We had occasion to be in the water this past weekend, and we were reminded of a critically important element in any woman’s summer wardrobe:  The Cover-Up. It is a mitigator of bumps here and lumps there, an all-purpose weapon for beach, pool or hot tub.

In short, the cover-up is our BFF.

Its entire job description is to make us look casually chic while wearing a swimsuit, which is challenging on multiple levels. It must be pretty wet or dry. It must rise to the complexities of beach breezes (more…)

There are some trends better off left in the ’70s. We can think of several, but we’re not going to name them here for fear that someone will resurrect them and start mass-producing them again. Honestly, we can learn from history.

But we’ll participate gladly in the renewed zest for the peasant top, those gathered, often billowy blouses that flatter nearly anyone and cover a host of little sins. Worn over khakis or trousers, they take you to work (we like this Alberto Makali tunic at Nordstrom ($165, above), with

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The Style Insider is having a little tantrum. We seem to be yearning for a Bermuda-shorts kind of life, for days filled with beaches and golf courses and cocktails. Wouldn’t that be nice? So we’re shopping.

When we say Bermuda shorts, what we mean is plaid. We don’t want wimpy little normal shorts. We want shorts that look like they’re on a holiday, like they’re taking a vacation from their normal little (more…)

Be still our hearts. The Outnet is open.

The Outnet is the just-launched online outlet store of Net-a-Porter, arguably the Web’s dreamiest shopping site. Its combination of designer wear, shoes and handbags is unparalleled (and hey, if you know a site that beats it, please please let us know), but the prices tend to be designer as well.

Which means The Style Insider’s brain threw a little neuron party when we saw some of the numbers on Outnet — 50 percent off, 60 percent off, 70 percent off. We have died and gone to heaven.

The designers are there — McQueen, Sui, Chloe, Choo. There’s Marc (more…)

“When love is not madness, it is not love.”

So said Spanish playwright Pedro Calderon de la Barca, and we think he must have been speaking of Valentine’s Day. It’s a complicated occasion, presiding over February like royalty, just waiting for us to bow to its demands of roses and chocolate. The Style Insider knows this, and we are here to uncomplicate it for you. We’ve found 10 great heart-shaped pieces of jewelry guaranteed to placate that troublesome little toddler with the bow and arrow:

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You have successfully worked through our selection of sleek, sassy and sexy looks for our “New Year’s Eve 101″ curriculum. 

Now we turn to a more gentle style approach.

You don’t have to be 5 years old to pull off ruffles and frills. These very sweet and stylish looks prove it.

1. Juicy Couture cascading ruffles chiffon dress in black, $378

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True story: We once knew a mother who made her children get dressed, have their hair brushed and even eat breakfast before they could see what Santa brought on Christmas morning. We like this family otherwise, but this made an impression that we have not been able to shake.

Thus, here is our detailed Christmas morning routine: We get coffee, and we put on slippers. Amen.

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