THE JOURNAL
Jon Hamm in Your Friends & Neighbours. Photograph by Apple TV
For thousands of years, the start of a new year has offered a symbolic blank slate – a chance to reflect, reset and recalibrate. In ancient Mesopotamia, the new year began in March or April and was celebrated with a two-week religious festival called Akitu. Babylonians made solemn promises to resolve past year’s affairs by repaying debts and returning borrowed items. And the Romans later inherited this spirit of renewal.
In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar reformed the calendar to align with the sun, inaugurating 1 January as the year’s commencement. January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, depicted with two faces – one looking back at the past and the other forward to the future. Romans honoured Janus by making pledges of good behaviour for the year ahead, a precursor to today’s resolutions.
By the 19th century, these resolutions had evolved, becoming more secular and widespread throughout the Western world. Today, they range from personal aspirations to community-oriented goals. For the style-minded, the dawn of the year offers not just an opportunity for self-improvement, but also a chance to rethink one’s wardrobe. Below, we propose five style-focused resolutions to help you usher in the new year with confidence.
01. Overdressing for no reason
If you adopt one resolution this year, make it this: dress up, even if there’s no occasion. Perhaps make a new tradition by going out for dinner once every week or two.
If the establishment has white tablecloth, you can get away with something as formal as black tie. For something more dressed down, consider soft lambskin or goatskin leather jacket. Either way, the act of dressing with intention can make a night feel special.
02. Repair, don’t replace
Amid the rush to buy new, the art of mending offers a quieter, more thoughtful alternative. Begin by taking stock of neglected items in your wardrobe. Perhaps a favourite sweater, worn and moth-eaten, or a pair of shoes scuffed from memorable outings. By repairing rather than replacing, we can decrease what we send to landfills.
In the process, you might rediscover once-beloved garments that no longer fit quite right. Before discarding them, check for inlays – excess fabric along the garment’s interior seams. A skilled tailor can let out these seams, giving old pieces new relevance.
03. Declutter with purpose
We’ve all bought things with good intentions but, over time, found that they no longer resonate. For those items that don’t need mending or altering, consider donating them to local charities that serve people in need. Many groups help people struggling with finances to find professional clothes they can wear to job interviews; others sell unwanted clothes to raise money for various causes. All of these can be worthy organisations for those unwanted clothes.
04. Experiment with one thing
Developing personal style requires willingness to experiment, especially in the early stages. So, commit to trying out at least one new idea this year. Perhaps that means playing with new silhouettes, such as rounded bombers jackets, high-waisted trousers or dramatic overcoats that swish around your knees. Or maybe a bold colour palette, such as jewel-toned sweaters in winter or pastel shorts in spring.
It may also involve venturing into new aesthetic territories. If your wardrobe skews formal, try experimenting with casualwear this year. Conversely, if you’re a casual dresser, consider the transformative power of tailoring. A classic navy sport coat is something you can dress down with Western shirts, jeans and Chelsea boots, but also team with an Oxford button-down and grey wool trousers.
05. Buy less, buy better
The mantra of “quality over quantity” has long been a staple of menswear wisdom, but it feels especially poignant now. Resolve to save for pieces that truly matter.
You can do this by making a list of things you want this year – big ticket, but important items that will make a long-lasting impact on your wardrobe. Perhaps that’s a raglan-sleeve overcoat that will be a reliable companion in winter, quality full-grain leather loafers for summer or a mechanical timepiece to mark an accomplishment.
When tempted by bargains and fleeting trends, remind yourself that the slower, considered approach to wardrobe building will save money in the long-run. By investing in fewer, better items, you’ll create a wardrobe filled with pieces that make you feel as good you look.