Marant Étoile Top ($385 on gretta.co), dotted with delicate pink florals and a pretty twist front, and the gorgeous and ruffled Simona dress by Ulla Johnson ($570 on gretta.co). Some pieces are on sale, too — like the Gracelynn Silk Dress by Veronica Beard ($119.60 on gretta.co), which is a steal at 80% off its original price.

Ready to put your best feet forward in fighting for the cause? Birkenstock has joined forces with celebrity stylist Leslie Fremar to design the limited-edition velvety pink Arizona ($110 on birkenstock.com) in a pretty petal pink, and is donating 20% of its sales to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Anyone who knows and loves Sea Bags will no doubt also love the launched of their 17th annual “Cure” Collection — three designs emblazoned with fuchsia anchors against Breton stripes. I’m especially partial to the Cure Breton Stripe and Fuchsia Anchor Tote ($160 on seabags.com). And now through the end of the year, 20% of all purchase sales from the collection will go back to Maine Cancer Foundation’s efforts in the areas of prevention, early detection, and access to care.

So are you ready? Set? Get cozy.

Fall demands sumptuous pillows, as well as tones both vibrant and earthy. And for menswear-inspired patterns. That includes the likes of Ralph Lauren Home’s Althea Throw Pillow ($250 on ralphlauren.com). With its structured plaid patterns and leather-knotted buttons, it works on beds as well as it does on sofas.

Also irresistibly soft — and also pretty in plaid — is the Lambswool Pillow Cover ($99 on williams-sonoma.com). The luxurious accent pillow takes traditional patterns and modernizes them into a new multicolored configuration in yarn-dyed wool in a twill weave.

The comfort zone certainly doesn’t end there. Find more lambswool action in the Lambswool Throw ($229 on rejuvenation.com) in Multi Lambswool, woven by artisans at one of Ireland’s oldest weaving mills. The nature-inspired block pattern is a kaleidoscope of perfect fall colors— overlapping squares of beet, rust, tomato, gray, and ochre. The tassel-fringed blanket lights up a room, with all the glorious colors of an autumn sunset.

In that same vein is The Horizon Throw ($159 on roomandboard.com). This design is absolutely stunning to look at and wrap yourself up in — I love it in Terracotta, in a plaid melding tangerines, aquas, and dark  persimmon. It’s woven by Elvang, a small Danish team that works directly with Peruvian farmers to create beautiful textiles, maintaining jobs and educational programs in the region. Elvang’s partners use sustainable and animal-friendly wool harvesting practices.

They say a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to make a big change at home, and that’s certainly true. But take that one step further, and you’ve got all kinds of dramatic new wallpaper. It’s time to starting thinking vertically. And far more boldly.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper has all but revolutionized how we think about our walls. Now there are so, so many more cool and wildly creative options, fantastical patterns, and tromp de l’oeil graphics. But for fall, I love the heavily artistic, richly colored and deep nuances of patterns like Year of the Rabbit Wallpaper by nickleen ($109.65 for 2′ x 12′ on spoonflower.com) — a medley of taupe rabbits and flora on a deep woodsy emerald background. It’s downright dreamy.

Or maybe it’s time for some deep tartan love. Perigold’s Derby Plaid ($158 per roll on perigold.com) is by Mind The Gap — a line using eco-friendly water-based inks, natural and recyclable fibers like linen and cotton, with no plastics. This pattern isn’t stick and peel (you’ll need to paste them up yourself) but the patterns are so gorgeous, it’s worth the small bit of extra effort. And you’ll want them to stay up for decades.

Meanwhile, I love setting seasonal nods to the outdoors as accent motifs around the house. For example, place one of the Gold Topped Decorative Acorns ($20 on antique antiquefarmhouse.com) and set it in a dark bowl, like the Mason Stoneware Footed Serving Bowl ($59 on potterybarn.com). It’s a pretty piece of decor for side tables, entryways, or coffee tables. Or, add two more of the acorns — they’re four inches long apiece — and you’ve got yourself an artful dining table centerpiece.

