MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

In an attempt to try and disguise something (your tummy, bottom, thighs, arms, etc.) are you hiding one, or more of your best features?

For example, Jessica, a client was returning to work from maternity leave.  She was feeling “frumpy”, a bit out of touch with what was still in fashion and was wanting to buy some new pieces before going back to the office.  She didn’t know where to start.  So she contacted me to help her sort through her existing wardrobe, see if there was anything that still worked and to help her come up with a list of things she could buy going forward.  (She didn’t want to make any more costly shopping mistakes)

When Jessica started trying on clothes from her wardrobe I noticed a pattern.  Most of her tops and some of her dresses (all of the ones she had bought after having her little girl) were shapeless, boxy and sometimes had gathered fabric falling from the bust. (ie Baby-doll style).  

When I quizzed Jessica about the style, she said she’d bought them in an attempt to cover up and hide her tummy.

(I get that.  As a woman in her forties I too like to wear styles to play down or disguise my tummy on days I feel I need to.)  

But for Jessica, what she was doing in the process of wanting to conceal her tummy, was making her waist (one of her loveliest features) completely disappear.

If you’re doing what Jessica was doing – covering up the bits you like in the quest to hide the bits you don’t love so much – then spend some time learning what styles will help you play down or conceal, while also featuring.  They are out there and they will make you look and feel better and help you to embrace your beautiful, unique shape.

*Jessica is not a real person.  She is an example of many many clients I work with who are in a very similar situation and have an almost identical story.

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You might recall a couple of weeks ago I talked about how to wear black and white.  Hopefully by now you’ve had a chance to go through your wardrobe and consider what black and white pieces you own and have been able to come up with many different ways to wear them.

Now it’s time to add another color(shade) into the mix.

Grey.

You might think you can’t wear grey, but don’t give up on it til you’ve tried several different shades. (For example a light grey might make you look a bit washed out, but a charcoal could be fine)  Or if you like it and feel you can’t (don’t want to) wear it near your face, consider a shoe, pair of jeans, skirt, bag or pants.

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The photo above is of Princess Anne at the races at Royal Ascot recently.

The second photo (below) is Princess Anne at a Royal engagement wearing the same outfit in 1980.

The next photos are at the races in 1983, 1991 and 2011.

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If you’ve seen the TV show, Shark Tank you’ll be familiar with Naomi Simson.

What you might have also noticed, if you’ve watched it a few times, is that Naomi only ever wears red.  It’s her unique signature look.

Wearing the same thing or a variation of it every day is just like wearing a uniform.

I tend to wear a bit of a uniform when life’s busy and I don’t have a lot of time to put much thought into outfit planning.

I”ll find myself often wearing slim jeans, a blazer and pumps.  It works for me because it’s simple and stress free. (I consciously made a decision to simplify and streamline my wardrobe when I changed careers) It makes me feel comfortable and confident and most importantly, like myself.

Some people like to have a wardrobe full of lots of color, pattern and various styles and wear something different each day according to how they feel or what they’re doing – others like to keep it as easy as possible and have a uniform.

I think the most important thing, if you decide to wear a uniform, is to not get bored with it and find yourself in a style rut.

For example, if jeans are your thing,  try different styles, if you like to only wear flat shoes make sure they’re fabulous and if you prefer to always wear black, ensure you wear lots of different fabrics, textures and shapes. …and of course, always remember to decorate.