MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

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Rather than lugging around your big leather everyday bag in summer, consider swapping occasionally to something more casual.

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I tend to do it on the weekends.  If I’m shopping or catching up with friends for lunch I’ll carry my French market basket or a small colorful straw clutch.  

Bags, just like shoes, have the power to make your outfit more casual or alternatively, more dressy.

Give it a try.

Maybe you have a little dress you wear to work (perhaps a shirt style) with a classic pump and your everyday (More than likely black) handbag.  Now try it with a pair of tan tan sandals or an espadrille and a straw basket or canvas tote. It feels and looks completely different. It means by changing your bag and shoes, you have a new outfit for a different occasion.  You can wear the dress somewhere other than just work

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You know that I’m a big fan of the white shirt for it’s versatility and of course it’s timeless appeal for those classic dressers amongst us, but equally stylish and handy to have in the wardrobe (and possibly more complimentary to various complexions) is the light blue shirt.

Wear it with..

• a denim skirt
• white jeans
• orange shorts
• a navy suit
• a statement skirt
• patterned pants
• denim cut-off shorts
• a leather skirt or culottes
• black pants

*Do keep in mind that although a blue shirt is a classic (timeless) piece, it will still date.  Remember shapes change. A blue shirt you bought back in the 90’s, while it still might be in impeccable condition if you’re not wearing it often, will more than likely be outdated today due to it’s large pointy collar, low armholes and wide sleeves.  If it’s a hard-to-part-with favourite, determine whether your shirt could be altered and modernised or whether you need to be ruthless and give it a toss.

TIP – Consider shopping in the men’s or boys section for a blue shirt.  As you can see in the pictures above it doesn’t need to be worn super fitted.  The one I’m wearing here is from the men’s dept. at Uniqlo.

Click here to read about Fab Finds & Fave Things where I share what I’m buying as well as what my clients are buying.

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During the recent Fashion month in New York, London, Milan and Paris, the trend that stood out to me the most when I was checking out what the show goers were wearing, was cut off at the ankle jeans.

That’s right.  You just take to your jeans with your scissors and leave the hem raw.

The idea is to expose the ankle and showcase the shoe.

Of course like all trends it’s not for everyone.   Some would see this look as being too messy, bohemian and perhaps even too young, but as you can see below mature women (eg. 48 year old Emmanuelle Alt) are also doing it.

Like everything you wear, it’s all about how you wear it.

What I like about this trend, is that I can breathe life into something old in my wardrobe and feel like I have something new, without spending any money.  I reinvented a pair of old straight leg Levis that I’d stopped wearing.

So that you don’t look like you’ve been out working on the farm, the key is to dress the jeans up.  An interesting shoe, (given they’ll be receiving a lot of attention) a nice blouse, a beautiful bag and/or a great jacket.  An old pilled fleece vest and a scruffy pair of sneakers is not the look we’re wanting to achieve.  (Unless of course you are working on your farm 🙂 )

Whatever you do, do not cut your jeans off so that they become 3/4 length. The hem should just sit about the ankle bone.

Click here to read about Fab Finds & Fave Things where I share what I’m buying as well as what my clients are buying.

Follow me on Instagram here

Read what styling services I offer here

A metallic shoe acts in the same way as a nude shoe – it’s neutral – and therefore pretty much works with everything.

If you picture this outfit above with black shoes, they’d probably be too heavy.  The lighter gold shoe, is just right.

If you tend to always choose a black shoe because they’re safe, (And you think they go with everything – which is not right) challenge yourself to try something different.

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