Feel like your summer wardrobe leaves something to be desired? With the help of Bergdorf Goodman’s 5F sale, you can fill in the gaps at minimal expense to your wallet (items are discounted up to 40% off!). A must-have is a light sweater, preferably one that’s pretty breathable – that way you can wear it under the day’s warm rays and straight into the cool evening air. Alessandra Ambrosio shopped around sunny Cannes in hers, looking appropriately angelic in all white. Steal the look with Cut25’s loose knit ($177). Read on for more celeb inspirations and shop the sale here!

The Floral Blouse: Gwyneth Paltrow gets a lot of heat for her uber-expensive Goop advice. If you search in the right places, though, her style is within reach. Try the floral look with Joie’s Devitri top ($248).

Gareth Pugh’s indulgent creations seem to step straight from our dreams onto the runway. I love his imaginative style. Honestly, why can’t pants have trains?? I hate when a party kicks into high gear, and I’m stuck on the sidelines in a constricting floor-length gown. Now we get glamour and function in one pretty package. It’s ‘70s gone chic, but thanks to the luxe black silk, the flared look is surprisingly modern. The train pools dramatically at your ankles. Don’t worry about stepping on it, though – the silk trails elegantly behind you. Just make sure other people don’t trip on it! Play it safe and wear some towering platforms like these 6-inch Alaïas (on NET-A-PORTER for $2,415). The chunky sandals will help swim through the crowd, whether it’s inside a packed party or on the red carpet. Available on Ssense for $2,475.

Katy Perry was the center of attention on her Caribbean vacation, and in that bikini it’s no wonder why. This begs the question – do lingerie-style swimsuits fall into the Snob or Slob category? Padded underwire tops like Tory Burch’s Eden (on Shopbop for $150) imitate the push-up, bustier look achieved by bras with equally scintillating effect, and when that’s all you’re wearing, things can get inappropriate pretty quickly. I’ll give Katy’s a pass thanks to the full coverage bottoms (on Shopbop for $110) and sweet floral print. Read on to see some true offenders…

Agent Provocateur Laticia Bikini Bra ($270) and Brief ($250): All you have to do is take a peek at the back of these bikini bottoms to know this is a complete slob. What can you expect of a bikini made by lingerie designers? At Agent Provocateur.

Emmy Rossum has spring/summer travel style down pat. From her bold pants to perfect hat/shoe combo- she keeps it fresh, chic and comfortable all in one snappy outfit. This look is easy to travel in, yet looks flawless coming out of the gates. Steal her style for the next time you fly!

Shoes: Tory Burch Marlow Loafers- Tory Burch $285

Jacket: Rebecca Taylor Tweed Jacket- Zappo’s- $295

Hat: Tory Burch Classic Grosgrain Fedora- Tory Burch $95

Pants: Current/Elliot Captain Trousers- $168 Shopbop

Puppy: Yorkie (optional)

My least favorite time of year? Swimsuit shopping season. Expectations are high and the use of fabric is low. Don’t feel bullied into a bikini. There’s a surprising number of flattering one-pieces out there and far fewer Snobs in them, so you’re sure to stand out. The best advice for suit shopping is to not let the dim lights of the dressing room fool you. Go and try on some pieces after lunch – if you look good then, you know you’ve found the right one!

Roksanda Ilincic Rodez Color-Block Bandeau Swimsuit: Colorblocking is a secret weapon on swimsuits. It’s a pretty optical illusion that’ll break up your torso and give you that thin waist you’ve always coveted. On NET-A-PORTER for $480.

Adidas by Stella McCartney Neon Mesh-Paneled One-Shoulder Swimsuit: Get Stella chic at a Frugal Snob price! If you still feel like a one-piece might be too blah, a little neon mesh might be just the thing to rev your engines. On NET-A-PORTER for $80.

Clube Bossa Couture Color-Block Ruched Swimsuit: Forget tummy tucks – With dark navy slimming your hips and full-body ruching accentuating all of your best features, you’re as guaranteed to wow as ever. Exclusively on NET-A-PORTER for $540.

