MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

It doesn’t matter if something is fancy designer and costs you a lot of money, if it fits badly, it looks bad.

Remember when Gwyneth wore this pink dress to the Oscars?

It’s not that it wasn’t a nice dress – it just didn’t fit her properly.

Supposedly, Gwyneth removed the piece designed to wear under the bodice (Breast pads or a structured bustier??) leaving the top part too big for her. *I’m not suggesting Gwyneth didn’t look lovely, she did – the dress was just not right.

Despite the dress being Ralph Lauren couture and worth a squillion dollars (I heard her say in an interview it was before the days of stylists, and she bought it herself), it didn’t look great, because of how it fit.

When something doesn’t fit well…

You might put it on to wear and then take it off again. You can’t put your finger on it, but it’s not quite right.

It can make you feel frumpy.

It might make you look like you have a different shape than you do. (Not in the way you want!)

Your outfit can look messy, rather than clean, sharp, polished, etc, etc.

Maybe in a work environment, it could send a message that you don’t care. (i.e. “That’ll do”)

And the most important one – it could affect your confidence.

Most of us are not taught what to look for, to know when our clothes fit us properly. Growing up, if we could get it on and do it up, it meant it fit.

So, if it matters to you, spend some time really looking at the way your clothes drape over your body. Is anything pulling, puckering, not sitting where it should be, or even making you look wider than you are? If so, figure out why.

If you’d like some help, learning how your clothes should (and shouldn’t) fit you, book a Wardrobe Overhaul or Personal Shopping.

If you’d like to learn how to know when something fits or doesn’t fit you well, book in for a Wardrobe Overhaul or Personal Shopping here 

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If you’re petite (anyone under 5ft 3) you may have similar issues to me.

Yesterday I tried this Country Road dress on. 

To someone who doesn’t know what to look for when it comes to fit, you might think it’s ok – but it isn’t.

The neck (front and back) doesn’t fit, the armholes don’t fit, and it also doesn’t fit through the waist. But, from the hips down, it’s quite good.

As you can see in the photo below, it’s too long through the body for me. It’s been made for someone a fair bit taller.

*Don’t buy anything that doesn’t fit you properly unless you can commit to taking it to the tailor to see if they can alter it for you) In this case, the dress can’t be altered, so it’s not for me. 

If there’s one thing you do for your style this year, learn about how your clothes should fit.

I have had clients with beautiful wardrobes full of amazing designer pieces worth lots of money, and many of them don’t fit. Despite the fact that the clothes are lovely, the person may never look great wearing them because of how they look on the body.

Before investing in your wardrobe, know how to tell when something fits you just right and when it doesn’t. (And also know what can and can’t be altered)

*If you’d like to learn about how your clothes should fit you book a Wardrobe Overhaul 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

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When a pair of tailored pants pull across the hips and pocket like this…they don’t fit.

Notice the lines being created – because the pants are too tight across the hips – from the top of the zip to the pocket. …and then, as a result,  how the pocket is pulling away from the body.

Because the pants are ill-fitting across the hips it’s drawing attention to the area …..and it looks messy!

I understand for Kim and for those who have similar shapes to her (tiny waist with wider hips and bottom), that finding pants that fit well can be difficult.

My advice is to keep shopping til you find a pair that work for you.  Don’t just settle for “These will have to do”.  I know it can be very frustrating, but you need to be prepared to try lots of different styles til you find a pair that are just right.  In Kim’s case a different fabric or a style without pockets might have worked better for her.

And secondly, consider buying up a size and having them tailored to fit you.  (Or alternatively, have a pair made)  *I’m sure Kim could afford to work with a tailor.

Remember recently I wrote about how a pencil skirt shouldn’t pull across the hips here.   Same thing…

You can read what styling services I offer here

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