MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

“I don’t like my boobs, I’ve got a flabby stomach and I hate my legs.”

**Bear in mind that updating your look,  doesn’t  mean you need to buy a whole new wardrobe. Sometimes hems can be taken up or down, things can be taken in or worn with a belt. Wearing a sleeve a different way or tucking in can also make a big difference to an overall look.  Don’t be put off starting a style evolution because you think it’s going to be too hard or cost you too much.   It can be done in baby steps – as long as something is being done to move yourself forward towards feeling good about yourself.

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We’re often so nervous that we’re going to do something that will make us look silly, that we do nothing.

We just keep sticking with what’s comfortable and easy, while really wanting to do and try more.

The fear of making a mistake can stop us from trying anything new or moving out of our comfort zone.

Worrying that we might be doing the wrong thing, or worse, making a fool of ourselves, stops us from taking a chance and experimenting with new things.

I often hear clients say, they didn’t wear a particular jacket because they were worried they’d get heckled by their colleagues or they don’t ever wear slim jeans because they didn’t think they’d suit them.  Because they’re so worried about making a fashion blunder, they just stick with what feels safe.  Safe is fine, if you feel great, but if you don’t (maybe you’re bored), be prepared to take some risks.

I encourage everyone I work with to allow themselves to make mistakes.

The key is to recognise that what you tried didn’t feel right, but then to get up the next day and do something different.

Even though I have a very good idea of what I like and what suits me, I still make mistakes. I’m willing to make them.  I want to continue to challenge and push myself and try different things. I don’t want to get bored and stuck in a style rut and occasionally what I try, doesn’t work.

Generally I love every single item in my wardrobe, so when I make a mistake it’s the way I’ve put together the pieces in an outfit.  But in this case, I bought something that wasn’t really my style and as a result wore it and made a mistake.

While mistakes might make us feel not great at the time, they can be a good thing.  Rather than berating ourselves, we can focus on what we learnt and how to improve on it in the future.

Give it a go!    …and even if you don’t get the exact result you want, at least you tried.  You can be proud of that.

“No one is perfect…that’s why pencils have erasers” – Wolfgang Riebe

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I love the idea of a clutch bag.  They remind me of a couple of things – the 70’s …and Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw.  Both of which have influenced my style a lot.  (I would wear Farrah’s outfit (above) head to toe today)

Perhaps it’s because I’m petite (ie under 5ft 4), but I like the idea of not being swamped by or having to lug around, a big oversized bag, instead having something small that I can hold in my hand (like Amal did here and Meghan did here) or tuck under my arm. (Like so).

I’ve collected a few over the years.  There’s this one, a birthday gift from my family, this one I found at The Mill Market in Geelong, and this one I bought from a vintage store in Paris.

While I tend not to use them much during my day to day, the first chance I get to pull one out and use it for a night out or a day at the races, I do.

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Are you paying attention to your back view?  Are you taking the time to make sure you’re wearing appropriate undies?

I see a lot of people in the street wearing great outfits, with very bad VPL’s. I’ve come to the conclusion that there are many women who do not check their rear view when they get dressed.  Your underwear should not cut into your flesh and create dints they should sit flat against your skin and disappear under your clothes.

I think often too, people are buying clothes without considering what underwear they’ll be able to wear underneath. There’s no point in buying a hot slinky figure hugging frock, if you’re not going to be able to find a suitable pair of undies that will make the dress look smooth against your body.

The same thing happens with jeans and pants.  If your knickers are too tight they can create an indent in your hip or thigh.  It’s important you take the time to spin around in the mirror and check what the view is like from the side and back, as well as the front,  before you leave the house.

Here are some underwear tips to consider

• If you can’t find a pair of underpants that flatter a particular item of clothing, you might be best to completely ditch them
• Next time you’re in the underwear section, ask the ladies working there to recommend their favourite undies for smoothing lumps and bumps under clothes
• If you have a bit of a tummy you’re conscious of, investigate tummy flattening undies. (Try wearing undies that go over the tummy rather than sit below it)
• Think about whether you might be buying your undies too small. Just because you generally wear size 10 clothes doesn’t mean your undies will be the same.  Perhaps a size 12 would be more flattering (I tend to go up a size if I’m wearing tight fitting pants so that I don’t have a noticable dint on my hip)
• If you always wear boy leg style undies, change it up a bit and try wearing a high cut style.  Maybe they’re a better option for your shape
• Don’t underestimate the benefits of suck-it-all-in shapewear
• If you do have a dress you need to find undies to wear underneath – take the dress into the store with you and ask for guidance from the staff

Don’t ruin an otherwise great outfit by wearing unsuitable undies.

You can read what styling services I offer here

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