MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

image via here

Before you make a decision on an outfit or a new purchase, have a good head to toe look in the mirror and think about what is being highlighted and then next, decide whether that is the area you want featured.

A belt can play up a waist, a sleeve might accentuate an arm, the length of pants may lengthen (or shorten) your leg, a shoe may draw attention to (or away from) the ankles and as in the case of the image above, the position of a pattern, pocket, seam or shape can *spotlight an area. (Which is absolutely fine, if that’s what you want to achieve)

In the photo above my eye is instantly drawn to the hip area and in the images below the first thing I notice is the woman’s beautiful face.  (I’m sure this also has something to do with the red lips)

You can notice the **effect the diamond on the dress has by comparing the three outfits.

image via here

image via here

*Fabric, and how it’s cut, can also have this effect – particularly if it’s shiny.

**The effect the diamond is having on the outfit (ie accentuating the curve through the hip area), may well be exactly what the wearer is wanting to achieve.

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When I’m thinking about buying something new there’s a series of four questions I go through in my head to determine whether it comes home with me or whether it stays in the store.

This means that I don’t waste my money on random purchases and that my wardrobe is filled with only pieces that work.

If the item has passed my first three questions then the final question – the deal breaker –  is asked..

Can I wear this piece in at least three different ways, using what I already have in my wardrobe?

If I can’t visualise at least three ways of wearing it, whether it’s a t-shirt, shoes, a belt or pants, I don’t buy it.

As you can see in the photos above, Italian fashion designer, Giorgia Tordini is wearing her suede ankle boots in four different ways.   With pants, with a skirt, with a dress and with jeans.

If I were Giorgia I would consider the boots to be a very good, versatile, hardworking purchase.

How many times do you fall in love with something in a store, bring it home without considering how you’ll wear it, and find that it remains hanging in your wardrobe, unworn?

Take your time when you shop and make considered purchases.

Avoid wasting your money and get the most out of your clothes.

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In the past couple of weeks two of my regular clients have asked me to help them find something “sexy” to wear.

One contacted me saying “Help! I’ve got a wedding to go to and I need to look hot. My ex-husband is going to be there with his new girlfriend” and the other was ready to start embracing her curves, by accentuating her lovely figure and wear something less conservative than she was used to.

The first thing I asked both of them was – When it comes to clothes, what makes you feel sexy?

(One, after some prompting from me knew what it was, and the other had no idea, which meant we had to do lots of sampling of different things til she figured it out).

Everyone has their own idea of what sexy is and what makes you feel that way when you’re wearing it. For some, it’s a pretty soft flowy dress with just a subtle hint of skin, for others it might be a figure hugging and/or revealing (perhaps Kardashianesque) outfit and for others like me, it’s my favourite perfume, pretty lingerie, a great pair of jeans and heels.

(And for some, it’s not important at all…)

Whether it’s “funky”, “edgy”, “trendy”, “cool” or “sexy”, that you’re wanting to achieve, you need to figure out what that word means to you first. Keeping in mind that it’s not just about how you look, but more importantly how you feel. Because when you feel it, you’ll also exude it..

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When a pair of tailored pants pull across the hips and pocket like this…they don’t fit.

Notice the lines being created – because the pants are too tight across the hips – from the top of the zip to the pocket. …and then, as a result,  how the pocket is pulling away from the body.

Because the pants are ill-fitting across the hips it’s drawing attention to the area …..and it looks messy!

I understand for Kim and for those who have similar shapes to her (tiny waist with wider hips and bottom), that finding pants that fit well can be difficult.

My advice is to keep shopping til you find a pair that work for you.  Don’t just settle for “These will have to do”.  I know it can be very frustrating, but you need to be prepared to try lots of different styles til you find a pair that are just right.  In Kim’s case a different fabric or a style without pockets might have worked better for her.

And secondly, consider buying up a size and having them tailored to fit you.  (Or alternatively, have a pair made)  *I’m sure Kim could afford to work with a tailor.

Remember recently I wrote about how a pencil skirt shouldn’t pull across the hips here.   Same thing…

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