how to be cool in 2009

Ah, 2009. Here we stand with the year stretched ahead of us. Whatever it holds it seems like rather a significant 345 days, with Obama a few hours away from Office and a lovely unpredictable financial market. As we leave the noughties and enter into the 2010s, how will fashion evolve? Which variables will swing our style, and into which direction? They're all interesting questions, but for now, let us forget about this for a moment, with a tongue in cheek guide of How To Be Cool in 2009. Of course skipping this post would technically make you cool. But it would also make you a spoil sport and a teensy bit egotistic, so maybe you ought to read it just to be sure.

CREATE YOUR OWN TRENDS

What do you do when confronted with the reality of a SS09 worth of catwalks lacking of any dominant or remarkable trends? Why, you "feel" out your own. Look to people on the streets, current cinema, or even, as I have look to Americans circa 1930, on the cusp of the depression. It may seem, just that, depressing, but from a historical point of view, it's most interesting. Take some of your favourite pieces from the wardrobe, using these as a good base and work around, adding the elements that you loved from the spring collections, to create a tailor made collection of 2009, just for yourself.

WATCH THE INAUGURATION

No matter how late you have to stay up (or early, we're an international community here..) you'll know that you saw the moment when Barack Obama became President. And you'll always remember it.

DEVELOP OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

This is not OCD of the handwashing variety. This is OCD of the "obsessively work your way through the Top 100 Book List" variety. Or watch every film starring your favourite actor. Either way, frostbite threatening temperatures (for Brits, Canadians and all other winter sufferers) and/or frozen financial funds keeping you indoors, an addiction must be allowed to develop.

BROADEN YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF NEW DESIGNERS

I'm as impartial to Alexander Wang as the next person. But with rips and holes, over-zipper-exposure and supersexy leather becoming a bit of an urban uniform, I'm keen to find out who else is out there in the way of young talent. Start with Gar-De and Maria Francesca Pepe for long Calvin Klein-esque dress silhouettes, a good contender for the basic of 2009.

DATE SOMEBODY OLDER

With a beard.

EMBRACE DENIAL

Stop talking about the world's monetary woes and economic climate. Infact discuss the old climate of choice if you're stuck for small talk. Ah, remember the good old days when we disected overcast skies in depth rather than plummeting interest rates? If you must insist on panicking (it's boring) then please do it in your head.

DON'T DECLARE TEA DRINKING AS A HOBBY..

..as if you're the first person to have done this.