After Oprah declared her love for CJ by Cookie Johnson jeans, we pricked up our ears and got pretty excited when we learned that today, Oprah (with the help of Joe Zee of Elle, Mary Alice Stephenson from Harper’s Bazaar, and O’s own Adam Glassman) will be giving us tips and tricks on looking slimmer (including hiding those cankles) simply by changing up our shoes and handbags.  Here’s a sneak peek at some of their excellent advice:

1. Joe Zee advises women with wider feet to try out Stuart Weitzman’s Elastorama boot.  It accommodates a broader foot without looking like it, so your tootsies stay slim-looking and comfortable.

2. Everyone agrees that commuting to work in supportive shoes is a must-do; however, trekking in scuffed sneakers certainly isn’t.  The group recommends Cole Haan’s Air Maggy ballet flats, which feature Nike technology (which happens to be one of Oprah’s faves when it comes to shoes).

3. Stephenson notes that booties, when cut lower at the ankle, help to elongate the leg.  But more importantly, the show invents a new term for the look – “shabooties.”  Get yours with Stuart Weitzman’s Cover Up boots.

4. For a woman carrying a backpack to work, Joe Zee doesn’t sacrifice form or function.  He simply swaps in a very cute and very useful messenger bag from Lucky Brand.  (And it’s in a great shade of purple, too).

5. Cankles may seem like a permanent affliction, but hiding them with black socks (as one of the show’s guests has tried to do) isn’t the solution.  Rather, elongate the entire area with a pair of neutral heels – Adam Glassman recommends Kate Spade’s Susie heels in pale blush patent.

Whether it’s a cure for cankles, tips on tying a scarf, or advice on wearing the right bra, Oprah wants to make sure you’re put together properly.  And so do we, which is why we’ve put together the best clothing for dressing thinner, along with figure-flattering jewelry to top it off.  Plus, whether you’re well-endowed or sport a smaller chest, don’t worry, because bras for big busts and the right options for smaller ones are out there, just waiting to mold themselves perfectly to your torso.

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A long cardigan is a versatile, perennially practical item which has the potential to look great when styled right – think sexy librarian instead of “frump.”  And what with overzealous office air-conditioning and cool late-summer nights that take you by surprise, a long cardigan is a perfect emergency layer to keep folded up in your bag.

Start simple, with a long, lean gray knit.  You can accessorize this in almost any direction you choose, though a geometric ring will stand out well (better than a nearly-hidden bracelet.)  A solid-color long cardigan looks good over a printed dress that’s almost the same length. Be sure to go with a dress with a bit of structure, so you’re not rocking the drapey-hippie look.  A nipped waist will add some nice definition under the sweater.

Last, a slightly edgy bag, with interesting hardware details, and practical but unique-looking flats will keep the entire look thoroughly modern.

Autumn Cashmere Bamboo-Cashmere Grandfather Cardigan ($132)

Hanii Y Floral-Print Dress ($240)

DV by Dolce Vita Hazel Flats ($77)

Juicy Couture Pad Lock Crossbody Bag ($158)

Charlotte Russe Woven Enamel Ring ($4)

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Knot Chain Necklace ($78)

In case you’ve got questions about other items, don’t forget to check out our other posts on how to wear different sorts of apparel, from booties to boyfriend blazers.

No related posts.

The vest. We are eyeing it everywhere. Yet like many a fall trend (ahem.. harem, jumpsuit), it looks good from afar, but we get it home and the item befuddles us. Well, not anymore.

Exaggerated sizes will be the most fun to style – whether that means draped, long, or boyfriend. A snug, classic fit can be a little too Annie Hall.

Pair your vest with a sheer, feminine blouse in a muted color, and choose either dark wash or black skinny jeans. This will keep your ensemble dressy, but not 90s female tuxedo dressy. Slip on some fun studded booties in a contrasting color to help liven up your palette, and store your evening makeup, etc. in a colored clutch (without too much embellishment).

