MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Tonal dressing is dressing head to toe in the same color.

Try layering various shades of one hue (or a similar color family) so your outfit doesn’t look too one dimensional.

Mix different fabrics and textures to add depth and interest.

Accessorise to break it up.

I dress this way quite a bit. I find it easy and effortless. It can also be lengthening. (i.e. make me appear taller :-))

For example, I have a lot of navy in my wardrobe that I’ve consciously bought to complement each other. I know that if I have 5 minutes to get dressed, I can reach in and pull out a few pieces of the same shade, and out comes an outfit without too much thought.

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Wearing some patterns and prints – particularly florals – can sometimes look outdated and be aging. (Note: This also applies to wearing scarves) .

This coat above, however, is youthful and modern.

The way she’s wearing it – her accessories and the casual pieces she’s teamed it with, also give it an overall cool sophisticated look…

Here though, below, is an example of an aging print. Of course, the daggy cardie doesn’t help much…

If you’re unsure whether the patterns and prints you have in your wardrobe are modern or possibly aging, consider booking in for a Wardrobe Overhaul. All the details are here.

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Part of my job as a personal stylist is to be able to look at what my client’s wearing and suggest alternative ways of putting it together.

Tweaks can result in outfits becoming more feminine, more flattering, more slimming, more modern, more professional, more lengthening, edgier, curvier, etc. (Whatever’s important to you)

It could involve tucking in, rolling a sleeve, doing up a button, changing a shoe, adding a belt, adding a shoulder pad, or even carrying your bag differently.

Below you can see that I’m wearing the same three pieces that I’m wearing above – but differently. Not only is it not as flattering on me worn this second way, but it also doesn’t feel like me.

Remember – It’s not just what you wear, it’s how you wear it.

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Belts played a big part in a couple of last week’s wardrobe sessions.

We…

Reinvented the look of a sleeveless jacket/waistcoat with a belt

Made a dress fit better around the waist with a belt

Made a head-to-toe one-color outfit have more texture and therefore interest, with a belt

Removed a belt, which made the dress look cleaner and simpler (suiting my clients’ style)

Gave a pair of pants more shape at the waist with a belt, while also adjusting the length to just where we wanted it.

Used a belt to create shape at the waist by cinching it in between a blouse and skirt

Made an old 20-something-year-old skirt look modern again with an interesting belt

I get asked quite a bit – “How do I know when to wear a belt or not to wear a belt?”

Firstly, it’s about knowing what type of belt works best for you. (e.g. thin or thick) and where to wear them.

Then, if you remember that dressing is about balance, it’s learning to look at your outfit, once you’ve put it together and deciding whether adding a belt will complement it or not. Play around and experiment and ask yourself what feels right and what doesn’t.

Some days I’ll put a belt on, and then once I’ve finished getting dressed (including, my bag, jewellery, jacket, etc) I’ll assess how it all looks head-to-toe together in the mirror….and I might decide to remove it. I may feel there’s too much detail on my shoes or texture on the bag, jewelry on my wrist….. that there’s already enough going on, and that the belt would just be too much.

You can read what styling services I offer here

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