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.

But there’s another often-overlooked tool in your kit for enjoying the sun while fending off skin damage, and it’s one of the most fashionable out there: sun hats. Just think of everything they do — coordinate with outfits; make big style statements, and do a great job of covering your neck and face.

There are so, so many styles to choose from. The fedoras! The wide-brimmed straw numbers! The bucket hats and cowboy hats, and refined safari hats! They add a certain je ne sais quoi flourish to almost any casual look — from bathing suits and sundresses to maxi dresses and denim — with minimum effort. Check out these numbers:

The Wide-brim Packable Straw Hat ($69.50 on jcrew.com), woven from raffia fiber that springs back after you’ve rolled it up and tucked it into your beach bag. But its best feature is how good it looks once you put it on; it boasts a light weave and medium brim, with a dark black band that gives it — and your outfit — a nice definition.

On the ever-so-slightly fancier end of things sits the Woven Palm Sun Hat ($78 on anthropologie.com). With a hint of “My Fair Lady” to it, it sports an asymmetrical shape and a pretty black bow around its wide brim. I love its natural and sustainable palm fibers, too, which are hand-woven and water resistant.

On those days when your look needs a little lightening up, reach for the Harbor Hat ($149 on shopbop.com) by Hat Attack. Woven of cream-colored raffia and trimmed in a thin pale pink leather band, it has a chic little pinched crown and a fun floppy rim — all of which makes for a casual silhouette that’s still pretty and somewhat ethereal.

On the bucket hat front, the best kind is the one that doesn’t give you hat head, such as the Silk-lined Bucket Hat ($55 on damngina.com). Its exterior is constructed of organic cotton, while its inner lining is made of moisture-wicking mulberry silk, so frizz and hair-matting sweat aren’t a factor.

On the high-end of the spectrum sits Isabel Marant’s Tulum Striped Woven Raffia Hat ($585 on net-a-porter.com). It’s undeniably a splurge, but also undeniably chic and a scene-stealer. Add it to almost any outfit, and it instantly elevates the situation with its rainbow hues of periwinkle blue iced with chocolate brown, tan, cream, ochre, and gold. I love the wide brim, too. Worn with jeans or a sundress? It simply can’t miss.

I love the cut of a classic topper like the Straw Fedora ($82 on gigipip.com). It boasts a casually elegant, 10-centimeter and is lightweight enough that always feels comfy. The cream color sets off anything and everything else you’ve got on, and is so face flattering, you won’t want to take it off — even when you’re not in the sun.

It should be said that a ‘sundress’ is not the same thing as a ‘summer dress.’ The latter can mean almost anything — from a come-hither white slip to a flamenco. All are fantastic. But FYI, if someone tells you that they have a great “summer dress,” just understand, it probably isn’t the same as what I’m talking about here.

A sundress is something that makes you feel comfy but just a little bit sexy, casual and cool at the same time.

Here are my top picks:

Set the scene with the Finer Things printed Midi Dress ($128 on freepeople.com) — I especially love it in the Ivory Combo print. It’s a beautiful standout with bright and gorgeous petal printing, craftsmanship, and also exceptional detailing.

It’s hard to imagine that some of the toniest runway brands out there are being eclipsed by a design as simple but as fetching as the Isa Cotton-Silk Dress ($190 on bananarepublic.gap.com). But it’s true: Banana Republic’s  softly structured and beautifully flowing fit-and-flare hit is earning big fans, one poolside at a time.

Is there any space in this lineup for a leopard sundress? You bet your overpriced sunnies, there is. But it doesn’t have to set you back an entire weeks’ paycheck. The Women’s Leopard Plunging Neck Lace Up Maxi Slip Dress ($32.99 on target.com) is both a snazzy classic and an elegant surprise to wear under a denim jacket.

And sometimes something just simple, pretty, and blue is what the situation demands. Like the Blue Katama Tile Sconset Maxi Dress ($228 on vineyardvines.com), with adjustable straps, a crisscross back, and a tiered skirt — all of which add up to an ultra-flattering frock, and a terrific summer.

So with that as inspiration, and in honor of Wimbledon’s opening on July 3, it’s time we think about tossing on some tennis chic of our own.

Let’s kick things off with the most seminal piece of all: the tennis skirt. Polo Ralph Lauren’s Wimbledon Pleated Wrap Skort ($168 on ralphlauren.com) comes in a ceramic white that pretty much nails the iconic design. I love the subtle side pleating and super smooth front, and its crispness is so nicely contrasted with an emerald green and navy band at the waist — its the pinnacle of prep, met with the ease of shorts, so you can wear them biking all over town after your match.

Equally adorable (though note: not especially designed for actually playing the game) is the Knit Tennis Skirt ($44.99 on brooksbrothers.com), an incredibly comfy and charmingly retro style, with an elastic waistband with a drawcord and side striping in navy and maroon. It’s great on a beach, a golf course, out to brunch, or gallery hopping on any given weekend.

Also wearable all over town is the Levitate Dress ($74.99 on athleta.gap.com), a tennis dress that offers a little more coverage than most. So while it’s fantastic for workouts, thanks to a lightweight SwiftLite fabric that’s sleek and streamlined, it’s also stylish, flattering, and offers enough coverage to wear everyday — including out to lunch or to the farmer’s market.

