MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

This is one of my favourite outfit shots from the recent Fall 2014 New York Fashion Week.

It’s by J.Crew.   I want it all.  The coat, the scarf, the shirt and the jeans.  It’s a casual yet chic look.

What this picture shows us is..

1. Yes you can wear denim on denim in a stylish way – not just in a, I’ve just walked off the set of Shawshank Redemption, kind of way. My tip is that if you try the double denim look (denim jeans/denim shirt) and you don’t want to look like you’re trying to resemble a prisoner, pay extra attention to your shoe choice.

2. Wearing blue head to toe is chic and sophisticated.

3. It’s ok to wear black shoes with navy.

4. A coat doesn’t necessarily need to be put on, it can be thrown casually over your shoulders.

5. Blue jeans don’t only come in one style.

For now, let’s just focus on No. 5.

If  you’ve been wearing the same style of blue jeans for years now, (more than likely skinny jeans) consider shaking things up a bit.

There are so many different washes and cuts, that there’s bound to be more than one style that works for you – it’s just a matter of trying on various styles.

I know it can be overwhelming shopping for new jeans, but when you know what suits you and what to look for, finding great jeans (which everyone should own) becomes so much easier.

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When you’re trying something on in the changeroom….move around.

Don’t just stand still in front of the mirror and assume this is how the piece will look and feel when you get it home.

Twist, stretch, bend, lean, squat and sit.

Sure you might feel silly, but trust me, you’ll be so pleased you did it when you discover the difference moving around can make.

Get an idea of how much the fabric will stretch after you’ve been wearing it for a while.

Determine how comfortable it will or won’t be.

Is it too short, too tight, too baggy, too creased or too revealing?

Consider how, when and where you plan on wearing it.  Will it work for that?

Have a good look in the mirror at how the clothes appear from every angle – side, back and front.

Take your time in the changeroom.  Don’t feel pressured to try something on quickly.  If there is a long queue of people waiting and you are not sure whether you love the piece and/or whether it’s flattering, take some to think about it and then return later to try it on again.

You don’t want to get home, try it on and realise that it’s not right and then have to return it.

Remember….bend and stretch.

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While I think the chambray shirt is always fashionable it is particularly “in” at the moment. As we head into spring and summer in Australia you’re likely to see it everywhere. So if you have an old one lurking at the back of your wardrobe, pull it out now and start thinking about how you could wear it and what you might need to buy to wear with it.

When things are “in” it’s important, if you choose to partake in the trend,  that you put your own spin on it so that you don’t look like everyone else.

In these photos I’m showing you mostly how chambray can be worn with denim, but there are so many more possibilities.

Depending on your personal style, you can team a chambray shirt with a sequined or brocade pencil skirt or with a pair of flattering tailored shorts. You can wear it open (like a cardie) over a long striped maxi dress or with a pair of patterned cropped slim pants.

However you wear it, be sure to portray your own unique style and dare to be different.

For those wondering and so you’ll be ahead of the pack if the question ever comes up at a trivia night, the main difference between denim and chambray is in the way that the fabrics are woven.   Basically, denim is heavier and woven diagonally (producing a tougher material), while chambray is lighter and plain-woven .

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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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Read what styling services I offer here