MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

For some reason several of my clients have looked at me like I’m a bit bonkers, when I’ve suggested they try wearing a couple of their wardrobe pieces of the same color, together in one outfit.

Putting a grey top with a grey skirt, a navy sweater with a pair of navy pants or a white shirt with white jeans.

I’m not sure if it reminds them of wearing their old school uniform or if they were taught it was not the done thing, but many consider dressing head-to-toe in one color, a fashion faux pas or boring.  And it’s not.

In fashion terms, wearing only one color or shades of a color, is referred to as monochromatic dressing.

Monochromatic dressing is not only fashionable and stylish, it’s also easy (you don’t have to worry too much about mixing and matching) lengthening (it can make you look taller) and slimming (who doesn’t love that).
But while dressing in a column of color is relatively simple, it still requires some thought and effort.

Keep in mind, if you give this look a try, that interesting decoration and/or various textured fabrics will be what makes your outfit chic, rather than flat and dull.

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Like most women who have spent time exploring and developing their personal style and learning about what clothes are flattering for their body shape, Meryl Streep seems to understand what works very well for her and appears to have a formula…at least when she’s wearing a dress….that she regularly sticks to.

• Necklines are either deep V’d, scooped or off the shoulder to highlight the decolletage, collar bone or shoulder.  Also lengthening her neck and bringing all the attention up to her lovely face.
• She often wears a belt or her dresses and jackets have ties or bands to accentuate her waist
• Skirt lengths generally sit over the knee, mid-calf (which is not always flattering but works for Meryl because of the shape of her legs) or long to the ground
• Sleeves often finish near or close to the elbow (drawing attention to the waist) or just above the wrist. (exposing a delicate part of her body)
• Often she wears a peep-toe shoe

Not only is Meryl a stylish woman, and of course an incredibly talented woman, she’s also a very wise woman.  During a recent Q & A session after accepting an honorary doctorate from Indiana University she had some advice for young people (wanting to become actors):

“For young women, I would say, don’t worry so much about your weight. Girls spend way too much time thinking about that, and there are better things.”

“For young men, and women too, what makes you different or weird, that’s your strength. Everyone tries to look a cookie-cutter kind of way, and actually the people who look different are the ones who get picked up. I used to hate my nose. Now I don’t. It’s okay.”

Bravo Meryl!

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I came across this image recently and thought it was fabulous.

The guy is the Chairman and CEO of G.E. and the woman, Clara Gaymard, is the head of G.E. France. They’re off to meet with French President, Francois Hollande, to discuss G.E.’s $13 billion bid to buy a French energy unit. Fairly serious meeting I’d imagine. …and look at what she’s wearing.  A leather motorcycle jacket.

Clara is also an author, a mother of 9 and has been listed by Fortune magazine,  as being one of the fifty most powerful women in business, in the world.

After working at a Collins Street stockbroker and investment bank for more than 20 years I know exactly what corporate style is here in Melbourne.   To be honest I think it’s often a little safe and sometimes bland.  I know there are policies and restrictions (and so there should be) but there should still be room for individuality.

Certainly a leather motorcycle jacket might be pushing it a little far in some environments, but corporate/office style can be so much more than a pair of black pants and a top.

What do you think of the leather jacket worn to a business meeting? Appropriate or not? Do we need to wear corporate attire to perform our jobs well and be perceived as being professional?

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If you’re someone who likes to wear color (and remember you don’t have to) perhaps you have some outfit combinations staring back at you from your wardrobe, that you’ve not considered before.

In this case, have a look through your clothes and see if there’s any pink and navy in there and then experiment with combining the two in an outfit (or two).

• navy pants with pink shoes
• a pink blouse with a navy skirt
• a navy cardigan over a pink dress
• a pink coat with a navy clutch bag
• a navy silk camisole under a pink jacket

If you love pink but sometimes feel when wearing it, that it seems a bit young and girly for you, adding a splash of navy will make it more sophisticated.

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