Five New Year's Fashion Resolutions You'll Want To Keep

Happy New Year! And welcome to the new look Outfit Angel website, services and blog.

I can't believe it's 2025. Last time I looked, it was 2020 and we were all hashtag stay home and investing in loungewear. What with the pandemic and everything else that’s happened in the world, time seems to have flown.

With a new year comes New Year resolutions. Everyone makes these at the start of the year, and they’re always made with the best intentions, but let's face it, humans in general aren't great at sticking to their resolutions.

That's why I prefer to set goals instead of resolutions - by reframing what I want to do as a goal, I find I am more likely to stick to whatever it is I have decided to change in the upcoming year. I prefer to keep my goals small and manageable, which is definitely something that you need to think about when making them.

As a wardrobe curator and confidence giver, my personal goals are always to make sure that my clients are happy. I've created five fashion resolutions that are easy to keep and will set anyone down the path to creating their dream wardrobe.

Resolve to finally sort out the clutter in your wardrobe

January is the perfect time to start thinking about clearing out the clutter that gathers in wardrobes. It's not just clothes either. I guarantee that all of you reading this have got some super random items in there too, like children's toys and ukuleles. Without the items that don't belong, it's much easier to see what clothes are in there and begin to then sort those out. I know I've got some very old, very threadbare clothes in my wardrobe that need to be consigned to the fabric bank or charity shop, and there’s stuff in there that I’ve not even looked at for two years. There may be chaos for a day or two, but once you're done clearing that clutter and sorting your clothes out, you'll feel much more organised.

Resolve to break up with fast fashion

It's better for your wallet, your wardrobe and the environment to break up with low-quality fast fashion stores and start buying investment pieces. Not everyone's budget can stretch to this, but being more mindful about what you buy will still save you money in the long run. If your budget for clothes is small, why not visit your local vintage, charity or thrift shops and see what you can pick up there? You might be able to find a pre-loved investment piece for the equivalent price of a fast fashion shirt, so next time you're shopping, have a good look. You do need to be careful and check the condition of what you're buying, but you really can find some gems for not much money. It's also worth learning some basic care and repair techniques so you can make your clothes last longer by looking after them properly and fixing them up when they start to wear out. All of this will help cut down on landfill, and with the money you save, you will eventually be able to splash out on something really nice.

Resolve to stick to a budget

It's easy to overspend on clothes, especially if you love them and love shopping. Setting a monthly budget for clothes and sticking to it will help you save money, and help you cut down on impulse buying. You will have to make the decision of 'do I impulse buy lots of shiny things I love in the moment or do I spend the money on this one piece that suits me perfectly and fits me like a dream and works so well with what I already have?' This budget applies for all clothes shops including online shopping, so be aware of what you're spending when you're browsing Zara at 1am.

Resolve to wear your neglected items

Everyone's got those items in their wardrobes that they haven't worn in forever. You look at them, think 'I must wear that' and then never do. People tend to stick to the same clothes that they're used to and that make them feel comfortable and safe, and the neglected item is probably something a bit out of the comfort zone. Well, how about making 2025 the year of stepping outside the comfort zone? Give those neglected items an outing, or if you know you'll never wear them, donate them, sell them or give them to a friend. Don't let them take up valuable real estate in your cupboard that could be filled with clothes you will actually wear. The same applies to shoes and accessories. Either give them an outing occasionally, or face up to the fact that you might be better off getting rid of them.

Resolve to only buy comfortable shoes

Life really is too short for uncomfortable shoes, and when I next clear out my wardrobe, any shoes that don’t meet the Comfy Standard are being sold or donated for someone else to enjoy. These are shoes that now hurt my feet, but I bought them in the name of ‘having shoes to go with an outfit’ and people who present as female especially shouldn’t have to do this. Why should anyone have to cram their feet into uncomfortable high heels just to look good? Male-presenting folks aren't exempt either - some of the smarter dress shoes look horrific to wear, and I feel for your feet. It is possible to get comfortable high heels and comfortable dress shoes, even if it does mean spending a little more. As I age, I realise that I simply cannot deal with the skyscraper heels I used to wear in my twenties. Comfy shoes should be the norm. Let's start the movement!

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So, will you be keeping any of these five New Year's fashion resolutions? Let me know in the comments!