January 1st is the day we all try to become the people we want to be. The person who takes better care of their body, who's more organized, who budgets better, who tries something new, and who reads more (I pulled these from the top ten most common New Year's resolutions, according to Nielsen).
Personally, my favorite part of becoming a better person — no matter which one of these routes I'm taking — is gearing up for it. You can't become the better person you envision if you don't have the items Dream You is wearing in said dreams! That's just science.
Luckily, there are a whole mess of retailers having bonanza sales right now to help you be reborn at a fraction of the usual cost. So jot down your New Year's resolutions, add in big letters *get a fit off* right underneath them, and start shopping the best sales of the weekend to knock off two birds with one stone.
If You Want to Be Healthier
Wow, good for you, you've decided to start working out and stop eating junk in 2017. That's perfect. It means there will be more junk for me. Get healthy with a balanced diet and by working out. But first, clothes to exercise in, because when you look good, you feel good.
Nike is offering an additional 25% off items already on sale. Just use the code LEGEND25, which should come with some sort of disclaimer that legendary status is not guaranteed. There's plenty to get you on the right track (do you get it?), though: Nike Tech Fleece Windrunner (will be $101.25), HyperShield Running Jacket (will be $180), a Dry Miler Running T-shirt (will be $22.50), and a whole lot more to comb through.
Under Armour is also having a large end-of-season-sale with Infrared Fleece Quarter Zips ($41.99), Fleece Logo Hoodies ($32.99), and Select Basketball Shorts ($22.49 to $29.99) all at a discount.
If You Want to Budget Better
Here, I will attempt to convince you to buy things so that you can stop spending money. First, good sales make that easier — and there are a bunch right now. Second, if you really want to stop spending money on clothes, hop on the bandwagon, because we're going minimalist.
Buy several high-quality basic pieces — sweaters, T-shirts, and jeans — in dark colors, like black or navy. 3x1 is having a great sale, and you can get very good M3 Slim Straight Radar Black jeans for only $73 — don't forget to use the code HOLIDAY25. The Levi's sale, where 505 Regular Fit Stretch Jeans are only $30, is also an acceptable move.
Next, hop over to J.Crew and get a Lambswool Sweater for only $35 after taking an additional 50% off the retail price with the code THEBEST. (I got one for my brother a couple Christmases ago and he still wears it consistently to this day. It's nice.) Lastly, latch onto Mr Porter's incredible blowout like it's the last and only good thing to happen in 2016. There you can find a black Cotton-Mesh T-shirt by Reigning Champ for only $37.50. I promise it will treat you well in 2017 and beyond.
If You Want to Try New Things
Hopefully by new things you meant weird brands and items of clothing. If so, try something from SSENSE's sale, where items are discounted up to 70% off. Is this Helmut Lang White Long Mandarin Shirt ($193) enough outside your comfort zone? No? How about this Yeezy Season 3 Yellow Shearling Flight Coat ($840), which has been a bit of an editorial star this season? Or maybe this KTZ Black Jersey Patches Coat ($407) will do the trick.
There are over 111 pages of this sale! If there's nothing weird enough for you in any of those pages... please contact me directly because you are clearly a special and unique being. But also, don't fret because Très Bien's winter sale is also going on. There you can find this Undercover T-shirt printed with an angelic angel flipping the bird ($147) and a Comme des Garçons Ganryu Stripe Mohair Sweater ($444.94)
At least this is an easy one to check off your list. Step one: Buy a thing. Step two: Wait patiently for the thing ship to your house. Step three: Put the thing on and wear it outside. You can cross a New Year's resolution off just three-to-five business days into 2017!
If You Want to Be the Person Who Is More Organized
We all know a notebook is as equally important to organization as it is to the #aesthetic. Shop Moleskine's year-end sale now and you'll find the brand's Classic Notebook ($11.86), Professional Notebook ($19.51), and Hard Cover Color Notebook -€” RULED (because we are not savages) ($11.86) at discounted prices.
A bag to put your notebook in would also be helpful. Need Supply has nice ones and you can take 25% off of them with the code COLD25. You'll be organized as heck if you get a Filson Original Briefcase ($243.75), A.P.C. Stefan Backpack ($176.25) or Herschel Supply Winlaw Cordura in Caramel ($56.25).
If You Want to Read More
Reading is a great way to become a better more educated person. Reading about fashion and menswear is a great way to become a better more educated person who dresses well. Did I just invent a lifehack? Fashion: A History from the 18th to the 20th Century ($9.99) is on sale at Barnes & Nobles. And Powell's is offering customers a buy two, get one free deal — I know, not that exciting, but a free book's a free book. May I suggest some combination of Take Ivy ($18.95), Dressing the Man ($49.99), Ametora: How Japan Saved American Style (which is already on sale for $12.98), Men & Style ($30), and Fuck Yeah Menswear ($13.95)?