By Malen Birger Cotton Collared Vest ($103.25 from $295)

Hanii Y Ruffle Accent Top ($250)

Silence & Noise High-Rise 2-Button Jean ($64)

Oh…Deer! Angel Metallic Leather Bootie ($190 from $245)

SR Squared by Sondra Roberts Buckle Clutch ($45)

Take advantage of our sartorial advice and learn how to transition your summer scarf into fall and rock espadrille flats like a pro.

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2. How To Wear White Jeans (Yes, It Can Be Done) This Fall
3. What To Wear With: Red And Pink (Yes You Can Wear Them Together)

We love the beginning of autumn, when it’s too cool to sweat and too warm to wear a jacket.  That’s why keeping the scarf you’ve been wearing on chillier summer nights is always a good idea.  You don’t really want to break out a sweater just yet.

Start with a lighter-colored cotton scarf in plaid – appropriate for fall yet not too wintery.  We like updating the scarf from summer to autumn with booties and slim dark denim, and then adding a white henley.  (A couple of the shirt’s top buttons can be unfastened, so the scarf can sit both on and inside the henley.)  Add a long-strap shoulder bag in a warm fall color, a metallic leather wrap bracelet, and pretty earrings that don’t dangle too much, and you’re good to go.

Banana Republic Cotton Plaid Scarf, $39.50

Eddie Bauer Organic Printed Henley, $39.50

AG The Stilt Skinny Jeans, $150

Rosegold Enid Grommet Strap Booties, $250

Marc by Marc Jacobs Bombay Shoulder Bag, $398

Guess Leather Wrap Bracelet, $25

J. Crew Heirloom Flora Earrings, $45

For more scarf options, peruse our guide to celebrity scarves.  And for more how-tos, check out our advice for wearing espadrille flats and summer booties.

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Here’s the thing about espadrilles – they might seem all summery, but when they’re of the flat, closed-toe vareity, they’re actually a very useful shoe to take straight through the first half of fall.  And if you think the shoe might make you look like you’re a hopeful tourist, or your kindergarten teacher, don’t fret.  This is an understated, stylish staple that just has to be paired right.

We recommend starting with a pair of relaxed and slightly broken-in straight-leg jeans (Levi’s, of course, which are a classic) and topping off the look with a crisp white blouse (this keeps everything grown-up.)

And in the middle, a colorful tote bag, long necklace, and understated studs will keep you accessorized yet looking just right.

Ras Ballet Flat Espadrille, $134

Banana Republic Pleated Blouse, $60

Levi’s Capital E Ruler Straight Leg Jeans, $198

Tory Burch Nylon Ella Tote, $250

Tuleste Market Macaroni Necklace, $115

Juicy Couture Flower Stud Earrings, $48

For more advice, check out how to wear summer booties, but make sure you peruse our guides to flat shoes and shoes you can walk in for the biggest variety of stylish flat feet.

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Jumpsuits rank up there with harem pants as a trend that frightens yet intrigues at the same time. We see them in shop windows looking fabulous on faceless mannequins, but wonder how in the world one could actually manage to show up at a party without resembling Tom Cruise in Top Gun.

Here’s how:

Pick one that’s not entirely full-length, and has a waist. This will break up the silhouette and flatter the body. Accessorize like crazy in order to balance the draped fabric. Layer two necklaces and add a strong cuff to make your ensemble evening-appropriate.  Nude heels are always a wise choice for summer, and a subtly patterned clutch will make the whole outfit come together.

Rachel Pally Eastside Jumpsuit ($220)

Citrine by the Stones Turquoise Pendant Necklace ($140)

Ben-Amun Long Gold Lentils Necklace ($195)

Sequin Sculpted Cuff Bracelet ($20 from $32)

Pour La Victoire Aaliyah Nude Heels ($330)

Apt. 9 Burnout Clutch Wallet ($32)

Have other wardrobe issues? Find out how to properly don black in August, or what to wear to the obligatory company picnic.

