MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Matchy-Matchy is an adjective used to describe something or someone that is very or excessively colour coordinated. It is a term that is commonly used in fashion blogs to describe an outfit that is too coordinated and consists of too many of the same types of colors, patterns, fabrics, accessories, etc. “Matchy-matchy” was added to the Oxford Dictionary of English in 2010 along with 200 new words that were previously considered as slang. – Wikipedia

In the case below, wearing two pieces of the same bright color in one outfit works because the skirt and the shoes are so close to each other that it almost seems like they belong together.

The matching is not too obvious.

Whereas in the outfit below, the matching is too much.

In this case if the shoes, belt and bag were not a bright color (ie perhaps navy or tan) it could work – but in this case, it’s too matchy/matchy.   You notice the accessories more than the overall outfit.

Back in the 50’s or 60’s an outfit similar to what Queen Elizabeth is wearing (above), where you matched your bag with your shoes and gloves, may have been very stylish, but just remember, we’re now in 2019 and you don’t need to match everything in your outfit to be well dressed.

In fact, being too coordinated and matchy, can age (and perhaps out-date) your look.

That said…who knows….. just like all fashion trends, matching your shoes with you bag just might come back in to fashion one day.

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I’m still surprised when a new client tells me they don’t have a full-length mirror and need to race out and buy one before our wardrobe session. 

I’ve met those who have had a mirror they never use in their downstairs bathroom, those who have a mirror that, on my arrival, came out of storage from the garage, and those who only have a mirror that shows the face and shoulders.

For those of you who belong in the above category, imagine if you had a full-length mirror, you could see whether…

•  the shoes work with the pants, dresses, or skirt
• your bra and underpants are not the wrong color or too tight for the outfit and causing bulges
• your top or jacket is too long and cutting off the length of your legs
• the bottom half of the outfit works with the top half
• your skirt or pants are a flattering length
• the hosiery goes with the clothes and shoes
• your jeans are still flattering…from the back as well as the front

We’ve all thrown something on in the morning, thought – that’ll do – then raced off to work or lunch. Along the way, we caught a glimpse of ourselves in a shop window and thought, I shouldn’t have worn this – I feel daggy, self-conscious, and uncomfortable.

A quick inspection head to toe before you leave the house will help prevent this from happening. Think about putting a mirror behind your bedroom door or inside your wardrobe. You can get them from hardware stores, Kmart, and Ikea and I’ve seen them for as little as $20.

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Two (generally) size 12 women go into a store together.

One is five foot 2 (considered petite) – she has a defined waist, and her hips, bottom, and thighs are wider than her bust and/or shoulders. (Commonly known as triangular in shape).

The other is five foot 9 – her shoulders, bust, and hips are about the same size, with no defined waist. (Commonly known as rectangular in shape).

Remember both generally wear a size 12.

There is no way that the size 12 in the store will fit them both beautifully. It might roughly fit, (ie they might be able to get it on) but that’s about it.

In this case, when something fits you – sort of ok – it’s up to you to decide whether you walk away or whether you commit to having it altered. Near enough, is not good enough. 

*As a petite it can be challenging to find clothes that fit me well. If I find something I love that doesn’t fit just right, I buy it with the proviso I can return it, then I take it to my tailor to see if he can alter it to fit me. This might mean having it lifted on the shoulders or waist, the seams running in through the middle, the sleeves shortened, or just a simple hem taken up.

Learn how to tell when something doesn’t fit you properly. It’s the number one thing I see in the wardrobes that I help overhaul. Lots of women buy clothes that don’t fit them, then just settle for wearing them ill-fitting. Often they can tell something isn’t right – because they know when they put something on that it doesn’t feel great – but they’re not sure why.

Despite your budget, ensuring each item in your wardrobe fits well, (whether it’s a t-shirt, blazer, or pair of jeans) will instantly give your look a stylish upgrade.

*If you’d like me to teach you about how clothes should fit contact me here 

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Try and have at least one or two pieces in your wardrobe that you can rely on for different occasions.

For fancy dinners, weddings, dates, funerals, job interviews, etc.

It could be a little black dress, a cream suit, a navy jumpsuit, or a couple of classic separates. (As is the case for me here).

Make sure they’re current, modern, in great condition, and ready to be transformed for the particular event. (Eg. I’ve added high suede pumps, a belt, a small vintage bag, and tiny sparkly earrings – for a day at the races. If I was going to a bar for drinks, I might remove the belt, swap the bag and change to an ankle boot. Different look (and feel), using the same reliable classic pieces.

Remember – you don’t have to have lots and lots of clothes, to have plenty of outfits. It’s all about having the right versatile pieces.

You can read what styling services I offer here

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