As we turn the page towards a new year, the quest for a personal refresh begins. According to Jess Cartner-Morley, The Guardian's fashion editor, updating your wardrobe is a surprisingly potent strategy for activating a 'fresh-start mode' for 2026. Her latest edit moves beyond fleeting fads to focus on key pieces designed to nudge mind, body, and soul into an onward and upward trajectory, all while considering post-Christmas budgets.
Wardrobe Foundations for a Polished New Year
Cartner-Morley champions versatile staples that bridge the gap between comfort and intention. A standout recommendation is the button-through sleeveless knit, or chunky rib waistcoat. Priced from £85 at retailers like Albaray and M&S, it offers a clever psychological trick: fewer layers on the arms promote a fresher, less soporific feeling than a heavy sweater. It can be worn open as a jacket or closed as a waistcoat, making it a multitasking hero.
For days requiring smart polish without compromise, the search for the perfect trouser might lead you to activewear brands. Vuori's Elevation trousers (£110) are highlighted as a prime example. Hailing from the realm of chic Californian activewear, these 'travel trousers' promise comfort for a 7am start while resisting creases to ensure a presentable look by 7pm, thanks to a sophisticated hook-and-eye fastening and front pleat.
2026's Unlikely Trend Stars
Prepare for the rise of an unexpected silhouette: the quarter-zip sweater. Once relegated to school chemistry teachers, this style has been catapulted to fashion prominence, seen on celebrities like Jonathan Bailey at Dior and on the runway at Chanel. For a wallet-friendly iteration, Cartner-Morley points to Uniqlo's Soufflé yarn half-zip jumper for £39.90.
Another item set for a resurgence is the classic plaid or flannel shirt. The suggestion is less about buying new and more about foraging in your own, your partner's, or even your dad's wardrobe. For those seeking a new version, Aligne's Taylor flannel shirt (£49.49) features a clever back detail for a shaped fit. On the fashion circuit, they're being styled in innovative ways, from being tied around the waist to break up tailoring to being tucked into pencil skirts.
The Finishing Touches: From Hair to Toes
Accessories play a pivotal role in the 2026 refresh. For hair, while Gen Z favours the claw clip, Cartner-Morley suggests a more universally flattering and Parisian-inspired alternative: the classic hair pin. Anthropologie's Eyelet resin hair pins (£20) offer an elegant solution for securing updos without the headache of kirby grips.
Comfort at home receives a luxe upgrade with The White Company's Borg ballet slippers (£40). Positioned as the perfect partner to elevated pyjamas, these slippers are stylish enough to answer the door in. For those facing a January birthday, Monica Vinader's January birthstone chain necklace (£90), featuring a deep red garnet, is recommended as a beautifully packaged and meaningful gift.
Other essentials in the edit include a 'personality scarf' like the Cotswold Knit Notgrove neckerchief (£64 at Gather & See), Zara's Ski collection ankle boots (£89.99) for apres-ski chic, and an understated yet elegant belt-detail merino sweater from Cos (£119). Together, these pieces form a blueprint for starting 2026 with a sense of cosy, polished optimism.