Or how about the Women’s Stretch Cotton Piqué Polo Dress ($115 on lacoste.com)? It’s the kind of slim-fit, answer-to-all-your-needs, one-stop-shop wardrobe pick that, though it’s a tennis dress, works for multiple events and environments. Its four-button collar and stretch mini cotton piqué keep you looking sharp on dates, at work, in line at the grocery store, and taking the kids to the park.

And even though it reps another sport entirely, does anything say ‘tennis’ quite as clearly as a white polo shirt? Pull on a classic like the Moncler Short Sleeve Polo Shirt ($295 on bloomingdales.com) and you’re already halfway to winning the match. I love the cut of this one — especially the slightly loose side vents and short sleeves with tipped cuffs.

Speaking of which, it doesn’t get any more polished or iconic than the Varsity Heritage Cotton V-Neck Sweater ($98 on vineyardvines.com). With its raglan sleeves and ribbed body, it’s a serious classic, right down to the classic red and navy blue striping at its v-neck and cuffs. Wear it with denim, khakis, or a bright red skirt, and there should be no question that you’ve come to win — even if you’re not playing tennis.

Wear shades even if it’s only a little sunny. Don wide-brimmed straw hats to the grocery store. And most of all, employ all of those gorgeous colors in your makeup arsenal. They’re straight from the gardens where you’d normally be lounging. That means bright orange lip glosses and light blue nail polishes reminiscent of forget-me-nots, and hot fuchsia lip oils.

Don’t give up on summer – the clouds will pass. And when they do, you’ll be way ahead of the game with these bright hues.

Kick things off with The Nail Artist Polish ($30 on emilieheathe.com) in a delicate powder blue shade called Riviera. Inspired by refreshing Mediterranean waters —the polish has a subtle silver shimmer with extra glimmer of light. The non-toxic formula is enhanced with all kinds of goodies to keep your nails healthy — the likes of bamboo extract, sea buckthorn oil, rice bran oil, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and coconut oil.

The pump up the volume on lips: The best way to go from zero to 100 is with Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil ($40 on dior.com), a nourishing oil that’s also an intense (and thanks to an infusion of cherry oil, intensely protective) gloss loaded up with color. I love it in 006 Berry, a striking blue-ish pink that evokes all kinds of summer bounty — from lilacs and roses to, of course, berries. It’s a luminous color, with a texture that creates big shine and smooths lips.

Or skip the berry pink and go all in for a hot summer I-was-a-lifeguard-in-a-former-life orange. First Bite Lip Stain ($9 on colourpop.com) has the shine of a gloss but the staying power of a stain. It’s a tangerine hue, and comes across with the heat of an field full of marigolds.

Moving on to all things cheeky, if pink’s still dominating your color wheel, reach for Bobbi Brown’s Blush ($35 on bobbibrowncosmetics.com) in peony —  bright pink that conjures up precisely the gorgeous flower it’s named for. A silky-smooth powder with a long-lasting matte finish, you can build and therefore customize its intensity, taking it anywhere from a soft flush to a a big ol’ dramatic pop of color.

And for eyes, I’m just excited about the latest from Victoria Beckham Beauty — VB’s modern eye essential: Eyewear ($34 on victoriabeckhambeauty.com). The pigment-rich, buildable eyeshadow comes in a glorious shade called sunflower, which is about as happy and yellow as it sounds. It lasts up to eight hours, is crease-proof, contains soothing seaweed oil, and — best of all —will make sure the forecast is sunny… no matter what the weather turns out to be.

Let’s dive into the espadrilles. These pretty and preppy classics never get tired, but I’m ready to take them to the next level. The exquisite weaving and gorgeous fabric ribbon on Chloé’s Piia Woven Ribbon Wedge Sandals ($725 on saksfifthavenue.com) make these the kind of shoe that makes an entrance..

Then there are the gladiator sandals, a must for any summer filled with maxi dresses and flowing wide-leg pants. My favorite of the moment is the Adison Sandal ($120 on dolcevita.com). Its delicate nude shade goes with absolutely everything, and carries a certain quiet cool that whispers low-key luxury. I love it with a slight tan and brightly colored pedi. Boom.

Ballet flats continue their reign this summer, and you won’t find me complaining. I adore how easy they are to throw on with almost everything, yet how effortlessly their rounded toe flatters the foot and can get revved up in big, bold colors and metallics. For example: The Metallic Leather Ballerinas ($99.99 on shop.mango.com) look at once feminine, contemporary, and fancy.

The flip flop may just be the quintessential summer shoe, but is its informality really wearable everywhere? When it’s from The Row, yes — definitely. The Ginza Leather Platform Flip Flop ($970 on net-a-porter.com) has leveled up the flip flop game with a made-in-Italy design that includes a black suede platform to provide more structure and a white leather strap that is so sleek, it looks almost aerodynamic.

And then there are the sandals. Can there ever be enough? From strappy low-heeled versions to kitten-heels and medium block heels to slip-ons, they’re all as easy as a day at the beach. One of my favorites this year is the party-ready Jeffrey Campbell Linques Sandals ($130 on anthropologie.com), with their slip-on styling and smooth leather upper, and lustrous metal buckle that makes a big and elegant statement. They come in a slew of colors and patterns, too — one to fit the many moods of the season.

