Outfits

Cropped jeans edit: 40 ankle-length pairs from Mother, Frame, Paige and rag & bone, priced $143 to $745.

The denim edit: 40 balloon and wide-leg jeans from Frame, Citizens of Humanity, Paige and Agolde, priced $98 to $795.

High rise jeans edit: 40 pairs from Frame, AGOLDE, Veronica Beard and Mother, with notes on where the waistband should sit.

The best straight leg jeans: 40 pairs from Agolde, Frame, rag & bone and Mother, priced $112 to $1,100.

The best wide leg jeans give the leg enough room for a clean line from waist to shoe, so rise, inseam and fabric matter more than the label.

A guide to midi dresses sorted by what each does best: work dresses, embellished evening styles, draped and ruched shapes and shirt dresses.

The best strapless dresses that stay in place: 40 maxis and midis from Mac Duggal, Dress the Population and Simkhai.

The best sleeveless dresses are the easiest thing to put on: 40 styles from Mac Duggal, Cinq à Sept and Rails.

The best floral dresses, with print and no costume: 40 styles from Mac Duggal, FARM Rio and Cinq à Sept, $70 to $9,200.

Black tie gowns come down to proportion, fabric and a back view that holds up in a room.

What to wear to the ceremony: 40 wedding guest dresses from Mac Duggal, Reformation, Aidan Mattox and Reiss, $109 to $4,370.

The best mini dresses, done properly: 40 styles from FARM Rio, Norma Kamali, Miss Circle and Simkhai, $88 to $2,620.

Fall outfits work best when they are built around two useful layers rather than a pile of pieces that fight for attention.

Cocktail attire for women: choose a dress that does one job clearly, whether shape, color, texture or movement, and what not to wear.

Layering a sleeveless dress works best when you check the armhole, shoulder width and fabric first, then add a soft cardigan or a structured jacket.

The best high rise trousers make the rest of the outfit easier, holding a shirt in place and giving a jacket a clean base. Shop the best pairs.

Shorts under $150 that earn their place: 40 terry, fleece and relaxed styles from Lovers and Friends and Pistola.

An affordable shorts edit that makes the category easier. Shop 44 shorts from Lovers and Friends, Made Some and eberjey, $43 to $225.

Mini trousers under $250: matching sets, high-rise shapes, stripes and silk or satin shorts, each for a different part of a wardrobe.

Shorts under $250 that expand your wardrobe: 40 relaxed and boyfriend styles from Lovers and Friends and Pistola.

Shorts under $300 are a tailoring problem. Shop 40 from Lovers and Friends, Pistola and L'Academie, priced $45 to $241.

The best strapless tops are the ones that create a clean upper line without making the rest of the outfit feel unfinished.

Mini trousers are not difficult, but they do require a clear idea of what you want them to do.

Best Mini Trousers is about shorts and short trousers that make a strong silhouette without becoming the entire conversation.