MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

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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Remove (stat!) any t-shirts or shirts that have yellow staining under the arms. (Even if they’re only half as bad as the one pictured.)

They’re not ok to wear even if it’s just to work-out in at the gym or to run to the supermarket.

If it’s a favourite that’s hard to part with, try soaking and whitening it but if it doesn’t work, throw it out immediately.

Be ruthless.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on t-shirts, but you do need to update frequently.

If you find it hard to let go of pieces from your wardrobe and need some gentle encouragement book in or enquire about my Wardrobe Overhaul here 

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When you’re trying something on in the changeroom….move around.

Don’t just stand still in front of the mirror and assume this is how the piece will look and feel when you get it home.

Twist, stretch, bend, lean, squat and sit.

Sure you might feel silly, but trust me, you’ll be so pleased you did it when you discover the difference moving around can make.

Get an idea of how much the fabric will stretch after you’ve been wearing it for a while.

Determine how comfortable it will or won’t be.

Is it too short, too tight, too baggy, too creased or too revealing?

Consider how, when and where you plan on wearing it.  Will it work for that?

Have a good look in the mirror at how the clothes appear from every angle – side, back and front.

Take your time in the changeroom.  Don’t feel pressured to try something on quickly.  If there is a long queue of people waiting and you are not sure whether you love the piece and/or whether it’s flattering, take some to think about it and then return later to try it on again.

You don’t want to get home, try it on and realise that it’s not right and then have to return it.

Remember….bend and stretch.

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Along with knowing what shoe styles suit you, make sure that you’re aware of what are current and fashionable.

Shoes have such an influence on an outfit, you don’t want to ruin your look with a daggy shoe.

Challenge yourself to spend 10 minutes or an hour (depending on the size of your shoe collection) going through all of your shoes – one-by-one.

Ask yourself..

• Is the toe and the heel of this shoe still fashionable or is it out-dated?
• Does this shoe look overly sensible and practical (as pictured above), therefore aging my look?
• Is this shoe flattering on my leg?
• Does this shoe look clean, fresh and new or does it look like I’ve been out working on the farm in them?  (Consider whether they might need a bath.  Particularly if they’re sneakers or trainers)
• Does this shoe still represent the direction I want my style and image to move in?
• Are these shoes too big, small, high or uncomfortable for me to walk elegantly in them?

While you’re at it have a think about what gaps you might have in your shoe wardrobe.  What’s missing to pull outfits together?   What could you add to give some of the clothes in your wardrobe new life?  Make a list.

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You can read what styling services I offer here