It goes without saying that decorating any home extends to the outside, too. So grab the front door and find a spot for a highly textured but minimalist display like the Bristol Fall Wreath ($99.50 on grandinroad.com). The faux floral wreath is elegant, dotted with miniature white pumpkins, and festooned with feathers and ferns in neutral tones. I love that it works indoors or out, and is a perfect big welcome to fall.

With all due respect to other materials — fluffy Angora, say, or warming boiled wool, or maybe a super practical fleece — nothing is quite like cashmere. The extreme comfort it affords makes every moment of my day 100% better.

Of course, not all cashmere is created equal. There are many different levels of quality. Some are sustainable (my preference), and others aren’t. A few fun facts about cashmere: It comes from the undercoat of a specific goat that originated in Kashmir, and the best quality fibers are thought to come from that breed who live in Mongolia now. Cashmere is naturally moisture-wicking, meaning it adjusts to all different kinds of environments and temperatures. And it gets softer with time. As long as you take good care of it (I brush mine softly and carefully between wearings to take care of any pilling), it will last for many years and remain a super solid investment.

This fall, I can’t wait to get my hands on a handful of new designs. For example:

For starts there’s Naadam’s Cashmere Striped Boyfriend V-Neck Sweater ($195 on naadam.co). Naadam is a company that supports sustainable cashmere by offering living wages across their supply chain, holding primary suppliers accountable for social and environmental performance, and investing in Mongolian herder communities where they get their wool from. They also have some downright beautiful sweaters, like this cool and graphic black-and-white statement number, with a soft v-neck that has a relaxed fit and very modern shape. I’m looking forward to wearing it with slim black cigarette pants, as well as a long black pencil skirt and chunky black boots.

I’ve long been a huge fan of Stella McCartney, and she’s a big winner in the recycled cashmere department. She’s been using only recycled cashmere in her designs since 2016, and the result is a product that’s still soft-as-can-be, but has an environmental impact that’s seven times lower than conventional cashmere. And her designs are absolutely spectacular. Witness her Rib-Knit Regenerated Cashmere Cape Jumper ($1,190 on stellamccartney.com) in oat or black. Yes, it’s a splurge, but as with everything Stella creates, the quality is sky-high; in this case the rib-knit sports an elevated roll neck, and the armhole slits allow it to be worn with its balloon sleeves or as a cape — making it so versatile, you’ll be wearing it almost throughout fall.

Tossing on a cashmere wraps is one of the most iconic experiences of fall. J. Crew has vastly deepened its Cashmere Shop, and there you’ll find the company’s Oversized Cashmere Wrap ($198 on jcrew.com) in colors ranging from dark walnut to camel. Is there any more versatile accessory? Wear it over evening dresses. Keep it at your desk at the office for when it gets chilly. Or roll it up and swirl it around your neck as a warm scarf with a denim jacket. They’ve partnered with Aid by Trade Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable agricultural development across the globe. So you can feel good wearing in, in more ways than one.

Texture plays such a big part in how we feel while wearing cashmere, and that means you can’t ignore things like cable and other chunky knits. Et voila: The Lumi Cabled Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater ($299 on garnetgarnethill.com). In a beautiful shade of deep pinkish red, I can’t imagine anything more fetching—or more soft—this fall, with its rolled-edge details and boxy silhouette. I can see myself wearing this with no less than 20 different pairs of pants, and so many skirts, it may even seem a little disappointing when spring rolls around and it’s time to pack it away for something a little lighter.

Things got off to a hot start at Rodarte, designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy had flowers on the brain — big huge blossoms and powerful petals. They were there in bold, bright colors and beaded fabrics, and absolutely huge ruffles.

One of the most anticipated shows of the week was Peter Do’s debut at Helmut Lang. (He worked for Celine’s Phoebe Philo, and designers Eli Russell Linnetz and Thakoon Panichgul sat in his front row.) It seems pretty safe to say he revived serious interest in the ‘90s brand with his fresh take on bubble silhouettes, loads of denim paired with minimalist, low-slung pants and pops of loud pink. (Note: Barbiecore shows no sign of diminishing.)

