MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

Instead of always buckling up your trench coat, try just wrapping it around you (like you would your dressing gown) and tying it in a knot.

Tying it can take it from business-y and formal to cool and casual.

If you went to Scouts or Girl Guides, you might be able to come up with some clever ways to knot it – but it’s fine, if you’re like me and didn’t, to knot it any old way.

You can see in some of the photos the knot is placed right on the stomach and in others it’s to the side. I tend to wear mine to the side because I like it to look flat across my tummy.  You’ll be able to work out for yourself (in your full-length mirror) where it looks best on you.

While tying a trench is one way to wear it, it certainly isn’t the only way.  I often wear mine open with the belt hanging at the sides.  It’s much more relaxed but still smart.   It really depends what look and feel you’re wanting to achieve.

*Just because tying a trench might not work for your body shape, it doesn’t mean you should give up on wearing one. Keep in mind also that trench coats come in many different styles and fabrics, and a classic, heavy version might not be your best option.

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This is Lauren Hutton 1993-ish.

If I was to describe her style here, I might use some of these words…

classic
relaxed
effortless
simple
sporty
oversized
tailored
casual
soft
unexpected
elegant

To break it down, she’s wearing a blazer, a trench coat, track pants, and sneakers. (Probably also a woven rattan back pack she always carries. Still.) It’s an unexpected combo of tailored pieces and sporty casual pieces.

One or two of the words I chose could have been influenced by the era -particularly oversized – but I think most of them represent Lauren’s style pretty well – then and now.

I thought this might help some of you who are figuring out your style. Do any of those words resonate with you and your style?

Scroll down and check out the photo below. If you didn’t know it was Lauren Hutton from the 90’s, could you imagine it being a photo/outfit from today?

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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.

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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)

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