It's a controversial position to take, but I really like January. Gone are the days of making up excuses to not go out (I fully embraced JOMO this year) and you can stop punishing your liver with all those after-work parties. That said, eating Quality Street before midday is no longer on the agenda, the days are still so incredibly dark, and with no pretty decorations to distract you, where can you derive a little bit of joy? From your clothes, of course.
I'm not suggesting for a minute you should go out and purchase lots of new pieces but rather think about the colours, materials and prints you already own. What truly makes you feel happy when you put it on? I decided to speak to three other editors and stylists whose style I love, on which items of clothing make them feel genuinely happy come 2020. It's a capsule wardrobe but not as you know it. Keep scrolling for their picks plus my own…
It all comes down to texture for pieces that make me feel happy in January. Whether it's a great luxurious-looking satin dress or a cosy coat-meets-cardigan item, I'm after pieces that will last me for the year. All the below meet that criteria. The knitted dress I'll wear with sandals come spring and the blue Zara midi is exactly what I'll need come wedding season (not to mention it's ideal for spring/summer 2020). The belted Raey coat is a classic but is just different enough to feel fresh and interesting for the New Year.
"Colour is my mood booster. I instantly feel a difference if I'm wearing something colourful that I love on a grey day. I adore this & Other Stories cardi firstly because it's lilac and cardigans are a real year-rounder, so I know I'll get lots of wear out of it. These pyjamas I've chosen are from Sleeper are bringing me so much joy at the moment. I mean, they're ridiculously over the top for nightwear, but for partywear, it's a different story."
"Comfort is at the forefront of most of my outfit-making decisions. The more comfortable I feel in an outfit, the happier I am. Loungewear as outerwear is 100% my vibe at the moment. I'm most happy in anything cashmere, shearling-lined, oversized and in a neutral colour. I'm doing my best to fashion sweatpants into formal wear. I'm very lucky that as a freelance stylist I don't have a strict workwear wardrobe. I wear Birkenstocks all year round and just add a pair of cashmere socks when it gets too cold."
"It's hard to put my finger on what it is about an item that makes me happy, and this selection is probably a reflection of my somewhat contradictory love of both statement items and minimalist classics. I think the thing that unites them all is their retro undertones—whether it's Horror Vacui's Victorian collar, the '70s swagger of Charlotte Simone's fluffy-collared coat or the clean-lines of Arket's '90s-inspired leather blazer. I'm always drawn towards a throwback finish."
Next up, the biggest spring/summer 2020 fashion trends you need to know.