Arguably the biggest deal was the triumphant return of Ralph Lauren to New York’s runways. On hiatus for about a year and a half, he held came out guns — or make that celebrities — blazing. In his front row sat Jennifer Lopez, Diane Keaton, Amanda Seyfried, and Julianne Moore, who thrilled to Lauren’s designs that come out on O.G. supermodels like Christy Turlington and Natalia Vodianova. His signature rustic-met-with refinement was everywhere — with feathery embellishments on denim, one-shouldered gold lamé dresses, and tuxes. It was a decadent — and ultra-fun — way to kick off the shows.

Over the weekend, Proenza Schouler didn’t fail to wow (do they ever?) with cool-as-can-be bleached straight-leg jeans and mesh tees that definitely begged for breezy spring days. In contrast to that simplicity were mesh dresses made from artisanal ribbon and embroidery that were more about spring weddings and cocktail parties.

When Jason Wu took to the stage on Sunday, he offered all kinds of raw-edged, bias-cut slip dresses that spelled pure American romanticism. Some of them were alone, some over pants, but always in delicate fabrics and oozing confidence. They were diaphanous, sometimes lacey, and always pretty. I also really appreciated — as always — Philip Lim’s never-boring American sportswear. Never one to offer the expected, he presented wide-legged khakis and jaunty scarf dresses I can’t wait to wear on the first balmy days.

And at Khaite, Catherine Holstein sent scads of tough-chic looks down the catwalk at Park Avenue Armory— including lots of black-on-black and body con shapes, Moto jackets, and boxy blazers. When there was white in among that black, it was refreshingly billowy, flowing, and as ethereal as a cloud — as with the big-sleeved tunics, tailored paneled jackets, and cinched-waisted trenches.

On Monday, out came Rentrayage. The New York- and Brooklyn-based brand by Erin Beatty has made a name for itself in the sustainability realm for upcycling with creativity and cool, and this season was no different. Newly stitched-up and fitted button-down shirts flattered and inspired, and ruffled blazers walked the line between office wear and the stuff of Sunday-Funday for brunches everywhere.

No one could stop talking about Tuesday’s Brandon Maxwell show — a delightful and absolutely beautifully edited rollout of flowing neutral looks. Head-to-toe tunics over body-skimming skirts, belted and gauzy wraps; evening-ready all-black mesh dresses; fantastic oversized bell-shaped v-neck tops over skinny bellbottoms; and nicely tailored jackets paired with frayed denim — a refreshing nod to real-life dressing as seen from the runway.

Make like a tree and exfoliate

It isn’t just forests that need to shed their excess and dying outer layers; we do too. Our skin naturally does so constantly, but fall is a great time to gently help it along, since starting in a month or so we’ll be inside a lot more. Exfoliating is crucial for radiant and healthy skin, and scrubs are one of the easiest ways to get a good effect. Using one like

— just spread an even layer over clean, dry skin, leave on for 10 minutes, then massage into skin and rinse—is a great way to slowly resurface skin gently over the next couple of months.

Making the hydration switch

Since fall and winter weather in New England is often drier than summer, mid-late September is the best time to make changes that will keep your skin from drying out in the upcoming months.

Skin hydration comes from the inside as well as the outside, so start refocusing on making sure you drink up. We’ve all heard the advice to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, but The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has determined that the right daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups per day for men and 11.5 cups for women. Meanwhile, making sure to get enough healthy fats to your diet (like avocado and salmon) can add moisture to your skin easily, naturally, and deliciously. Likewise, a humidifier like the Levoit VeSync Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart Humidifier ($79.99 on target.com) can do wonders for re-hydrating your face and bod.

It’s also smart to swap out your lighter summer moisturizer for a heavier one this time of year. For one deeply rich in rejuvenating Omega 3 and 6 oils and fatty acids — the same great stuff that’s in those avocados and salmon — that plump skin while you sleep, there’s Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Botanical Night Cream ($45 on kiehls.com). And for masks that rejuvenate, I like the ease of Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost and Hydrating Hydrogel Mask ($26.99 for 10 on amazon.com) — just pop it on after a shower (rather than before, so the shower opens your pores and they will be better able to absorb the hyaluronic acid in the mask).

