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We're in the annual season of reinventing oneself; I've read the word 'refresh' approximately 80 times this week and my Instagram feed is littered with 'New Year, New You' posts on how to live, eat, sleep, work and be better. You simply can't escape January's clean slate movement.
Whilst we're all committing to new fitness regimes, pledging to eat cleaner and Sleepmaxxing – aka optimising rest by taking magnesium and mouth taping – it's also worth assessing how we're dressing.
'New Year, New Wardrobe' is where my mind is going. Trying trends you've steered clear of or embracing a new colour palette is best done in cold, drab January. It's also the time to put certain looks to bed...
Read on for the silhouettes, embellishments and accessories you should leave in 2025 – and the nine alternatives to try instead.
1. Ditch hairy heels. Do studs
It was a controversial statement trend to begin with, but hairy heels are a no-no when it comes to getting dressed this year. They’re part of the ‘ugly’ shoe movement, whereby avant-garde, anti-fashion styles have slowly been deemed fashionable – see Crocs, cloven-hooved Tabis and Sneakerinas too (more on these below). Far more glamorous and much better in wet weather, statement studs are the secret to turning heads with your toes instead. They’re sleeker, sexier and won’t go soggy in a downpour – or the snow.
2. Ditch borg jackets. Do faux fur
Now OTT faux fur coats are trending – see Kim Kardashian this week in Aspen – bobbly, borg jackets look frumpy and outdated. When picking your new season fluff, opt for a retro shaggy look or go for full opulence and glamour in a sleek eighties inspired maxi coat or find one with statement buckled fastenings. At least these fuzzy coats are perfect for the current cold snap – there’s no better time to invest.
3. Ditch mom
jeans. Do barrel legs
Fear not, the upgrade on your trusty mom jeans is not a skinny low-rise number. It’s wider instead. If you haven’t made the transition already, barrel legs are the way to go with your denim now. They’re far more flattering than you think, as they cleverly balance proportions whilst still offering comfort – with a fitted waist and roomy dimensions around the hips and thighs. Plus, the tapering towards the ankle creates a flattering, curved silhouette for curvy, pear, apple, or straighter body types. My favourites come from Calvin Klein (these are high waisted) and M&S.
4. Ditch red tights. Do black sheers
Avoid the risk of looking like a tomato and bin the red stockings. They were very hard to pull off in the first place and post December, they feel naff rather than natty. Instead, stick to sultry sheer black styles no higher than a 25 denier. These sophisticated tights will lengthen and shape legs (opaque designs will only add inches where they shouldn’t). Wolford does some of the best, or try Calzedonia if you’re looking for cheap and cheerful.
5. Ditch Labubus. Do bag charms
So long, Labubus. The mischievous, elf-like dolls with big eyes and pointy ears, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, have been clinging to the bags of enthusiasts since early last year. But rather than playful, they’re now considered passé – even if they did cost £110,465 (or 1.08m yuan), as one human-sized iteration sold for according to a Chinese auction house. But bag bling is very much still in; see Jonathan Anderson's new tenure at Dior, which features book totes, striped rugby shirts, bags embellished with bows, clovers, daisies – and calfskin leather, whimsical charms that sit in the £600 bracket.
6. Ditch wired earphones. Do wireless
This 'cool', unbothered, wired accessory may well appear nonchalant and nostalgic, but let's face it, the sound quality is probably rubbish and the wire catches on everything. Save the faff. Bluetooth is back this year – hurrah!
7. Ditch Sneakerinas. Do walking shoes
Hybrid ballet-inspired trainers, or Sneakerinas, are yet another ‘ugly’ shoe to shelve now. Alternatively, Gorpcore (outdoor-core) hiking trainers are the trick to looking cool instead. Salomons have been popular with the fashion pack, and even Jennifer Lawrence, since the end of 2024. But Hoka, Adidas and Asics also stock the trend. Functional and fashionable. What's not to love?
8. Ditch butter-yellow. Do burgundy
Butter yellow may well have been one of the hottest colours of 2025, but it’s tricky to style and doesn’t suit the masses. Burgundy on the other hand is rich toned, flattering and looks expensive – on everybody. You’ll be pushed to style it badly. Try colour blocking it from head to toe or pick a stand-out accessory to amp up your outfit.
9. Ditch scarf coats. Do funnel necks
Thanks to the Swedish it-brand, Toteme, scarf jackets have taken over our coat pegs – and our necks – since November 2021. But the scarf itself never stays effortlessly slung over your shoulder and if you’re busty this style can make you look frumpy. Behold the funnel neck; the new way to cover your decolletage in the cold and January’s answer to keeping cosy, yet chic.
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