The decorations are down, all the eggnog has gone and the celebrations are over for another year. Don’t let January get you down, beat the blues by planning now and staying ahead of the fashion game in 2014. Here is our rundown of what you want to be buying this year and when.
January
If you haven’t yet jumped on the sports luxe trend and bought yourself a chic rucksack then the January sales is the perfect time to do so. Chic enough for the daily commute or to add a touch of glamour to your gym kit, invest now as the rucksack is only going to get bigger in the year ahead.
Backpack, Alexander Wang, £965, Net-a-Porter
February
Arctic winds, storms and flooding? This winter is set to be brutal. Fight the elements by staying wrapped up and cosy in an oversized coat. Pretty pastels are the choice of the fashion set but if you are looking for a go-with-anything coat try grey as a softer alternative to black.
Wool blend coat, Marc Jacobs, £580, Net-a-Porter
March
Not yet warm enough to brave bare legs? Perfect time to invest in your 2014 jeans. Skinnies are now a fashion staple, so this year shake things up with a slouchy, turned up boyfriend jean or the new “mom” jean.
Mom jeans, £40, Topshop
April
Chances are if you are over 24 you will be attending at least one wedding this year. Even if it’s an autumn wedding, start planning and window shopping now as last minute panic buys might get you relegated to the back row when it’s group photo time. When wedding shopping, never stray too far from your usual style; if ditsy florals aren’t your thing go with your instincts and choose block colours instead.
Lace dress, £125, Coast
May
If the British springtime can be relied on for one thing, it’s that rain is never too far away. May is the perfect time to grab some bargain ankle boots that will toughen up your summer florals and protect your feet from sudden British downpours.
Leather ankle boots, £160, Hudson
June
It might be hard to picture it now but we are hoping that by June we will have seen some sunshine. 2012 was the cat’s eye frame, 2013 was the novelty shades; we are predicting that the frame of 2014 will be about old school Hollywood glamour.
Sunglasses, Victoria Beckham, £495, Net-a-Porter
July
They’ve already been gracing the feet of the truly fashion brave, despite the wet and windy weather; come July we will all be slipping in to Slides. They might not be the most glamorous of sandals but their carefree attitude and the fact they will take up half the space of gladiators in your suitcase will make them a fashion hero come summer.
Leather slides, See by Chloé, £170, Net-a-Porter
August
The end of season sales is the ideal time to stock up on summer dresses; perfect if you are off in search of winter sun or pair with chunky tights and heavy knitwear for the perfect trans-seasonal look.
China print sundress, £36, Topshop
September
As the summer drifts away yet again we will all need a little pick-me-up to perk ourselves up for the dark days ahead. Treat yourself in September to a perfect, don’t-know-how-I-Lived-without-it bag. The tote has been reigning supreme for a few seasons but by the end of 2014 we think boxy structured styles will be what we are lusting after.
Tote bag, £42, Warehouse
October
After the weather which saw in 2014, let’s hope for an Indian summer. Invest in a giant scarf to layer up over knitwear for a cosy autumnal look.
Animal print oversized scarf, £89, Reiss
November
One word; knitwear. Buy big and buy plenty.
Coatigan, £45, Miss Selfridge
December
Here again, so soon? 2013 saw a lot of black around at Christmas, let’s try to cheer things up a bit come Christmas 2014. We are not suggesting you dip yourself in glitter but let’s add a bit of colour to the festivities this year.
Lace chiffon skater dress, now £30, Oasis
So get shopping all you Semple ladies, because we’ve got a busy year ahead.
By Samantha Vandersteen