Welcome back
To a list of life/style resolutions in 2026.
What does one write on their newsletter after a long absence?
Hi!!!
I missed this space. And you.
Over the past six months, writing and posting took a backseat with a lot of my attention went staying balanced in life while maintaining daily routines, as basic as it could be, amidst a rollercoaster ride that I had no choice but to ride on. On a brighter note, I got promoted at my corporate job, discovered a new passion and had my first trip home in two years. Less than a month later, I was home again, ending the year with that familiar shift from inconsolable sadness to emotional numbness, the kind that doesn’t heal everything but keeps you afloat when feeling too much would pull you under.
Then it’s already 2026.
Last week, I took a trip to Barcelona trying to relax and reset for the year to come. When you’ve not been to a city before and mapped most of your itinerary sightseeing Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece of works (Sagrada Familia will take extra 15 years to complete, fyi), shopping in a city renowned for independent brands and watching the Three Kings Parade under 0°C (32°F), you do not have the relaxation akin to Savasana in yoga.
All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking, Nietzsche once said. Thanks to the 15k daily steps taken in Barcelona, a list of life reminders and style resolutions for 2026 eventually came up in no particular order. I have them scribbled at the back of several receipts, tried my best not to lose them when I was on my way back. Now I am sharing the list with you:
Be honest to yourself. What do you like (that not many people like)? What do you dislike (but is popular as a trend)?
Refresh wardrobe through styling. Last year I had a conversation with the clothes less loved and they were GREAT. It feels beyond invigorating to update your wardrobe without buying *insert number here* new clothes while staying creative.
Experiment with personal style. Not saying you will dress in punk rock one day and in 19th century Victorian dress the day after, but you get it. Why dress like everyone else when you can always be true to yourself?
Shop your own wardrobe. Remember most things are already there for you.
Choose vintage/preloved clothes in person, not online. As strange as it might sound as a former vintage shop owner who has both a physical shop and online shop, I still prefer experiencing vintage clothes in the material realm. To be able to feel actual clothes in your hand and on your body, even to smell them, before buying, is a luxury unavailable on The RealReal or Vestiaire Collective.
Borrow from your partner’s wardrobe. So there are two wardrobes of clothes to explore on!
On my end…
Be consistent. Self-explanatory.
Buy a black coat. If the perfect one do exist.
Explore outfits with skirts/dress. A category I least invested in.
Read more. Will start a new section about books here.
Write more. I wrote but rarely publish.
Sell clothes less loved. Vinted will be my new best friend.
So, that’s my list! Ticking off one box now — I wrote and I published.
Hope your 2026 is off to a good start!
Until next time,
Chris
Catch up on my previous posts:
You look amazing as always. Happy new year and welcome back! I too think I should have a conversation with the lesser-worn clothes in my wardrobe...
Welcome back! We missed you. I decided to do another nobuy year for clothes-shopping, as I know I have everything I need, and also so much to choose from. It means that trends totally pass me buy, and by default I only wear what I love!