It’s an annual tradition around these parts. Resolutions in general are kinda cheesy, but they’re harmless. Here are ten potential style resolutions possibly worth considering this year.
#1. Know what you like, set a goal, and get a really nice version of it.
Say you really like simple dress watches. Or navy suits. Or rugged boots. Or selvage denim. Or tattoos. Set a big, but attainable personal goal. Save up along the way, and once you hit that goal (maybe it’s a fitness goal, or work related, whatever) treat yo self to a top notch version of that thing you like. If you feel yourself start to waver while in pursuit of that goal? Focus on that style carrot. Lock in on the reward, and the desire to bail should pass.
Goal worthy: The Allen Edmonds Blecker Street Dress Boot
#2. Create a style budget, or at least track how much you spend for one month.
Not the “budget type”? Fair enough. But one month. Just ONE MONTH, track how much you’re spending on clothes, shoes, and other style-related things. Hell, go back and LOOK at a month that’s already happened. Log in to your online banking, and take, say, October for a spin. Add it up. What % of that could have been put towards better things? Like, y’know, an emergency fund?
#3. Prep what you’re going to wear the night before.
Ever stand in front of your closet in the fog of an early morning and think… “uh… now what?” Putting out what you’re going to wear the night before can help with that. Consider getting an old-school clothes valet
#4. Downsize the clutter, & dial in.
Do you only wear 20% of the shirts in your closet? When’s the last time you even looked at those three watches you never wear? Clean it up, and clear it out. Ebay is great for this. Don’t be afraid to stick to only what you like, and get rid of the rest. Variety for the sake of variety is often waste.
Like navy sportcoats? Great. Don’t be afraid to stick to em’.
#5. Respect the liver a bit more.
The craft beer revolution and the resurgence of well made cocktails has given those of us who imbibe an enormous amount of options. But good grief, it’s everywhere. Cocktails sure can look classy as all hell, but being a sweating bleary drunk is anything but. Volunteer to be the designated driver more often. Take up ginger beer. Keep it in balance.
#6. Spend less time on social media.
The social media manager is gonna kill me for saying this, but it’s all overrated. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all-too-often provide an all-too-easy conduit for someone to over share and look silly. As Frank Lucas so eloquently put it, “The loudest one in the room, is the weakest one in the room.” Having confidence is a huge part of having style. Throwing a digital message in a bottle out into the internet ocean hoping for a response rarely looks good.
Strangely enough, posting selfies to Facebook didn’t make the list.
#7. Class up your house/apartment.
If you’re wardrobe projects “accomplished/working-hard-towards-accomplished adult”, yet your place is “dumpster fire meets college freshman dorm room”… there’s some work to be done. If your outfits and your home don’t match, stylistically, get to work. Try here, here, here, and for a bevy of home-style inspiration… try here (it leans lady-friendly, but not all guy’s homes need to be nothing but leather and steel).
#8. Make a “take care of your toys” day and time.
Maybe it’s Sunday afternoons. Or Tuesday nights, if they’re especially dead for you. Set aside a few hours, each week, and shine your shoes, do your laundry, iron your shirts, wash your car, steam you suits… whatever. This is twofold: 1. You get it all done at once. 2. You count your blessings.
See you on Sunday night.
#9. Get great at dressing casually.
Perfect the t-shirt and jeans look. Find a great pair of sneakers that aren’t running shoes. When the warm weather rolls around, find the best fitting polos for your body, and wear them with sharp but still dressed down shorts. We often over-focus on the more expensive, more dressed up stuff.
#10. Don’t take the “rules” of fashion so seriously.
The annual reminder. Look, if you feel your best in it, and it looks good on you, forget the goddamned “experts” and go with it. Most of these so-called rules (even the ones you read on this website) are more guidelines than anything. 99.9% of you already get this. Don’t over think it. There are much bigger things to be concerned about.
Hope you all had a very happy, very stylish holiday Season. Here’s to 2015.