One-piece suits

Supported and sexy: Color blocking is a huge swimwear trend this season, and The Marina ($95 on summersalt.com) is right on-point. With built-in cups in a slight V-neck design and adjustable straps, it provides comfortable structure and makes you look like a million bucks. The higher-cut hip line elongates legs, and the diagonal seaming accentuates waists. Meanwhile, the material is thick and tight, so you feel snug and properly held in.

Softly nautical (and sustainable): Ookioh is a terrific brand for simple and sweet designs. They also source their fabrics from an Italian mill that uses 100% regenerated materials “like ocean wastes (such as sunken fishing nets) and pre-consumer waste products (things people might throw away in production) and turns them into dreamy, luxurious textiles.” They’re also on a mission to not use plastic in their packaging. And their overall aesthetic is equally natural — like the fantastic Nantucket One Piece ($100 on ookioh.com) with blue and white stripes and an elegant high neckline, a plunging back, high-cut leg, and shelf bra underneath for A+ shaping.

Cool prints (and sustainable): Made from recycled nylon, nylon, and elastane, the Idalia One-piece ($350 on marahoffman.com) is a full-on color statement. It’s fully lined with a scoop neck and a low open back and high leg cut, and I love it in Alegasia — a gorgeous neo-psychedelic print with multicolor swirls.

Long sleeved (and sustainable): Cali’s wet suits have inspired a wave of long-sleeve swimsuits, and they provide lots of coverage, feel like a second skin, and are just plain cool. One example: The Lotte Spring Suit Shell ($350 on abysseofficial.com) looks sleek with a bikini bottom cut and is made of thin, 100% Japanese limestone-based super stretch neoprene — which boasts the lowest carbon footprint of any around — and is lined in a fabric made of recycled consumer plastica

Two-piece suits

Sporty bikinis: Without ever falling into tomboy territory, the current crop of athletic two-pieces rely on playful and cute details like zippers, asymmetrical straps, and more color blocking to make it clear you’re not sacrificing style for sport. They also offer a little more coverage than most bikinis, so you can surf, play, swim, or blast a volleyball without worry. For all of the above, the sassy Helena Bikini Top ($220 on araks.com) and Hyma Bikini Bottom ($140 on araks.com) perfectly fit the bill.

The L.B.D of tankinis (and sustainable): Sometimes you just need a well-made, simple black suit to stand out and feel completely put-together in. When that’s the case, the Square Neck Bra Cup Tankini ($50 on athleta.gap.com) and Cinch Full Swim Bottom ($40 on athletica.gap.com) step right up and do the job. They’ve got a powerful stretch in their fabric made of recycled H₂ECO, and feature hidden underwire support, so you can do everything from paddleboarding to diving with abandon.

So if you haven’t already made your plans for your long weekend getaway, it’s time to do three things —and pronto:

Make those plans, now.

Shop for the getaway — with a smart, sales-centric strategy.

Pack your weekend getaway bag and go.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet on what to buy and pack, according to your destination —based on what your preferred mood and activities are, and with a keen eye on Memorial Day sales. Ready? Get set. Now go, already.

 Beach, beach, and more beach

Where: Pelham House (pelhamhouseresort.com), Dennis Port

Why: Lounge on the private beach and in the sunken firepit centered in the seaside pool, then nosh at the rooftop eatery. Consider it your own over-the-top Cape house without the crowds – or the mortgage.

Essentials to pack: Sandals that can stand up to the surf, like the Gilmore Logo Embossed Faux Leather Slide Sandal ($39 on michaelkors.com); and Anne Cole’s Women’s Shirred Printed One-Piece Swimsuit (on sale for $66 on macys.com).

Sailing off into the wild blue yonder

Where: Aragosta (aragostamaine.com), Deer Isle, ME

Why: Tack around sparkling Penobscot Bay, drop anchor, slumber in artsy-chic cottages, consume one of New England’s most beautiful prix fixe dinners. Repeat.

Essentials to pack: A cute sweater for breezy nights, like Calvin Klein Jeans’ Women’s Striped V-Neck Knit Top (on sale for $35.78 on macys.com) and a pretty dress for dinner, like the Puff-Sleeve V-neck Midi Dress in Stretch Linen Blend (on sale for $63.99 on jcrew.com).

Get high on hiking

Where: Spruce Peak (sprucepeak.com), Stowe, VT

Why: Welcome to the Gstaad of the Northeast, complete with cushy suites, soaring mountains, and art galleries galore.

Essentials to pack: A nifty backpack like Fjällräven’s Abisko Hike Foldsack ($135 on fjallraven.com); and a cute-meets-alluring blouse for evening, like the Cecarina Long Sleeve Cotton Top (on sale for $139 on joie.com).

Pampering at an ultra-luxurious spa

Where: The Spa at Encore Boston Harbor (encorebostonharbor.com)

Why: With 19,000 square feet filled with glowing lanterns, antiques, and plush treatment rooms, it puts the ‘up’ in upscale.

Essentials to pack: A Luxe Cashmere Pullover (on sale for $449 on clubmonaco.com) to wear between treatments; and Baggu’s Horizontal Zip Duck Bag (on sale for $31.50 on lisasaysgah.com), to tote all of your worldly goods along with you.

