When the hustle and bustle of the holiday season come to a close and we’re greeted with the clean slate of January, it’s natural to fill your mind with visions of who you want to be in the new year. In the spirit of manifesting, showing up dressed as who you want to be is an easy first step in getting you there—and doing so doesn’t require an entirely new wardrobe. Instead, making a few intentional, versatile swaps to metaphorically and physically say out with the old and welcome the new is all you need.
If you’re in the market to make a few style updates this year, these five easy swaps will make a noticeable difference with minimal effort. Even better: You can wear them all in the go-to ways you’re used to, but the updated fits and silhouettes will take your style straight into the year 2024. Ready to tackle the new year with an updated wardrobe? Start with these five easy swaps.
1. Instead of mules, try ballet flats
A few years ago, you couldn’t open Instagram without seeing an influencer sporting Gucci mules on their feet. And while they’re inherently timeless, at this point, they leave a little bit to be desired. For a similar timeless, minimal shoe, a ballet flat is a seamless swap. They’ve resurfaced over the past year to remind us why we used to love them—they’re comfortable, versatile, and can be worn all year round, for starters—and have solidified that they’re staying around to bless us more in 2024. If you want your ballet flats to pack a bigger punch, opt for a pair of Mary Janes with buckle detailing.
2. Instead of a belt bag, try a sling bag
A belt bag’s primary purpose is one of functionality; they’re beloved for being hands-free and easy, which is a non-negotiable on certain days. Rather than reaching for your old faithful Lululemon belt bag, a sling bag is just as practical without sacrificing style. Shorten the strap to give it a belt bag-like effect, or lengthen it to wear as a carry-all crossbody that can become your fifth limb for all your casual days.
3. Instead of cropped jeans, try full-length ones
Don’t get me wrong: There’s a time and a place for cropped jeans, and this year capris are going to be trending, so they’re about to get even more significant. I personally own multiple pairs and wear them all the time. But certain shoes call for full-length jeans, especially in the wintertime. Pairing cropped jeans with boots, loafers, or sneakers can leave a gap of skin between where the jeans end and the shoe begins, which can look unintentional and shorten the leg. Instead, opt for a full-length pair that grazes the tops of your shoes. The difference is a subtle one but makes a massive difference in how an outfit looks.
4. Instead of fitted blazers and button-ups, try oversized ones
Sure, blazers and button-ups are both classic, timeless items, but the thing that dates them—and dare, we say, makes them look like a quintessentially “millennial” uniform—is the fit. Rather than tight, fitted ones (we all remember the viral Pinterest picture of the girl in the tight chambray shirt, black skinny jeans, and cheetah-print scarf), opt for more relaxed, oversized fits. They’re worth the investment as versatile capsule wardrobe staples, but the updated silhouette will bring them into the present day and out of 2010.
5. Instead of a moto jacket, try a bomber
Should you get rid of the moto jackets in your closet? No. Are there more updated versions to try on for size this year? Yes. A jacket is always worth the bang for your buck—it can be worn on repeat and serve as the pièce de résistance of even your most basic jeans-and-tee combos. Rather than a fitted moto jacket, an oversized bomber has a more modern, effortless feel that can bring an element of coolness to your closet.