Norma Kamali Bill Mio: The tide of the graphic trend is riding high. Take advantage with some slimming vertical stripes (and a cute retro style to boot!). On Norma Kamali for $298.

The maxi skirt is the trend that just won’t go away. Don’t get me wrong – I love the billowing silhouette of a flowy skirt, but sometimes it can drown petite Snobs like myself, especially when paired with flat sandals. I’m a mini kind of girl (they elongate your legs and make you look taller!). Which side are you on – the maxis or the minis? Vote in the poll below!

Ellery Two Split Skirt: This brings the maxi skirt to new levels of hideous. I was just talking about how Riri slit her skirt up too far – same issue here. If you want to show some leg, just wear a mini! On Shopbop for $975.

Tibi Pleated Silk Crepe de Chine Maxi Skirt: Peach pink silk and pleating make for a seriously sophisticated maxi. On NET-A-PORTER for $395.

Giambattista Valli floral-Print Silk Chiffon Maxi Skirt: Paisley has been around since the 200s – it was definitely time for an update! Giambattista’s modernizes the print with watercolor florals. On NET-A-PORTER for $2,795.

KAUFMANFRANCO Silk-Satin Pleated Maxi Skirt: A lot of maxis fall into boho territory. It’s refreshing to see a more elegant, structured take on the style. On NET-A-PORTER for $1,495.

Roberto Cavalli Printed Crepe de Chine Maxi Skirt: This is how you split a dress – so subtly that you don’t even notice it at first. Paired with the innocent porcelain-inspired pattern, Cavalli’s maxi is perfectly ladylike. On NET-A-PORTER for $1,955.

Lately, celebs have been passing on full-on cutout dresses in lieu of something a little more concealing – gowns with sheer panels. The style manages to be sexier with more fabric, playing with the fun of leaving more to the imagination. Model of the moment Cara Delevingne is the most recent to try the trend, stealing the spotlight at the Cannes Film Festival in a lacy Burberry number. See which other starlets are going sheer…

Paz Vega also hit The Great Gatsby carpet in France, and while the crystal embroidery on her Roberto Cavalli dress is stunning, the overall look was too risqué.

Gwyneth Paltrow was one of the MET Gala guests to ignore the punk theme, but you have to admit that her Valentino gown is gorgeous and the placement of the sheer paneling is pretty original.

Jennifer Lawrence in something other than Dior? Could it be? Her Fall 2013 David Koma dress balances out its sexy paneling and the Oscar winner’s smoky eyeshadow with a playful, flouncy skirt.

Dakota Fanning has always dressed appropriately for her age. Even now at 19 she’s slowly easing into a sexier style, showing off just her back in this winged Rodarte.

When it comes to printed shirts, there is such a thing as too much. Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean we have to pull the rainbow down from the sky and wear it. But you also don’t want to walk around in a plain white blouse everyday. I’ve found some designs that strike just the right balance – from flowery and romantic to silly and fun, there’s a style for every Snob. See which one will be your prints charming…

Julien David Digital Printed Cotton Shirt: Dinosaurs, rubber duckies, and the Queen’s Guards – a whimsical combination made even more fun by the subtly perforated cotton. On Browns for $657.

Carven Paris Print Shirt: The contrast-collared shirt is a cute way to show your love for the City of Light. Just don’t count on the detailed print to replace your map of Paris! On Farfetch for $271.56.

Etro Floral-Print Stretch-Cotton Shirt: This vivid floral print looks like it came straight from a painter’s canvas. While spring might be about taking a moment to smell the flowers, I’d much rather wear them. On NET-A-PORTER for $440.

Mother of Pearl Keres Printed Silk Crepe de Chine Shirt: With this top, you’ll get a bird’s eye view from every angle. It’s a true work of art – the avian print was designed by Italian artist Francesco Simeti. On NET-A-PORTER for $690.

Equipment Daddy Blouse: This silk shirt is light as a feather and the print is just as bright. Wear the extra-long shirt over skinnies or tuck it into some shorts. On Revolve Clothing for $228.

