Do you have a wardrobe full of clothes but nothing to wear? We seek advice from the style experts …
Lorna Claire Weightman, a stylist and personal shopper in Brown Thomas in Dundrum, believes that one of the most common mistakes we make this time of year is, conversely, doing too much future-thinking. “In January, we’re flooded with new season trends, forecasts, reports, Instagram posts everywhere saying ‘this is what to look out for’, ‘this is what to buy for the new season’. And I think that actually scares people a bit. Really, it’s about parking that for the moment, taking a step back and cataloguing what you have,” she says. (Because: an organised wardrobe keeps a sane mind.) It’s almost as if dressing for the bleakest month of the year is a liminal space, with its own directives. Think of it as less of a spring-clean (too soon; we are still wearing woollens), more of a mid-winter clean slate. Once you do an audit, it leaves you free to see any gaps you have and to identity a blueprint for some outfits that will be easy, accessible and feel polished for the coming weeks. “For me, it’s a blazer, a simple cotton long-sleeve top, jeans that I know fit me, and that I like the cut of, and that will work universally across loads of different footwear options. And then you’ve got this really nice canvas to work with that you can dress up with shoes and accessories or dress down if you want to,” Weightman says.
According to style influencer and fashion writer Anna Newton, the most popular January uniform comprises vintage-look jeans, a plain knitted jumper and a pair of great loafers. Newton quizzed 23 Substack writers as research, and the majority came up with some variation of this look. So far, it’s familiar. However, the addition of a long, tailored jacket (Newton leans into one with strong shoulders, sourced from The Frankie Shop) and a structured tote, imbues the outfit with a polish that makes it feel special. In fact, it elevates staples from run of the mill to building blocks with edge; the kind that make you feel like your best self, day in, day out.
Meanwhile, super-stylist Allison Bornstein, who developed the ‘Three Word Method’, leans into inspiration images, particularly at this time of year, to shake things up. “Having some references really makes it easier when I’m feeling stuck or uninspired,” Bornstein divulges on Instagram. The idea is that seeing fresh ideas on other people will entice you to shop your own wardrobe, sparking ideas for combinations you hadn’t previously thought of, or simply reminding you about pieces you forgot you owned. This latter happens more often than you might think (guilty as charged). If you don’t already follow fashion accounts who specialise in this, open your explore page. Given Instagram’s current grá for mood-boarding and referencing style icons from decades-past, you’ll soon happen upon a glut of inspiration. However, accounts like Bornstein’s are good for breaking things down in a succinct, actionable way.
As well as offering a moment of reflection, January offers an opportunity to refine those smaller details; trial a piece of statement jewellery, experiment with scarves, try a styling trick. “I love tucking my jumper into my jeans in a sort of demi-tuck, tucking in one side of the jumper at the left or right of my jeans button. Another trick is to use a safety pin (see the video, above): I tuck it up and under to reveal a bit of the T-shirt I’m wearing underneath,” Weightman says. Watch your proportions with jeans and jumpers. Trendy barrel and straight-leg jeans need to be balanced out with neater shapes on top.
As for the most underrated January ally? Don’t underestimate the loafer. “Loafers are great because you’re ticking the box of it being flat and comfortable, but you’re also wearing something modern and polished. Having tried on so many types of jeans over the last couple of seasons (a time when denim has really been the centre point of a lot of outfits), loafers work really well with barrel shapes. Just remember to team them with a shorter leg length, that grazes the ankle, so you can see some skin,” Weightman says. At this time of year, layer up with a pair of cashmere grey socks, to keep the chill at bay. As for the hero piece of the month (and beyond)? After gaining traction last year, funnel-neck coats have continuity again this season (try Arket, COS and Sézane for affordable takes on the trend). “The shape is lovely from a practical sense, because you can tuck your hair into the high neck and then button it right up to the top,” Weightman says. “It looks chic.”
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