It came,
We saw,
(We partied)
but can we conquer?

It was the dawn of resolution day, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse. The hardest night to nab a cab has passed, our newest outfit is now old, our pre-drinks are now resulting in post-trauma, and our brick-berry’s probably tell us two things: we have x amount of outgoing calls to x amount of ex-flames and secondly, it is officially 01-01-10. We made it (home, and to 2010)!

A few hours after considering the plethora of ibuprofen aligned on the night stand (the drugs are so close, yet far too far), like many others around the world, we reflect.

We all lounge on our respective sofas, chesterfields, friends’ pull outs, what’s his name’s hide-a-beds, mid-century pistachio “anywhere” futons (Urban Outfitters), and reflect.

We reflect on the new year’s kiss that would’ve totally happened had that last apple pie shooter not landed us dans le bain. The ambiguous stains that threaten last night’s outfit and this month’s dry cleaning budget. The number of times “see you next year” was tossed around the night before, and how annoying the axiom is. And probably above all else, the triumphs (or setbacks) of another year’s passing — intermitted with double-checking the ibuprofen dosage label because I swear it said four to six pills every one to two hours?

As we sit, reflect, puke, ponder and pull the bobby pins out of our stiff post-party hair, three small but motivating words are tapped:
New Year’s Resolutions.

Be it mentally or digitally noted, on this day we begin the timeless task of to-dos and to-bes for the next 365 days, or for most of us: the next two weeks, starting tomorrow or the next day. Nobody’s perfect (Hi, Miley!).

We’re all going to cross our hearts, stick a needle in our eye and tape motivational pictures and words to our bathroom mirrors vowing to cut carbs, sleep in less, Facebook less, swear less, drink less, gossip less, procrastinate less, buy things we don’t need less, complain less, eat less (junk), be late less, be less late, let our counterparts pick up the cheque less.

And while it may only takes 10 or 12 seconds to read over our lists to better living, somehow coming up with our resolutions is a terribly horrible, no good, very bad, long and thoughtfully exhausting process. Then after writing down all our to-dos, it will strike us — moment of catharsis — they are mostly (entirely) to-don’ts? So, then we’ll try to come up with some real time to-dos: join the gym, start volunteering and so forth.

In fashion, it’s harder to turn a page and make a list that makes it all better. In fashion, there’s almost no forgiving and certainly no forgetting. Take Bjork’s swan gown from the 2001 Academy Awards, or Lady Gaga’s no-pants policy, or Adam Lambert’s “guyliner.”

But if there is anything that fashion can teach us besides which colours not to mix, and which garments to match, it’s the ability to pick up and move forward. Picking out the great things in the past and working them into the future. Trends are moments, there are some good, some bad, and at the end of the day, whether we forgive or forget, ultimately fashion will move forward. There’s no dwelling on a look, no excuses for an effort, just steering ahead. So, in the spirit of failed resolutions, here’s to not forgiving, not forgetting and just moving forward. A preview of what we should expect in spring 2010: Jumpsuits and play suits, sheer fabric is near, boyfriend blazers are keepers, they will keep you as warm on spring nights as even the boyfriend-less would imagine. Quirky headwear will be everywear. Whisperings of heavy metal and tribal militant looks collaborating for a heavy and hard look to offset the softness of spring—the only criteria is confidence. As for jeans, bring out the old and rip them in for the new! As for colours, think pink, blues and browns. For inspiration think harsh with a touch of romantic. For hair think anything B — berets, buns, bows and subtle braiding.

Whether we join the gym, cut our carbs or spending or bad attitudes, if we’re all going to be perfect 10s in 010, ultimately we need to be able to let go, leap forward and have faith in the future (and jumpsuits — I swear they’re awesome).