MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

When I work with someone new I always ask them if there is anyone’s style they admire. (This just gives me a bit of an idea as to what they like, in the same way I might ask you to tell me what music you listen to or how your home is decorated)

Often if someone is quite classic, non fussy, simple and casual with their style they might mention Jennifer Aniston.

Jennifer’s look often involves a t-shirt or singlet with a pair of jeans, sometimes a blazer and a pair of wedges. It looks very easy to achieve – and it can be – but there’s several reasons why Jennifer or any other celebrities with great style look good in their clothes. It’s because..

1. More than likely they’re wearing clothes of relatively good quality.
2. Everything they wear looks fresh and new. They wouldn’t wear anything that was pilled, stained, stretched, scuffed or faded.
3. They wear clothes that are flattering for their body shape.
4. They wear clothes that fit them perfectly.

This was highlighted recently when Jennifer Aniston was asked about her style, in particular her love of T-shirts and jeans.

“This is my secret:  The trick to T-shirts is I that I usually tailor them. Which is silly, but it works.”  

“Or you just have to find the perfect one”, she told the site. 

So while Jennifer’s look may appear effortless, it isn’t exactly.  It’s well thought out.  She doesn’t just wear any old t-shirt, she wears one that is just right.

Having our t-shirts tailored is unrealistic for most of us, but striving to find a great one, is not.

As with all the pieces you wear, it’s the little(ish) things like ensuring you’re wearing the most flattering sleeve, the most flattering neckline, the most flattering length, the most flattering size and the most flattering fabric, that make the big difference to how stylish your overall look is – if that matters to you.

For details on my styling services, click here.

Follow me on Instagram here

Because of my size, shape and proportions much of what I buy has to be altered.  I could just buy something that sort of fits and think, that’ll have to do, but ill-fitting clothes do not look stylish.  And ill-fitting clothes can make you think that your body shape is different to what it really is.  If you have not had anything altered to fit you perfectly, you will be amazed what taking up, down, in, or out, a centimeter here or there, will do for the overall appearance of your look.

A sleeve that is the wrong width for your arm can make you look like you have no waist,  a dress or skirt hem the wrong length can make your legs look shapeless and pockets can make your bottom and thighs look bigger than they really are.  And we don’t want that do we!

For example, I bought this top pictured above recently from Country Road.  Despite putting in some good searching time, I had not found a peplum style top that sat in the right place at the waist, until I came across this one.  I loved how it fit me….everywhere but the length.  Because it was not sitting at exactly the right place on my hips it was making my torso look longer than it is and my legs look shorter than they are.   But I knew when I bought it that having it taken up to where the most flattering length was, would be easy, so I factored in the cost of having it altered by my tailor.

If you try something on from your wardrobe and it doesn’t feel quite right consider whether it has anything to do with the fit. Look over it from top to bottom.  Do the shoulders fit right… the arm holes, the sleeves, the waist, the back, the length, etc.

Pay attention to the details.  Trust me, when something fits you just right, it will make an enormous difference to how stylish you look and therefore, how great you feel.

If you have some things in your wardrobe that you’re really not sure about the fit, keep in mind I can help you determine whether it’s just right or not quite right. (& explain to you why) This is something that we cover in the Wardrobe Overhaul

Click here to read about Fab Finds & Favourite Things where I share what I’m buying as well as what my clients are buying.

Follow me on Instagram here

Read what styling services I offer here

I was in the neighbourhood of one of my favourite op-shops in Melbourne yesterday so thought I’d pop in on the off chance I might discover a treasure.

And I did.  This embroidered shirt – for $5.

