MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Instead of always buckling up your trench coat, try wrapping it around you and tying it in a knot.

Tying it can take it from business-y and formal to cool and casual.

If you went to Girl Guides you might be able to come up with some clever ways to knot it.  But it’s fine, if you’re like me and didn’t, to just knot it any old way.

You can see in some of the photos the knot is placed right on the stomach and in others it’s to the side. I tend to wear mine to the side because I like it to look flat across my tummy.  You’ll be able to work out for yourself (in your full length mirror) where it looks best on you.

While tying a trench is one way to wear it, it is by no means the only way.   (Just because this way of wearing a trench might not work for your body shape, it doesn’t mean you should give up on wearing one. Also keep in mind that trench coats come in many different styles and fabrics and a classic, heavy version might not be your best option)

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If you’re going to wear something long on top and short (cropped) on the bottom, consider highlighting your waist to visually lengthen your legs.

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In an attempt to try and disguise something (your tummy, bottom, thighs, arms, etc.) are you hiding one, or more of your best features?

For example, Jessica, a client was returning to work from maternity leave.  She was feeling “frumpy”, a bit out of touch with what was still in fashion and was wanting to buy some new pieces before going back to the office.  She didn’t know where to start.  So she contacted me to help her sort through her existing wardrobe, see if there was anything that still worked and to help her come up with a list of things she could buy going forward.  (She didn’t want to make any more costly shopping mistakes)

When Jessica started trying on clothes from her wardrobe I noticed a pattern.  Most of her tops and some of her dresses (all of the ones she had bought after having her little girl) were shapeless, boxy and sometimes had gathered fabric falling from the bust. (ie Baby-doll style).  

When I quizzed Jessica about the style, she said she’d bought them in an attempt to cover up and hide her tummy.

(I get that.  As a woman in her forties I too like to wear styles to play down or disguise my tummy on days I feel I need to.)  

But for Jessica, what she was doing in the process of wanting to conceal her tummy, was making her waist (one of her loveliest features) completely disappear.

If you’re doing what Jessica was doing – covering up the bits you like in the quest to hide the bits you don’t love so much – then spend some time learning what styles will help you play down or conceal, while also featuring.  They are out there and they will make you look and feel better and help you to embrace your beautiful, unique shape.

*Jessica is not a real person.  She is an example of many many clients I work with who are in a very similar situation and have an almost identical story.

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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.

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