MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

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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This is one of my favourite outfit shots from the recent Fall 2014 New York Fashion Week.

It’s by J.Crew.   I want it all.  The coat, the scarf, the shirt and the jeans.  It’s a casual yet chic look.

What this picture shows us is..

1. Yes you can wear denim on denim in a stylish way – not just in a, I’ve just walked off the set of Shawshank Redemption, kind of way. My tip is that if you try the double denim look (denim jeans/denim shirt) and you don’t want to look like you’re trying to resemble a prisoner, pay extra attention to your shoe choice.

2. Wearing blue head to toe is chic and sophisticated.

3. It’s ok to wear black shoes with navy.

4. A coat doesn’t necessarily need to be put on, it can be thrown casually over your shoulders.

5. Blue jeans don’t only come in one style.

For now, let’s just focus on No. 5.

If  you’ve been wearing the same style of blue jeans for years now, (more than likely skinny jeans) consider shaking things up a bit.

There are so many different washes and cuts, that there’s bound to be more than one style that works for you – it’s just a matter of trying on various styles.

I know it can be overwhelming shopping for new jeans, but when you know what suits you and what to look for, finding great jeans (which everyone should own) becomes so much easier.

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