Keeping the glow going

Can you reasonably prolong a tan, and look natural? The answer is yes, and in more ways than one. For starters, don’t forget that you can still slip out to your favorite chaise on weekends on sunny weekend days. But don’t neglect the SPF —those rays can still do their damage any time of year, and they’re still quite strong now.

If you were never one for real-deal sun exposure this season in the first place — or are just done with all of it at after the summer — then turn to a brilliant glowing product. For people with dry skin, I recommend a cream or gel, whereas people with oily skin do best with a powder. No matter what you use, make sure you blend (about three times more than you might think you need to, since badly blended bronzer is the #1 telltale sign that you’re sporting a fake tan), and then be sure to check your makeup in natural light to make sure your look is as smooth as your transition from summer to fall will (no doubt) be.

Here are the must-haves of the oncoming season:

A chunky heel bootie: It’s a perennial favorite—the classic piece of footwear that complements nearly every outfit, from dresses and denim to miniskirts and lace maxi skirts and even many cocktail dresses. But I love it most for daytime, and because its wide sexy heel gives a bit of height but still keeps things comfortable and sturdy, so you can move with ease and confidence — which is the most flattering thing of all. This year’s best-in-show version is the Island Boot by Kelsi Dagger Brooklyn ($195 on nordstrom.com) — a stacked heel with a supple leather upper that’s as sturdy as it is sleek.

A long suede or leather boot: Few things change the mood of a look like these. Slide them on over leggings, and you’re suddenly a woman on a mission. Pair them with a dress, and you’ve achieved icon status. My current favorites are the Suede Waterproof Velma Boots  by Blonde ($320 on truck.com) –they’re about as chic and versatile as boots come. A low stacked heel keeps things comfy, a back panel that stretches allows you to ease them over anything (including regular jeans), and they truly are waterproof, setting them up as a staple of your season.

Rad sneakers: The right pair delivers style, comfort, and versatility. Wear them to the kids’ soccer games, or on date night. Wear them to the art opening, or a party. These days sneakers are so chic, they aren’t any kind of sartorial sacrifice. Exhibit A: The Leopard Mid Star by Golden Goose ($685 on gretta.co). I sell these at my boutique in Wellesley because I adore their take-no-prisoners luxe details like leopard-print in calf suede, the ionic star patch, and their mid-top silhouette.

A ladylike evening shoe: When stepping out means dressing up a little, don’t mess around. Slingbacks are the answer — their timeless elegance calls to mind carefully coifed women with perfect lipstick and even better poise. I love The Tess Slingbacks ($79) by Draper James, with their demure pointy toe and oversized soft bows. And their other details delight, too: the scalloped metal buckle, and LWG-certified sustainable sueded leather, plus memory foam sock padding, so you can dance the night away without regretting it later.

A casual scarf: One the great pleasures of fall, in my book, is feeling a little chill, and reaching for a soft and cozy scarf. Wear it unwrapped around your neck until you need it. Mark & Graham has a fantastic one —the Italian Colorblock Blanket Scarf ($49 on markandgraham.com) — in camel-navy multi, that can easily be monogrammed as an extra style flex.

A classic silk scarf: I you don’t already have one, get one pronto. If you already have one, then get another. There’s simply no explaining the amount of chic they add to any outfit — from a tailored wool suit or a silk dress to a white T-shirt. And fall is the ideal time to tie one around your neck, either beneath a button-down shirt’s collar, or in a loose knot above a crew-necked blouse or dress. Chanel or Hermés are the obvious choices, but there are so many options. Right now I love the Lanternes, Ballons et Cocardes Scarf 90 by Hermés ($510 on hermes.com) for its dazzling retelling of the story of Noah’s Ark, with intricate rolled edges. It’s a work of art.

A carry-everything tote: Fall is the season when we all get back to work, right? So find a bag that will be the biggest weapon in your work arsenal. It needs to fit all kinds of everything — makeup, tablets, keys, files, phones, and anything else your day requires. Enter the Daily Tote by Kate Spade ($107.70 on surprise.katespade.com). It has a long handle drop, so you can easily have it on your arm while you simultaneously reach in to grab things, and as roomy as it is, it’s design is compact — so no matter what, it always looks pulled together.

