January Notes

outfits, pieces I loved, and what shaped my month

If I had to choose one word to describe January, it would be jolting. The constant tug-of-war between “new year optimism” and the eye-opening reality of our country has been exhausting. On top of that, my family and I faced a loss early into the year that only added to that feeling, and I’ve since been trying to find my footing again.

But here’s what January also reminded me: light and darkness can exist side by side, it’s okay to pause and start again when you’re ready, the little comforts can carry you further than you think, and even in the middle of sorrow, moments of joy still sneak in.

I’m writing this on the last day of the month and thought it was the perfect time to recap my month of style and moments with all of you — something I hope to make a recurring feature on Beyond The Closet. In this post, I’ll highlight my favorite outfit of the month, pieces I’ve purchased and am loving, a brand that caught my eye, the song that stuck with me, and a bit of encouragement for the month ahead.

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My Favorite Outfit of the Month

This outfit brought together so many things I love: the individual pieces, intentional styling, and the mix of fabrics (cotton, denim, wool, and suede). I very rarely this much blue outside of my usual denim on denim, which made this color way especially refreshing.

The sneakers made my day at work extremely comfortable. The denim shirt was visually interesting, but even more so, comforting to have around my waist. I’ve already revisited this outfit recipe with other items in my closet, which is usually how I know something felt aligned. I’ll definitely continue to work it into my spring and summer styling when the time comes.

This felt easy in the best way.

Pieces I Keep Reaching For

two outfits of many!

I really leaned into comfort pieces in January and found myself rotating the same ones. One of my personal favorites, as of late, are my Pleated Balloon Pants from Zara. If you know Zara, you know you can never be too sure about the quality of an item because of how inconsistent they are. This pair shocked me for sure! They have a great shape, a nice weight to them, and fit comfortably with a little extra room to breathe. Basically, they check all the right boxes for me and I genuinely look forward to styling these every week.

I’ve been eyeing these Andrea Gomez Suede Oxfords for some time now. They immediately reminded me of a similar pair I owned in middle school that I bought, of all places, from Forever 21. Seeing them felt like being transported back to a much younger, bolder version of myself.

I was fortunate enough to see and style these shoes on models for a few months before finally deciding to purchase them. It’s been a while since I exercised that level of restraint, and it made bringing them home feel all the more special.

When I look at these shoes, I think about the Studio Nicholson woman in me that I’m allowing to emerge this year. They feel delicate in both material and silhouette, and the darker ivory gives me room to experiment with new color palettes — something that’s been especially fun to play with lately.

Below is how I’ve styled them recently (technically not in January, but you get the idea).

recent outfits I've worn to work

A Brand That Caught My Eye

As I mentioned earlier, there’s a Studio Nicholson woman in me that I’m allowing to emerge this year. Even without owning pieces from the brand, the visuals below capture the feeling I’m continually drawn to in their work.

Studio Nicholson

Founded by Nick Wakeman, Studio Nicholson is rooted in the idea of making everyday garments exceptionally beautiful and flawlessly modern, with an emphasis on a purposeful, no-fuss wardrobe. That intention comes through clearly in every campaign and collection.

While the brand itself remains out of budget for now, the essence of Studio Nicholson feels entirely accessible with what I already own. I’m in a place now where I want to gently put the styling inspiration I admire into practice. I’m drawn to the way they reinterpret wardrobe classics through timeless pairings. The looks feel intentional, refreshing, fluid, and modest, which are all keywords within my own styling philosophy.

I’ve admired them for years now and often return to their campaigns/lookbooks for daily outfit inspiration.

Song of the Month

I can’t emphasize enough how deeply I clung to this song in January as I navigated life transitions, grief, self-reflection, and uncertainty. Olivia Dean has such a tender, honest voice — one that feels present no matter where or how I’m listening. Messy became the perfect blend of a melancholic melody and quietly optimistic lyrics, quickly turning into the anthem for the season I found myself in.

Each listen felt like a gentle confrontation with the reality I was living in. It reminded me to accept and surrender to the fact that life is rarely linear, and almost never perfect…no matter how carefully we try to present it as such. If you haven’t listened to the song, or explored Olivia Dean’s music more broadly, I can’t recommend her discography enough. There’s something tender and grounding waiting there.

This song met me exactly where I was at.

A Message for the Month Ahead

To close, I want to share a sentiment I’m carrying into February and on:

I’m allowing this season to be slower, simpler, and more intentional. I’m trusting that presence is enough for now and will reveal what urgency covers up. I’m carving out room for a deeper sense of gratitude for everyday moments. I’m allowing myself to stay in this place for a little while longer.

This corner of the internet has certainly been a joyful, restful place for me as I find my footing again. I hope you all enjoyed this! Until next time, much love.