MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Even if you were wearing a beautiful dress from Chanel, there’s no way you could look stylish wearing a shoe like the one pictured above.  (Which I must say, is not mine)

I’m a big believer that the shoes are the most important element (apart from the underwear) of the outfit.

So…in preparation for the colder months of autumn and then winter, this is your Weekend Wardrobe Challenge.

Take out all of your autumn/winter shoes and (ruthlessly) go through each of them one by one, to decide..

1. If there are any shoes that need repairing or a good clean (This includes sneakers)
2. If any of them are outdated and need to be retired
3. If any of them are no longer required for your lifestyle
4. If any of them no longer work for your personal style and represent the image you want to portray
5. If any of them are too small, too big, too uncomfortable – and send them on their way
6. If any of them are unflattering.

This week I took these shoes to my local cobbler and (for $18) had new heels put on.  I then gave them a polish with Mr Sheen to shine them up.  I know that I’ll be wearing them through the next couple of months and well into winter so I need them in good shape and ready to go.

Next up…

Make a list of the various areas of your life (For example, work (weekdays), work (casual Fridays), weekend (casual during the day), weekend (going out), etc, etc)  Determine whether your shoes cover the areas you need them to.  Make a list of any gaps you need to fill.

Take a good look at what you have and consider what could be added to your shoe wardrobe to create more outfits with your existing clothes.   (ie a pair of knee high tan boots to wear with some of your dresses or a pair of white sneakers so you can wear some of the dressier pieces in your wardrobe, more casually)

If you are having trouble deciding what’s still current, what’s not, what should stay, what should go, what needs adding or ditching, and would like some help, you can book in for a Wardrobe Overhaul here (or read about it here)

Something to leave you with..

You can read what styling services I offer here

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Around this time each year I pull out all my old coats and jackets and assess what I have and consider what I might need when the cold weather arrives.

This involves deciding whether I need/want to add something new to my collection, what maintenance needs to be done and thinking about what I could do with them to update them and give them a new look.

This year, unless something amazing catches my eye, I’ve decided I don’t need a new coat – I’m going to focus my attention on giving some of my old one’s a makeover.

For some it might be big (like cutting it from knee length to hip length) and for others it might be a little change (like adding a sparkly vintage brooch).

If you’re creative, there are many ways you can give new life to an old piece. (See how I did it here)

In the photos below and above, I’ve shown you how, by swapping over the belt your jacket came with with something different, it can give it a whole new fresh look.

(If belts are not your thing, try something else)

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

Follow me on Instagram here

According to Ines de la Fressange, a navy sweater is one of her “Magnificent Seven” basics every wardrobe must have.  (We all know – right? – that basics are the key to creating great outfits.

Here’s a little excerpt from her book, Parisian Chic, detailing why she thinks we all need one among our collection of knits.

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here