MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Because of my size, shape and proportions much of what I buy has to be altered.  I could just buy something that sort of fits and think, that’ll have to do, but ill-fitting clothes do not look stylish.  And ill-fitting clothes can make you think that your body shape is different to what it really is.  If you have not had anything altered to fit you perfectly, you will be amazed what taking up, down, in, or out, a centimeter here or there, will do for the overall appearance of your look.

A sleeve that is the wrong width for your arm can make you look like you have no waist,  a dress or skirt hem the wrong length can make your legs look shapeless and pockets can make your bottom and thighs look bigger than they really are.  And we don’t want that do we!

For example, I bought this top pictured above recently from Country Road.  Despite putting in some good searching time, I had not found a peplum style top that sat in the right place at the waist, until I came across this one.  I loved how it fit me….everywhere but the length.  Because it was not sitting at exactly the right place on my hips it was making my torso look longer than it is and my legs look shorter than they are.   But I knew when I bought it that having it taken up to where the most flattering length was, would be easy, so I factored in the cost of having it altered by my tailor.

If you try something on from your wardrobe and it doesn’t feel quite right consider whether it has anything to do with the fit. Look over it from top to bottom.  Do the shoulders fit right… the arm holes, the sleeves, the waist, the back, the length, etc.

Pay attention to the details.  Trust me, when something fits you just right, it will make an enormous difference to how stylish you look and therefore, how great you feel.

If you have some things in your wardrobe that you’re really not sure about the fit, keep in mind I can help you determine whether it’s just right or not quite right. (& explain to you why) This is something that we cover in the Wardrobe Overhaul

Click here to read about Fab Finds & Favourite Things where I share what I’m buying as well as what my clients are buying.

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image via here

Bored with the clothes hanging in your wardrobe?

Could it be possible that it’s because you wear the same thing, the same way, every time?

You wear the same black pants, with the same black shoes and the same black jacket and carry the same black bag.

BORING

Mix things up.  Experiment with your clothes and wear them in new and different ways.  (As in this photo above, where a dress is being worn over a dress)  It won’t always work.   Sometimes it might feel silly. Sometimes you might even leave the house and feel all wrong, all day.  But that’s ok.   At least you gave it a try and had some fun with your clothes.  If it did’t feel quite right and you didn’t feel confident, you just don’t wear that outfit like that again.  You try something else.

Keep in mind that “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you always got”

And Remember when you see photos like this don’t just think, I don’t wear those colors, I’m not that tall, that young, that thin…or I don’t have the budget to buy these types of clothes.  Look at the image with a creative eye.  Get inspiration from it.  Rather than think I don’t have the legs to wear a dress that short, instead think, maybe I could layer two of my dresses (dresses that flatter and complement my style, lifestyle, budget and body shape)  OR I could wear two chunky necklaces rather than just one OR I could carry my little bag like that rather than wear it across my body all the time.

Read more about getting inspiration from images (and people you see in the street) here

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I spent last Friday afternoon getting my beautiful niece ready for a year twelve school formal – doing her hair and make-up and …. repairing her shoe when it broke five minutes before we were about to leave.  My cool, calm and collected skills were certainly put to the test.

This is what she wore…

A vintage black velvet dress that was modified and altered to her size, shape and style, Prada gold and black ankle strap heels (see the loose undetected button on the pic of the left heel) and a vintage beaded bag.   She also wore a tiny pair of earrings and that was it for jewelry.  She didn’t want anything to overpower and compete with the shoes.

Channeling a young Brigitte Bardot, I curled her hair (with old fashioned heat rollers) and she wore it natural and slightly messy/tussled. (I used some Schwarzkopf Volume Powder at the roots and lots of Elnett hairspray)  I put a few tiny false lashes on the outside corners of her eyes, a sweep of black liquid liner and lots of black mascara.  She had pink dewy cheeks, a little dab here and there of liquid illuminator and she wore fire engine red lipstick to match her nails.

Tip

For any occasion, whether it’s a school formal, a wedding or a fancy party, the outfit you put together (including hair and makeup) should reflect your personal style and flatter your body shape.

If you never wear your hair up, never wear soft floaty pretty dresses or red lipstick, ask yourself, will you feel comfortable and confident wearing it for a special event?  (i.e. if you’d never dream of wearing pale pink or gold in your day to day, why on earth would you wear it on your wedding day)

If you wear a dress or hairstyle that is not flattering to your shape or not really your style, there is the chance that you will spend the entire night (or day) feeling uncomfortable and self conscious.

My niece nailed it. She often wears black, she often wears red lips, she often wears her hair down, natural and wavy and she doesn’t wear a lot of jewelry.  When she ran out the door she was a gorgeous,  glammed up version of herself.

Details of my personal styling services (Including prices) here

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I love women wearing men’s shirts.   I think the look can be really chic, in a tomboy kind of way. Feminine/masculine is very much a part of my style.

The key to wearing something borrowed from the boys (whether it’s a jacket, a knit or a shirt) is to incorporate an element of femininity.

Consider..

• Showing just the right amount of skin – whether it’s your decolletage, your wrists or your legs
• Accessorising – with belts, earrings, sunglasses, necklaces, bracelets, bags, etc..
• Wearing an elegant shoe – a ballet flat, beaded flat sandals or heels
• If you’re wearing it oversized, team it with something that fits snuggly and accentuates and flatters your figure – a pencil skirt, slim jeans or pants
• Painting your nails
• Putting on some lippy or coating your lashes with mascara
• Exposing a hint of lovely lingerie

Click here to read about Fab Finds & Favourite Things.

Follow me on Instagram here

Read what styling services I offer here