MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Today we farewell the incredibly beautiful and talented Lauren Bacall.

Not only was Lauren a wonderful actress she was also one of the most stylish women to have ever graced this earth.

The flawless hair, those amazing brows, the exquisitely fitted clothes, the grace and elegance with which she moved and that husky voice.

The way Lauren dressed highlights how classic style endures.  In most of the images we see of Lauren throughout her 89 years she is wearing something that would be relevant and fashionable today.

A true style icon. A woman who paved the way for all of us who followed. One of my all time favourites.

Follow me on Instagram here

You can read what styling services I offer here

Like most women who have spent time exploring and developing their personal style and learning about what clothes are flattering for their body shape, Meryl Streep seems to understand what works very well for her and appears to have a formula…at least when she’s wearing a dress….that she regularly sticks to.

• Necklines are either deep V’d, scooped or off the shoulder to highlight the decolletage, collar bone or shoulder.  Also lengthening her neck and bringing all the attention up to her lovely face.
• She often wears a belt or her dresses and jackets have ties or bands to accentuate her waist
• Skirt lengths generally sit over the knee, mid-calf (which is not always flattering but works for Meryl because of the shape of her legs) or long to the ground
• Sleeves often finish near or close to the elbow (drawing attention to the waist) or just above the wrist. (exposing a delicate part of her body)
• Often she wears a peep-toe shoe

Not only is Meryl a stylish woman, and of course an incredibly talented woman, she’s also a very wise woman.  During a recent Q & A session after accepting an honorary doctorate from Indiana University she had some advice for young people (wanting to become actors):

“For young women, I would say, don’t worry so much about your weight. Girls spend way too much time thinking about that, and there are better things.”

“For young men, and women too, what makes you different or weird, that’s your strength. Everyone tries to look a cookie-cutter kind of way, and actually the people who look different are the ones who get picked up. I used to hate my nose. Now I don’t. It’s okay.”

Bravo Meryl!

Follow me on Instagram here

You can read what styling services I offer here

When was the last time you tried something new?   A new lipstick, a new hairstyle, new reading glasses or a new style of jeans.

They might not work, but that’s fine. You’ll know then, that they’re not for you. But at least you tried.  Be prepared to experiment and make mistakes with your style.  Have some fun.

It’s when we do the same thing all the time, that we find ourselves in a style rut.

It’s ok if you never…

• wear belts
• paint your nails
• color your hair
• wear makeup
• carry a handbag
• wear color
• wear heels
• wear pants
• etc

You should do whatever makes you feel great. BUT…if you don’t feel great in your clothes, then maybe it’s time to start challenging some of those “never’s“.

Even Victoria Beckham, who once mostly wore black,  has freshened up her look and started wearing a bit of color.

Follow me on Instagram here

You can read what styling services I offer here

I’m a big fan of Diane Keaton and think she’s an incredible actor (Something’s Gotta Give is one of my all time favourite movies and every time I watch it I think Diane – or at least her character – is the woman I want to be when I grow up) so this is not in any way meant to be a negative post.

In the US, straight after Diane appeared at the Golden Globes an advertisement for L’Oreal, in which she is featured, was shown.

L’Oreal has been accused of heavily photo-shopping (blow me down with a feather)  the ad because Diane appears somewhat more youthful, than she  did during her  appearance at the awards.

Diane is 68.  She’s beautiful.  When I think of her I think strong, quirky, poised, talented, unique and with great individual style.  I don’t need to be convinced that she looks 40…or 50,  when she isn’t.  She’s perfect just as she is.

The moral of this story is, next time you see an image of Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep or Nicole Kidman and your first reaction is I’m about her age, why don’t I look like that…remind yourself that chances are they don’t look like that either.

Remind yourself also, that you are lovely and perfect and good enough, just as you are.

Aging can be confronting and challenging for all us, but as I keep reminding my mother and telling myself, it’s a hell of a lot better than the alternative.   The important thing is to embrace who you are and how special you are, to treat yourself  kindly, to make you a priority and to do whatever it takes to make yourself feel great about yourself at any stage of your life.

Follow me on Instagram here

You can read what styling services I offer here