Morgan Mattison, co-owner of Eccentricity, 716 Mass., models a statement necklace.

Morgan Mattison, co-owner of Eccentricity, 716 Mass., models tights and funky boots.

After the ball has dropped and the champagne glasses are emptied, it’ll be time start thinking about the possibilities ahead for the New Year.

And while eating better and making more use of that gym membership are worthy resolutions for the year ahead, if you want to quickly jump-start a new you, you just might take a look at your wardrobe.

It doesn’t have to be anything drastic. Actually, with the economic hardships of 2008 not quite behind us, 2009 might not be the time to make a complete overhaul. But if you can add a few things that are hot and get rid of a few that are not, you just might be on your way to having your clothes represent your fresh outlook for the New Year.

What to lose

“Sweater vests,” says Miranda Zeckser of the clothing store Kieu’s, 738 Mass., without hesitation. “You should get rid of those.”

And tossing out the midsize handbags should clear some space in the closet.

“Handbags are either large or small this season. We’re not seeing a lot of midsize,” says Joan McCrillis, a professor of fashion design at Johnson Community College.

McCrillis finds the same is a true for accessories in general this year.

“Things are trending toward designer accessories,” she says. “A lot of statement bags and statement shoes that are in bright colors, metallics or large in size.”

And that goes for jewelry as well.

“Earrings are large, overstated, almost chandelier,” McCrillis says. “Necklaces are long.”

And if you do weed out items that either don’t fit right or are no longer in style, consider donating articles of clothing to charities or selling to secondhand stores.

“I’m a big advocate of passing your clothes on,” says Chelsea Cooley of Miss Fortune’s Creation Station, 726 Mass. “It’s one of the best ways you can reuse and recycle.”

What to keep

Meredith Van Loenen, from Eccentricity, 716 Mass., says nice short-sleeve shirts are long-lasting wardrobe staples, as they can work well with any season.

“Layering is a really big thing,” she says. “You can basically take anything — camis, cute tops and put them over a long-sleeve shirt.”

You may want to look through your closet and make pairings of similar colors for a new take on some old favorites.

“We’re seeing some really interesting combinations of colors,” McCrillis says. “Colors are being matched with two shades of the same color family, like purple with lavender, sky blue and cobalt blue, and soft pink with shocking pink.”

What to add

Zeckser likes the “large coats and pant classic look for 2009.”

McCrillis agrees that this is a wise choice for a multipurpose purchase that can be worn over just about anything.

“They call it the boyfriend’s jacket,” she says. “The long oversized coat worn with a new shorter kind of pant this season, that ends at about the ankle.”

She finds that one-pieces like polo dresses or even jumpsuits can be nice additions for the New Year.

“They’re tapered by the waistline, which is predominant in basically everything this season,” McCrillis says. “Natural waistlines or higher, although not necessarily empire, with belts, can be a flattering look.”

And if you’re feeling adventurous …

You might want to look at the back of your closet for this one. Thuy Nguyen of Kieu’s says legwarmers are making a comeback, and this time around you don’t have to be a teenage girl or an aerobics instructor to spice up your winter wardrobe.

“There’s all different ways you can wear them, and they come in different styles,” Nguyen says. “There are the dressy ones you can wear with a slinky New Year’s dress or the knitted kind, which a lot have people have been wearing with sweater dresses.”

And once the weather gets nicer, try this blast from the past.

“Minis are really strong, as far as length goes,” says McCrillis, who believes this just might be a good sign for 2009. “In the history of fashion, when skirts are short, the economy is doing well, so these could be hopeful times.”