And the goal isn’t to necessarily to look stunning, so much as it is to stun, to present an artistic statement, and of course, to get as much attention as possible. This all coincides with a different theme each year, and this year’s was “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” Lagerfeld, the late designer who worked for luxury brands including Patou, Chloé, Balmain, Fendi, Chanel, as well as his own label, was a controversial choice this year. After decades of remarks considered racist, homophobic, and intolerant of women’s bodies and dismissive of sexual assault, Lagerfeld’s legacy had alienated a solid portion of the fashion community—including the models who protested the Gala’s theme a day before the event.

But The Met Gala is a show, and the show must go on. And in this case that meant celebrity attendees posing on the red carpet in looks that paid homage to Lagerfeld’s career of six-plus decades, spanning designs he created for every label he’s worked for, with lots and lots of homages to his many black and white ensembles, plenty of pinks, and his signature pearls, flowers, and black shades. Here are ten looks I loved — not for their audaciousness (that award goes to Jared Leto for dressing as Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette; or to Lil Nas X, who showed up in head-to-toe silver body paint) or necessarily because they honored Lagerfeld, but for the beauty and artistry they brought to the scene.

Naomi Campbell (who started working with Lagerfeld when she was 16 and, it should be said, still looks incredible) was one of many who wore an absolutely gorgeous shell pink Chanel Couture dress.

Bad Bunny in a white, backless Simon Porte Jacquemus suit, punctuated with a frilly and ultra-long train festooned with fantastic white fabric flowers. It’s about time men got to have some sartorial fun.

Dua Lipa charmed in demure Chanel Couture — a white tweed gown (with pockets), inspired by one Claudia Schiffer wore in the early ‘90s.

Nicole Kidman in drop-dead stunning pale pink, feathered number — a dress Lagerfeld designed for her twenty years ago for a Chanel No. 5 ad — topped with devil-may-care undone hair.

Viola Davis was electrifying in a fuchsia Valentino showcasing a significant feather plume at the bust and scattered feathers along the bodice.

Anne Hathaway in a remixed dress with lots of Lagerfeld tropes — chains and camellia flowers with tweed stitched together around cutouts. It was a throwback pastiche and an absolute win.

Olivia Wilde seemed ready for a fabulous medieval battle in white Chloé with a capelet top and armor-like gold cuffs and front design, flanked with side cutouts at the waist.

Gisele Bündchen in a white Chanel Couture dress with shimmering panels and (yes more!) feathers all over an enormous flowing cape — which she flapped about for extra drama. Most remarkable, though, was her huge smile.

Penélope Cruz looked every inch the part of one of the evening’s chairs in ultra-white white Chanel Couture, sparkling with silver beading and a sheer hood. Her history with Lagerfeld also goes way back; he selected her as a house ambassador for Chanel decades ago.

Jessica Chastain showed up as a platinum blonde in Gucci — a sheer black confection held up by a bustier followed by a frilled skirt, a flowing sheer black train, and a Lagerfeld classic: big black Wayfarers.

Tennis superstar Serena Williams is pregnant with her second child and doesn’t care who knows.

“There’s three of us here,” she told Vogue host La La Anthony at Monday’s Met Gala. “I’m feeling good. I can breathe. I can stop. I’m not hiding.”

Williams attended the big bash honoring designer Karl Lagerfeld with her husband Alexis Ohanian. They were accompanied by model Brooklyn Beckham and his wife, actor Nicola Peltz.

Williams, 41, became a mom in September 2017 when she gave birth to Olympia Ohanian. She went back to work three months later before finally hanging up her tennis racket in September 2022.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner wrote about her harrowing delivery in a 2022 essay for Elle.

“All the while, I was in excruciating pain,” she recalled. “I couldn’t move at all—not my legs, not my back, nothing.”

She said she began coughing violently before doctors realized Williams had an embolism and a hematoma. Naturally, Williams won her battle with those ailments and was out of the hospital a week later, ready to take on the challenges of motherhood.

“I thought I was going to be really strict, but so far I’m the more lenient parent,” she wrote. “This kid has me under her finger.”

Williams wasn’t the first expectant mom to announce at the Met Gala she was pregnant with her second child. Model Karlie Kloss beat her to it.

“I got a plus one, don’t tell anybody,” beamed during Vogue’s red carpet coverage. “This is the first time I’m actually on a red carpet pregnant.”

Gisele Bündchen once again mingled with fashion’s elite on Monday night, attending the 2023 Met Gala solo following her divorce from Tom Brady last year.

With her Chanel ensemble, the 42-year-old honored the 2023 Met Gala theme. The event, like the Met’s new Costume Institute exhibition, is devoted to the controversial Karl Lagerfeld, who worked as Chanel’s creative director.

Bündchen had a long working relationship with Lagerfeld. In 2014, for example, she became the face of Chanel No. 5 perfume.

Bündchen last attended the Met Gala in 2019, wearing a blush-hued Dior gown for that year’s “Camp: Notes on a Fashion” theme. Brady joined her on the pink carpet at the time, complementing his then-wife’s outfit with a maroon velvet tuxedo jacket.

Bündchen and Brady finalized their divorce in October 2022, ending a 13-year marriage during which they welcomed two children, Benjamin Rein, 13, and Vivian Lake, 10. (The athlete also has a son, Jack, 15, with ex Bridget Moynahan.)

“The decision to end a marriage is never easy, but we have grown apart, and while it is, of course, difficult to go through something like this, I feel blessed for the time we had together and only wish the best for Tom always,” Bündchen wrote on Instagram at the time.

