MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

My Mum has always had a love of shoes, make-up and perfume. Right from school, at a very young age, she worked in the cosmetics department at Myer where her weekly pays would be saved up to buy shoes.

I don’t remember Mum ever leaving the house without a beautifully made-up face. (Well at the very least with her lippy on) I went to Paris with my Mum for my 40th birthday and this is one of my favourite pics. It’s Mum re-applying her lipstick in the Louvre.  She has one of those little lippy cases that she carries around with her and she is often seen whipping it out to do a quick touch up.

Those who follow my blog or Facebook page will know I too have a thing for great shoes and cosmetics.  I have to be very disciplined to buy practical as well as simply gorgeous shoes and I could spend hours in a store trying lotions and eyeshadows and smelling different fragrances.

The other thing my Mum taught me about style is about fit.  From a very young age (2 or 3) til I was in my early 20’s I did calisthenics and my Mum made all my (and my two sisters) costumes. She was a perfectionist when it came to how the leotards and costumes fit us. There was never a wrinkle, an extra fold of fabric or a loose sequin anywhere. She would spend hours and hours making sure they were just right. Near enough was not good enough. If we were on stage and she noticed a thread or a slightly too long hem length, it would be altered immediately.

And finally probably the biggest lesson I learnt about style from my Mum is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to dress and look stylish. It shouldn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or how much money you have, you work with what you have and what you can afford. If you need to, you save, you plan, you make or alter and you search and hunt for bargains. You don’t give up on your style just because you don’t have a lot of money to spend on clothes. You find a way to look and feel good.  If you’re really interested and willing to invest the time and effort to learn, you can be stylish – even with a limited budget.

So somewhat unconsciously I have been aware of and studying style since I was a very little girl.  From the time I learnt what the odd contraption that turned out to be an eyelash curler was, to the moment I had my first costume fitting, to when I worked with my Mum to design the school formal dress she would make for me.  All those years, of subtle education, without me knowing it, contributed to my passion for style and fashion, and helped get me where I am today in my career.

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A blazer pulls it all together and makes everything smarter.

A casual blazer is a dressier option than a cardie.

..and as you can see above a blazer can even be worn with sneakers.

If you’ve only ever related blazers to school or work, try and get your head around wearing them casually.

It’s just a matter of trying different styles to find something that works for you.

TIP  If you have a blazer in your wardrobe make sure it fits you properly. I often find my clients do have a blazer or two in the wardrobe, but often they don’t fit.  *Hint – the one above fits perfectly

Put your blazer on and pay special attention to:

• the length and width of the sleeves
• how it sits across your shoulders
• how it sits across your bust
• how it fits across your back
• how it fits at the waist
• the length

…..& finally how it’s fitting under your arms

Remember – Near enough is not good enough if looking stylish is important to you.

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Don’t spoil the look of an otherwise great outfit, by leaving the price stickers on the sole of your shoes.

I know it may seem a little petty, but sometimes those little things make a big difference to the overall effect of your outfit.

Of course none of us are perfect (I once took two different shoes of the same color but of drastically different heights  to wear to a clients home and when I arrived and realised, had to wear the sneakers I had driven in to the appointment. All I could do was laugh at myself) and sometimes we just forget or we simply didn’t realise we needed to do something .  It’s good, though, to be aware of things.  (Like removing designer labels from coats and scarves. Another spoiler!)  

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I bought these fabulous cowboy boots in LA in 1996.

To be honest I’m not really sure they were ever my style. But my sister had a pair and I just loved how they looked on her, so when I made plans to go to the States, way back then, the first thing on my shopping list was a pair of cowboy boots.

I never say never when it comes to fashion (other than mini skirts, midriff tops and three quarter length pants) but I really can’t imagine I will ever wear them again.

But I’ll never get rid of them.

To this day I remember exactly where I bought them, who I was with, the discussion I had with the sales person about how to break them in and the joy I felt when I found them.

The boots always bring back special memories and represent a wonderful holiday I had with my Mum and Dad. They’re a sentimental piece that will always be with me.

If you have a cardigan that was your Nans, a windcheater that reminds you of uni days, your wedding shoes, or a pair of jeans you wore on your first date with your husband, sitting in your wardrobe because you’re not sure what to do with them, pull them out of the wardrobe.

(Ideally you should only hang the things you can and will wear today.  Particularly if your wardrobe is busting at the seams and you’re having difficulty being able to see everything you have to work with)  

Next, think about whether the item could be used somehow.  For example, could Nan’s cardigan be worn with a white t-shirt, your jeans and a pair of ballet flats?  Could your wedding shoes be painted?

If not, then consider either storing the pieces somewhere safe, taking photos of them to keep for memories, or giving them to someone who would appreciate them. (Maybe include a little note with the story about the piece)

I was given this vintage cardigan by a beautiful friend, whose Mum bought it for her when she was 16.  She gave it to me when she was 75, she’s since passed away, which makes it even more precious.

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You can read what styling services I offer here