Why Now Is Not the Time to Reinvent Your Style. Just Put on Clothes

I follow some people on Substack, and there’s a through line to what they’re all writing about that deeply resonates with me right now.

How to put on clothes at this time of year

Why Now Is Not the Time to Reinvent Your Style.

It’s part of the reason the last two newsletters have been about writing about your style, as opposed to actually doing anything about it.

With all the expectations that come with the start of the year, getting dressed every day feels hard—let alone reinventing or evolving your style.

So for now: just write and put on clothes.
Photograph and observe without judgment.

Wearing the Same Thing (and That’s Okay)

At this time of year, I wear the same thing.
I have go-to outfits formed from the same items that I rotate.

I do find myself thinking:
You’re a creative person—why can’t you create a new outfit every day?!
Like I’m not good at my job if I wear the same or similar things all the time.

But I also know that a great wardrobe contains a good proportion of wearables—those items you rely on and that form the basis of your style.

I was listening to Bella Freud’s Fashion Neurosis, and one of my idols, Julianne Moore, was on the bouclé couch. She refers to these everyday items as your “blank”—the things you put on that make you feel like yourself, without emotional expectation.

They’re the items you’d save in a fire and wear on repeat until you could replace what you’d lost.

What I would save in the event of a fire

…and you can see a picture above… with the addition of some coats and shoes! 

January dressing was all about wearing the same thing—but in different ways.

Start with your base:

• a favourite jean
• a cosy jumper
• comfortable boots

Then build around it.

For example, I bought a jumper with a shoulder pad that gives it a stronger perspective, cosy but directional, so that’s the piece I started with. I naturally turned to denim and trousers because that’s what I wear most often—but I also managed to wear it with skirts, which made me really happy.

Five Days, One Jumper

• Day 1

• • Jumper
  • Gold choker
  • Charcoal barrel-leg jeans
  • Black boots

• Day 2

• • Butter-yellow viscose shirt
  • Jumper (collar out)
  • Wool wide-leg trousers
  • brown boots

• Day 3

• • Jumper
  • Denim shirt (collar in)
  • Light-blue denim
  • Trainers

• Day 4

• • Jumper
  • Denim midi skirt with bubble hem
  • Brown Cuban-heeled boots

• Day 5

• • Jumper
  • White full skirt
  • Suede jacket
  • Boots

I really rely on jewellery here. It allows me to lean into different vibes when the clothes themselves feel very familiar. Shoes are also great for bringing new energy.

I appreciate this is more challenging if you’re in the office daily with colleagues and can’t wear the same jumper all week. But the principle still works.

Start with your bottoms—a favourite skirt or trouser. You’ll look like you have more outfits if you change the top rather than changing the bottom every day. You should have more wearable tops than wearable bottoms in your wardrobe for this reason. It’s something I am working on!

This is also a great strategy when you buy something new. Pair it with your wearables first to make sure you can get really good mileage out of it.

If it doesn’t go with your wearables—and you have to buy more pieces to make it work—it probably isn’t your style.
(Or it’s where you want your style to go, but your wearables need updating first.)

January, done ✔️

Here’s to a fabulous February.

Penny.

P.S. Speaking of fires—choosing what you’d save is a reality for people living in Victoria, Australia right now. If you feel inclined to support them, you can do so here:
https://www.vic.gov.au/2026-Victorian-Bushfire-Appeal

P.P.S. The easiest way to understand what your wearables are—and how to wear them—is to book in with us. You can do that here.