In a Vanity Fair interview published in March, the ex-Victoria’s Secret Angel said that her and Brady’s breakup was “the death of [her] dream.” She also pushed back on speculation that she made Brady choose between his football career and his family, saying their relationship issues were “not so black and white.”

Vogue is hosting a livestream from the event.

The theme of the annual black-tie fundraiser is once again controversial, with this year’s exhibition “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” honoring the artistic contributions of the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. (You can read more about criticism of the Met Gala theme here.)

Here are some of the best and worst looks from the 2023 Met Gala.

Contributing: Dan Clarendon and Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News

The Kardashians are ready for the Met Gala.

Skims tycoon Kim Kardashian posted video to her Instagram story showing a trio of massage beds in a posh hotel room, surrounded by flower petals and candles. On the wall, spelled out in silver letters, are the words “Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala.”

Well-heeled celebs including the reality TV star and her clan will descend upon the Metropolitan Museum of Art Monday for the United States fashion industry’s biggest annual party. Tickets, which benefit the museum’s Costume Institute, start at $50,000.

Co-chairs include tennis star Roger Federer, “Levitating” singer Dua Lipa and “Vicky Cristy Barcelona″ actor Penélope Cruz.

“New York here we come!!!!” Cruz wrote on an Instagram photo showing her in a white gown.

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Vogue editor Anna Wintour has presided over the Met Gala since 1995. The queen bee fashionista teased to Monday’s festivities with video featuring herself and the honoree.

“The dress code is: In honor of Karl,” she wrote.

The eccentric German designer died in 2019, ending a career that saw him reinvent Chanel and serve as the fashion house’s creative director for nearly four decades. It was Wintour’s decision to make “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” the Met Gala’s 2023 theme.

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A post shared by Roger Federer (@rogerfederer)

“The Girl from Plainville” star Elle Fanning told Variety last month she was excited about the gala’s Lagerfeld homage.

“I am truly going on theme,” she said. “I have a good story behind the look that is special to me. I’m excited.”

Her Monday Instagram showed the 25-year-old performer wearing what appears to be an exfoliating mask while downing a green drink.

“Bottoms up Met,” she captioned that image.

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A post shared by Elle Fanning (@ellefanning)

Multi-talented “I May Destroy You” creator Michaela Coel, who’s also a Met Gala co-chair, posted Instagram images showing her hitting the town dressed to the nines and getting gussied-up — possible for Monday night.

“Pre met gala (sic),” she captioned one photo.

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A post shared by Michaela Coel Web (@michaelacoelweb)

Count “Gossip Girl” star Blake Lively among past attendees who don’t plan to attend the 2023 Met Gala. In 2022, she sported a head-turning Versace Atelier gown with a huge bow and no straps.

“I’ll be wearing that on my couch on Monday,” she said at a Tiffany & Co. event on Fifth Avenue last week.

When it comes to this year’s Met Gala, Anna Wintour prefers to focus more on the art than the artist.

The longtime Vogue magazine editor said that despite Karl Lagerfeld’s controversial commentary, his work deserves to be honored at the annual event she’s presided over since 1995.

The theme for this year’s star-studded fete, which benefits the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, pays tribute to the late German designer, who died in 2019 at 85.

“Karl was provocative, and he was full of paradoxes,” Wintour told Gayle King on CBS Mornings Monday. “And I think sometimes he would say things … to shock, and not necessarily things that he believed in.”

The British fashion doyenne, who apologized for the lack of diversity in what many consider the fashion Bible, made it clear she and chief curator Andrew Bolton do not condone some of Lagerfeld’s past remarks.

“Obviously Karl was a complicated man, and I think Andrew’s decision was really to focus on the work and it’s not a biography. There are documentaries and books that cover all sides of Karl’s life. We are really focusing on his work,” she said.

“I think when we go back and we look at the work that he created over so many years, I think that deserves celebration, it deserves acknowledgement,” Wintour added. “I think there would extraordinary interest in this exhibition.”

Throughout his 65-year career in fashion, Lagerfeld created garments for several luxury design houses, including Chloé, Chanel and Fendi.

He was not only known for his design brilliance and extravagant flair, though. The self-proclaimed “working class dressmaker” courted controversy with views that have been considered fatphobic, racist, and sexist. He famously caught flak for calling vocal powerhouse Adele “too fat” with a “pretty face” and claimed “no one wants to see curvy women.” Lagerfeld, who was plus-sized for years, famously lost 92 pounds in a year and documented his routine in the best-selling 2005 book “The Karl Lagerfeld Diet.”

The designer also caused an uproar in 2010 for putting supermodel Claudia Schiffer in blackface and yellowface for a Dom Perignon champagne ad.

“Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” featuring nearly 200 pieces — culled from a vast inventory of over 10,000 — is open to the public May 5 through July 16.

Bold brights

The latest colorful trenches are everything that your standard stone-gray version is not. Take the Maxi Trench Jacket ($99.95 on dynamiteclothing.com). Sure I love its removable sash andlightweight, soft fabric that makes any silhouette flattering. But I also credit the back vent for its allure, and most of all, the high-voltage shade of orange it comes in — which goes with just about everything you put on.

