image: Garry Knight

Now that Christmas is over (the wrapping paper having been checked through for errant cheques and gift receipts), attention turns to New Year’s Eve. Out with egg nog, in with champagne. New Year’s Eve is a lighter holiday, less weighted down with tinselly traditions, apart from ‘Old Lang Syne’ and kissing someone at midnight. One tradition you are supposed to follow is compile a list of resolutions, usually to atone for your indulgence over the holidays. Most of us forget about them on January 2nd. But caught as I am in a sartorial transitional moment (finally shaking off my schluppy post-university look in favour of dressing like a grown up), I thought the timing was right to compile a list of style resolutions for 2013. And I’m going to follow them. I give you permission, if you are a friend of mine, or even if you just see me on the street, and you see me infringing on these rules, to call me out on it in the most public manner.

I will buy winter boots.

I realize it’s a winter wonderland outside right now, but sometimes in Toronto it barely snows. Most of my time outside is spent ducking from the TTC to work, or vice versa. I spend very little time exposed to the elements, and as a result, I put off wearing winter boots for a long time. I manage to spend some winters entirely in my running shoes, despite the ever present danger of corrosive sidewalk salt.

On Christmas morning, I opened a cheque from my Mom.

“It’s for new boots, Max. You can’t spend all winter in red high tops. They will be ruined, plus there’s the factor of professionalism.”

I felt a bit like Peter Pan being forced to grow up, but hey, at least I get to go shopping.

I will get my clothes tailored.

Getting clothes hemmed or adjusted is one of those things we call know we can do theoretically, but many of us don’t put the time and effort in to doing it. Due to no abnormalities with our bodies, clothing bought off the rack rarely fits properly, and a little professional tailoring would make all the difference. But who can be bothered? Oprah may advise to tailoring your jeans, but I clearly don’t have the money and drive of Oprah (and if I had, the world would be a very difficult place).

But for Christmas my brother, who is overseas in Scotland, sent me a wine red velvet jacket that fits perfectly…except for the sleeves, which are an inch too long. I could probably get away with it, especially if I rolled them up a bit, but why not spend a little money to make the jacket perfect? Plus, the tailor might draw on me with chalk, which would be fun.

I will take better care of my clothes.

I agree with the comedian who joked that men recognize the floor for what it is–a very large, low shelf. I have a very bad habit of coming home, going to my room, and dramatically flinging my clothes about. In the moment, I fool myself into thinking I’ll pick them up later, but usually they sit there for days, shirt still entangled in sweater, underwear nestled deep inside a pant leg. My theory is that it’s my way of getting comfortable and marking territory–you know this is my space because I’ve demarcated it with colourful t-shirts.

I’ve never been forced to get better at this because I’ve never shared a room with a boyfriend (and if I continue my slovenliness I fear I’ll never get the chance.) But now that I’m acquiring clothing that didn’t come from Value Village, clothing that cost a bit of money, taking the time to put shirts on hangers and fold up pants can be viewed as a financial investment…the only investment I have, actually.

I will grow out my hair.

I’m certain this is something most of my female readers can relate to. You get a great haircut, but your hair grows very quickly, and it looks different a scant two weeks later. But then when you want to grow out your hair, when you’ve received a bad hair cut, or you just want a longer style, your hair takes forever to grow. There’s probably some science explanation for this phenomenon, like when it gets longer the hair needs more ‘oomph’ to push out the strands or something, but I wouldn’t know about that.

What I do know is, after getting one of the best haircuts of my life earlier this year, I’ve finally become comfortable with growing out the top of my hair to revel in all it’s dark, luscious glory. But it’s taking its sweet time, and has been an awkward, in-between length, where I can’t wax it up anymore but it’s not long enough to sweep back, for quite awhile.

I must have patience. For long hair, the old adage applies–good things come to those who wait.

I will be bold.

Life is too short to blend in with the crowd. It’s safe to wear noncontroversial things that don’t garner attention. Occasionally, someone makes fun of what I’m wearing, and I won’t lie and say it doesn’t sting in the moment. But then I think, why is this person trying to influence what I wear? Just because they wouldn’t put on, say, a turquoise and red hoodie from Honest Ed’s (for instance), doesn’t mean I shouldn’t. I detect a hint of jealousy in the fashion bully’s taunt. They may be envious that I’ve rejected the style rules they strive to follow, and that I’m working off my own playbook they don’t understand. People who are fully comfortable with their personal style don’t make fun of those of others.

So I’m going to continue to wear bold patterns and bright colours. And who knows, maybe my wardrobe will get even zanier in 2013. Resolutions are all when and good, but at the end of the day, they shouldn’t change who you are.