MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

When I’m thinking about buying something new there’s a series of four questions I go through in my head to determine whether it comes home with me or whether it stays in the store.

This means that I don’t waste my money on random purchases and that my wardrobe is filled with only pieces that work.

If the item has passed my first three questions then the final question – the deal breaker –  is asked..

Can I wear this piece in at least three different ways, using what I already have in my wardrobe?

If I can’t visualise at least three ways of wearing it, whether it’s a t-shirt, shoes, a belt or pants, I don’t buy it.

As you can see in the photos above, Italian fashion designer, Giorgia Tordini is wearing her suede ankle boots in four different ways.   With pants, with a skirt, with a dress and with jeans.

If I were Giorgia I would consider the boots to be a very good, versatile, hardworking purchase.

How many times do you fall in love with something in a store, bring it home without considering how you’ll wear it, and find that it remains hanging in your wardrobe, unworn?

Take your time when you shop and make considered purchases.

Avoid wasting your money and get the most out of your clothes.

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I love the idea of a clutch bag.  They remind me of a couple of things – the 70’s …and Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw.  Both of which have influenced my style a lot.  (I would wear Farrah’s outfit (above) head to toe today)

Perhaps it’s because I’m petite (ie under 5ft 4), but I like the idea of not being swamped by or having to lug around, a big oversized bag, instead having something small that I can hold in my hand (like Amal did here and Meghan did here) or tuck under my arm. (Like so).

I’ve collected a few over the years.  There’s this one, a birthday gift from my family, this one I found at The Mill Market in Geelong, and this one I bought from a vintage store in Paris.

While I tend not to use them much during my day to day, the first chance I get to pull one out and use it for a night out or a day at the races, I do.

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One way to add impact and interest to your outfit, is to add a pop of color.

While the easiest options are colored shoes or a colored bag, they’re certainly not all that’s available to you.

Here’s some ideas to get you thinking…

*Make sure you don’t overdo the amount of colors you wear in one outfit.  While some clever people can combine several different colors very well, for most of us it’s a good idea (so that we don’t appear confused) to limit ourselves to only a couple. (As demonstrated above)

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If you put an outfit together and it feels a little more masculine than you’d like, try feminising it.

For example, a polo shirt and a pair of chinos.

Together or on their own they may not feel feminine enough for you. (Of course it depends on your personal style, your personality, the image you want to portray, etc.)

In this case Ines de la Fressange has piled on and layered several pieces of jewellery  (She’s also carrying quite a “ladylike” bag).

Some things (like dresses) can be thrown on and they instantly feel right, and others (parkas, boyfriend jeans, shorts, brogues, cotton shirts, etc, etc) often need some styling to achieve the desired look.  (and feel)

You can read what styling services I offer here

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