MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

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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?

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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

Even the most simple combination of  jeans and t-shirt can become a chic outfit by adding a smart jacket, a beautiful bag, a great shoe, an interesting belt or a piece of statement jewellery.

The key is to make sure that tee and those jeans fit and flatter.

Make your essential wardrobe basics look interesting – by not forgetting the decoration.

Details of my personal styling services (Including prices) here

Get to know me and my style on Facebook here

..& Instagram here

Just because you need/want to wear comfy shoes (really who doesn’t?) it doesn’t mean they have to be boring, frumpy or old-fashioned.

Look for styles that are interesting and elegant.

You can see in this photo above, the rest of the outfit is relatively simple and the amazing shoes (by Christian Louboutin) are the stand out.

Challenge yourself to find great shoes. (Even if you don’t have a Louboutin shoe budget) Great shoes will instantly take your wardrobe from so-so to sophisticated and stylish.

You can read what styling services I offer here

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