MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Two (generally) size 12 women go into a store together.

One is five foot 2 (considered petite) – she has a defined waist, and her hips, bottom, and thighs are wider than her bust and/or shoulders. (Commonly known as triangular in shape).

The other is five foot 9 – her shoulders, bust, and hips are about the same size, with no defined waist. (Commonly known as rectangular in shape).

Remember both generally wear a size 12.

There is no way that the size 12 in the store will fit them both beautifully. It might roughly fit, (ie they might be able to get it on) but that’s about it.

In this case, when something fits you – sort of ok – it’s up to you to decide whether you walk away or whether you commit to having it altered. Near enough, is not good enough. 

*As a petite it can be challenging to find clothes that fit me well. If I find something I love that doesn’t fit just right, I buy it with the proviso I can return it, then I take it to my tailor to see if he can alter it to fit me. This might mean having it lifted on the shoulders or waist, the seams running in through the middle, the sleeves shortened, or just a simple hem taken up.

Learn how to tell when something doesn’t fit you properly. It’s the number one thing I see in the wardrobes that I help overhaul. Lots of women buy clothes that don’t fit them, then just settle for wearing them ill-fitting. Often they can tell something isn’t right – because they know when they put something on that it doesn’t feel great – but they’re not sure why.

Despite your budget, ensuring each item in your wardrobe fits well, (whether it’s a t-shirt, blazer, or pair of jeans) will instantly give your look a stylish upgrade.

*If you’d like me to teach you about how clothes should fit contact me here 

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here

Try and have at least one or two pieces in your wardrobe that you can rely on for different occasions.

For fancy dinners, weddings, dates, funerals, job interviews, etc.

It could be a little black dress, a cream suit, a navy jumpsuit, or a couple of classic separates. (As is the case for me here).

Make sure they’re current, modern, in great condition, and ready to be transformed for the particular event. (Eg. I’ve added high suede pumps, a belt, a small vintage bag, and tiny sparkly earrings – for a day at the races. If I was going to a bar for drinks, I might remove the belt, swap the bag and change to an ankle boot. Different look (and feel), using the same reliable classic pieces.

Remember – you don’t have to have lots and lots of clothes, to have plenty of outfits. It’s all about having the right versatile pieces.

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here

There are many reasons why some of us dress older than we need to. It may be the company we keep is older than we are; we might think the number on our driver’s license dictates how we should look; we may recall that this was how our mother dressed when she was this age or we just don’t feel youthful and attractive anymore.

I know when we get to a mature age it can be tricky because we can worry about dressing too young. (I’m just about to turn 52, so I’m constantly asking myself whether I think something is too young or too old for me to wear.) But I think what often happens, in trying to make sure we don’t dress too young is, we dress too old.

Fortunately, there are simple changes you can make to your wardrobe that will immediately make you look and feel more youthful, up-to-date, and attractive.

..and let’s face it, every woman, despite their age, size, lifestyle, shape, or budget deserves to feel good about themselves.

You can see in these before and after photos what a difference clothes can make. (Despite the fact that they are a few years old and some of the pieces are a little bit dated)

In this photo, the clothes are ill-fitting, shapeless, unflattering, old-fashioned, and drab.

In the photo below, the same woman is wearing clothes that, without being too tight or uncomfortable,  highlight the figure, fit quite well, show a little bit of skin and are more modern.

She looks younger.  (And slimmer)

Consider the following when assessing whether your wardrobe is too old and whether you need a fashion makeover

• There is not one fitted, figure-enhancing item in your wardrobe
• You haven’t updated your reading or sunglasses in fifteen years
• You wear your hair the same way you did in primary school
• You either don’t own a pair of jeans or the ones you do have are acid washed and the waist is almost up to your armpits (or so low they almost reach your pubic line)
• The only handbag you use is the one your Nana gave you for your 21st
• Your last bra fitting was also your first
• 99% of what you have in your wardrobe is functional and comfortable, rather than stylish and flattering
• The only pair of heels in your cupboard are the ones packed away in a box with your wedding dress
• You still have and from time to time wear, outdated outfits you wore to work in the eighties
• The majority of your wardrobe is two sizes too big or too small

Are you dressing too old?

If you need help going through your wardrobe and deciding whether any of your clothes are too old for you book in or enquire about a Wardrobe Overhaul here 

Follow me on Instagram here

A couple of days ago I was in a store trying something on, when I heard someone say from outside my change-room,

“That’s not you!”

The comment, not directed at me, came from one of two women who were also trying things on in the common area.

The puzzled response was, “Oh, you don’t think so?”

I was intrigued.  I was wondering what one of the women had on, that made the other say that she didn’t think it was her.

When I left my cubicle I discovered the piece in question was a camel colored trench coat. I thought it looked quite nice.

The thing is, how can someone tell you – what’s you.  Only you know that.  Even if these women had been friends for 40 years or they were mother and daughter, nobody can tell you what you like.

In the same way that nobody can tell you whether you like mushrooms, floral perfumes or the sound of Justin Beibers music, nobody can tell you what your style is.  Only you know that.

..and if you don’t then you should spend some time figuring it out, otherwise you, like this lady in the change-room, will rely on others to tell you what to wear.

(Which can then result in filling your wardrobe in someone else’s style)

In the case of these two women, a better thing to say, would have been – “How do you feel?  “Is that your style?” And let the friend work out for herself whether the piece felt right and worked for her or not.

*Certainly there’s nothing wrong with asking a friend or someone working in a store what they think of how it looks on you, BUT you have to be careful when you request that advice.  Remember they’re looking through their eyes, with their own style, not with your personal style in mind.

For example: Imagine for a moment two people looking at Picasso’s Weeping Woman (above).  One might think it’s incredible and the other might think it’s hideous.  Both are right!

It’s quite possible in the case of these two women, that the friend giving advice didn’t like the piece or how it looked on her friend.  But just because that’s how she sees it, doesn’t mean she’s right.

It’s all about perception.

This is why shopping with friends, family members, etc, can be fun….but sometimes tricky.

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here