There are few things I love more than a lace-trimmed camisole. Not only are they unbelievably pretty, but they're great for layering under cashmere cardigans or menswear-inspired button-downs—and just about everything else. I'm particularly drawn to this one from Dessous by Sophie Simmons: Modern touches like the cutout floral bodice and asymmetrical scalloping ensure the perfect balance between graphic and girly. And when you're not covered up, the T-back straps give it a sexy edge.

This is the party bag I'll reach for all summer long: a graphic black-and-white printed clutch that punctuates any outfit without overwhelming it. Practical as it is pretty, there's enough room for everything I need. Considering it's made of lush, touchable silk, it's remarkably affordable.

This bikini by Zimmermann is everything we ever wanted in a bathing suit: sexy though not overly skimpy, sweet but still sleek. The full bottom keeps the look demure, but it's offset by high-cut legs. "The combination is really flattering," says fashion director Hope Greenberg, "And the bandeau top's straps are detachable so you never have to worry about tan lines."

While you're daydreaming about the beach, consider this sarong. It's so gorgeous you'll be tempted to wear it as a dress, but it's so loose and light, making it the ideal cover-up. The glamorous print and beading at the edges feel soluxurious, contrary to its totally accessible price.

As it turns out, senior market editor Lynette Pone and I are both obsessed with Bop Basics' Sash Pants and have been wearing them nonstop on weekends. When it's hot out, it's hard to want to put on anything else: These pants are made of super-lightweight, unbelievably soft cotton that couldn't be more comfortable. The fit is loose, but they're cut close enough to the body to be flattering and look more pulled-together than most military-inspired styles.

Fashion news contributor Erin Wylie hated nothing more than the jarring wail that woke her each morning, so this Moonbeam Clock from L.L. Bean was the perfect antidote. Instead of an annoying chime or bleep, this alarm works by emanating a soft illuminating light. For heavier sleepers, a backup bell kicks in moments later. "I love the retro vibe," she says, "but even better, it's a much gentler way of starting the day."

Though typically she favors either sweet flats or toweringly tall stilettos, associate fashion editor Noria Morales has been looking for a compromise between the two for some time. "Most of my pants are hemmed to different lengths," she says, "I'd love a shoe that will work with everything." These Ada peep-toe pumps are just right: 1 ½ -inch heels in a lush nude suede, with the teeniest gold metallic flecks. They're clean, timeless, and neutral enough to go with anything. And it's worth noting that they're made by Frye, a company known for its chic-but-tough motorcycle boots, so even though these are gorgeous and ladylike, they're also comfortable and built to last.

There have been many occasions upon which I've skipped sunblock simply because the thought of slathering on a layer of thick cream on my face was just too unappealing. That all changed when I found this Instant Mineral SPF30 by Peter Thomas Roth: sunscreen in matte, translucent powder form. It comes in a purse- (and airplane-) friendly tube with its own retractable brush and leaves skin protected and totally shine-free. It absorbs instantly without even the tiniest hint of chalkiness—and works great over makeup, too.

Fashion director Hope Greenberg is opposed to standard-issue underwire when it comes to bras ("Terribly uncomfortable," she declares), though she was equally turned off by the drab, sporty-looking pull-on alternatives—until she discovered, and immediately bought multiples of, this Hanky Panky Lace Bralette. "It's the first style I've found that's as sexy as it is comfortable," Hope says.

Accessories assistant Becca Aronson has at last concluded a years-long quest for the perfect rain boots. "Everything I'd found was too cutesy," she explains, "with bright patterns or preppy animal prints." This Marc by Marc Jacobs pair comes in a more restrained, goes-with-anything dove gray and features subtle embellishments, like black laces and scalloped rubber soles. "These are adorable but they're still sophisticated," Becca says, "So I feel like a grown-up wearing them."

Meg Cuna's job as a market editor requires her to be an authority on all things denim. With so many great lines out there, it's a daunting task, and she sees so much that when a particular model catches her eye, it's best to pay attention. This season, there are two pairs of subtly high-waisted jeans she's taken with. The loose-fitting Carpenter style by J.Crew is sporty but pulled-together, a universally flattering fit that comes in a dark indigo wash that's easy to dress up. As a sexier, nighttime option, there's nothing Meg loves more than the Lollobrigida jeans by 18th Amendment: "These make my legs look longer and thinner than anything else," she says.

As we're officially in the thick of sticky, grimy summer heat, now is a good time to report that for keeping refreshed, nothing beats these citrus-scented towelettes. They're individually wrapped; stash some in your purse for when you're stuck on a subway platform, say, or running errands under the midday sun. You'll feel instantly revived—they leave you cleaner and cooler and with the faintest whiff of lemon lingering on the skin.

There's something so glamorous and vaguely tropical about an evening clutch embellished with wooden beads. Fashion news contributor Erin Wylie was the first to spot this one from Anthropologie, which is lined with silk and comes with a delicate silver chain. "This mini purse is the perfect size for a night out," she says, "and I love its vintage, Zsa Zsa Gabor vibe."

