MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Simply buying new clothes and accessories is not enough to look stylish…..if that’s important to you.

It doesn’t end there.

When you start slowly adding new pieces over time, (particularly if you’re at the rebuilding a new wardrobe stage) the next step is to take care of them so that they always look fresh and new and so that they’ll last.

Often a client will say to me, “I don’t buy from so & so anymore because their clothes don’t last”.  They might then go on to tell me after I’ve inquired how they washed the garment, that they threw it in the washing machine with the towels (When the label distinctly said it needed to be hand washed). Very little will survive that.

Clothes, shoes, bags, belts, scarves,…. need to be taken care of.

They need to be washed properly, they need to be de-pilled, they need to be re-soled, polished, re-hemmed, conditioned, brushed, etc, etc.

When you’re about to purchase an item consider whether it’s something you can commit to looking after. If it’s something that needs dry cleaning or hand washing, will you do that? If it’s a pair of shoes that needs spraying or a Topy sole put on before you can wear them, will you do that?

Go that extra step…..maintenance, whether we like it or not, really is important to how our clothes look and how long they last.

For many people the care of clothes and shoes was something they didn’t grow up learning about, but it’s certainly something that is worthwhile educating yourself about now….and I’m always happy to pass on what I know to help you. (My Dad cleaned and polished his shoes every single night so I was fortunate to have, taking care of things, ingrained in to me at a very early age.)

From the archives read, “Your Clothes Need TLC Too”  here

Details of my personal styling services (Including prices) here

Get to know me and my style on Facebook here

..& Instagram here

image via here

 “Because silver hair doesn’t equate to elasticated waist bands and comfy shoes..”

– Dr Christiane Northrup

READ: “It’s Not What You Wear It’s How You Wear It” here

Details of my personal styling services (Including prices) here

Get to know me and my style on Facebook here

..& Instagram here

Of her unique personal style, Vogue UK’s fashion director, Lucinda Chambers says ..

“Shabby, disheveled, boho — I know all those words. I know I don’t look smart. I’ve tried. I just can’t do it. I think it’s a lot to do with hair. My hair never will behave itself, but also I never, ever want to look sexy. It sounds odd, but I never really want to be noticed. I’ve found a way of dressing that really suits me and my personality. I really like to be comfortable in my clothes. I don’t like to look after my clothes. If I’m going to wear a dress that won’t look good if it’s creased, then I’d much prefer to wash it and make it creased so I don’t have to worry about it for the rest of the day. I’m aware that I probably disappoint, but I suppose I’m just a bit too bloody-minded.”

If I had to describe Lucinda’s style, after looking at lots of images of her, I would say it’s unconventional, creative and individual.    She wears lots of color and beautiful eye catching fabrics and mixes things that don’t necessarily go together – often nothing matches.  “Ethnic mixed with English with a bit of Scandinavian and kitsch all together”  Her clothes are always decorated with interesting pieces (i.e. shoes, bags, earrings, sunglasses, belts and necklaces)  Her style is never mainstream and she appears not to be a follower of trends.  Lucinda looks to me like someone who is completely comfortable in her own style and knows exactly the image she wants to portray.

Here’s a challenge for you…If you had to describe your own style what would it be?

Click here to read about Fab Finds & Favourite Things.

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Read what styling services I offer here

image via here

If you want to update your work look but don’t want to buy a whole new suit, there’s a couple of things you can do.

The first is to have a close look at your suit. Could it be rejuvenated by a tailor? Could the shape of the pants be modernised? Could the skirt be slightly re-shaped or hemmed to a achieve a more flattering look? Does it need some maintenance?

Secondly, think about what you wear under your suits. Have your shirts seen better days? Are they becoming outdated? (ie the fabric/the collar) Do the shirts you normally wear to work reflect your personality? Could you add a pattern or some color? By adding one or two new tops it will instantly freshen up the look of your suits.

image via here

Finally think about how you’re decorating your suits. The shoes, the bags, the belts, the jewellery…..even your makeup. If you’re feeling bored with your work look, chances are you’re wearing the same black shoes, with the same black bag and the same black belt with the same black pants…every day.

READ: How to wear your collar  here 

Details of my personal styling services (Including prices) here

Get to know me and my style on Facebook here

..& Instagram here