MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Don’t spoil the look of an otherwise great outfit, by leaving the price stickers on the sole of your shoes.

I know it may seem a little petty, but sometimes those little things make a big difference to the overall effect of your outfit.

Of course none of us are perfect (I once took two different shoes of the same color but of drastically different heights  to wear to a clients home and when I arrived and realised, had to wear the sneakers I had driven in to the appointment. All I could do was laugh at myself) and sometimes we just forget or we simply didn’t realise we needed to do something .  It’s good, though, to be aware of things.  (Like removing designer labels from coats and scarves. Another spoiler!)  

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I bought these fabulous cowboy boots in LA in 1996.

To be honest I’m not really sure they were ever my style. But my sister had a pair and I just loved how they looked on her, so when I made plans to go to the States, way back then, the first thing on my shopping list was a pair of cowboy boots.

I never say never when it comes to fashion (other than mini skirts, midriff tops and three quarter length pants) but I really can’t imagine I will ever wear them again.

But I’ll never get rid of them.

To this day I remember exactly where I bought them, who I was with, the discussion I had with the sales person about how to break them in and the joy I felt when I found them.

The boots always bring back special memories and represent a wonderful holiday I had with my Mum and Dad. They’re a sentimental piece that will always be with me.

If you have a cardigan that was your Nans, a windcheater that reminds you of uni days, your wedding shoes, or a pair of jeans you wore on your first date with your husband, sitting in your wardrobe because you’re not sure what to do with them, pull them out of the wardrobe.

(Ideally you should only hang the things you can and will wear today.  Particularly if your wardrobe is busting at the seams and you’re having difficulty being able to see everything you have to work with)  

Next, think about whether the item could be used somehow.  For example, could Nan’s cardigan be worn with a white t-shirt, your jeans and a pair of ballet flats?  Could your wedding shoes be painted?

If not, then consider either storing the pieces somewhere safe, taking photos of them to keep for memories, or giving them to someone who would appreciate them. (Maybe include a little note with the story about the piece)

I was given this vintage cardigan by a beautiful friend, whose Mum bought it for her when she was 16.  She gave it to me when she was 75, she’s since passed away, which makes it even more precious.

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This weekend pull out all the “jobs around the house” clothes, throw them on the bed and go through them one by one.

You know.. the pieces you wear when you clean the shower, water the garden, paint the house, do the vacuuming, feed the animals, hang out the washing, etc, etc.

The clothes you once wore regularly, felt super comfy in, couldn’t part with so put them in the “I just wear that when I”….pile.

The clothes that have been demoted from the everyday wear section and saved for special jobs but tend to creep back into the everyday wardrobe because they’re so comfy.

The thing I want you to ask yourself is, how many of these “jobs around the house” clothes do I realistically need? Do I need 15 pairs of old tracky daks or three quarter length pants?  Do I need 10 holey, stained and faded t-shirts and windcheaters?

But most importantly……Are these clothes contributing to an over-stuffed wardrobe making it hard for me to see what I have and leading me to think I have nothing to wear?

I agree we all need a couple of pieces of comfy, don’t care if they get stained or torn,  cleaning around the house clothes.  But when you look at your wardrobe and the majority of it consists of more “housework clothes” than casual or work or going out clothes then you have a problem.

Be ruthless.

Need some gentle encouragement or help deciding what to keep and what to move on?  Book in for a Wardrobe Overhaul here

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Can you imagine how this outfit would look with a different shoe?  White or taupe perhaps?

Now picture this image in your mind without the shoes, without the red lips and without the gold bracelet.

It’s a completely different look isn’t it?

Take your time when you put together an outfit to think about how you want to decorate your clothes that day.

Do you want to look casual, playful, glamourous, sophisticated or fun?

Once you decide choose your accessories to help you achieve the look.

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