A killer evening bag: Metallics and crystal are a huge flex for fall bags this year, and tasteful amounts of glitz are always welcome for punctuating nighttime looks. Which is why my eyes are on Loeffler Randall’s Layne Pleated Metallic Clutch ($275 on bloomingdales.com) this season. It’s glam without clashing with anything else you’re wearing, and is eye-catching without taking the attention off of you — which is what this season should be all about.

And this year there’s a wide swath of new looks to try, from smoky eyes and holographic lip glosses to glowing skin and barely-there foundations that yield dewy complexions.

Smoldering eyes

From the catwalks at New York Fashion Week last spring (showcasing so many of this fall’s best looks) at shows like Alice + Olivia, came a bevy of smoky and big-drama eyes. Turn up the volume on yours by using this new technique: outline your eyes with liner, then when blending eyeshadow, add a bit more along your lower lash line to intensify the look for evening. For colors, check out Dior’s Show 5 Couleurs ($68 on dior.com) in Rouge Saga, a limited collection of five shades—matte, satin, and metallic finishes in deep copper and browns. Finish it off with a favorite jet-black lengthening mascara like Urban Decay Perversion Mascara ($28 on ulta.com).

Bold lips

There’s absolutely nothing shy about lips this fall, starting with holographic glosses like Lip Lustre ($32 on surrattbeauty.com), a super high-shine and non-sticky gloss. It glides on smoothly (over lipstick for an even higher voltage effect or on its own) and flawlessly draws attention with big-time shimmer. And offbeat colors are having a moment too — a la Gigi Haddad wearing slate gray lipstick at the CFDA Awards, or Doja Cat recently sporting it in a shade of blue. Grab your own version in MAC’s Matte Lipstick ($17.25 on maccosmetics.com) in Deep Blue.

Minimal face makeup

Seen all over the runways, dewy complexions and clean skin were the backdrops  to the above big-drama colors on lips and eyes. A light hand with foundation and then a barely-there brush of light pink blush added a pretty sense of healthy life at shows like Carolina Herrera’s. A new favorite of mine is Miracle Balm by Jones Road ($38 on jonesroadbeauty.com). It’s a light and soft-focus moisture base that reflects light and can be worn alone or on top of your existing foundation as an enhancer.

Big, bold brows

Natural and multi-dimensional brows are a big thing this year, especially for fall. So give what you’ve already got going on a solid boost with products like Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo ($23 on anastasiabeverlyhills.com). It will help define your face in ways you didn’t see coming — and serve as a framework for showcasing the rest of all your beautiful features.

And if you’re one of them, or are sending a child off to college, you know that turning a drab dorm into a comfortable, welcoming space is of primary importance.

The very good news is that decorating options have seriously leveled up. There are tons to choose from, in terms of cool gadgets and organizing systems, affordable essentials and comfy textiles, as well as fun furnishings to add style and personality, and make a kid feel happy and in his or her element.

Here are a few ideas to start the year off right.

Get things rolling by setting a unique background with peel and stick wallpapers — from cool trompe-l’œil red brick patterns like Bryanna Pell & Stick Brick Wallpaper ($1.20 per sq. ft. on wayfair.com) that has the vibes of a cool city loft, to the bountifully ornate and colorfully patterned Ottoman Wallpaper ($188; anthropologie.com), which makes the place feel like some kind of grand mansion — minus the grand.

Ready to get seriously styled up? Then go with a headboard. The Roller Rabbit Charging Rounded Headboard ($499 on dormify.com)  — in high-drama patterns like Amanda Pink and Jemina Blue — turn your room into a splendid spot to slumber worthy of a hotel. It also includes charging outlets, to make it easy to recharge your devices while you sleep.

Meanwhile, stay as cool as you look while you sleep — everyone always forgets how hot dorm rooms get deep into September every year — with a sweet little fan like the Vornado VFAN Mini Classic Personal Vintage Air Circulator Fan ($39.99 on amazon.com). Super cute with retro styling, it comes in a slew of colors and is also quiet enough not to bug your roommate.

