MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

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.

You can read what styling services I offer here

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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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If you’re trying to define your personal style or perhaps refine your look, see if you can find a style icon whose style you like.

It could be Sophia Loren, Debbie Harry, Grace Kelly, Kate Middleton, or whoever you identify with.

I have several, among them being Emmanuelle Alt, Lauren Hutton, Jackie Kennedy, and Charlotte Rampling (pictured).

I wouldn’t always wear what they’re wearing in the images I’ve collected, (on Pinterest) I’m just inspired by their style. I like Charlotte’s masculine/feminine style; Lauren’s classic American seventies style; Jackie’s simplicity and Emmanuelle’s classic casual French style. Together, they’ve all influenced me to come up with my own style.

Do you have a style role model?

You can read what styling services I offer here

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…. casual them down with some of your basic pieces.

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here