MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

The newest addition to my wardrobe is this navy velvet blazer.

You can spend a squillion dollars on a fancy designer blazer but if it doesn’t fit properly (ie the shoulders, the armholes, the length, the sleeve width, the sleeve length, the back seam and the lapels) it’ll never look great.  (*If you’d like to learn how to know when a blazer fits you perfectly book in for a styling session with me here)

If it’s not quite right, leave it behind in the store or commit to having it altered.

TIP – The shoulders should always fit perfectly because it’s too hard to have them fixed..

This one was on sale for $39 and it fits just right. (I also bought it in black)

You can read what styling services I offer here

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Not everyone will have classic pieces in their wardrobe – and that’s ok.   Not all of us like to dress classically.

But for those of you who do have classic style, (ie traditional, tailored, clean, simple)  with a wardrobe of pieces to complement it, the thing to keep in mind is that while classic clothes are often described as being timeless – realistically they are not.

Classic clothes date like everything else.

Here’s your homework…

Pull out all of your classic pieces and throw them on the bed.   They might be…

Classic blue jeans

Classic white shirt

Classic navy blazer

Classic black pants

Classic grey pencil skirt

Classic beige trench coat

Classic blue sweater

Classic tailored dress

Classic black pump

Now, one by one, try them on and assess whether they are still current.

Give away’s will be, the size and width of the shoulder, where they sit on your torso (ie low or high waisted), the size of the collar and/or lapel, the width of the sleeve, where the pants finish on your leg, the width of the leg, the shape of the skirt, the length of the armhole and the shape of the toe of your shoe.

*If you have a suit you bought in 1992 from Armani or Anthea Crawford, despite it being beautiful fabric and quite possibly still in impeccable condition,  it’s more than likely out-dated.  Before you decide to toss it consider whether it can be reinvented by a tailor.  Don’t however, keep hanging on to it, wearing it, just because it cost you a lot of money 20 years ago.  Revamp or let it go!

While you certainly don’t have to wear clothes that are trendy, you do not want to wear clothes that are outdated.  Tired and outdated is aging.  Modern and current is youthful.

If you’re unsure and having difficulty determining what has and hasn’t dated in your wardrobe, consider booking in for a Wardrobe Overhaul and I will help you.

You can read what styling services I offer here

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Toss..

It was 1988 when Working Girl was released, so it’s fairly obvious that the fashion from then is now outdated (or in some cases, vintage)

Knowing whether something from the last decade has become out of style is not as easy – especially for people who don’t regularly follow fashion.

If you find going through your wardrobe and deciding what stays and what goes, daunting and would like some help deciding which of your suits, jackets and coats (among other things) are still current or not, which ones can be remodeled and which ones to let go of,  you can contact me here.

If you’re on a roll and up for more wardrobe challenges you can find them here.

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here

If you often wear a blazer (for work or otherwise) and are big busted, take note of where the button sits – particularly if you like to do it up.

Preferably you want it to sit on the waist as opposed to on the bust – as this one pictured here may do. (If it sits under the bust and this is the narrowest part of your torso, then that’s fine)

*In the case of this jacket..that pocket near the breast, may not be ideal either.

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here