MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

If you haven’t noticed, the lengths of pants are going up.

But not up to that ugly, unflattering three quarter length (remind me to write a post about that)  but just to where they graze the ankle – a la vintage Brigitte Bardot.

Like all styles, it won’t work for everyone, but give it try and see what you think.  Showing a hint of ankle bone can be incredibly flattering.

Are you embracing your inner French girl and the cropped pants trend?  (As I’m sure you can imagine, I certainly am)  

TIP Keep in mind long pants can be altered and made shorter or even just rolled up.

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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.

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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

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While some of the fashionistas attending the autumn/winter 2013 ready-to-wear shows are following the current trend of wearing their coats and jackets oversized, Emmanuelle Alt, Vogue Paris editor-in-chief, is true to form, doing her own thing and wearing her coats pulled in at the waist with a belt.

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We all know I do love a belt and I’m a big proponent for accentuating the waist, so the inspiration I’m taking from these photos of Emmanuelle is that I’m going to follow her lead and attempt to add new life by changing the look of some of my winter coats with different belts. I’m going to pull out all my coats, try them on with my various belts and see what works. Perhaps before winter comes around I need to add a couple of belts I can wear around my waist, to my shopping wishlist and keep an eye out for new ones to add to my collection.  (TIP: Don’t wait til winter is here. Plan ahead. Give yourself plenty of time to search for interesting pieces and bargains. Some of my favourite belts have been found in op-shops and vintage stores.) 

And the most inspirational thing for me, one that I always take from Emmanuelle and her style, is to do your own thing.  If you want to just wear black – wear black.  If you want to only wear pants – only wear pants.  If you want to wear flats – wear flats.  If you want to cinch in the waist of your coat when everyone else is wearing it shapeless and oversized – cinch in your waist.

Do your own thing……if it makes you feel great.

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