1. Take a haircut plunge
Been rockin’ the same coif since ’89 and haven’t mustered up the courage to change? Now’s the time to do it. Buzz it all off. Grow it long. Change up the product you’re putting in your hair or consider switching to a new barber/stylist if you’re really unhappy. If you’re losing your hair, now’s the perfect time to try the close cropped look.
2. Assemble three, go-to outfits you know you look terrific in.
The goal is to have a couple of looks you can turn to on short notice and put on with zero thinking. One should be dressed up (a suit/shirt/tie/shoes/watch combo), another dressed down, and the last one something in between. Don’t “save” these outfits but don’t get into a rut with them either. In the end, having a solid, dependable base, will only help you explore other options and combos. They’re the net under your high wire act.
3. Bust out of a rut
If you’re addicted to jeans, force yourself to try cords or chinos. If you’re always wearing the same colors, buy one shirt or sweater in another color and start layering it in with your usual shades. If you don’t get used to the change after a few spins, well at least you gave it a shot.
4. Create a weekly laundry/ironing/shoe shining day
Instead of sprinkling these clothing related chores throughout the week in small doses, set aside a weeknight or weekend morning and take the medicine all at once. Listen to some favorite podcasts. Stream a TV series over netflix. The laundry, ironing, and a pair or two of shoes will be shined and done for the week before you know it.
Try setting aside a time to tear that chore band-aid off all at once.
5. Drink Less
Alcohol abuse is serious business. But if you’re just looking to cut back on a vice you’ve got under control, consider this: 5% of the average American’s daily caloric intake comes from alcohol. Meanwhile, 20% of men drink down 300 calories or more of alcohol per day.
6. Get in the best shape you’ve ever been in.
Speaking of calories… Look, it’s the #1 New Year’s Resolution cliche. But it makes an enormous difference. You’ll not only look better, but more importantly you’ll feel better. Being fit is even a trump card in many ways. Some snob might scoff at your glued shoes, your fused suit, or your Target shirt, but if he can’t do 10 push-ups without risking a stroke, he doesn’t have much to strut about. The paint job might look great, but if it’s all rust and bondo underneath, then it doesn’t really matter.
7. Concentrate on improving your posture
Want to visually lose 10 pounds? Get your shirts tailored. Want to look like you’ve lost another 5 pounds and grown an inch in height? Stand up straight. All of us who are hunched over computers all day should take note.
8. Create a clothing & entertainment budget
All dressed up but too broke to go anywhere really stinks. Run some numbers if you’re coming up short.
9. Save up for, and purchase something extremely well made that you’ll use for years.
It’ll have to be versatile. Maybe even really simple. It’ll probably end up in one of those outfits from resolution #2. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you can use most of the year and work into any level of dress. Think a nice, modern navy blazer, a three season coat, a briefcase, or a great pair of shoes.
10. Spend less time online talking about clothes, & more time out in the world wearing them
Hey. Wait a minute.
Your turn guys. Are you pursuing any resolutions for 2013? Did you stick to one last year and it’s worth passing along for someone else to try? Hit the comments section below with your suggestions.
A save worthy duo: The J. Crew Ludlow Navy Blazer in super 130s wool & the Allen Edmonds Kenilworth. Full retail for each is pretty expensive, so waiting for a 20 – 30% off code is a good idea. Very Top Photo Credit: Egil Nes
Already did #3! When my favorite pair of jeans died recently, I replaced it with a pair of cords and a pair of chinos instead of a new pair of jeans.
The best way to keep any resolution is to get support. Start a style odyssey with some friends. Join a community-orientated gym like CrossFit to get in shape. Etc. Great resolutions, Joe!
Working on number 6!!
Automatically sat up straight as I read #7
Great list! I like #2–it reminds me to be more appreciative of what I already own, i.e., why do I need another tartan secret wash shirt from J. Crew, etc. And #’s 8 & 9 would be good ones for me to start paying more attention to! Fewer impulse buys and more thoughtful purchases.
Starting P90X again, this time with my girlfriend. Did it alone last time through, and while I got phenomenal results, it was difficult being the only one keeping me going. Can’t wait to get back to the shape I was then and start wearing my clothes perfectly again.
And also, it’s carbs that I’m counting, not calories.
Good list. #10… its good to disconnect once in a while. Or for certain times during the day.
Cheating a little as I already thought about this and posted it on Style Girlfriend:
I finally found a tailor I like not too long ago, so I plan to spend more going to her to get the clothes I already own tailored and less on new clothes.
Love the list.
A personal one: get more clothes tailored instead of buying more clothes. I’ve got several shirts and pants that don’t fit like I want them. Why spend $35 on a new pair of navy chinos when I can spend $25 at the tailor to get my current ones tailored.
I got a little help with #9 with some unexpected good financial news, but I finally took the plunge and bought the Dopp kit I hope to use for the rest of my adult life.
http://www.blueclawco.com/collections/urban-collection/products/de-gaulle-dopp-navy
I’ve been doing pretty well with number 6… I’ve been running every day since the week after Thanksgiving (except for a few days when I hiked instead). Doing strength training 3-4 times/week as well.
Yep. Did the haircut thing at the beginning of last year and I couldn’t have been more surprised how quickly everything else fell into place. Tweak just one thing and it’ll likely inject that extra bit needed to start the ball rolling.
As an aside: Anyone have any extra details on where I might snag those Kenilworth’s online for a decent discount? I’m loving the look of them and just retired a pair of brown laceups, so I’ve had a nagging desire to fill that hole.
That’s what she said… Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. OMG THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID. I’ll see myself out http://i.imgur.com/do2Pp.gif
I thought someone would like that.
Amazing. I ordered this thing on Thursday last week, and it just made it to my office today. Granted, their HQ is in my neck of the woods, but that’s still impressive. They do free shipping on all orders too.
“Some snob might scoff at your glued shoes, your fused suit, or your
Target shirt, but if he can’t do 10 push-ups without risking a stroke…”
That cracked me up. Last year I did #7. It made a difference.
Oh, and this is how to get that $1400 suit you wanted.
http://savingabuck.com/2013/01/try-the-52-week-money-challenge-for-2013/