MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

This knit above as you can see, was in desperate need of maintenance.  It’s wool, so it will pill.  I was aware of that when I bought it.  It just means that every now and then I need to spend a bit of time on it.  Using a razor I give it a gentle shave – being careful not to cut the fabric.

From time to time give your clothes a once over and assess whether any items need some T.L.C.

• Have the heels worn down on your shoes, exposing the metal tips and do they need replacing?
• Is the hem on your pants, skirt or dress falling down and need fixing?
• Does your knit need to be de-pilled?
• Do you have any loose buttons that need sewing or loose threads that need cutting?  (Maybe even replace them like I did here)
• Is it time your coat went to the drycleaners?
• Are your shoes and handbag looking scruffy?  Do they need a clean and polish?
• Could your jewellery do with a clean and sparkle?
• Do you need a new watch band?
• Could your white shirt be whiter?  Does it need an overnight soak in nappy wash or bleach?

My boots are due for another visit to the cobbler to have the heels replaced.  (As you can see in the picture I’ve already had Topy soles put on them to prolong their life)  When they get back from the shoe repairers I’ll give them a clean with either shoe polish or some Mr Sheen.

My tan leather bag gets quite grubby from rubbing against my dark denim jeans or getting thrown on the ground occasionally, so I give it a gentle clean with Dove soap.   (When I contacted the company where  I bought it from in Italy to ask them what they recommended I use to clean it they said, “facial cleanser” but I’m a little bit nervous about doing that).

Some things need maintaining otherwise they start to look manky.  Pilling, balling, scuffs, marks, general wear and tear can make a big difference to how stylish you look.  Spend a couple of minutes giving your outfit a once over to see whether anything needs attention.

Certainly some things just need to be booted out of the wardrobe when they start to show signs of wear, but sometimes things just need some love and care to reinvigorate and restore them to their former glory.

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Chances are if it’s been some time since you last updated your wardrobe, that some of the things hanging on the racks, might be dated. Coats with big padded shoulders, boxy jackets with no shape, shirts with large pointy collars and jeans that are way too high waisted.

In my case, it was a couple of pairs of pants I’d bought when I was working at the bank several years ago.  I kept them because they were still in impeccable, hardly worn condition and the fabric was good, but despite the occasional try on, they hadn’t seen the light of day in years.  It was time to be ruthless and make a decision about them. Did I pass them on or did I reinvent them?

I did the latter.

One pair were part of a Country Road suit and the other a pair I’d bought while on holiday in Tokyo.

Both of these pants were now too wide in the leg,  too baggy at the knee and both just fell from the butt – no longer flattering and no longer current.  I wanted to modernise them so that they were similar to styles that are fashionable at the moment and so that I could wear them in a more casual way.  I wanted them to work with my lifestyle and also with other pieces in my wardrobe.   With knits, tees, my leather jackets, ankle boots, ballet flats and sandals.  As they were, they felt too corporate and officey.

So off I took them to my tailor to ask him whether he thought we could re-work them and turn them into slimmer fitting pants.  I showed him a couple of pictures to give him an idea of what I was thinking and he said he could do it.  He only took them in a small amount and it didn’t cost me a lot of money, but it made a big difference.

Shapes change.

Have a good look through your wardrobe and consider whether any of the pieces you have, have dated. Think about whether you can reinvent them with clever alterations or whether they simply need to be tossed.   Be honest with yourself. When did you buy those jeans?  Even if they’re “classic” Levis and still in great condition, if you bought them in the US in 1994,  chances are they’re making you look like Kath Day-Knight.  And none of us want that.

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As much as I grumble about it and dislike the cold, grey aspect of winter, I do love the chance to rug up and wear some of my lovely warm coats.

I’ve been collecting them for years now.  I thought I’d show you a few.

The green cashmere and fur coat above was found in a charity shop in South Melbourne.  It’s vintage Christian Dior.  It needs a bit of love and attention before I can wear it.  The lining needs replacing and I want to have the arms and the back taken in.  The alterations, my tailor said, will cost me about $200, but given it only cost me $40 I think it’s worth it.

The green, black and white tweed is also vintage.  The label says it’s Made in France and I bought it over a decade ago from a little store in Melbourne’s Royal Arcade called Anonymous Posh.

I think you need at least one coat that you’ve saved for, that you’ll have for years and years to come.   Something classic, that will still be in style in 5 – 10 years time and that goes with 95 percent of your wardrobe. That’s my black Kors by Michael Kors coat below.  I picked this one up in the sales a couple of years ago from Bluefly.

And finally the camel hair and fur coat was discovered in a little vintage shop in Yarraville.  It’s in impeccable condition and incredibly warm.

Vintage coats are great for adding something interesting and unique to your wardrobe without spending a lot of money.  I know that there’s not much chance of anyone having anything like it.  I do however – despite how cheap they might be – make sure they are clean and aren’t smelly or stained when I buy them.  *Always check the lining to see what condition it’s in.

A new coat on the other hand, can be quite an investment so you want to make sure you get it right.

Given that some of you will wear it every day during winter, you want something you put on and it makes you feel great – not just some old ill-fitting, bally thing that does the job.

It needs to flatter your body shape. (Unless of course you are embracing the over sized trend then the style will not necessarily be conventionally flattering – yet style stylish)

Match your style & personality.

Be comfortable and versatile.  There’s no point having one purple coat in the cupboard if it only goes with 10% of your wardrobe.

Think of a coat like a couch.  If you buy something in a neutral tone you can make it look different by changing your accessories.  Just like adding a few cushions and a rug to change the look of a couch, you can add some gloves, a scarf and a bag or boots, to make the coat look different each time you wear it.

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The first thing I noticed when I looked at the images from this Oscar de la Renta show, was the emphasis being put on the waist.

Practically every piece in the collection is designed to show off the beautiful female shape.  Nothing is shapeless or boxy.

Yep sure, these women modelling Oscar’s clothes are twenty something glamazons, but playing up the waist is not just for the tall, slim and young.  It’s for everyone.

Just last week I worked with a lady in her sixties who had been paying so much attention to her tummy and hiding it under tent like tops and dresses, that she didn’t even realise she had a waist.   When her husband returned home and we were still working through her wardrobe, she called out to him,

“Meaghan’s found my waist *Fred”    (*not his real name)

Some people don’t think they have waists…but I like to prove them wrong.   I’ll point out exactly where it is and then I’ll show them what styles they need to wear to accentuate their curves.

What I also noticed in Oscar’s resort collection was that the waist is being brought to our attention by the use of vintage inspired waist belts.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, belts are not just for holding up your trousers. Belts can show off or create a waist, completely jazz up and change the look of a piece of clothing and artistically pull an outfit together.  Like a piece of jewellery or a fabulous shoe, a belt is something you can use to demonstrate your unique personal style.

My best suggestion for searching for belts similar to those in these pictures is to rummage through op shops, vintage stores or search online at eBay (Australian & International) or Etsy.

While keeping your body shape in mind – not all belt styles will suit all shapes – start collecting in time for spring/summer.

Are you wasting your waist or have you worked out how to accentuate it?  If so, what’s your best tip for doing so?

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