Playful patterns

It’s customary for trenches to be a solid color, even when those colors come in all kinds of unexpected shades (see above). But at the moment they also come in patterns, and what patterns they are. I’m partial to the Moiraa Floral Print Trench Coat ($550 on bloomingdales.com), with its all-over floral print that grabs an edge from the sleek black background. With a flared bottom hem, adorable belted cuffs, front double-breasted button, and point collars, it cuts a cool but cute figure that’s tough to beat.

Artful athleisure

Best thrown over sweats or yoga pants, the season’s lightweight trenches are the final layer for any super laid-back look. Somehow, the coats’ structured formality over total informality just works. Example? The H&M Double-Breasted Trench Coat ($65 on www2.hm.com), a marvel in neutral stone, or a revelation in a bold color like orange-red.

Roll out the relaxed look

Slouchy yet sophisticated, this season’s loosely proportioned trenches are ankle-length with long sleeves and adjustable tab and buttons. One great version is the Relaxed Trench Coat ($179 on stories.com), complete with concealed button closures, duo welt pockets, and secured with a tonal buckle belt.

Safari, So Good

Utilitarian but also full of swagger and style, the safari-inspired trench is a triumph of multitasking design. Take a look at the Long Mac Coat ($205 on everlane.com) in Toasted Coconut. It spotlights a relaxed point collar and storm flaps, raglan sleeves with adjustable cuffs, and an oversized design. It’s also water-resistant and has lightweight lining, making it the just the thing to throw on when you need to feel like you can handle anything. Including an entire season of looking fantastic.

What’s more, this season’s crop of dresses is vast and lovely. And the accessories out there are equally irresistible. After all, at Easter, hats are as much of a tradition as marshmallow birds. Here are three of my favorite looks right now.

Florals are the obvious go-to, and Tuckernuck’s Hydrangea Blooms Faven Dress ($298 on tnuck.com) is a glorious and glam choice. Overlaid onto a subtle leopard print, the watercolor-inspired green blooms are contrasted with a dark green trim on the hem and sleeves, and details like puffy sleeves, a removable waist sash, and back slit. I also love the ruched mock neckline, which adds even more drama.

And you’ll need some snazzy green shoes to accompany that. I’m loving Grace’s Perfect Mary Jane Pump 70 ($695 on sarahflint.com) by Sarah Flint. They’re flirty, a wee bit retro, they’re a stunning statement covered in emerald jacquard and fixed with a faux pearl button. To top it all off, reach for The Side Button Wool-felt Cloche ($124.95 on vermontcountrystore). It’s hand-sewn and inspired by 1920s style, and in the color loden, its timeless charm is a perfect foil for the dress’s beautiful green.

Not all florals need to be light and bright — some, like Ted Baker’s Addilin Midi Dress ($295 on bloomingdales.com), have a touch of sultriness thanks to a dark black background color. The body-skimming and sleeveless design is ultra-flattering and sports a gathered mock neck. The only thing that could make it any more sophisticated would be an incredible pair of shoes — like the contrasting Mirela II Espadrille Wedge ($350 on stuartweitzman.com) in ivory and natural. And its straw heel perfectly matches Eugenia Kim’s Mirabel  grosgrain-trimmed straw sunhat ($495 on net-a-porter.com).

Pastels are also a big star of the show this time of year. For that I’m loving Lulu’s French Countryside Lavender High-Low Dress ($96 on lulus.com) in a pretty lavender. The flowing hem shows off an airy woven fabric and adorable cap sleeves. Keep the purple vibe going with Malone Souliers’s absolutely gorgeous Marion Pointed Toe Floral Appliqué High Heel Pumps ($995 on bloomingdales.com). They’re dainty and exquisite, with satin floral appliqués across the front. And as the perfect finishing touch, there’s the Solid Floppy Straw Sun Hat ($28 on madelinelove.com) in lavender. It has a wide brim that brings a sweet and simple drama to the entire look — and the entire holiday.

Nails: Who doesn’t get a jolt of energy just looking at a pretty pop of pink? Gucci’s brand new shades of Glossy Nail Polish $33 on sephora.com) include a Valentine Fuchsia that will liven up your mood every time. It also has a high shine finish, for attention-grabbing gleam.

Lips: When you want to make a bold statement about spring color, let your lips do the talking. I love Chanel’s new Rouge Coco Gloss ($36 on chanel.com), a moisturizing gloss that comes in shades like fiery corals such as Amuse Bouche and strong pinks like Rose Pulpe. The iridescent colors makes lips plump and smooth, with even coverage thanks to a dual-sided applicator.

Bags: A bright and cheery bag is a game-changer not only for your outfit, but for your entire day. Walk into any room with Christian Louboutin’s Cabata Nano East-West Patent Tote Bag ($1090 on neimanmarcus.com) in a shade called Piou Piou (an electric yellow), and be prepared for people to take notice. Lined with Louboutin’s signature bright red, the shiny patent leather tote sports all kinds of darling details, like the tonal spike accents at the handles.

Shoes: Veronica Beard’s Dessie Platform Sandal ($237 on veronicabeard.com) is a chunky platform that’s pretty comfortable even though it’s a 3 and a half-inch heel. And its color is the sweetest pink possible.

Home: Easily change your mood — and the mood of any room — with a high-energy green color, and a clean, bright, fresh scent to match. Nest’s Lime Zest & Matcha Votive Candle ($46 on nestnewyork.com) will boost your energy with notes of lime zest, green tea, clary sage, and bergamot. Crafted with a special premium wax, it burns cleanly and evenly as it infuses your home refusing and motivating scents.

