MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

If you’ve got a pair of white jeans sitting in your wardrobe, that you only ever wear in summer, pull them out and see if you can make them work for you this winter.

Sometimes when we feel bored with our clothes or like we have nothing to wear (despite a wardrobe full of clothes), it’s because we’re not using what we have in different ways. We have this idea in our head that, that top only goes with that skirt, or that dress is only for weddings or christenings or those pants can only be worn with those shoes.

Try and expand that thinking a little bit. Maybe the lovely silky shirt you bought when it was hot could be worn under a sweater now that it’s cooled down. Perhaps you could layer pieces over that strappy little dress you love but hardly wear, with tights, a jumper, a jacket, and boots. And maybe those white jeans can be worn in winter with knits, coats, boots, pumps, loafers, or sneakers.

Contrary to popular belief, white jeans can be worn by all of us. (Here’s my Mum wearing her white jeans) Like all jeans, it’s just a matter of finding a pair that works for your shape and getting a pair that have the right fabric and the right fit. (i.e. not too thin or too tight)

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I get so much inspiration from looking at what everyday people are wearing on the street overseas. (Particularly in Paris and Milan) I devour as much as I can from anywhere I can.

They’re not necessarily fashion people or influencers paid to wear the clothes – they’re just wearing what they like, in their authentic and unique way.

It could be from Zara, a vintage store or op shop, the latest designer piece, or something that belonged to their grandmother.

As I’m flicking through the photos, I look at and think about things like…

The bag. The color chosen for the outfit, its style, and even how it’s being worn.

The shoes. Same as above.

The jeans. What style they’re wearing – length, shape, color, and cut.

What colors they’re combining in the outfit.

What jewellery they’re wearing and how they’re wearing it.

Are there any pieces I’ve noticed worn regularly? (i.e., perhaps a trend we might see here)

Are there any styling tweaks that are new to me?

Are there any ideas for me to wear something I have in a new way?

Is there something I could add to my shopping list? (Maybe a cream pleated skirt for spring.)

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These images are from @milanesiamilano.

Basics are the key to your wardrobe.

When you’re building an outfit start with the basics first and think of them as a blank canvas.

For example, a pair of blue jeans and a white shirt is the canvas, which you then add to, to create a look.

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The first time I went to Paris, one of the earliest fashion observations I made was that wearing sweaters tied around their shoulders was a thing for men.

It didn’t matter whether they were 20 or 70, suave looking, beautifully dressed, and groomed Frenchmen, were doing it.

At the time, I couldn’t imagine any guys I knew back home wearing it that way, so I guess I was intrigued by this different look.

Now, if Instagram is anything to go by, it’s become quite a fashionable thing to do – for women*.

But apart from it being somewhat of a current trend, I think there are good reasons to give it a try (if you haven’t already), these are some of them…

The obvious one – it adds warmth.

It gives you the chance to add more texture to your outfit. You can see how the cable knit is doing that here.

You can use it to add an extra color. It can be particularly good if you need something to work with the shoes. e.g., If you’re wearing black shoes and feel like you need a bit of black up the top.

You can use a knit in place of a scarf. e.g., If you don’t have the right colored scarf for the outfit, but you have a knit that will work.

It could be a new way to wear something you already have in your wardrobe and might help you create some new outfits.

Those Frenchmen would generally have their sweaters perfectly placed and neatly tied. I don’t do that. I just throw mine around my neck, make sure it’s sitting fairly flat across my shoulders, and then leave it draping or tie it. And just like I would generally do with a scarf, I’ll create a V shape at my neck.

*It’s quite possible the Parisian women were doing it back then too; I just didn’t notice. 😉

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