MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

When you decide you want to update your style and your wardrobe, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to buy lots of new clothes. Not everyone is in the position to do that.

It might mean reinventing some of the pieces you already have or being creative and coming up with new outfits, that feel fresh and different.

Last week I worked with a lady (reviewing her wardrobe) who had a beautiful dress in a fabric and color she adored, but the shape of it was no longer working for her. Rather than getting rid of it I suggested she have it made into a skirt. She loved the idea. I do it myself with my clothes, when I get bored with something. I might change a sleeve, adjust a length, dye it or in the case of this blazer….swap over the buttons.

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One way to add impact and interest to your outfit, is to add a pop of color.

While the easiest options are colored shoes or a colored bag, they’re certainly not all that’s available to you.

Here’s some ideas to get you thinking…

*Make sure you don’t overdo the amount of colors you wear in one outfit.  While some clever people can combine several different colors very well, for most of us it’s a good idea (so that we don’t appear confused) to limit ourselves to only a couple. (As demonstrated above)

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If you put an outfit together and it feels a little more masculine than you’d like, try feminising it.

For example, a polo shirt and a pair of chinos.

Together or on their own they may not feel feminine enough for you. (Of course it depends on your personal style, your personality, the image you want to portray, etc.)

In this case Ines de la Fressange has piled on and layered several pieces of jewellery  (She’s also carrying quite a “ladylike” bag).

Some things (like dresses) can be thrown on and they instantly feel right, and others (parkas, boyfriend jeans, shorts, brogues, cotton shirts, etc, etc) often need some styling to achieve the desired look.  (and feel)

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Once you’ve found yourself a cool pair of sneakers try wearing them with unexpected pieces from your wardrobe.

The skirt you wore to your child’s christening, the slim black pants you wear to work or the trench coat you save for weddings or meetings.

Sneakers can add a freshness to your wardrobe by casualing (I may have made that word up) down some of your more formal pieces – so that you’re wearing them rather than just looking at them hanging in your wardrobe.

REMEMBER to keep your sneakers looking like they’re fresh out of the box – rather than like you’ve been out working on the farm in them.

TIP: Note the length of this skirt with the sneakers. Be careful you’re not wearing your skirt, with your sneakers, at a dowdy unflattering length.

See how some of the women who inspired me while I was recently in Paris, wore their sneakers here 

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