Oprah Just Went Back to Wearing Big-Pocket Cargo Pants — and Gwyneth Paltrow Wore Them the Day Before

Welcome to The Blueprint, where we break down the celebrity looks we want to wear right now and build them back up, piece by piece. 

Oprah Winfrey is committed to cargo pants, so it’s obvious I have to break up with my boring pocketless pants as soon as possible. 

On September 10 in New York City, the media mogul wore a pair of big-pocket pants (which she’s worn before) that prompted a light-bulb realization: I fear I have not given cargos a fighting chance. And for what? Boring pants that only have hidden pockets, or, in many cases, faux ones that can’t even stash a phone.

Aside from her khaki ones, Oprah posted a photo of herself in a pair less than a month ago, while Gwyneth Paltrow, who was also in the Big Apple, wore a navy blue pair with a cropped trench coat just the day before. 

The rest of Oprah’s look was grand, too: Her purple sweater was similar to Natalie Portman’s, yet more ideal for fall thanks to a few extra inches of fabric on the sleeves, plus her comfy sneakers seemed more functional than the high-heeled booties that she wore on the same day.

Oprah’s Outfit Blueprint 

• Cargo Pants: Moosehill Wide-Leg Cargo Pants, $33–$39 with coupon (orig. $37–$41)
• MoFiz Cargo Pants, $37 with coupon (orig. $39) 
• The Drop Jessenia Shine Cargo Pants, $55–$60 (orig. $60) 
• Tops and Sweaters: Liyohon Turtleneck Top, $27 with coupon (orig. $59)
• Dokotoo Striped Knit Pullover Sweater, $36
• JomeDesign Three Quarter-Sleeve Blouse, $10 (orig. $14)
• Sneakers: Dream Pairs Platform Sneakers, $41 with Prime (orig. $46)
• Somiliss Leather Suede Patchwork Sneakers, $47 with coupon (orig. $59–$80) 

MoFiz Cargo Pants 

When I use regular pockets, I’m super careful because, most of the time, they’re not deep enough, so things tend to fall out when I’m sitting. In other words, they’re not that secure and that’s why I’m picking out pants with pockets that have more room or more compartments.   

These ones from Amazon are “very durable” and “silky” to the touch, per the reviews. Also, according to one shopper who wore them while hiking: “The pockets were big enough to hold my phone and Chapstick, so I didn't have to carry a big bag.” They also have drawstring cuffs, so you can tie them up if you don’t want to dirty them when walking around outdoors. 

Liyohon Turtleneck Top

I can’t stand feeling like an overstuffed burrito with a thick sweater packed into an even thicker coat in the fall or winter. So, I usually choose thinner layers, but I want them to keep me at least a little warm. This turtleneck “feels more like a light sweater than a T-shirt,” according to one shopper, and it has been worn under dresses and blazers, per many others. 

There isn’t an exact color match for Oprah’s dark purple one, but the three quarter-length sleeves are, in my opinion, the most important thing to focus on here. 

Somiliss Leather Suede Patchwork Sneakers

Oprah also pulled a sneaky move when she did a little shoe change. We don’t know which pair came first — heels or sneakers — but I personally am a go-comfortable-or-go-home shoe gal, so I’m choosing option B. 

In my book, suede makes anything more fall-worthy, but on shoes, it can be tricky. I don’t want to have to spritz a protectant spray all over, so a pair with just a little bit of the soft texture feels easier to manage long term. The soles also looks serrated like Oprah’s and makes me believe that they’d be incredibly grippy. 

Keep scrolling to shop Oprah’s outfit blueprint now, including three quarter-length tops and sweaters, cargo pants, and sneakers. 

Moosehill Wide-Leg Cargo Pants 

The Drop Jessenia Shine Cargo Pants

Dokotoo Striped Knit Pullover Sweater

JomeDesign Three Quarter-Sleeve Blouse

Dream Pairs Platform Sneakers