Move over LBD – I’m making room for LRK in my closet. You don’t need black to slim when you have a slim fit, which is designer Lucky Ravindra’s M.O. Her well-tailored dresses are appropriate for every occasion and yet the body-con style will have you feeling like the sexiest woman in the room. Sophisticated sheaths like the colorblocked Drew ($345) and the black and white peplum Dita ($378) playfully use semi-sheer mesh to create “illusion bodices.” Everything on Anna ($322) is opaque, but the hemline is raised and the curved seams streamline your figure with impressive precision. For Lucky, it’s all about the details – with a bold red band and light peplum, she gives the owner of her Diana dress ($368) a tiny waist and accentuated hips. Body-skimming without being restricting, these pieces are made for women on the go. Wear one to the office with a blazer and then doff the jacket for after-work drinks! Available on Shopbop.

These days most capes fall regally around our waists, showing off their style might with grand silhouettes. But for Spring 2013, Christopher Bailey brought back the cropped look. After all, when your cape is made from shiny silver snake, it would be overkill to have it extend far beyond your shoulders, no? Believe it or not, this Space Age chic design was inspired by the fashion of the ‘40s (if you saw The Great Gatsby, you might have noticed that cropped capes were also popular in the ‘20s). Only instead of a sheer, billowing fabric, Burberry gives us ultra-modern metallic python. Rather than daintily gliding behind you, the piece will sit atop your shoulders like a stylish piece of armor. Pair it with a flowy maxi for contrast, or go full futurama with a short, sleek number. Available on NET-A-PORTER for $4,795.

I’ve loved white pants since junior high. It was all about Guess straight leg jeans then. That is until I discovered the miraculous slimming power of boot cuts in college with a pair from Daryl K. I restock my whites each summer and wear them all year long! The whole no white after Labor Day thing? It’s definitely not a rule in my book. Here are the top 5 on my shopping list:

Theory Max C Bistretch Pant: I have three cotton pairs already (plus the wool version for winter) and just bought my fourth – they’re all different lengths! A couple are starting to yellow after more than ten years, so I guess they’re finally ready for retirement. At Theory for $225.

DL1961 Cindy Petite: It’s hard to find a flattering fit if you’re under 5′ 4″. The Cindy pant in milk is just what we petite Snobs need – no tailoring required. At DL1961 for $84 (from $168).

J Brand 722 Love Story: The Love Story has been a bestseller for over a decade. Throw the pant on with a pair of 6″ heels and you’ll see why – legs for days! At J Brand for $194.

DL1961 Emma: White skinny jeans can be a scary prospect. Emma was the first I ever trusted – she hides all of your flaws and slims at the same time. At DL1961 for $158.

HELMUT Helmut Lang Linen Slub Twill Cropped Pants: These casual fit linen pants get a boost of sex appeal with the cropped length and zippered sides. On Shopbop for $240.

I love the look of patched jackets. While Zara has a great ready-made khaki one (at Zara for $55.90), I wanted to make mine myself (or rather have my friend do it – I have a fear of irons!). Start with the base – if there’s an old jacket in your closet that you can risk on a crafty makeover, don’t bother spending money on a new one. You can go vintage army-style (on Madewell for $162), jean, or leather. If you’re going the denim route, patches will stand out best on a light wash like this Zara (at Zara $59.90). The more ambitious set can experiment with a sleek black MICHAEL Michael Kors leather vest (on NET-A-PORTER for $425). I found a military jacket on eBay and quickly bought up half a dozen patches to decorate it with (bonus points if you actually collect patches – this would be just the time to put them to good use!). Here are some cute ones to iron or stitch on:

Italia Shield Patch (on The Cheap Place for $3.99)

Leo Zodiac Sign Patch (on The Cheap Place for $2.99)

Smiley Patch (on The Cheap Place for $3.99)

Photo Credits: Honestly…WTF

Blake Lively wore some flirty floral skinny jeans by MOTHER while out and about in the West Village recently. These vibrant patterned pants are pretty as a picture but have a touch of punk to them with the black color background behind the bold colors. These look great on Blake paired with a simple black top and black flats. These jeans are the perfect way to pilot the floral trend without being too “sweet.” Add a little edge to the look and wear these with a motorcycle jacket and pumps for a night on the town and have some fun with floral this season. Pick them up at Nordstrom for $109.

