MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Rolling, tucking, buttoning, unbuttoning, ruching, folding, wrapping, tying, belting, layering…

You’ll be so surprised by what a huge impact some of these little tweaks can have.

Tweaking requires nothing new – all it is is styling the pieces you own differently.

It can make an outfit look more balanced, flattering, and interesting.

Give it a try next time you put a couple of pieces on. Look in the mirror and think about what you might be able to do to change it up a bit, that you’ve never done before.

(Jane’s giving you a couple of ideas here.)

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I was chatting with a girlfriend recently about double denim. She told me she likes the look, but when she tries it, it doesn’t feel right. She was wondering what she was doing wrong.

This is what I suggested she try…

Experiment with wearing different shades of denim together… (i.e. white jeans with a blue jacket)

Break the denim up with a belt, bag, jacket, jewellery, and/or a colored or textured shoe. *If you’re outfit doesn’t feel sophisticated enough, it could be how you’re accessorising.

Also, make sure the denim you’re wearing is a modern style, otherwise, your outfit could feel outdated.

If the denim feels too much, try wearing your jeans, skirt, or shorts with something chambray (which will be softer) on top…

..and of course, make sure the denim pieces are flattering. (Jackets that are long or have drop shoulders and wide sleeves, or shirts with big pockets on the bust, are not always the best options for everyone) That can also make you feel like something’s not quite right.

I also suggested to her that perhaps she likes the look of it on other people, but it’s just not for her. If she feels uncomfortable and self-conscious when she wears it, it might not be her style…

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Whether it’s from Zara or Prada, select carefully when you buy something new for your wardrobe.

Having four pairs of black pants…

One that is too tight

One that is poor quality

One that was already outdated when you bought them and,

One that’s fancy designer but not your style

…means you really don’t have any *black pants you can or want to wear.

Make well thought out choices. If need be, wait until you find the right piece. Don’t just buy near enough. Resist being lured into buying clothes that are a waste of money. Don’t fill your wardrobe with things that don’t make you feel great or stuff you’ll never wear.

*Black pants or white-t-shirts, a navy blazer, nude shoes for work, a tan handbag, etc, etc..

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Whether you’re petite, curvy, lean, or over sixty-five, there’s an ideal pair of jeans for you.

Great jeans will make you feel stylish and confident. They will fit in all the right places and be comfortable. 

They’re one of the most versatile pieces of clothing in your wardrobe. You’ll be able to wear them to work with a blazer and boots, on the weekend with a t-shirt and casual sneakers, and to a party with heels and a blouse.

However, finding a pair of jeans that are flattering and stylish can be frustrating and overwhelming; after all, there are literally hundreds of different brands, styles, washes, and fits to navigate your way through.

Here are a few things to consider next time you decide you need to update your denim.

• Unless you’re shopping with the view to sample lots of different styles, have a clear picture of what you’re looking for. (e.g. mid-rise dark denim straight with some stretch)
• If you don’t know what you’re looking for, be open-minded to trying on different styles.
• Always try jeans with shoes. If you think you’ll wear them with a heel, try them with a heel. If you think you’ll wear them with a boot, try them with a boot. (You don’t want to get them home to discover the boots you have, don’t work with the jeans you’ve bought)
• Know your body shape and understand the best denim styles that suit your particular shape – the best rise (crotch to waist), the best color, and the best leg width.
• Try a pair of jeans that theoretically shouldn’t work for your body shape. What’s the worse thing that could happen? They just might work, and they might look great.
• Think of buying jeans as you would buying pants/trousers/a skirt. To find the perfect fit for you, you may need to have them altered.
• In the change room, once you have the jeans on, bend over, sit down, do some squats, and lift your knees up (like you’re marching)  to see how much they stretch and move with your body and to ensure they fit properly.
• Take more than one size into the changeroom. Just because the pair you have at home is a size 12, doesn’t mean you will be that size in all jeans. Try on a size smaller and a size larger than you normally would.
• Unless they are boyfriend or girlfriend style, jeans shouldn’t sag around your bottom; pull across the tops of your legs or bag at the front of your thighs. They should fit firmly at the waist and not dig into your stomach or hips.
• Take notice of the size of the back pockets and where they sit on your butt. Are they doing what you want them to do? (ie giving your bottom a nice shape)

Read about shopping for jeans with me, here

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