MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

I came across this image recently and thought it was fabulous.

The guy is the Chairman and CEO of G.E. and the woman, Clara Gaymard, is the head of G.E. France. They’re off to meet with French President, Francois Hollande, to discuss G.E.’s $13 billion bid to buy a French energy unit. Fairly serious meeting I’d imagine. …and look at what she’s wearing.  A leather motorcycle jacket.

Clara is also an author, a mother of 9 and has been listed by Fortune magazine,  as being one of the fifty most powerful women in business, in the world.

After working at a Collins Street stockbroker and investment bank for more than 20 years I know exactly what corporate style is here in Melbourne.   To be honest I think it’s often a little safe and sometimes bland.  I know there are policies and restrictions (and so there should be) but there should still be room for individuality.

Certainly a leather motorcycle jacket might be pushing it a little far in some environments, but corporate/office style can be so much more than a pair of black pants and a top.

What do you think of the leather jacket worn to a business meeting? Appropriate or not? Do we need to wear corporate attire to perform our jobs well and be perceived as being professional?

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When was the last time you tried something new?   A new lipstick, a new hairstyle, new reading glasses or a new style of jeans.

They might not work, but that’s fine. You’ll know then, that they’re not for you. But at least you tried.  Be prepared to experiment and make mistakes with your style.  Have some fun.

It’s when we do the same thing all the time, that we find ourselves in a style rut.

It’s ok if you never…

• wear belts
• paint your nails
• color your hair
• wear makeup
• carry a handbag
• wear color
• wear heels
• wear pants
• etc

You should do whatever makes you feel great. BUT…if you don’t feel great in your clothes, then maybe it’s time to start challenging some of those “never’s“.

Even Victoria Beckham, who once mostly wore black,  has freshened up her look and started wearing a bit of color.

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I’m a big fan of Diane Keaton and think she’s an incredible actor (Something’s Gotta Give is one of my all time favourite movies and every time I watch it I think Diane – or at least her character – is the woman I want to be when I grow up) so this is not in any way meant to be a negative post.

In the US, straight after Diane appeared at the Golden Globes an advertisement for L’Oreal, in which she is featured, was shown.

L’Oreal has been accused of heavily photo-shopping (blow me down with a feather)  the ad because Diane appears somewhat more youthful, than she  did during her  appearance at the awards.

Diane is 68.  She’s beautiful.  When I think of her I think strong, quirky, poised, talented, unique and with great individual style.  I don’t need to be convinced that she looks 40…or 50,  when she isn’t.  She’s perfect just as she is.

The moral of this story is, next time you see an image of Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep or Nicole Kidman and your first reaction is I’m about her age, why don’t I look like that…remind yourself that chances are they don’t look like that either.

Remind yourself also, that you are lovely and perfect and good enough, just as you are.

Aging can be confronting and challenging for all us, but as I keep reminding my mother and telling myself, it’s a hell of a lot better than the alternative.   The important thing is to embrace who you are and how special you are, to treat yourself  kindly, to make you a priority and to do whatever it takes to make yourself feel great about yourself at any stage of your life.

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If you have an upcoming Christmas party you need to come up with an outfit for, instead of thinking I need to buy something new to wear, why not think, what do I already have in my wardrobe that could be dressed up with some fabulous decoration?

Try and imagine this outfit (pictured) without the red lips, sparkly bag and jewels and simple up-do. What you would have would be just a skirt & top (albeit lovely and in this case a very expensive skirt and top) – not an outfit.

Don’t underestimate what accessories (and the finer detail) can achieve – alternatively how bad accessories can ruin an otherwise great look.   *Remember Julianne Moore in these shoes?

*The key when you look at images like this is not to think, she’s 20 years younger than me, 2 feet taller and 5 dress sizes smaller….wearing diamonds and Chanel.  You need to be imaginative and creative.  When I first saw this picture one of the first things that came to mind was that I could make a similar necklace/choker to the one she’s (stylist, Caroline Sieber) wearing with a large vintage brooch and a piece of black ribbon.  The photo also reminded me of the impact a red lip can have and how it has the ability to bring all the attention up to the face.

If you want some help putting together an outfit for a Christmas Party, perhaps using what you already have in your wardrobe, email me here.   (If I can’t come to your home or go shopping with you, you can send me some photos and I’ll give you my thoughts and suggestions.)

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You can read what styling services I offer here