There are plenty of New Year's resolutions we secretly know we're going to break very early on in 2015. But the start of the year is a great time to clean up your sartorial act, and that's one resolution you should try to keep.
My first resolution is about making fewer boredom purchases and investing more in well-made key wardrobe staples. Boredom purchases, a particular speciality of mine, usually happen while I'm "browsing" Zara while waiting for a friend or movie at IFC. Too often I emerge HK$3,000 poorer with a handful of items that I'll wear once or twice - such as the kitsch Navajo tunic worthy of Pocahontas or the long-fringed thread skirt that catches on everything, especially on chairs in fancy restaurants.
By wardrobe staples, I don't just mean items such as a white T-shirt or jeans (although these are important). I mean things you personally go to consistently as anchors of your style. A decent black leather jacket, for example, is well worth spending a little more on, as is a warm coat in a luxurious fabric that is cut impeccably for your frame, or leather flat sandals and a colourful soft summer dress that you can throw on and feel like you're on holiday. Laid-back, quality jewellery and a couple of bags that will last through seasonal trends are key, too.
There was a lot of coverage of local designers and retailers last year. Greedy landlords and developers are making it difficult for independent stores to survive these days. Those that have deserve some attention. Take time to navigate the backstreets and lanes around Star Street, for example, which abound with little independent stores.
