MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

A simple white top and black pants can look boring (or like you’re a waiter) – or it can look chic – as in the case with this woman.

Imagine if she was just wearing the top, the pants and a pair of dull, sensible or frumpy black shoes.  It would be a completely different look.  It could even be aging. (She’s 60)

The decoration (in this case, the glasses, the jewellery, the makeup and the shoes) is what makes an outfit stylish, unique and interesting.

Remember – It’s not what you wear, it’s how you wear it.

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If you’d have seen me on this day 10 or even 15 years ago (when I was working at a bank) I might have been wearing something very similar to what I wore today.

The only difference might be, that black trousers would have replaced the leopard print pants.

My style hasn’t changed much. I’ve always liked wearing tailored pieces, with clean, non fussy lines, in neutral colors (mostly black or navy).

What has happened, is my style has evolved to reflect my new career and lifestyle. It’s now less corporate, less conservative a bit more relaxed and slightly edgy but …always classic (timeless/somewhat traditional)  Some days I’m a bit preppy, other times I’m a bit rock chick (ish).

What you don’t want is your style to lag behind. You want your clothes to keep up with who you are and where you’re at in your life – not 3, 5 or 10 years behind.

Do your clothes represent your current self?

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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Sometimes making a few tweaks, can make a big difference.

By slightly changing how you wear something, you can make one item of clothing work for difference occasions.

Take this shirt for example.

It could be worn with a pencil skirt for work or with a full length skirt to an event, but in this case it’s worn casually with a pair of chinos.  It’s been styled with the idea of a look in mind.   (Maybe “subtly sexy, smart casual”)

– the collar has been popped up (Framing the face)
– the hair’s been put up to highlight the popped collar and lengthen the neck
– the shirt’s been buttoned to expose skin (or a hint of lace bra or camisole)
– the sleeves have been folded so that the cuffs poke out the top (Exposing some skin, highlighting the waist and lengthening the legs)
– the shirt has been half tucked into the pants