MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

If creating a longer leaner look is important to you, then one thing you can pay attention to is your handbag – the size and shape of it and where it sits on your body.

A wide chunky (maybe slouchy) crossbody bag that sits at the largest point of your hips, will make your frame appear broader (particularly if you’re petite) than a narrow structured bag that sits close to the indent of your waist.

Chunky, with a wide bottom and sitting on the hip.

Structured, narrow and sitting close to the waist.

You can read what styling services I offer here

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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 If any of them are outdated and need to be retired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..

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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

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A statement skirt…

In an eye-catching color, shape, texture or print.

It could be something you can dress up or down and wear shopping, with your denim jacket and a basket or to the theatre with your heels and sparkly earrings.

All it needs to accompany and showcase it, is some key fresh basics  – a simple sweater, a classic white shirt, a flattering t-shirt or a well fitting simple jacket. (And of course, it goes without saying, a great shoe).

If you don’t have a statement skirt, perhaps consider adding it to your shopping wishlist.

CHALLENGE: If you have a statement skirt, pull it out and see if you can come up with a few ways to wear it differently.  Maybe you’ve only worn it to weddings or to work…see if you can style it in a way that you could wear it casually. (Or at least a less dressy situation)

Style your clothes in different ways, for different occasions and get more wear out them.

*If you’re not playing around with your clothes and coming up with different ways to wear them, remember you can book me in for (or enquire about) an outfit planning session here 

You can read what styling services I offer here

Follow me on Instagram here