MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

A versatile, hardworking wardrobe should have at least one casual jacket – ideally in a neutral color that works with everything.

That jacket should be a step up from a knit, (i.e., a cardie) not a coat, nor something you’d wear hiking, exercising, or feeding the chooks on the farm.

It should be a piece you can dress up or down and wear anywhere from a picnic to school pick-up, to going shopping, watching your kids play sport, to lunch, to work…to dinner. Each time, changing and adapting its look.

The khaki jacket, or parka (Army green jacket/Military jacket) fits the bill.

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The trend that doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon (well at least among the fashionistas in Europe and the States) is cut off jeans.

The last four weeks I’ve been reading blogs, magazines and watching Instagram feeds, taking notice of what the show-goers are wearing during Fashion Month (In New York, London, Milan and Paris) for some inspiration and also to see what trends may emerge here in Australia in the coming months.

Doing this gives me some ideas for what I could add to my own wardrobe (and perhaps suggest to my clients) but also gives me some inspiration for what I might be able to do with the clothes I already have.  For example, add a brooch to a jacket, mix two colors I hadn’t considered, or in this case, crop my jeans with scissors.

You might recall I told you about it back here.

The other significant thing I noticed from the hundreds of images I looked at, was that there were barely a pair of skinny jeans to be seen.

If you’re still only wearing skinnies, it may be time to start experimenting with different styles..

Here’s some photos from the last month, of people in the street wearing their jeans chopped and with a raw edge.

TIP:  In wanting to experiment with this style, I bought a pair of jeans (Levis) from an opshop and cut them.  I’m still undecided as to whether it’s for me on not….but happy to play around with it for the time being. I think I’ll sit with it for a while and when it cools down try the look with a pair of ankle boots a la Emmanuelle Alt. (As seen above)

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Rather than lugging around your big leather everyday bag in summer, consider swapping occasionally to something more casual.

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I tend to do it on the weekends.  If I’m shopping or catching up with friends for lunch I’ll carry my French market basket or a small colorful straw clutch.  

Bags, just like shoes, have the power to make your outfit more casual or alternatively, more dressy.

Give it a try.

Maybe you have a little dress you wear to work (perhaps a shirt style) with a classic pump and your everyday (More than likely black) handbag.  Now try it with a pair of tan tan sandals or an espadrille and a straw basket or canvas tote. It feels and looks completely different. It means by changing your bag and shoes, you have a new outfit for a different occasion.  You can wear the dress somewhere other than just work

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You know that I’m a big fan of the white shirt for it’s versatility and of course it’s timeless appeal for those classic dressers amongst us, but equally stylish and handy to have in the wardrobe (and possibly more complimentary to various complexions) is the light blue shirt.

Wear it with..

• a denim skirt
• white jeans
• orange shorts
• a navy suit
• a statement skirt
• patterned pants
• denim cut-off shorts
• a leather skirt or culottes
• black pants

*Do keep in mind that although a blue shirt is a classic (timeless) piece, it will still date.  Remember shapes change. A blue shirt you bought back in the 90’s, while it still might be in impeccable condition if you’re not wearing it often, will more than likely be outdated today due to it’s large pointy collar, low armholes and wide sleeves.  If it’s a hard-to-part-with favourite, determine whether your shirt could be altered and modernised or whether you need to be ruthless and give it a toss.

TIP – Consider shopping in the men’s or boys section for a blue shirt.  As you can see in the pictures above it doesn’t need to be worn super fitted.  The one I’m wearing here is from the men’s dept. at Uniqlo.

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

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Read what styling services I offer here