Lace is one of those odd things that you can find on both your grandmother’s antique end table and in your sexiest lingerie drawers, but it looks like the fabric has gotten even more versatile. From bright patterns to unexpected accents to animal ears (likely the most surprising incarnation of all), lace is really breaking out of its intricately designed shell. Which of these pieces cause the most shock and awe?

Valentino Camouflage Patterned Lace Shorts: Mixing camo and lace is pretty brilliant. Just don’t expect to blend in with the crowd when you’re wearing these! On Browns for $1,523.

Givenchy Lace Trousers: With lacy legs, these pants manage to be even more alluring than stem-baring shorts. I have a similar pair from Reiss and absolutely love them. On Browns for $1,867.

Mason Michel Heidi Lace Bear-Ear Headband: These are not meant for Halloween, so if you’re going to try the trend, just throw everything you know about being appropriate out the window! On Browns for $385.

MSGM Coated Lace Bomber Jacket: Who knew masculine bomber jackets could be so girly? Pull on some shorts and a cap, and it’ll be like you’re one of the guys (well, almost). On Browns for $609.

Ivanka Trump Eyelet Trim Trench Coat: Throw this frilly trench over a cute dress or be naughty and wear it solo – no one will be able to tell your little secret! At Nordstrom for $148.

Often called the fashion equivalent to the legendary Vanity Fair Oscar’s Party, the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art brings out the best of the world of fashion, celebrity, society, sports, and more. Merging this with the philanthropic mission of the Costume Institute Benefit, and you have one of the world’s greatest parties. It’s also one of our favorite events to critique.

Saying who’s best-dressed is often impossible, but it works out that there are always those who seize upon the exhibition’s theme; and then they apply it to a closely scrutinized look. With a  theme of Punk, it made you wonder who would actually embrace the concept. Without further ado, here’s my take on who exhibited the best Punk at the Met:

Madonna in Givenchy

When is Madonna not a punk? Last night she was right on point, looking fierce and, frankly, fabulous. Madge rocked a Givenchy Haute Couture tartan jacket paired with ripped fishnets, chains, a studded belt, a choker, and pink suede pumps. With short, black hair the outfit was completed. Granted, she’s at an age where she should be wearing pants, but she killed it.

Anne Hathaway in Valentino

Last night, I was simply wowed by Anne Hathaway’s sexy and chic black sheer Valentino gown. Her look was chic and mixed glamour with punk. What actually pulled the look together? Her newly bleach blonde cropped mane. Simply beautiful is the best way to describe this.

Miley Cyrus in Marc Jacobs

Miley’s look was focused on a mesh gown with long sleeves designed by the man who turned fashion on its head approximately twenty years ago. She also proceeded to spike her hair, becoming the ultimate punk in the process. A fabulous and beautiful sight.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon

Who knew that Carrie Bradshaw could figure out a way to rock the theme this year? Rocking a beautiful patterned voluminous creation by Brit Giles Deacon, Parker managed to give the theme an interesting take. Completing her outfit was a Philip Treacy mohawk headpiece, and knee-high tartan boots.

Elle Fanning in Rodarte

The Fanning sisters are the darlings of both Hollywood and fashion these days. Both Dakota and Elle went with their trusted friends, Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte. Elle brought it in tie-dye and cream sleeveless creation from the phenomenal Fall/Winter 2013 collection, giving off quite the superhero vibe. Matching her makeup to the dress, Elle rocked it.

Attention New York-based readers: do you have plans this Thursday evening? If not, consider heading over to Rockwood Music Hall for Project Model Tee’s 2nd event raising funds for RAINN (the United States’ largest anti-sexual assault organization).

Buy a ticket and attend what will surely be a great time filled with beautiful people (hello, models!).

