MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Simply buying new clothes and accessories is not enough to look stylish…..if that’s important to you.

It doesn’t end there.

When you start slowly adding new pieces over time, (particularly if you’re at the rebuilding a new wardrobe stage) the next step is to take care of them so that they always look fresh and new and so that they’ll last.

Often a client will say to me, “I don’t buy from so & so anymore because their clothes don’t last”.  They might then go on to tell me after I’ve inquired how they washed the garment, that they threw it in the washing machine with the towels (When the label distinctly said it needed to be hand washed). Very little will survive that.

Clothes, shoes, bags, belts, scarves,…. need to be taken care of.

They need to be washed properly, they need to be de-pilled, they need to be re-soled, polished, re-hemmed, conditioned, brushed, etc, etc.

When you’re about to purchase an item consider whether it’s something you can commit to looking after. If it’s something that needs dry cleaning or hand washing, will you do that? If it’s a pair of shoes that needs spraying or a Topy sole put on before you can wear them, will you do that?

Go that extra step…..maintenance, whether we like it or not, really is important to how our clothes look and how long they last.

For many people the care of clothes and shoes was something they didn’t grow up learning about, but it’s certainly something that is worthwhile educating yourself about now….and I’m always happy to pass on what I know to help you. (My Dad cleaned and polished his shoes every single night so I was fortunate to have, taking care of things, ingrained in to me at a very early age.)

From the archives read, “Your Clothes Need TLC Too”  here

Details of my personal styling services (Including prices) here

Get to know me and my style on Facebook here

..& Instagram here

Just because you need/want to wear comfy shoes (really who doesn’t?) it doesn’t mean they have to be boring, frumpy or old-fashioned.

Look for styles that are interesting and elegant.

You can see in this photo above, the rest of the outfit is relatively simple and the amazing shoes (by Christian Louboutin) are the stand out.

Challenge yourself to find great shoes. (Even if you don’t have a Louboutin shoe budget) Great shoes will instantly take your wardrobe from so-so to sophisticated and stylish.

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here

Don’t spoil the look of an otherwise great outfit, by leaving the price stickers on the sole of your shoes.

I know it may seem a little petty, but sometimes those little things make a big difference to the overall effect of your outfit.

Of course none of us are perfect (I once took two different shoes of the same color but of drastically different heights  to wear to a clients home and when I arrived and realised, had to wear the sneakers I had driven in to the appointment. All I could do was laugh at myself) and sometimes we just forget or we simply didn’t realise we needed to do something .  It’s good, though, to be aware of things.  (Like removing designer labels from coats and scarves. Another spoiler!)  

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here

I bought these fabulous cowboy boots in LA in 1996.

To be honest I’m not really sure they were ever my style. But my sister had a pair and I just loved how they looked on her, so when I made plans to go to the States, way back then, the first thing on my shopping list was a pair of cowboy boots.

I never say never when it comes to fashion (other than mini skirts, midriff tops and three quarter length pants) but I really can’t imagine I will ever wear them again.

But I’ll never get rid of them.

To this day I remember exactly where I bought them, who I was with, the discussion I had with the sales person about how to break them in and the joy I felt when I found them.

The boots always bring back special memories and represent a wonderful holiday I had with my Mum and Dad. They’re a sentimental piece that will always be with me.

If you have a cardigan that was your Nans, a windcheater that reminds you of uni days, your wedding shoes, or a pair of jeans you wore on your first date with your husband, sitting in your wardrobe because you’re not sure what to do with them, pull them out of the wardrobe.

(Ideally you should only hang the things you can and will wear today.  Particularly if your wardrobe is busting at the seams and you’re having difficulty being able to see everything you have to work with)  

Next, think about whether the item could be used somehow.  For example, could Nan’s cardigan be worn with a white t-shirt, your jeans and a pair of ballet flats?  Could your wedding shoes be painted?

If not, then consider either storing the pieces somewhere safe, taking photos of them to keep for memories, or giving them to someone who would appreciate them. (Maybe include a little note with the story about the piece)

I was given this vintage cardigan by a beautiful friend, whose Mum bought it for her when she was 16.  She gave it to me when she was 75, she’s since passed away, which makes it even more precious.

Follow me on Instagram here

You can read what styling services I offer here