Deciding what to wear in January can be a tricky one. It’s still freezing so you need to stay warm and cosy, but it’s also a fresh start. We’ve all likely made a resolution of some kind and have our eyes firmly fixed on moving forward, so it’s understandable if stepping back into 2020’s largely loungewear wardrobe feels a little, well, stale.
Luckily, there’s a solution—and it’s not throwing everything away! Naturally, a little wardrobe detox is a great idea at this time of year, but budgets are also tight post-Christmas. So before you swear off certain items, consider the pieces you may be able to use as a gateway to the new season.
We’re talking teasers of a fresh colour palette, lots of layers, some chic suiting, and plenty of stripes. The key look for the coming season have already made themselves known, so here’s your guide to easing your wardrobe into 2021 while staying warm.
Keep scrolling for all the street style inspiration you need to inspire your January wardrobe, whatever you have planned for the month ahead.
Style Notes: Chunky cardigan, check. Track-sole boots, check. Designer bag, check. Wear all of your trend-ticking items at once, with wardrobe classics like blue jeans and white shirting, and you’ll soon be feeling fancy.
Style Notes: Even the most die-hard of minimalists can throw a style curveball in the form of a bright scarf. Don’t you think this makes Lucy’s pared-back outfit look super interesting?
Style Notes: Not only should you refrain from packing any way “party pieces”, but we recommend wearing them together to pack an outfit punch. Feathers and leopard print? Inspired, Léna.
Style Notes: 2020 was the year when tucking your trouser hems into your boots became a thing again. Try it, and just wait until you see how cool you feel when you stride into Tesco.
Style Notes: Unlock a whole new playful side to your style by wearing a bucket hat with every outfit. It’ll work better with some more than others—regardless though, it’ll make whatever you wear feel fresh and different.
Style Notes: If you’re anything like us, anything you’ve recently invested in likely comes with a huge collar built in. When out and about, be sure to show it off overtop of your coats.
Style Notes: It’s simple, but throwing a belt over just about anything will breathe a new lease of life into it. The obvious choice is jumper dresses, but this trick also works over
Style Notes: One of the easiest ways to breathe new life into your existing wares in layering them in unexpected ways. Set aside an afternoon and try as many combinations as possible. They won’t all be winners, but when you find a formula like Ada’s that just works, you’ll feel suitably proud.
Style Notes: Print clashing might seem daunting at first but we have one rule that makes it easy—ensure the pieces share at least one colour in common. Just look at Lotte—her leopard-and-check ensemble works because both items feature black. Then, she makes it all the more seamless with her blue knit and matching bag. Bravo, lady.
Style Notes: From Saks Potts to the big lace comeback, tights are officially back on the fashion agenda. What’s more, a standout pair will make all your skirts and dresses feel so now.
Style Notes: One of the quickest ways to fall into wardrobe humdrum is to choose similarly-shaped pieces over and over again. Raid your cupboards, pull out the most oversized thing you own—be it a pair of flared trousers or a puff-sleeve dress—and wear it with pride.
Style Notes: This smart-trousers–and–oversized-knit combo ticks all the boxes: warm, effortless and chic.
Style Notes: The denim miniskirt has been given the sartorial silent treatment for the last few seasons, but we’re beginning to see influencers giving them the time of day again. Wear them with knee-high boots and a statement blouse.
Style Notes: Hot pink is one of the biggest colour trends of 2021, and is anything but boring.
Style Notes: We’re only half-way through boot season and we’re already tired of dowdy black styles. If you’re feeling the same fatigue, switch in a pair of white ankle-grazers and you’ll soon see how they magically make any outfit look fresher.
Style Notes: Party tops are just about the most fabulous thing we’ve worn in the last few months, and we dare not part with them just yet. If you’re the same, follow Amira’s lead and wear yours with a thin roll neck underneath.
Style Notes: That Topshop slip skirt you bought in four colour-ways? Make it work for now by clashing it with different textures—think vinyl, suede and cashmere.
Style Notes: Monikh wears a bright jumper with neutral colours if, like everyone else, you invested heavily in neutrals in 2020, give them a new lease of life by pairing them with a bright jumper.
Style Notes: If you’re bored of your basics, simply adding a pair of sock boots or fancy flats to your everyday ensembles will put a spring in your step.
Style Notes: Raid your wardrobe and drawers and pull out anything that’s the same colour, Be it green, blue or yellow, wear the lot at once to make your outfit look instantly pulled together. It will look like it’s taking months of planning when, in reality, it’s the ultimate lazy-girl dressing hack.
Style Notes: You’ll still be in need of a coat for the foreseeable, and while checks are still going strong, we recommend investing in a brighter hue to give your outfits a lift. This one is Balenciaga, but & Other Stories have brilliant bright options.
Style Notes: While skinny jeans will never completely fade away, next year they’re taking a backseat to looser, ripped denim. So dig out an old pair and tear them up as you see fit.
Style Notes: Over the festive period you’ll likely to be wearing one thing above all else; your comfies. Instead, start the new year feeling slick in a sharp suit, even if it is just for a couple of Zoom meetings.
Style Notes: Chloé kickstarted the kitschy-print trend with its horse-motif suit. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face, we suggest wearing on Blue Monday.
Style Notes: Create a bold colour clash by wearing shades like red, blue and green together at once, much like Hanna Stefanssion.
Style Notes: This is one of our favourite styling tricks; wear your cardigans as a top instead of a cover-up and honestly, it makes such a difference to your vibe. We’re always complimented on our outfit when we make this simple tweak.
Style Notes: Culottes are a summertime staple, but Monikh has given them a wintry seal of approval by wearing them with a chunky knit. Just add your favourite pair of boots.
Style Notes: When it’s really chilly, chances are you’ll want to stay in your coat for as long as possible when you go anywhere. As such, make it a chic one that makes your outfit as opposed to glazing over it.
Style Notes: It’s one of the easiest tricks in the sartorial book—wearing your skinny jeans with a sharp blazer to create the ideal combination of sleek and casual. Perfect for a low-key dinner.
Style Notes: If, like the rest of the world, you invested in 2020’s cardigan trend in a big way, take a longline style and wear it with opaques and knee-high boots to give it a dress-like spin.
This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