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We recently received a question about how to make black shoes work during the summer (and if you have other questions, be sure to ask us at tips@shefinds.com.)  Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it?  Yet black shoes, particularly heels, can work well with summer outfits, especially if you’re off to a less-than-casual dinner party or your office doesn’t observe any sort of warm-weather induced lax dress codes.

In fact, in these cases, a pair of black heels can help keep the rest of your summer clothes looking crisp and pulled together.

To begin, keep the shoe simple, with a high heel that’s not too chunky and thus won’t overwhelm your look.  In this vein, it’s also a good idea to wear a shoe that’s relatively hardware-free (even though we know studs and zippers are a growing trend – but they can wait until fall.)

Light-colored, pretty jewelry injects a summery feel into any outfit, and a floral jersey dress that’s a tad on the dark side will look seasonally-appropriate yet won’t contrast too much with the black heels.  Lastly, a bright bag that’s not too big will inject a shot of color into the ensemble without taking center stage.

Gianni Bini McCoy Sandal, $79

Lily Print Jersey Dress, $98

MICHAEL Michael Kors Jamesport Bag, $248

Anthropologie Gilded Cradle Earrings, $98

Alexis Bittar Long-Stemmed Iris Brooch, $375

For more advice, check out our guides on what to wear with a black summer dress and how to make those harem pants work.

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Yes, there is totally such a thing as a black summer dress, and not only that, but it can look light and colorful when dolled up with good shoes and fun accessories.

Start with a black slip-on dress (no complicated infrastructure) made from a lightweight, swingy jersey to keep things cool.  Add in a colorful bag and charming earrings, which add summery details.  Finish off the outfit with neutral-colored peep toes and an architectural-looking cuff bracelet that will pull everything together in the chicest possible way.

Smocked ruffled black jersey dress ($98)

Nine West peep-toe heels ($89)

Lauren Merkin Cecilia Bag ($402 from $525)

Victorian hippie chain gemstone earrings ($180)

CC Skye wooden cuff ($59)

Be sure to check out more summer dresses, including fun floral options and choices for any weddings on the horizon.

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Yes, we know harem pants are a touchy subject. But like it or not, they’re probably not going anywhere fast. So we’d like to jump in and show you how to pull them off – figuratively, that is. Because you really shouldn’t be scared.

First, choose a cropped pair (no diaper versions, or any that graze the ankle thus resembling pajama pants). You’ll want to counter the slouchiness of the pants with structure on top, so opt for a modern straight-cut boyfriend blazer along with a simple, yet dressy, blouse.

To keep with the modern theme, choose sharp angled accessories, and shoes that will make a statement against the black. Carry a fun clutch and you’ve got an evening ensemble so much more exciting than your safe black dress.

Aqua Jersey Harem Pants ($58)

Vince Lightweight Boyfriend Jacket ($440)

Bi La Li Silk Origami Top ($185 from $370)

Long Geometric Necklace ($28)

Striped Foldover Clutch ($39.50)

Luella Strappy Platform Sandal ($145)

Now that you’ve got the trend down pat, check out more options in our guide to harem pants.

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What: Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Quads, $10

Why: Putting four shadow shades in one palette is a potential recipe for disaster; for every right way to create a smoldering eye look, I'm able to come up with about a dozen other combos that leave me looking like a post-match prizefighter.

Luckily, Neutrogena has those of us with multi-shade wariness covered with its line of Nourishing Eye Quads. Each disc of complementary color is clearly labeled as a base, highlighter, crease color, or accent color. I especially appreciated the lift-up label on the back with detailed, numbered illustrations.

I opted for the two-shade natural look for work, then boosted it up to a casual but dimensional look for evening by adding crease and accent shades as suggested by the pro makeup artist who provided the tips.

Bonus: The base tint has SPF 15 so your peepers are protected.

Get Yours: drugstore.com

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