Fashion editor Annmarie O'Connor: Here's what you should do instead of making style resolutions
Annmarie O’Connor: Time has a way of changing a person — their needs, wants, tastes, and looks. Picture: Miki Barlok
New Year’s resolutions: We love to make them and wonder why we break them. Statistically bound to fail, most of these annual promises never make it past January.
Whether it’s implementing an extreme closet purge or a ‘no spend’ challenge, we vow that this year will be different.
This year, we tell ourselves, we mean it. But what do we really mean? For resolutions to work, they must be realistic and aligned with our value systems.
In matters sartorial, the allure of potential can distract us from what’s important.
Concessions lead to minor transgressions (50% off, click to cart), and before long, we’re repeating those age-old mistakes.
My advice? Instead of committing to pointless to-do lists, let 2025 be the year of ‘to don’t’. Here’s why.
Although the word ‘don’t’ plays an auxiliary role in grammar, its use is more intentional when establishing style boundaries.
By knowing what we don’t want, the message to our brains is that we call the shots.
This flips the script from limitation to empowerment, allowing us to explore other, more fulfilling alternatives. An oxymoron? Sure, but behind the apparent contradiction is a beautiful alchemy.
In crafting statements beginning with ‘don’t’, we can gradually shift away the base metals of our wardrobe and, in time, find the gold.
Consider it an act of self-awareness rather than self-improvement. Need some inspiration? Check out my perennial don’ts below.
The irony isn’t lost on me. Surely a prescriptive list of ‘don’ts’ counts as prohibitive. Absolutely.
The difference? Mine reflects the demands of my life — no one else. What’s more, I’m not banning certain items because I’m getting older.
There are enough misguided lists on the internet (10 Things a Woman Over 50 Should Never Wear) doing that work. Clickbait is tempting, especially when we get caught in the throes of life.
We forget to check in with ourselves and before long, we don’t know what suits us anymore. That’s okay. Defining and refining your style is a process — it takes time.
When in doubt, limit your advice to an objective third party. Try a frank friend with no filter who will tell you what you need to know rather than what you want to hear.
In most cases, listen to your gut. If you don’t feel good in it; you won’t look good in it. Simple as.
Recently, I did the unthinkable and culled my collection of vintage dresses. I swore we were life partners — in it for the long haul.
Time has a way of changing a person — their needs, wants, tastes, and looks.
Despite making regular alterations to improve the fit, I could only take it so far without having a tailor recut the pattern and hope for the best.
With no guarantee, it didn’t warrant the effort. I had to let some of them go. It’s not easy but neither is holding on.
The kind thing was to allow someone else — a better fit — to love them as much as I did.
And so, I wrapped them in tissue paper and wished them well.
Although the space where they once hung is now empty, I see it as an opportunity for a new love to come along — when I least expect it.
I claim to be a mindful dresser. You can read about it in my book, The Happy Closet. That’s not to say I only wear thoughtfully planned basics — far from it.
I love trends but I’ve also seen enough come and go over the years to recognise the ones with staying power.
My motto? Take what resonates and leave the rest. And when nothing stirs the soul? Wear what you have or borrow what you like.
Just like trends, these dry spells come and go.
Treat them as an opportunity to get creative with what’s hanging in your wardrobe rather than filling it with flash-in-the-pan flings.
Being broke does not feel good. Being in debt feels worse. This is especially true if either involves a handbag with questionable resale value.
No ‘must-have’ item is ever worth plundering our hard-earned resources.
Budgets keep us accountable to our future selves and prevent that cold sweat when the credit card bill arrives at month-end.
Younger and more impressionable, I learned this the hard way with a 22% APR.
Instead of bowing at the altar of catwalk creations, I recommend getting familiar with mid-level brands that offer quality without the trophy mark-up.
Mix it up with a high street homage here and a charity find there.
Look to independent labels, try second-hand finds on Depop or Etsy artisans that offer your aesthetic a point of difference.
Do you — just be sure to do it on your terms and conditions.
Many things in the world are outside our control: The weather, other people’s reactions, Elon Musk — looking put together is, thankfully, not in that line-up.
That’s not to say we should execute a full glam strategy on a Monday morning when the school run is pending.
There are, however, tried, and true shortcuts that make getting dressed that bit easier.
A long proponent of creating style uniforms, I work with certain garment combinations when time and patience are lacking.
Generally, the pieces I reach for most are the ones that prove their cost-per-wear.
My favourites? I like smartening up a T-shirt and jeans with a well-cut blazer or dressing down a skirt with a chunky knit.
As for head-to-toe black: Well, that’s a done deal, especially with chic kitten heels and thoughtfully chosen jewellery. Need I say more?
- Pictures: Miki Barlok
- Hair: Callum O’Donovan at The Edge Hair Design
- Location: Moxy Cork and Residence Inn Cork
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