MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

If you’re feeling yourself falling back into a style rut, if you’re starting to get a bit tired and bored with your clothes and your current look, if you’re getting stuck each morning putting something to wear together and you’re really not sure what to buy to inject some freshness into your wardrobe……perhaps it’s time for a Wardrobe Review.

Although we’re only a few weeks into winter I recently found myself feeling a bit blah about some of my clothes, and felt like I needed to shake things up a bit.

I’m just like everyone else.  I find myself getting a bit lazy, bored, unexcited about my clothes and putting outfits together.  For me it can happen when I’m busy, tired, stressed or have other things on my mind.  I start to reach for the easy option and wear the same thing over and over.  Fortunately, I’m very aware of it when it happens and I know how to pull myself out it.

Firstly, I spend some time going through images on Pinterest to get some fresh new ideas.  (I particularly focus on pictures I’ve collected in “My Style” and “My Style Role Models” boards so I can be reminded of what I love.

Then I sit down and reassess my style.  I’ll make a list of about 5 or 6 words that describe the personal style (and the image) that currently feels right for me based on my lifestyle.  (Doing this keeps me on track with what I need to achieve the look)

Once I’ve done that I’ll go through each and every piece of clothing I have (for that particular season) and work out whether they’re still working for me.  Do I need to freshen them up?  Do I need to see if I can come up with a new way to wear them? Do I need to reinvent (alter) them? Do I need to buy something that will give it new life?  (As I did here)  Or do I simply need to let them go?

Next up, I’ll spend some time playing around with new outfit combinations with the intention of trying to come up with at least 3 – 5 ways to wear each piece.  (If you follow me on Instagram you’ll see that I try to show you how I use my clothes in lots of different ways and that you don’t necessarily need a lot of clothes, to have lots of outfits)

Doing this not only creates new outfits, but also gives me a good idea of what gaps I have in my wardrobe.  (For example, I may discover that there’s a skirt I wore in summer that would work well in winter with the right knit, tights and boots)

Dressing stylishly is not just about how you look.  It’s also about how you feel.  Winter is long and can be miserable and dreary, so it’s important that we dress in a way that uplifts us and makes us feel good about ourselves.  If some of the pieces you’re wearing now to get through winter, are tired, drab or outdated, that’s how they’ll make you feel.

If you need some help getting unstuck from your winter style slump – perhaps a Wardrobe Review or some Outfit Planning (or both!) shoot me through an email here

*If you’re not sure about which style session is right for you, we can have a chat about it and I can help you decide.

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here

Chinos.

An alternative to jeans.

Wear them casually with sneakers or dressed up a bit with heels.

In summer with a t-shirt or winter with a knit.

Just like jeans, not all chinos are the same.

They can be slim, wide leg, high-waisted, relaxed, etc, etc.

Tip 1. – Try different sizes.  I have some that I wear quite firm and others I wear looser.  (ie I’ve bought them in two different sizes)  *Nowadays I prefer them slightly slouchy.

Tip 2. – Show some ankle!

If you’d like some help shopping for a pair of chinos (or another alternative to your jeans if chinos are not your thing) you can contact me to enquire or book in here 

Follow me on Instagram here

image via here

I’ve talked before about using Pinterest to help you develop your style.  This time I thought I’d give you an example of how I use it to give me ideas for new outfits using the clothes I have in my wardrobe.

Recently I can across the image above while I was scanning through my feed.  It instantly caught my eye. To be honest I think it was probably the red shoes that grabbed my attention.  (If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I have a thing for red)

The simplicity of the outfit and the combination of gingham, white and red, appealed to me.

While I don’t wear shorts (well maybe if I was on a beachy holiday) and I’m certainly not as young or tall as Alexa, I was inspired by the photo to come up with this outfit (Using all pieces I had in my wardrobe)…

When you’re looking at images on Pinterest I want you to try and look past the fact that the women in the photos might be younger, older, thinner, taller, shorter than you.  I want you to use the photos as inspiration and ask yourself,  if you see something that appeals to you, how you could interpret the look to suit you.

To see what I pin you can follow me on Pinterest here 

Details of my personal styling services (Including prices) here

Get to know more about me and my style on Facebook here

..& Instagram here

If you bought a pleated skirt in summer and you thought you’d have to pack it away now til next year – it’s not the case at all.

When it was warm you may have worn it with a cami, blouse or tee and sandals, now in autumn and then into winter, try winterfying it by teaming it with a knit, jacket, tights and boots, pumps or brogues.  (If it’s warm enough – or you don’t feel the cold like I do – you can even wear it with bare legs and sneakers)

Like all things fashion, this style won’t work for everyone, but if you like the look, don’t be afraid to give the pleated skirt a try.  Some of my clients, who were not completely sold on the idea at first, have been very pleasantly surprised that, with clever styling (on top and on the feet), the right fabric, length and fit (you want it to skim rather than cling over the hips) it has worked beautifully for them and has added an interesting and versatile piece to their wardrobe.  (I’d wear mine to a wedding, to the races, out shopping or to lunch. I’ll try and remember to show you on Instagram.)

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here