The dearth of closet space in dorm rooms is notorious, so maximizing space is always a smart flex. For example? The 36-Pocket Over the Door Organizer ($29 on dormify.com) is a perfect way to keep shoes from piling up and taking over the bottom of the closet or the floor. Or get creative and use the pockets to store snack packs to be easily grabbed during all-nighters.

It’s pretty amazing how much time college students spend sitting, so doing so in total comfort is crucial. A bedrest pillow makes that possible — especially one like the Wicked Plush Backrest ($64.95 on llbean.com), which is about as soft as they come, and sports a built-in pocket to hold a phone or remote. And a lap desk sure seems like the perfect accessory to that, doesn’t it? As nice as it is to have a real desk and all, it’s tough to beat relaxing your back into an incredibly soft thing while being able to work at the same time.

As for bringing in some inspiring design around you, rugs are a key add in that respect. For that I love the Aloha Outdoor Area Rug ($55.60 on macys.com) — at 3’6″ x 5’6″, it’s a good size for the center of a room, and its cheerful and mod dahlia design brightens things up in a snap. Plus, its indoor-outdoor construction makes it easy to clean , in case any beverages (ahem) spill on it.

Oh, and cute accessories matter, too. Which is why I’m a big fan of the funny, adorable, and extremely wise pillows ($11.99 on amazon.com) that say “Be safe / Have Fun / Don’t Do Stupid (expletive)/ Love, Mom” on one side and “Call Your Mom” on the other. Just in case they need reminding, right?

And then there’s their incredible utility: With their flexible material and variable sizes — these things can get huge — they range from demure little cases that stay buttoned-up for evening to big baskets that are so roomy I could fit just about everything I need for the day in them. So here, according to what I’m using them for, are my current favorites for the rest of the summer:

For the office: The Chloe Sense Woven Palm Basket Tote ($850 on nordstrom.com) is both a big statement and a big tote. It’s inspired by Spanish market bags, but sports big wide leather straps that keep it very much within the working world. It’s roomy enough to hold folders and a laptop, as well as a makeup bag and anything else you need to toss in.

For the beach: The Striped Seagrass Beach Bag ($79.99 on markandgraham.com) is an organic and pretty choice for any natural environment, but works especially well at the beach, since its boxy structure stands on its own. The fact that it’s handmade by a woman-owned and operated organization in the Philippines in an added bonus.

For weekend road trips: A little equestrian flair rears its head in the iconic logo and contrasting leather trim on Longchamp’s Woven Canvas Basket Bag ($235 on saksfifthavenue.com). But beyond the style and design value, there’s the practicality factor: It’s got removable body straps and a snap closure, plus an interior slip pocket, so you can keep all kinds of things easily accessible inside.

For the farmer’s market: With its long handles and expansive interior, the Raffia Black Tote With Leather Handle ($79.50 on rockflowerpaper.com) is a shopper’s BFF. Load it up with fresh veggies and flowers or artisanal cheeses — the strong handles can take it. There’s also an inside pocket for credit cards and your phone, and a cotton pull closure.

For lunch with the ladies: With its tidy leather trim along the edges, the Remi Tote ($321 on cultgaia.com) is a perfect happy medium between elegant and rustic. I love the slit that creates the handle and gold-toned signature on the side of the bag, as well as the generous size.

For gardening: When you need something sturdy and almost bucket-like, but that’s also going to look  beautiful, reach for the Carol Straw Bamboo Handle Carryall ($69.99 on saltandumber.com). It’s extra large, too, and it stands on its own, so your hands are free to deadhead roses and collect geraniums. Meanwhile, it’s made with all-natural materials, so it’s every bit as plant-based as everything you’re putting in it.

For evening: You didn’t think straw was only limited to day, did you? The Petra Natural Pouch Bag ($750 on serenauziyel.com) proves otherwise. The softly woven stunner features three natural stones hanging decoratively with natural jute, and a clasp that fastens to another small stone — it’s as simple and elegant as the breeziest of summer days.