There’s something about feline style that we love to imitate – cat eye sunglasses, eyeliner (the only way I do my makeup), and now ears. While the latter may be a passing fling, the cat eye trend has about nine lives, and the latest is happening right now. For borderline costume kitsch, Agent Provocateur’s studded frames (on Luisa via Roma for $553) are ready to party. If you’re looking to be more demure, check out these styles:

Tom Ford Madison Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses: The best purveyor of the style is Tom Ford who has a large collection of cats, the Madison being a favorite. This pair will lift up your face in bewitching, retro style. At Bergdorf Goodman for $425.

Agent Provocateur Cat Eye Studded Acetate Sunglasses: Not every cat is black. This look may be loud, but decorating champagne-colored glasses with bubbly crystals feels right. On Luisa via Roma for $426.

Thierry Lasry Orgasmy Cat Eye Acetate Sunglasses: Bright red is another option. The rounded lenses stand out in the litter. On Luisa via Roma for $454.

Prism Capri Cat Eye Acetate Sunglasses: These oversized frames are not your average cats next door. They were cut and handcrafted from a blue-gray block of acetate in Italia. On NET-A-PORTER for $410.

Topshop Pearlised Metal Cateye Sunglasses: An intriguing mix of pearlised white plastic, metal tips, and tortoiseshell. At Topshop for $36.

ASOS Cat Eye Sunglasses: Or go full-on tortoiseshell with an even more Frugal-friendly pair. Watch out – this cat may not have claws, but its sharp-edged design is just as dangerous. On ASOS for $16.63.

It’s impressive when your cover up is actually sexier than your bikini. Gold tone rings provocatively hold this Michael Kors Collection dress together, but on a beachy vacation, you could even wear it to dinner (just have something on underneath, please!). This is as glamorous as cover ups get, and considering I prefer cocktails and lounging to laps in the pool, glamour is what I’m going for. You can’t overdo it, though. Skip the heels and slip into some Jimmy Choo cork wedges (at Saks Fifth Avenue for $465) – they’re my trusty travel companions each and every summer. I also pack an Eric Javits hat. This cutout-trimmed number (at Saks Fifth Avenue for $295) is so much more interesting than the average straw hat. The finishing touch? Fendi’s drawstring tote (on Farfetch for $1,211.48). Between the perforation, red strap, and cotton drawstring fastening, it seems made for summer fun. Available on Shopbop for $406.

You don’t see many people carrying sun parasols, but trust me – they’re Snob Essentials for summer. Every available bit of shade and SPF is needed to keep your face looking fresh and youthful. Go kitsch or couture (which is still really kitsch) with one of these playful parasols. Just don’t take them out in the rain – delicate feathers/paper/lace screens are made to beat the heat, not a downpour.

Battenberg Lace Trim Cotton Parasol: Add a little extra pomp and circumstance to your style with this sweet lace-trimmed parasol. Prop it up in the sand for a day at the beach or carry it for a stroll through the neighborhood à la a classic Victorian lady. On Greatlookz for $35.99.

Battenberg Lace Parasol: This virginal white lace parasol will have you looking like a fine Southern lady. You might even be inspired to carry a dainty handkerchief. On Ladies’ Emporium for $39.95.

Pamela’s Parasols Chinese Take Out: The first paper parasol was created in China 2,000 years ago, so these Chinese-inspired styles are true throwbacks. In those days, they were considered status symbols, as nobility had their servants shade them with elaborately decorated sunshades. On Pamela’s Parasols for $12.95.

Pamela’s Parasols Gigi: You have to be a little ballsy to carry an ostrich feather-accented shade, but carrying a parasol in this day and age is a statement in itself. Don’t get shy on me now! On Pamela’s Parasols for $140.

Bikini season is upon us! Have you been keeping up with your Tracy Anderson exercises? Don’t worry if you’ve been a little lax – a swimdress is surprisingly just as feminine and even more functional. Take the Michael Kors Collection monokini (on Shopbop for $340). Always dreamed of being a Bond Girl? With this oversized metallic belt and sexy black silhouette, this suit will draw all eyes to you as you step out from the glistening waves (cue Adele singing “Skyfall”).