MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Who’s hitting the sales?

Do you have a shopping strategy (i.e. a list) or will you just hope for something to jump out at you?

I generally shop the sales with a clear idea of what my wardrobe needs, with my wish list in hand and I’ll be happy if I discover something unexpected and fabulous along the way.

The thing to always remember is that a bargain is not a bargain, unless you actually wear it.

If you buy an amazing designer piece that was heavily discounted and it sits in your wardrobe with the tags on, unworn – it’s a waste of money. (Think about the pieces you’ve bought in the past that you never wore.  Did you ask yourself all the questions in the changeroom before you decided whether it would fit into your wardrobe and work for you? Did you get talked into it by a friend or salesperson?)

Over this sales period (including online overseas and in the stores here) a few things I have on my list are:

– a white cotton shirt (thick & not too fitted)
– black pants (slim leg/cropped at ankle)
– a black crew neck sweater
– underwear
– exercise clothes
– trainers
– a handbag (red or black)
– black and red wedge espadrilles (lace up the ankle)
– black sandals (block heel)
– a casual watch
– sunglasses (Rayban Wayfarer)

*Notice I try to be as specific as I can be when I’m shopping with my needs in mind, to make shopping easier.

I may find all of the things on my list or I might not find any of them.  I won’t buy anything unless I love it and it’s within my budget.  Always keep in mind that it’s ok to come home empty handed when you shop.  Don’t just buy something for the sake of it. Be patient and wait til you find just the right thing.

You should also consider this before you start shopping at the sales.

Details of my personal styling services (Including prices) here

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When I left my job in banking to pursue a different career, I found myself with a wardrobe full of clothes that didn’t really fit my new life.  There were tailored suits, crisp shirts, wide leg trousers, fitted blazers and classic pumps.

At the time I didn’t have a lot of money to spend on buying a whole new wardrobe, so I had a good look at what I had and came up with ideas for how I could use my corporate clothes in different ways.

Some of my work pants, still in very good condition, were taken to my tailor to be remodelled and modernised, shirts were worn casually by rolling up the sleeves and accessorising with more jewellery than I would normally have worn to work and blazers were teamed with jeans (sometimes belted).

My change in lifestyle and lack of clothing budget at the time forced me to come up with different ways to wear what was in my wardrobe until I had the budget to start adding more pieces.  It made me look at my clothes in a way I hadn’t considered previously.  It felt challenging and creative and it meant that I wasn’t quite as desperate for new clothes, as I thought I was.

*While the image above might not at all represent your style, I hope you can take some inspiration from it.  What’s hanging in your wardrobe (maybe a structured, normally only worn to work, blazer) that could be worn in a way you might not have thought about before?

Details of my personal styling services (Including prices) here

Get to know me and my style on Facebook here

..& Instagram here

image via here

“A woman’s dress should be like a barbed-wire fence: serving it’s purpose without obstructing the view”

– Sophia Loren

Details of my personal styling services (Including prices) here

Get to know me and my style on Facebook here

..& Instagram here

image via here

You don’t need to buy into trends.

Generally if I buy anything that’s “on trend” it’s not something I’ll spend a lot of money on. If you follow me on Instagram you might have noticed a pair of patterned pants I bought recently for $69 at Zara. (If you missed it you can see them here) When I shop and spend a bit of money, it’s on things I want to still have and wear in my wardrobe in 5, 8, 10 years. (Like this jacket I’ve had since the 90’s)

While you don’t need to follow trends what I encourage you to do, if you want to keep your look current, is be aware of changes in proportions. Are pants still wide in the leg or are they getting skinnier? Are waist bands sitting low or high on the waist? Are sleeves narrow or wide?

Having said that, I know it’s not all that easy and can be confusing and frustrating. You might have a pair of wide leg pants you used to wear to work 8 years ago and you’ve noticed that wide leg pants are in the stores again. Does this mean that your wide legs pants are fashionable again? More often than not, no! Wide leg pants might be current again, but they may be skinnier or wider through the thigh or higher in the waist. Things will come around again, but shapes change.

How do you stay up to date with what styles and proportions are current?

Details of my personal styling services (Including prices) here

Get to know me and my style on Facebook here

..& Instagram here