Associate fashion editor Ann Brady recently confessed to me that she makes almost-twice-weekly visits to the Cynthia Rowley boutique (in her defense, she does live right next door). So she's always obsessing over something she's seen—and the latest is this shimmery, brocade cocktail dress. Strapless and just sexy enough, the sweetly vintage-inspired piece has a clean, modern silhouette. "It's perfect for summer weddings," she says, "but it's also elegant enough to break out again during the holiday party season."

Out of nowhere, someone has invented a whole new way of listening to music on your iPod: just-launched AirDrives rest in the outer part of your ear instead of jamming into the ear canal like bud-style headphones do. The music comes through loud and clear but you can still hear the outside world as well. Imagine: You can jog without worrying about being surprised by oncoming traffic, work without fearing your boss will sneak up on you. And amazingly enough, sound doesn't leak out, so even though you can hear the outside world, they can't hear you.

There's something so cool and downtown and never-trying-too-hard about a classic gray hoodie. Most recently, we've flipped for Iron Army's version, which is as comfortable as the gym staple should be, only with a leaner, more tailored silhouette. But what really sold us is the fact that when you're in the mood for something a bit tad more special, you can simply turn the sweatshirt inside out and you've instantly got a graphic, horizontally striped layering piece.

Staff editor Jennifer Romolini was in the market for something bright and colorful to dress up her otherwise all-white bedroom, but living in a rental made her less inclined to experiment with paint or wallpaper.
She found these
poppy decals at greenergrassdesign.com, and they fit the bill perfectly: playful, pretty (but not so girly as to offend the sensibilities of her boyfriend), and inexpensive. Best of all, she can just peel them off when it's time to move and not worry about jeopardizing her security deposit.

I have a bit of a fear of what havoc the germs and residue that take up residence in my makeup brushes might do to my skin. Beauty assistant Cat Marnell shares similar concerns, and has found the perfect antidote in this sanitizing spray from Clinique. It's fast and couldn't be easier to use: Give bristles a few spritzes, dab with a tissue, and allow them to dry overnight. Repeat monthly: Germs stay away, and your brushes last forever.

Fashion news editor Jen Ford tore through her neighborhood Urban Outfitters last week and wound up buying three pieces she really she loved for less than $25 each. First up was this wide wood bangle studded with brass beads—a perfect combination of ethnic and graphic; next, this plaid fringe scarf in summery, lightweight cotton; and then, inspired by the hot French girls she saw at Paris fashion week, this oversize, slouchy knit cap. Lastly, for travel, she couldn't resist this black-on-black, striped, wrinkled weekender, which didn't clock in under $25 but was still a bargain at $88.

Recently, editor at large Gigi Guerra spent a couple weeks zigzagging all over the city to produce our New York Shopping Guide (you'll have to wait till our September issue hits stands at the end of this month to see the fruit of her labor). While paying a visit to Auto, a reliably cool shop in the meatpacking district, she fell in love with this Aesa necklace by Brooklyn designer Randi Mates. "Cloud-shaped charms are both a little weird and so, so pretty on a fine gold chain," she says.

Online fashion editor Violet Gaynor spotted this striped tunic by Velvet that's the perfect thing to throw in your weekend bag. It's really soft and sheer (a 50/50 blend of cotton and rayon gives it a light, slinky feel and makes it less prone to wrinkling), and looks great with flat sandals by day and peep-toe heels at night. "I plan on carrying this over to fall with wide-leg jeans and boots," Violet says, "and the removable belt makes for endless styling options, too."

Lately, Lucky stylist Tiffany Pasqualone has been very successfully pulling off a very gorgeous look that's very dramatic and vaguely Sophia Loren. It's all about the eyes: thick black liner that flares a bit at the outer edges. I demanded to know how she does it, and she told me she swears by Benefit's Babe Cake: "I mix this dense powder with a teeny bit of water," she explains. "You get a smoothly textured paste that's so easy to apply."

In her ongoing quest to find statement-making pieces to mix into her coolly understated wardrobe, associate fashion editor Noria Morales discovered this sleeveless silk top by Anna Sui. It's the perfect blend of restrained (simple palette and streamlined silhouette) and exuberant (complex pattern and cascading scarf). "Under a fitted jacket this is totally office appropriate," she says, "but it's casual and sexy enough for after work too."

Senior beauty editor Cristina Mueller wandered into Bath & Body Works the other weekend, where she came upon a girl whose basket contained multiple tubes of this Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Cream. Intrigued, she asked about it, and was told it was hands-down the best moisturizer ever, in terms of both scent and texture. Cristina picked one up for herself and found that she agreed. "It's very rich but not at all greasy," she says, "and the scent is amazing—refreshingly tart, with a bit of a woodsy twist."

