MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

In Net-a-Porter’s magazine, The Edit,  Sarah Jessica Parker says,

“I think I wear seven percent of what’s in my closet.  I have more pants, more jeans, more corduroys than I ever imagined I’d own in my life.  I have dresses I keep, and I go,..

‘Better not throw that out because I’m gonna have an occasion’.

But the occasion never presents itself..”

Does anyone relate to that? Are you holding on to things in your wardrobe just in case.

Just in case I put weight on again…just in case George Clooney asks me out for a drink…just in case enormous shoulder pads come into fashion again.

Is your wardrobe cluttered with just in case clothes?

You can read what styling services I offer here

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I was asked recently what are the most common things I notice about people’s wardrobes when I’m helping give them an overhaul and without thinking too much the first thing that came to mind was that many women I meet have clothes in their wardrobes that don’t fit them properly – and more often than not, they’re too big.

This occurs for various reasons. They bought something without trying it on, they haven’t learnt what to look for to ensure it’s the right size and fit, they grabbed something in a sale that didn’t come in their size, they’re buying bigger in the hope that it will cover up and hide any areas they want to disguise, their size has changed since they purchased it or they just walk into shops convinced of their size, only try that number on, think that’ll have to do and buy it despite how unflattering it fits.

Sound familiar?

Anyone who has shopped with me will know I’m very particular about getting the right size and fit. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has looked at me puzzled after I’ve handed them something to try on, and said, “There’s no way I’m a size 10”.

Here’s a text I received after a shopping trip..

“Thanks so much for yesterday Meaghan – It was great! And there is no way I would have chosen a smaller size pants without you there!!! I would have ended up with baggy pants after a few wears!!!”

If, when you look in the mirror what you’re wearing doesn’t look quite right, ask yourself,  Does this fit me perfectly?  Is it the most flattering size for me?  Am I buying my clothes to fit me properly?

Keep in mind if your clothes are not fitting you beautifully you can often take them along to a tailor who may be able to rework them and alter them to fit just right.

Need help determining what fits and what doesn’t, book in for a Wardrobe Overhaul or Personal Shopping with me here 

You can read what styling services I offer here

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When you haven’t spent time thinking about, defining and developing your own style, there’s the possibility that you’ll adopt someone else’s.

You might be buying the same things your girlfriends or colleagues are,  wearing clothes your mum or your husband have bought for you,  or copying the style of a character on TV.

Of course that’s perfectly ok if it feels right for you – but often it doesn’t.

It’s quite common to hear, when I first meet a client to do a Wardrobe Overhaul,  that they have lots of clothes, but not really anything they want to wear.  Chances are this is because their wardrobe is full of someone else’s style.

Think about it.  You wouldn’t have a collection of music that wasn’t your taste.   You wouldn’t have art on your walls that wasn’t your taste.  So why collect clothes that really aren’t your taste.

Here’s a good example.

I can imagine there are women all over Australia with pieces they’ve bought purely because it looked like something similar to what Nina Proudman wore, on the show Offspring.

This is great if your style is a little bit bohemian.  You can use Nina’s style as inspiration for what to buy and how to wear your clothes.  But what if it’s not really your style.  What if you’ve just bought maxi skirts, vintage tan belts, scarves and denim jackets because you like Nina’s quirky character and how she looks.  (Think about this: Would you like this style so much if Billie was wearing it?)

What then happens when the show finishes or you discover you’re really not a bohemian dresser at all and your wardrobe is full of Nina’s style – not your own?  You feel confused and frustrated with your wardrobe and feel that nothing works and if you’re anything like me when I was making costly mistakes before I worked out my personal style, you feel annoyed at yourself for spending all the money you did on things that weren’t right for you in the first place.

If you think your wardrobe might be full of someone else’s style why don’t you make 2018 the year you define your own authentic personal style.   Being clear on your personal style and the look you’re wanting to achieve, makes shopping and dressing so much easier ….and it can save you a lot of money.

Book in for a Wardrobe Overhaul (where we spend time together defining your personal style) here 

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here

Go back to basics.

Sometimes people who love fashion and have lots of lovely clothes, have neglected to buy basics that tie everything together – they find them boring to shop for.

When you build a stylish wardrobe think about building it up from the bottom. Start with the staples first, then when you’ve filled your wardrobe with those, you can begin to add the interesting pieces that help create your authentic personal style. .

If you’re opening your wardrobe each day, seeing rails full of clothes yet feel like you have nothing to wear, it might be that you’re missing the basics. (Flattering jeans, great t-shirts, knits, pants, etc,etc) .