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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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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As booties styles become more diversified, so do the seasons in which the shoes work.  For summer, we love a pair of breathable cut-out booties.  However, these fashion-forward perforated peep-toes, while airy, can seem tough to fit into an outfit, which is why we recommend pairing them with classic items, to lend the overall look a little edge.

An interesting but neutral-colored top tucked into a floral skirt (one that’s short but not too short) will look neat and chic with bone-colored booties.  With a bit of ruffle detail on the blouse, skip a necklace, and wear small, chunky gold hoops that hug your earlobes.  A tan, fairly hardware-free bag and a bit of bangle on your wrist will pull the look together in the most sophisticated way.

Candela Loro Tie-Back Booties, $112 from $225

Topshop Splodgy Grosgrain Skirt, $65

J. Crew Grand Corsage Top, $78

Elliott Luca Padova Hobo, $288

Charlotte Russe Mixed Metal Bangle, $4

Ann Taylor Loft Mini Hoop Earrings, $24.50

For more options to keep your feet stylish, check out some expensive-looking shoes from mall stores, along with our guides to sandals and boots.

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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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Ah, the company picnic. An obligatory event that eats up your Saturday and forces you to see quirky (creepy) co-workers outside their normal habitat most likely donning inappropriate or outright dorky attire. But since you have to go, arrive looking casual, conservative, and of course, stylish.

A pair of solid bermudas are a safe option as your boss may force you to participate in a wiffle ball game or a three-legged race, and that sundress you considered would prove too risky. Wear with a lightweight, loose-fitting blouse that you can tuck in. Add a belt to look more pulled together, and slip on some colorful wedges instead of too-casual flip-flops.

Store your camera (joking – as if you’d want to remember the day) in a structured, classy straw tote and don’t forget your shades to hide those rolling eyes. Have fun!

Mid-Rise Canvas Bermudas ($15 from $24.50)

Gauzy Accordian Pleated Blouse ($59.50)

Centerbar Contour Belt ($36)

Steve Madden QUALITI Wedge ($100)

Felix Rey for Target Large Straw Tote ($50)

Elle Aviator Sunglasses ($18 from $30)

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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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The word on the street (and in our mailbox) is that September has eclipsed June in terms of the top wedding month.  That’s right – you think you’re at the end of that particular schedule when you hit July, whereas it’s actually looming on the horizon.

Luckily our advice on what to wear to a summer wedding will work just as well in six weeks as it did last month.

Don’t forget to check out all our fun”what to wear” posts while you’re at it – we’ve got everything covered, from booties to blazers.

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