I don't think I'm alone in feeling that the real New Year doesn't begin on 1 January but on 1 September.
September is a brilliant month because your skin is still glowing from the summer sun, the weather is gently creeping into lovely, bronzed autumn and you can begin making the transition into your winter wardrobe. Hello knitwear, my old friend.
Technically, September always has been the New Year for me. Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, falls in September/October signaling new beginnings and if you play your cards right, a new outfit for synagogue.
Schools go back, freshers get fresh and a new series of Strictly provides the perfect excuse to curl up on the sofa with a bottle of wine and a take away.
In fact, a new study by Pinterest has revealed that 59% of people want to make positive changes to their lifestyle this September, 69% believe small improvements in September are much easier to achieve than making New Year's resolutions in January and 38% believe that the end of summer feels like a fresh start.
Here are some of the reasons why Team ELLE is willing the arrival of the real 'New Year'.
Hannah Nathanson, Commissioning Editor
Buying new boots. It reminds me of buying new shoes for the start of the school term but minus the arguments with my mum over whether I was allowed Kickers or not (I wasn't). This September I'm on the lookout for the perfect heeled ankle boot.
Lotte Jeffs, Deputy Editor
September means one thing to me. Stationery. It's back to school time and despite the fact that I am 34 years old I still will always treat myself to a new bag, a new pencil case, note book, pens.
Natasha Bird, Digital Content Editor
I like that we get our living room back. We have a projector set up to display across an entire wall but it gives off a lot of heat which is no good in a heat wave. So later in September, when the weather cools a bit, I'll get all my housemates back and we'll continue our cinematographic education! We left off watching Robin Williams' more obscure (and camp) movies - The Birdcage and To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything and Julie Newmar.
Roberta Hollis, Fashion Assistant
I love when the weather's cold enough to wear a coat and drink hot-chocolate but it's still not too cold, so you can actually be the perfect temperature. And I can finally dig my ankle boot collection out from the back of the wardrobe.
Michelle Duguid, Senior Fashion editor
I like lots of things about September. It's always a treat to buy new pencil cases, rubbers and a compass. I love Hay at Liberty. I'm also fed up with the old season and love seeing the new collections coming into the shops.