Shades: When you want your spring fashion choices to mimic the very sun that inspired them, slide on a pair of Chloé’s 58mm Gradient Round Sunglasses ($174.97 on nordstromrack.com). The big, round, and lemony yellow shades have textured temples and are a retro way to aesthetically live up to their name – sunnies.

The former supermodel, who was married to the now-retired NFL great for 13 years, referred to the highly publicized split as “the death of my dream” and put the kibosh on claims that she gave Brady an ultimatum about choosing between their marriage and his football career.

“Wow, people really made it about that. What’s been said is one piece of a much bigger puzzle,” Bündchen said in a Vanity Fair interview published Wednesday. “It’s not so black and white.”

The 42-year-old mother of two called the scuttlebutt “very hurtful” and “the craziest thing” she ever heard.

“It’s like a death and a rebirth.” Gisele Bündchen is ready for her next act—and she’s got some big ideas.

In a VF exclusive, the supermodel discusses the end of her marriage, being “blindsided” by FTX, and pursuing la pura vida on her own terms.

: https://t.co/RK4JVlVoyM pic.twitter.com/VTvCY6bVg5

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) March 22, 2023

“Listen, I have always cheered for [Tom Brady], and I would continue forever,” she said. “If there’s one person I want to be the happiest in the world, it’s him, believe me. I want him to achieve and to conquer. I want all his dreams to come true. That’s what I want, really, from the bottom of my heart.”

After the couple’s divorce was finalized in October 2022, rumors circulated that the Brazilian beauty was dating her jiu-jitsu instructor, Joaquim Valente.

Of that, Bündchen said: “I think, at this point, unfortunately, because I’m divorced, I’m sure that they’re going to try to attach me to anything.”

However, she did say that she was “so grateful” to have met the Miami-based Brazilian coach.

“He’s a person that I admire and that I trust,” she said. “It’s so good to have that kind of energy, to have my kids around that type of energy.”

The Victoria’s Secret superstar shares 10-year-old daughter, Vivian, and 13-year-old son, Benjamin, with Brady.

Bündchen was also romantically linked to 55-year-old real estate developer Jeffrey Soffer in rumors that she referred to as “absurd.”

“I have zero relationship with him in any way,” she explained of the billionaire. “I mean, puh-leeze. They were saying I’m with this guy, he’s old, because he’s got money — it’s ridiculous.”

“Seeing lies being created all the time about yourself is not easy,” she said.

Cate Blanchett: No wonder celebs from Joan Rivers to Adele have called Cate their personal fashion icon; she’s as serious about fashion as she is about acting. And this year’s Oscars presented a perfect example: Cate exuded confidence and classic beauty in a Louis Vuitton gown with a blue draping top and a flowing black skirt—winning points for both grace and strong lines.  If she’s not in a Cleopatra-inspired Jean Paul Gaultier gown or a yellow, oxblood, and lilac Valentino frock, she’s in golden, flapper-esque Balenciaga.

Rihanna: A perfect example of a woman who marches to her own sartorial beat, the singer, designer, and businesswoman blends imagination with a bit of daring. Just take her Met Gala outfits. In 2015, it was an over-the-top confection by Chinese couturier Guo Pei; in 2004 it was a luxurious black silk tuxedo by Marc Jacobs with puffed shoulders. And what other person can keep cool during a halftime show on a floating stage, rocking a Loewe jumpsuit and an Alaia coat over a baby bump?

Sarah Jessica Parker:  SJP has had real fashion know-how going on offscreen since the ‘80s. She’s as comfy in Old Hollywood glam (sequined dresses and pearls) as she is in disco-inspired wrap dresses and Vera Wang ball gowns. In everyday, she plays up jeans with heels and monogrammed Burberry blanket ponchos, and mismatched patterns.

Zendaya: A Valentino brand ambassador as of 2022 (she made formal crop tops a thing at the Oscars, in a look by the designer), Zendaya reminds us that youth can easily equal fashion wisdom. She loves vintage Bob Mackie gowns as much as pairing red athleisure with sleeveless overcoats, and people are still talking about that fantastic gold trench coat of hers.

Iris Apfel: She signed with IMG as a model at age 97. She designed textiles for the White House for decades. She wins acclaim for her costume jewelry collections at major American museums. She inspires documentaries about her outsized influence on the New York fashion scene. Iris Apfel is unquestionably a legend who lives and dresses with more imagination and vigor than many 20-year-olds.

Michelle Obama: Even as first lady, she was known for spotlighting up-and-coming (mostly American) designers—talent like Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung. Now, post-White House, you’ll find her on book tours wooing the crowds in a Balenciaga silk dress and sequined boots. Interviewing in head-to-toe leather or denim, speaking at festivals in sparkly Sergio Hudson jumpsuits, or boarding planes in embroidered Peter Dundas suits.

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When she and Trevor Bull exchanged vows on Nov. 4, 2022, she was wearing all black, from her custom cathedral veil to the mermaid gown by Casablanca Bridal that was cut low in the back and embellished all over with an intricate sequined pattern reminiscent of a fleur-de-lis.

The 29-year-old bride, who lives in Severna Park, Maryland, looked — and felt — stunning.