I spotted it soon after I walked into the store, which is what usually happens when I browse through op-shops.  I’m not one to spend hours going through every single item on the rack,  I can generally spot a beauty instantly.  My eyes go into quick scanning mode.  Here’s what I look for:

• Stand out fabric – beaded, embroidered, velvet, silk, vintage brocade, sequined or beautifully colored
• Label – I like to see where and by who it was made and whether it might be vintage.  I’m not looking for a County Road or Sportsgirl t-shirt, I’m looking for something unique.
• Quality of cut and fabric.  Not interested in anything that looks cheap and artificial.
• In Fashion – I keep my eye out for styles that I know are currently fashionable (At the moment it’s vintage Levis 501’s which I might be able to customise)
• Flaws – if I’ve found a beautiful fabric and pulled it off the rack, then I give it a once over to see if there are any noticeable flaws or stains…or whether it smells.
• Accessories – I look at both the womens and mens belts, bags, scarves, sunglasses and jewelry

You also need to use your imagination when you shop in op-shops, to determine whether something you find has potential.  One-of-a-kind pieces are hard to come by, but a good tailor isn’t.  You don’t want to walk away from a gorgeous 1950’s chiffon dress you saw for $20, just because you didn’t like the length or the neckline.  Grab it and then take it along to your tailor to discuss possibilities.

Of course we do need to remember that op-shopping is like all shopping.  You don’t want to just get caught up with the price, think it’s a bargain and then suddenly you’re filling your wardrobe with unworn junk.  There needs to be something about it that you LOVE.  It’s need to be flattering (or altered to become flattering) and it needs to represent the image you want to portray.  (ie. no point buying a beaded vintage caftan if you’re a strictly Classic dresser – it won’t get worn)

When I think about it, what I love about op-shopping is the thrill of the find.  Discovering something that is unique and interesting.  Finding a piece that I know nobody will have – like this vintage Christian Dior coat. (Found in a charity shop in Sth Melbourne for $40)  *It needs to go to my tailor to be restored to it’s former glory.

*This article was written in 2011.  I have since had the sleeves of this shirt cropped so they sit about my wrists.   You can see me wearing it here.

READ: “What I Search For On Etsy and eBay” here

Details of my personal styling services (Including prices) here

Get to know me and my style on Facebook here

..& Instagram here

As if the prospect of re-entering the workforce is not daunting enough, often when women want to return to work after they’ve had a long break, they are faced with the issue of what to wear.

Not only could you be confronted with the fact that the clothes you used to wear no longer fit or are no longer flattering, there is also the dilemma as to whether any of your clothes are still “in fashion” and therefore suitable for work.

It may also be that you don’t have a big budget to buy new clothes for your work wardrobe when you first start back – so clever thought and planning are needed.

The trick is to be as resourceful as you can. Play around with items that still work in your wardrobe and think about what could be added to them to create different outfits.

For example, you may have an old black skirt which is still in great condition, but the shape is now outdated.  Think about whether you may be able to take it to a tailor (or if you’re handy with a machine, do it yourself) and have it remodeled and modernised.

These days a suit is not always required for interviews and work places. As long as you are well groomed, in well fitting coordinated pieces and smart accessories, that’s all you need.

Here are a few things to consider (before panic sets in) about what to wear and how to update your look, when you return to work …

• Don’t go out and buy a whole new wardrobe before you start. Wait until you get a feel for the culture and environment of your new workplace. Some places can be very casual and others quite formal.  Look to the way your manager dresses for guidance.
• Go along to your hairdresser and get a great cut. This will immediately give you a confidence boost.  (This is my hairstylist if you want to try someone new)
• More than likely if your work shoes haven’t been pulled out of the cupboard for a while, you’ll need a new pair.  If your old shoes are still suitable, make sure they look new with a polish and maybe even a re-sole.  *Whatever you do, don’t wear your shoes like this.
• Perhaps you already have a great handbag, but it might be a bit neglected and in need of some TLC. Think about either taking it to be restored or giving it a polish yourself. If you don’t have a good quality handbag, consider investing in one.  It’ll instantly add polish to your look.  Consider a color that goes with about 80% of your wardrobe.
• If you don’t already own a pair, invest in black pants.  If you like to wear both flats and heels, opt for a style that works with both.
• Refresh whites that have been sitting in the cupboard for a while
• Consider a flattering pair of dark denim jeans for casual Fridays. Team them with a blazer and ankle boots for winter/wedges or pumps for summer.

Need help with your work wardrobe, details of my styling services can be found here

More of my style tips (including how to de-pill your knits, clean your boots, etc) can be found here and here (In the “Highlights”)

Get to know me and my style on Facebook here

..& Instagram here