MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Most of us have a cardie in the cupboard.

They have many purposes.  We keep one on the back of our chair because the office airconditioning means we often need to wear something long sleeve despite how warm it is outside; we carry one with us in case it cools down while we’re out and about and we use one to cover our arms if we’re wearing something with no sleeves.

But did you know a cardigan can also be worn as a top?

You can either wear nothing under it, wear a camisole or as I often do, a tank top/singlet.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again, challenge yourself to wear your clothes in different ways.  You’ll find if you do this you don’t need as many things in your wardrobe as you thought you did.

TIP: If you’re big busted experiment with styles that have v-necks, narrow sleeves and high armholes.

*Take care of your cardies.  Don’t just throw them in the wash with your towels.  Read the washing instructions and follow them.  Some require hand washing and some can be washed in the washing machine on a gentle cycle.  If the fabric starts to get small balls on it gently remove them with a de-piller,  (See here) or if you’ve had it for a while and it’s looking tired, consider whether it’s time to let it go and replace it.

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Remove (stat!) any t-shirts or shirts that have yellow staining under the arms. (Even if they’re only half as bad as the one pictured.)

They’re not ok to wear even if it’s just to work-out in at the gym or to run to the supermarket.

If it’s a favourite that’s hard to part with, try soaking and whitening it but if it doesn’t work, throw it out immediately.

Be ruthless.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on t-shirts, but you do need to update frequently.

If you find it hard to let go of pieces from your wardrobe and need some gentle encouragement book in or enquire about my Wardrobe Overhaul here 

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If you’ve ever given the inside of your home a fresh coat of paint, you’ll know the difference it makes.  Everything feels clean and new again.

The same thing applies to your clothes.  When you spend some time maintaining shoes, bags and garments, you breath renewed life into them.

Over the weekend I soaked white tees and shirts.

All I do is place the items in some Sard Wonder Oxy Plus (sometimes bleach) and cold or hot water (depending on the fabric)  in a bucket and leave overnight.  Then in the morning I’ll throw them in the washing machine and run them through a wash cycle.  When they come out they’re bright white.

Taking care of your clothes is important.  Maintaining bally knits or yellow stained under arms requires time we’d all rather be spending on more glamourous things (like shopping).  But really there’s no point buying a new pair of fabulous shoes, if you’re going to wear them with a pair of scruffy pants with a fallen hem.

*Always check the washing instructions on each garment and the instructions for using the detergents before you do.

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This knit above as you can see, was in desperate need of maintenance.  It’s wool, so it will pill.  I was aware of that when I bought it.  It just means that every now and then I need to spend a bit of time on it.  Using a razor I give it a gentle shave – being careful not to cut the fabric.

From time to time give your clothes a once over and assess whether any items need some T.L.C.

• Have the heels worn down on your shoes, exposing the metal tips and do they need replacing?
• Is the hem on your pants, skirt or dress falling down and need fixing?
• Does your knit need to be de-pilled?
• Do you have any loose buttons that need sewing or loose threads that need cutting?  (Maybe even replace them like I did here)
• Is it time your coat went to the drycleaners?
• Are your shoes and handbag looking scruffy?  Do they need a clean and polish?
• Could your jewellery do with a clean and sparkle?
• Do you need a new watch band?
• Could your white shirt be whiter?  Does it need an overnight soak in nappy wash or bleach?

My boots are due for another visit to the cobbler to have the heels replaced.  (As you can see in the picture I’ve already had Topy soles put on them to prolong their life)  When they get back from the shoe repairers I’ll give them a clean with either shoe polish or some Mr Sheen.

My tan leather bag gets quite grubby from rubbing against my dark denim jeans or getting thrown on the ground occasionally, so I give it a gentle clean with Dove soap.   (When I contacted the company where  I bought it from in Italy to ask them what they recommended I use to clean it they said, “facial cleanser” but I’m a little bit nervous about doing that).

Some things need maintaining otherwise they start to look manky.  Pilling, balling, scuffs, marks, general wear and tear can make a big difference to how stylish you look.  Spend a couple of minutes giving your outfit a once over to see whether anything needs attention.

Certainly some things just need to be booted out of the wardrobe when they start to show signs of wear, but sometimes things just need some love and care to reinvigorate and restore them to their former glory.

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You can read what styling services I offer here