“As soon as I saw a picture of the dress on Pinterest, I knew it was perfect,” she said, referring to the fashion, decorating and design website that people often use as a vision board for events.

“I went on a manhunt for this dress. I called every bridal store in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia until I tracked one down that I could try on. It was sparkly and dramatic, Gothic and elegant and a little spooky. When I put it on, I felt as though it made me look like myself.”

Bull, who bought her dream dress at Amanda’s Bridal Loft of Annapolis, Maryland, is one of an increasing number of brides who are breaking away from the traditional shades of ivory, cream, ecru and white to try something a little different and daring.

“COVID-19 happened, and weddings changed,” said the store’s owner, Amanda Ritchey. “When couples couldn’t have the big weddings that they had always dreamed of, the dress became more important. Brides were looking for a way to stand out.”

Out were the strapless, lace, fit-and-flare dresses so popular before the pandemic, that made, Ritchey said, “every bride look the same.”

In were sophisticated black dresses and romantic floral prints that seemed to have floated out of an impressionist painting.Some brides have eschewed dresses altogether and opted for wedding jumpsuits. Still others have created custom wedding dresses from gowns that once belonged to their mothers and grandmothers.

Skirting tradition

Gina Samuels, owner of Cameo Bridal Salon & Boutique in Glen Burnie, Maryland, said that in addition to jumpsuits, pantsuits are a popular choice for lesbian couples.

Some of the trouser ensembles come with a traditional floor-length overskirt that brides wear for the wedding ceremony. The skirt can cover the bride’s legs fully, making it appear that she’s wearing a dress. Or, the skirt can be slit up the front to the waist so that it billows out behind, creating the impression of a train. In either case, the skirt is detachable, creating two entirely different looks for the cost of one outfit.

“Some brides wear the skirt for walking down the aisle and then take it off for the reception or after-party,” Ritchey said. “It’s a presto change-o kind of moment.”

And why not?

Though white wedding dresses with a veil and sweeping train have been de rigueur in the Western world as long as contemporary Americans have been alive, historically they represent a relatively recent development.

Before the 19th century, trendsetting royal brides usually dressed in their best outfits, with red being an especially popular color, according to a 2020 article in British Vogue. White was reserved for debutantes being presented at court.

But when England’s Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840, the fashion-conscious monarch opted for a then-untraditional gown in a creamy silk-satin and a flowered crown.

Not only did the queen’s choice become the rage, it also became a status symbol, the article says. White dresses are difficult to launder and keep clean, so choosing one for a wedding indicated that the bride’s family was wealthy enough to afford a fancy dress that likely would only be worn once.

Outside of the Western world, white never really caught on.

Wedding dresses in red, the color of joy, have been a tradition in China for 650 years, according to the wedding software company Carats and Cake. The event planning business Sunshine Wedding Spain reveals that traditional Spanish brides wear black to symbolize they will remain devoted to their partners until death. Morocco World News reports that for the premarital henna ceremony, brides in that country usually wear green and gold, the colors of good luck.

Wearing the bouquet

Samuels estimates that perhaps 10% of her customers opt for a nontraditional dress.

But while women who buck convention tend to be confident brides, store owners say that in other ways, their personal style varies greatly.

“The girl who buys the black dress is the edgy girl who is not afraid to break rules,” Ritchey said, “while the girl who opts for the floral dress is all about nature and romance.”

Black dresses often feature black sequins or lace layered over a nude slip, which makes the design pop and creates the illusion of sexy glimpses of skin.

Floral dresses, in contrast, have roots in the recent revival of 1970s boho style. But the modern interpretations of this look can range from all-over prints in soft, muted pastels on fabric as light as a summer breeze to embroidered flowers or appliquéd vines set against a solid background.

Floral dresses have been in demand since the COVID-19 pandemic began pushing weddings and other social gatherings outdoors according to Mary Feeley, owner of Mary’s Designer Bridal Boutique in Annapolis. Not surprisingly, floaty florals are particularly popular in the warm weather months and for rustic-themed weddings celebrated in gardens and barns.

“These dresses are about getting back to nature and living a life that is more organic,” Feeley said. “Floral dresses have a whimsical, ethereal look that a lot of my brides like.”

Repurposing a memory

In addition to owning the store that she founded 40 years ago, Feeley also is a designer, a skill that comes in handy when she works with brides desiring a “repurposed” wedding dress from garments that previously belonged to the couple’s relatives. Feeley cuts the old outfits up and stitches them back together to create an entirely new dress tailored to the bride’s size and style.

But while repurposed dresses have strong sentimental associations, Feeley said they are so labor-intensive they can be considerably more expensive than a premade dress purchased off the rack.

“I’m making a dress now for a bride in which I’m incorporating pieces of wedding dresses from three generations,” she said. “I’m using dresses that were worn by her mother, her grandmother and even her great-grandmother.

“I’m using the sleeves from one dress, the lace from another and the foundation from the third to create something new that will fit this bride’s dream.”

For brides on a budget, Feeley has a workaround:

“If their mother or father or a grandparent has passed,” she said, “we can cut a piece of fabric in the shape of a heart from their mother’s old wedding dress or father’s old shirt. We sew that piece into the lining of the new dress.

“That way, the bride can literally keep her loved ones close to her heart as she walks down the aisle.”