Bookending, in styling, is where you use a color (or metallic) on the top and bottom of the outfit to create symmetry.
As you can see in the photo above, it’s a white top and white shoes.
In this pic (above), you can see it’s different. (Still good, just different.)
The trick is not to make it look too predictable or matchy-matchy (i.e., a hot pink hat and hot pink shoes with all black in between)—but to subtly and cleverly balance the top of the outfit with the bottom and essentially pull the look together.
This is a pretty simple outfit, but you can still tell that it’s been well thought out and intentional.
Here’s what I notice…
Essentially, it’s made up of three fairly basic pieces: a white t-shirt, a black knit t-shirt, and casual chino-style pants.
There are three colors in the outfit.
The outfit has been bookended with black glasses and black shoes.
The strappy heels with the style of pants are a somewhat unexpected pairing. (I like that the choice of shoe is showing plenty of skin on the foot.)
The gold jewellery adds shine to the look. (It could otherwise be quite flat without it.)
And the thing that initially caught my eye, and something for us to try, is that she’s layered a white t-shirt under the knit so that it perfectly pokes out from the sleeves and at the neck.
By doing this, it’s adding depth to the outfit, a little bit of light to the face, as well as changing the shape and style of the original knit, and giving it a new look. Also, by altering the sleeves, by giving it more width at the hem, it’s slightly affecting the balance of the look.
If you’re wearing your clothes the same way every time and would like some help styling them, you can read what styling services I offer here
I was forever messaging clients saying, “Somebody just bought this dress, I think you should check it out”, or “I saw these shoes on sale and I thought of you”. There was always something that I wanted to share. A piece a client bought while I was shopping with them, a vintage gem I came across on eBay that was too good to get away, or my favourite little navy dress of the season.
I’d also notice that occasionally my clients made (costly) mistakes when I wasn’t around to see what they were buying. (i.e., help them with the sizing, fabric, etc.)
I thought if I collectively (privately on Instagram) suggested to them what they could add to their wardrobe in between our shopping trips, then they’d make fewer expensive errors.
And that’s how Fabulous Finds & Favourite Things came about.
The aim is…
To make shopping easier. To take the time, overwhelm, frustration, and confusion out of it.
To help you build a functional and versatile wardrobe that you love.
To introduce you to new things (brands, shops, clothes, styling hacks, etc.) that you otherwise may not have known about.
To encourage you to think about curating a great wardrobe, rather than just about buying stuff.
It’s like I’m doing the personal shopping for you – as well as giving you styling ideas and expert advice – without my hourly rate. -:)
The Fab Finds & Fave Things subscription is ideal for anyone who…
Wants to look and feel good but doesn’t have the time (energy or inclination) to physically go shopping.
Would like to stay up to date with what’s in fashion.
Might not be able to afford to work one-on-one with me, but would still love to learn about style, fashion, and shopping, and have the chance to ask me questions.
Doesn’t want to make any more costly fashion mistakes
Would just like to be shown what to buy.
This is what one of my subscribers Kate emailed me to say about Fab Finds…
The subscription cost is…
$99 for 6 months
$169 for 12 months
That’s $3.35 per week. Less than a latte 😉
If you would like to subscribe, have any questions, or would like further details about it, you can email me at meaghanbs@hotmail.com
*In the photo I’m wearing a Fab Find from Sportscraft. Originally $399, when I shared it, it was on sale for $87.
If you have a denim jacket in your wardrobe – and I know a lot of you do – rather than retire it for winter, you could try layering it under your coats and jackets.
Apart from the warmth factor, it’ll add something extra to your outfit – color, texture, and shine (the buttons). And denim’s cool.
It might not work with all of your jackets (particularly those that are oversized) and it won’t work with everyone’s style – but it could work for you.
These are a few more photos to give you some ideas…
Remember – Using the clothes in your wardrobe in new and different ways will make you feel like you have more to wear.
I can help you style your clothes in ways you may not have thought of before – in your home or via FaceTime.
I'm a Personal Stylist from Melbourne who is passionate about helping real women of all ages, shapes and sizes with varying budgets and lifestyles, look and feel the very best they can. I love old things, am addicted to blogs and online shopping sites, have a weakness for happily-ever-after movies and dream of one day having my own apartment in Paris. I'm an avid collector of beautiful books, love a full-bodied glass of red, and could eat my body weight in French cheese.
