MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

If you have a denim jacket in your wardrobe – and I know a lot of you do – rather than retire it for winter, you could try layering it under your coats and jackets.

Apart from the warmth factor, it’ll add something extra to your outfit – color, texture, and shine (the buttons). And denim’s cool.

It might not work with all of your jackets (particularly those that are oversized) and it won’t work with everyone’s style – but it could work for you.

These are a few more photos to give you some ideas…

Remember – Using the clothes in your wardrobe in new and different ways will make you feel like you have more to wear.

I can help you style your clothes in ways you may not have thought of before – in your home or via FaceTime.

You can read what styling services I offer here

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If your new jacket or coat (or skirt) features a *vent, then generally you’ll find two small threads in the shape of an X (securing the vent) that need to be carefully snipped and removed before you wear it.

The vent stitch is designed to keep the garment from getting wrinkled and creased during transportation to a store and while it’s hanging on the rails or in storage.

If the stitch is still in place once the jacket’s on the body, it can prevent the garment from fitting and falling the way it’s supposed to. (i.e. It might make it pull across the hips)

*A vent is a vertical slit at the bottom hem of a jacket, coat, or skirt to allow for ease of movement. (e.g. Back in the day they were designed to make horse riding easier.)

**It’s easy to forget. I’ve done it myself and I’m sure to do it again. ?

You can see in this pic, that the vent stitch here is yet to be removed.

You can read what styling services I offer here

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This pea coat was about to be thrown out.

While I love it, in fact, it’s one of my favourite pieces – I knew I couldn’t wear it like this (below) anymore. I had to do something to save it, or it needed to be let go of.

Firstly, I tried using this little comb (testing it on a small area), but it didn’t work. It was pulling and tearing at the fabric – it was too rough.

So when I saw someone mention a little de-pilling device on Instagram, I thought I’d give it a go …and it worked a treat!

It now looks as good as new.

You can watch how I did it here

How you take care of your clothes is very important – both for ensuring they wear well and last as long as they should, but also so that you look well put together. 

You’ll never look stylish if you leave the house with frayed, scuffed, faded, stained, pilled, creased…or like you slept with your dog in their basket – hair all over your clothes. 

Go the extra step and take great care of the pieces you invest in.

You can read what styling services I offer here

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Are your dowdy skirts and ill-fitting jackets making you look older than you are and frumpier than you want to be? (Nobody wants to look frumpy, right?)

Next time you try on a skirt and/or a jacket take a close look in the mirror..

Is the skirt length flattering your legs?

Is it sitting at the right place on your waist?

Is there too much fabric?

Is the jacket the right length for you?

Do the shoulders and armholes fit properly?

Is there too much material in the sleeves?

Is the style still current? (Or outdated?)

As you can see in the images above, a few tweaks (and perhaps a little bit of photo-shopping in one) to what you’re wearing and how you’re wearing it can make a whole lot of difference.

If you’re not sure about some of the clothes in your wardrobe and would like help determining whether something should stay or go or be reinvented, book in (or enquire about) a Wardrobe Overhaul here  (Likewise if you’re not confident shopping for flattering clothes)

*Original source of photos is unknown.  I came across them on Pinterest.  If anyone knows please contact me and I’ll credit it. **To be honest the after photos are a bit dated too now, but they should give you a good idea of how a few changes can make a difference.

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here