The rich plaid looks from Ralph Lauren's Fall 2008 collection have been stuck in my head — does anything say glamour, coziness, and hunting-lodge chic like this? They're looks that would be just as relevant now — I mean, look at how cool the structured jackets are with their oversize collars, especially as we go into the holidays. This collection is an oldie, but such a goodie, so I went on the, ahem, hunt, for some pieces that could work now. Keep reading to see what I found and how you should wear it now.

Remember to Accessorize: A belt is a genius way to break up a big print and also to create shape: one of the things that worked so well about this collection was using a belt to create beautiful, curvy silhouettes. The use of feathers was also dramatic, giving it that English hunting expedition feel, so capture that with a clutch or earrings — or even a hat.

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On Fab's evergreen list of must haves, there has always been a "bow-back LBD" after seeing a dreamy version in Sofia Coppola's Louis Vuitton ad campaign a few years ago. Today marks an auspicious shopping day as we found this BHLDN "Nexus" dress ($240), which echoes that romantic feeling of Sofia's dress. Why is this dress so perfect? First of all, it's a bit surprising — super classic in the front, even a bit conservative — but twirl around and you have this ultra flirty bow! It's great for anyone who wants to show a little skin, but in a subtle way. Did we mention the pockets? Yes, this dress has pockets, which these days is more common, but it's still an added bonus for those who like to dance with their lip gloss and phone on them.
You will get a ton of mileage out of this dress, for years to come. It's swingy and fun, but classic enough that it will never feel out of date. You can add whatever kind of jewelry you want, but we suggest a pair of vintage-feeling pendant earrings and a simple bracelet or cocktail ring.

You can credit Christian Dior with the modern pencil skirt: he designed the "H" skirt in the 1940s, and it came to represent prim and proper office wear for women. By what we've seen in street style and on the Spring 2013 runways, the pencil skirt has evolved in the coolest way, and the new way to wear it is a far cry from the elegant but buttoned-up look we always imagine. It's much sportier, and you could play with proportions with a slouchy sweatshirt or make it sexy with a fitted tank. We're huge fans of Derek Lam's pencil-and-pullover look, because the slouchiness downplays the sexiness of a pencil (and we really love not having to suck in, you know?). However, for an evening look, and if you have an embellished skirt that has a bit more volume, a sexy tank à la Altuzarra looks pretty incredible. Just keep everything else ultrasimple — hair in a ponytail, minimal makeup. It's also best to keep the tank in a neutral tone, and go for a classic ribbed style if you really want to emulate the feel of the Altuzarra look. We did some searching for pencil skirt looks to try out now, so get clicking.

If you haven't jumped on the colored-jean train yet, never fear — it's still going, and right now would be an ideal time to join. Our favorite find might be these bluer-than-the-Caribbean-Sea jeans by THVM — pronounced "them"— that come in at a cool $130. What we love about them: they're a higher rise, great for tucking in a little tank just like the model in the picture; the two-tone twill has spandex for some sweet stretch; and they've got a superlong inseam, which is great for heels, but even better for cuffing.

In my quest to find a swimsuit that gives my post-baby body plenty of coverage and curves, I've found two solutions: neoprene and nonstop Pilates. Let's go with neoprene for now. The lightweight rubber material, used in scuba gear, helps suck you in and smooth over dimples and rolls, curing you from a case of the jiggles. A wetsuit, however, is not the answer.
Enter Lisa Marie Fernandez, the fashion-stylist-cum-swimsuit-designer who made neoprene fashionable with her line of sleek and, yes, sporty (but mostly sleek) suits. This season, she partnered with British designer Peter Pilotto (and prints master) to create a collection of gorgeous printed swimwear. My favorite is the Farrah ($495). The maillot features curved seam details to add some shape to the midsection, cap sleeves to make arms look thinner, and a sexy front zip to show off decolletage à la a classic Bond girl. At $495, it's not a guilt-free buy, but after trying on so many suits that don't help, it's worth it to find one that does. Plus, I'm totally obsessed with the artful print.

Parisian designer Shourouk Rhaiem first had me hooked with an insanely beautiful crystal bird statement necklace, but that was $700, and I was looking for a slightly smaller investment. That's when I came across her crystal and rope bracelets ($210). The mix of pastel and neon crystal with woven cord feels simultaneously regal and sporty, the combination of which I equate with perfection. You could totally stack these, but just one is enough, and it would also make a great gift, no?

A friend texted me with a fashion favor: "Have a million random parties coming up. Need something easy. Don't want to look like a dork. And want to wear it all the time. Ideas?" I immediately thought of Gwyneth Paltrow at the Oscars, in her white Tom Ford gown and cape. Easy. Definitely not dorky. And if we take that general idea and make it casual, we have a wear-it-all-the-time style solution.

The find is a little white dress ($165) from Francisco Costa's minimalist collection for Macy's, styled with gold accessories that look way more expensive than they are. I liked the earthiness of a horn pendant ($20) — and it's a style Gwyneth has worn numerous times. The stud earrings are a new classic, and these are only $10! Since it's the start of Summer and parties are often more casual, I think a gold flat sandal, like this one from Dolce Vita ($169), has an easy elegance that goes just as well with jeans as it does with an LWD. The outfit is effortless, and the grand total is $364. Not bad for an outfit that will get one through "a million random parties" all Summer long.