Look past the slightly schticky setup of Violet.com, and you'll find that the recently launched Web retailer is indeed a great resource for cool, exceedingly stylish gifts. Whether or not you like its tone (you can search for gifts by the potential recipient's traits: "calculating," "cosmopolitan," "ethereal," and so on), the lighter-than-air Mongolian cashmere throws, beautiful boxed letterpress stationery, and embossed leather luggage tags in vibrant jewel tones that await after a couple of clicks are undeniably appealing.

I spend a lot of time looking at new electronics, and this is hands-down the coolest, best-looking speaker I've ever seen—its sleek organic shape and smooth black finish give it a very pretty, beach-pebble quality. It's designed to be used with a computer or iPod (it comes with a special stand so you can plug your Nano directly into the unit) and lasts for 12 hours with a few AAA batteries. Conveniently, it's also got a self-shut-off function so it switches off automatically whenever it's not in use.

Emily McCarthy, assistant to our editor-in-chief, is a total fanatic when it comes to Hayden-Harnett bags. The fact that she already owns six has done little to quench her thirst: She's already thinking about adding this saddle-inspired Barnard style to her collection. Like the ones she's already got, this bag has tons of pockets, adjustable straps, and a clean, appealingly understated aesthetic. Emily's been raving about the line to editor-at-large Gigi Guerra, who's now hooked too: "They're extremely well made," she says, "and honestly, better constructed than lots of purses that are three times the price."

Fashion assistant Nicola Miller's been eyeing these two-tone suede Rachel Comey flats. They're kind of classic old-school French, but with cutouts on the sides and toes that give them a young, sexy twist. Try them with a shrunken cardigan and full skirt if you want to maximize the ladylike look, or with jeans and a tee if you're going for something more downtowny.

The only jeans that our fashion director, Hope Greenberg, wants to wear lately are J Brand's 10" Skinny in white. According to her, their genius lies in the fit: a rise that's not too low, and legs that are narrow without being super-tight. And they also have very slim ankles that bunch perfectly so they're easy to transition from flats to heels.

Completely coincidentally, creative director Andrea Linett and fashion news editor Jen Ford purchased the same pair of Dolce Vita flats within days of one another. What makes this interesting is that they have totally different aesthetics: Andrea's more of a rock chick, and Jen's more sleekly fashion-y. But these—a strange-but-successful combination of Mary Jane, gladiator, and ballet shoes—strike the perfect balance between sexy and tough, therefore meeting both their criteria.

Associate fashion editor Noria Morales loves nothing more than wearing comfortable, floor-length jersey dresses all summer, but she's not crazy about the fact that they're loose to the verge of shapeless—and a touch boring. So she ordered a few striped Peruvian-style cotton sashes: "These give me a more flattering silhouette," she says, "and lend a very subtle dose of ethnic chic to any outfit."

Fashion news associate editor Lauren DeCarlo loves her new slip-on shoes by Minnetonka. They're made of super-soft glove leather with padded insoles and rubber bottoms—as comfortable as sneakers, only way more chic. She got them in ice, a creamy off-white that gives them a feminine, modern feel. And they're less than $40, which is pretty great these days.

I have never been one to believe that there is any makeup out there that really looks good on everyone; honestly, how can there be? But I road tested Paula Dorf's Candy Apple Cheek Color Cream on several friends with wildly divergent skin tones, and it appears that this product is the genuine article. It gives the prettiest natural-looking flush and—as an added bonus—is absolutely foolproof to apply.

This light-as-air cotton voile tunic by Virginia Johnson is equal parts cute, comfortable, and versatile, which would explain why fashion news contributor Erin Wylie has been wearing hers nonstop. She's belted it at the office with a slim pencil skirt and used it as a cover-up at the beach. To transition into fall, Erin suggests layering it over a long-sleeve tee with jeans.

Ever since beauty assistant Cat Marnell heard that L.A. hairstylist to the stars Chris McMillan uses Murray's Pomades, she has, too. Not only are they amazingly affordable—most items in the line cost around $3—but the products have proven amazing for styling her long, color-treated hair. Cat's favorite is called the Excelento. She smooths just a bit on her ends and anywhere else that could use a little de-frizzing. And since you only need to use the tiniest amount with each application, one tin will last pretty much forever.

Senior fashion editor Laurie Trott found this cool, appealingly offbeat alternative to a basic straw bag, in vibrant blue with contrasting, bright white leather handles (which, coupled with shiny gold hardware, give it a glamorous touch). "This is the perfect thing to chic up even the most casual of outfits," she says, "and really, who can resist an animal-print lining?"

These amorphous, delicate bracelets by Bing Bang are so simple yet utterly beautiful. Their clean, egg-like shape is a subtle twist on traditional bangles, and they come in a set of two—one in rose gold, one in silver—that are as pretty on their own as they are together. "People are always afraid to wear different kinds of metals together," says senior market editor Lynette Pone, "but I think this combination looks really fresh and modern."