20 New Year’s resolutions for your wardrobe
It’s a funny time leading up to the new year when lots of things fall quiet and our usual activities are not available. I like this period as it’s gives me time to rest and reflect and think about what I will or could or should be doing in the new year.
I don’t do New Year’s resolutions as such but in recent times I’ve carefully chosen a word to guide my actions. Over different years I’ve chosen words such as: discerning, strategic, considered or kind. I’m yet to decide on this year’s but I’m leaning towards something related to kindness (towards others as well as myself).
It can be useful to apply such words or principles to your wardrobe if you’re struggling with that, particularly if you’re in a new phase of life. As such I have some ideas on things you might resolve to do (or not do) below:
Wear the things you love now, instead of saving them for the future (when they may no longer fit or you may no longer like them)
If 50% or more of your items are black, resolve not to add any more black things to your wardrobe
Buy only clothes that you love, not ones that are ‘just ok’
Don’t buy anything that needs altering (unless you can easily do it yourself)
Buy only secondhand pieces to help slow the fast fashion frenzy
Stop buying synthetics (because they’re a by-product of fossil fuels)
Wear only the things in your wardrobe that make you feel fabulous
Discard anything you’ve held onto that you think you ‘should’ wear because you spent good money on it but it never feels quite right
Don’t buy anything that doesn’t fit the body you’re in NOW
Take home only pieces that you can wear with at least three other things you already own
Stop buying online only to be disappointed when the piece is not the quality or colour you imagined it would be
Discover the consignment shops nearby and support them over fast fashion stores
Get realistic about the life you’re living now and only buy clothes you can make good use of (if you don’t need more suits, bikinis or ball gowns don’t buy any more)
Only wear clothes in colours that enhance you rather than detract from who you are
If something is not immediately comfortable when you try it on do not buy it (because it will only irritate you more over time)
Buy shoes in the afternoon when your feet are a little more swollen instead of in the morning (when you might make the mistake of getting ones that are too tight)
If you have something in your wardrobe that you still love but it no longer fits you, either take it to be altered (if possible) or gift it to someone you know that it will fit and suit (so you can enjoy seeing it on them)
Resolve to wear hats (for sun protection at the very least)
Consider the person you are today (newly established in a career / embarking on a new endeavour / embracing retirement?!) and decide on some criteria for how you’d like to present for that
Check out all your shoes and boots to see if they need mending / reheeling / a simple polish (as well as looking better and extending their life, it is also beneficial to your feet, knees and hips to have shoes in good condition
If you require assistance with understanding what will work for you in 2026 (instead of 2006 or 2046!) I can recommend the following:
Ps: the feature image was taken when I visited the National Trust’s Sweet Stuff Fashion Trunk Show exhibition in November.