The first days of every new year afford a chance to start afresh, to clean the slate, to turn over a new leaf and to finally get on the path to achieving all of those things you just know you can achieve – with a little extra willpower or a few more hours in each day.
My new year’s resolution list barely varies from year to year: lose weight, exercise more, call Mum more often, write thank-you letters.
This year, for a change, a list of sartorial resolutions seemed a more tempting proposition than the idea of committing to paper – once more – my stubborn determination to pretend to want to improve myself physically. And so here we are, with a list of 10 oh-so-achievable goals for the year ahead.
1 Go back to black (and white)
On catwalks everywhere from Jil Sander to Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors, classic monochrome came back to the fore, a nod to austerity when compared with last season’s OTT love of baroque and brocade. Zara’s current range looks to Jacobs’s geometric designs (although Jacobs’s own striped coat will do in a pinch).
2 Wear a power suit
It doesn’t matter if the trousers and jacket are cut (literally) from the same cloth, this season is all about girl-meets-boy androgynous tailoring. If Hedi Slimane’s Saint Laurent Paris catwalk show was anything to go by, that is. I can’t promise to stretch to an oversized cravat, but I do believe a slick two-piece can be accommodated. This number, from Marks Spencer’s spring/ summer range will be in store in February.
3 Brave the elements in something sheer
Tom Ford did it in a maxi dress, Christopher Kane did it in a midi dress, and Simone Rocha did it in everything. Sheer, floaty fabrics are where it’s at. Because I’m demure like that, I’ll be layering my organza bits ’n’ pieces over jersey basics and separates from the likes of Marks Spencer and American Apparel.
4 Go bright in all white
One of the strongest themes on the spring/summer 2013 catwalk shows was white: almost every designer in London showed at least one all-white outfit. The likelihood of spilling ketchup (very high) aside, wearing white can strike fear in the most svelte of all of us – won’t it make us look like chubby tennis players? For spring, let’s try not to care. River Island’s white two-piece will make a nice introduction, and the detail on the fabric means that small spillages may just go unnoticed.
5 Wear a kimono as a dress
Why? Well, because Prada said so, obviously. Vintage kimonos are easy to find in an array of designs and colours (try eBay for starters, and Shutterbug in Kilkenny often has a great range). A kimono can look great teamed with a bright obi – a broad sash worn as a belt – and a pair of chunky shoes. I’ll be wearing mine with a pair of bicycle shorts beneath, just to be safe.
6 Mix things up
At Derek Lam, Preen and Proenza Schouler, mixed patterns and fabrics were the thing. Coco Chanel may well turn in her grave, but the idea is to put another thing on before leaving the house (and then another) rather than taking one item off as she counselled. Mix houndstooth with tweed, velour with silk and florals with checks. This unlikely pairing from House of Fraser looks great.
7 Ruffle some feathers
At Peter Pilotto, Balenciaga and JW Anderson, ruffles reigned supreme, whether on collars, hems or throughout the length of a midi dress. Flattering? No. Cool? Obviously – the fashion pack says so. I’ll be looking for a ruffled dress to take me through wedding season, and wearing it with pale skin and slicked-back hair.
8 Rock a bomber jacket
At Erdem, Stella McCartney and Chanel, the bomber was the jacket shape to be seen in. And it couldn’t be simpler to wear – to tone down a girly dress, or over a pair of jeans or luxe tracksuit bottoms. For spring/summer 2013, Penneys has jumped on the bomber bandwagon with this neon animal print jacket. See point 6 for how to wear it (tip: go big or go home).
9 Shine
Iridescence isn’t just for Christmas – spring catwalks from Mary Katrantzou to Louis Vuitton and Alberta Ferretti were adorned with sequins, metallic threads and reflective fabrics. Think of pastel-coloured sweet wrappers and you are half-way there.
Penneys has an entire collection it is calling “crystal couture” dedicated to the trend.
10 Embrace the 1960s
The swinging sixties were in the background of almost every collection, with Louis Vuitton’s elevator catwalk looming large. Think A-line skirts, graphic prints, bright colour pops and sweet pastels – and beehives, of course.
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